Thread by @Shinto_Nephilim

#ttrpg #dnd Let's discuss removing supernatural evil from the game. This is going to take a Shintoistic view of the world and what's in it, and compare it to tabletop games. Bear with us.

In Shinto, there is no universal good or evil. The universe doesn't care if you're 'good' or 'bad'. It cares if you're spiritually pure or not - which is an entirely different thing. 'Good' and 'Evil' depends on mortal choice and action, and is dictated by society.

Things which are not 'human' (or 'mortal' in a game) do not have this free will, they do not choose. Instead, they act in accordance to their nature. A spirit of the storm makes storms. A spirit of fire burns things. It isn't done out of malice. It's just nature.

This puts 100% of the onus on people to be just and good. If an evil action happens, there's a mortal involved in it. If a spirit becomes wrathful and destructive, it's because a mortal has done something to anger the spirit. Everything becomes about mortal choices.

What about demons and angels and such? If you want them in the game, then 'what is their purpose'? Without the onus of 'good' versus 'evil', what do they do?

An angel is a messenger for a god. Or to punish someone who has angered a god. They don't fight for 'good'.

A demon punishes the wicked. The demon is not wicked itself. It has its nature, and it does its duty, and that's it. Summon a demon? Well now, there's a bunch of people who have done wicked things. It goes around and punishes them. Not out of malevolence.

Which means, again, a mortal action has caused problems. Now, mortals can call something 'evil'. They're just wrong. A storm doesn't wash over the countryside because it's evil, it does it because it's a storm. Make it angry, and it *will* flatten your house and zot you.

This goes with another cool Shinto idea. Every spirit, god, whatever, has a 'benevolent' side, and a 'wrathful side'. Incorporate that, and things get interesting. The benevolent storm releases gentle rains and cool breezes. Wrathful brings the driving rain and lightning.

A benevolent demon stays its hand until it finds someone worthy to punish. It might even protect an innocent. A wrathful demon lays the hurt down on those who have wronged it or those it is protecting.

This adds a certain depth to the world - the mortals trigger the good and the bad, it's on them. The world reacts to their actions, but isn't the *source* of bad things until something draws their ire.

Comments are appreciated.