With this profile, I have attempted to paint the Lawful Good character in a more favorable and compassionate light, while still maintaining a logical perspective on the nature of morality, crime, reform, and how best to help those who need it. Most Lawful Good subdivide their alignment into those who punish the wicked, and those who assist the victims. This character takes both of those important measures and applies the same logic to both, and what's more, recognizes a third crucial aspect of her belief system that is often left out in the cold.
As per usual, I wait with eager anticipation to read your reactions, comments, and criticisms.
Please enjoy the Thinking Mans Lawful Good!
That is what everything boils down to: respect. Reform is a word that gets bandied about by a lot of people with very narrow scope and little concept of what it really means. We cannot force penance. We cannot compel them to drink the water to which we have led. We can, however, show them respect. We can demonstrate a higher standard of life and living. We can show them the lives they have forever altered by their actions. We can help them to understand why they made the choices they did, and how it adversely affected both them and the people they hurt. Is it manipulative? Is it a guilt-trip? Maybe, but only those who are guilty can be made to feel guilty. Without respect, we are beholden only to the letter of the law, and we lose sight of the spirit of the same.
Many people assume, because of my station, because of the responsibilities of my order that I do what I do only to protect myself. That power is the endgame. Those people don’t understand. They don’t know. Strip away my rank, and destroy my title. Invalidate the vows I have made. Burn the parchment upon which my oath was signed in blood. Dissolve the sisterhood to whom I have sworn eternal allegiance, and melt my sword and armor into slag. The position of authority does not change the fundamental truths about who I am. I do what I do, not out of a lust for power, but for love of life; for love itself. I am what I am because when a man loses a son to a monster, either wild or civilized, that man needs compassion and respect. I am what I am because when that monster is found, when the time comes to bring it to justice, either by court or by steel, that creature needs compassion and respect. And, most importantly, when the people wonder how such an abysmal deed could have been perpetrated under my watch, when the people need someone to blame, when they need to direct their anger and despair at someone or something? They need someone to bear the brunt of their anguish. They need me to weather the storm for them.
I do so without reservation or deception. I do so with pity and humility. I do so with honor and charity. I do so with compassion and respect. I do so with love and decency. I do so for the good of all mankind. This I swear before God that I will uphold the virtues of my chapter and stand in reverence of the holy judgment of my Mother Superior. Amen.