goodaligned

Goodaligned, often written as good-aligned, is a term used to describe a character, entity, or policy whose ethical orientation centers on benevolence, justice, and concern for others. In fantasy role-playing games and related media, good-aligned beings are expected to act in ways that promote the welfare of the innocent and the greater good, even at personal cost.

Originating in the alignment frameworks of early tabletop RPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons, good-aligned characters typically oppose evil and adhere to a moral code that emphasizes honesty, mercy, and protection of the vulnerable. The exact expectations of "good" vary by setting, but common traits include altruism, self-sacrifice, and a dislike of needless suffering.

In gameplay, alignment can influence interactions, class powers, and narrative outcomes. Classic examples include paladins and clerics whose abilities and reputations reflect their commitment to good. Some modern systems handle alignment more loosely, focusing on verifiable actions rather than a fixed category, while others preserve alignment as a dynamic attribute that can shift with choices.

Outside games, the term appears in storytelling and media to describe protagonists driven by benevolence and justice. In discussions of ethics and artificial intelligence, analogous ideas describe agents designed to maximize beneficial outcomes under normative constraints, reflecting a practical interpretation of goodaligned behavior.