Many gamers are familiar with the alignment chart used byDungeons and Dragonsplayers to describe their characters' morality and values. The system first classifies characters as lawful, chaotic, or somewhere in between. Second, it splits them into good, evil, or neutral. Alignment underscores motivation and personality, influencing players' every move and action within a game.
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The chart’s utility goes far beyond the realm of D&D and can be ahandy tool for describing charactersin any setting. The universe ofThe Elder Scrollsis certainly no exception—even when it comes to those most enigmatic of figures, the Daedric Princes.
17Azura: Neutral Good
Creator and patron deity of the Dunmer, Azura is perhaps the most benevolent Daedric Prince. Like her brethren, she may punish those who displease her, but her concern for her worshippers and willingness to forgive are marks of a Good alignment.
Azura is capable of causing harm, but directs any damage towards evil forces—like the power-hungry antagonists ofMorrowind.Neither rigid nor lax, she falls easily under Neutral Good.
16Boethiah: Chaotic Evil
Though revered by the Dumner as one of the Three Good Daedra, Boethiah’s “goodness” is debatable. In the games and lore, Boethiah demands bloodshed to win her favor, turns on followers without warning and relishes violence and destruction.
Additionally, Boethiah is the Prince of conspiracy, sedition, and overthrow of authority. Her very sphere dictates the disruption of order, leaving only chaos.
15Clavicus Vile: Chaotic Neutral
Master of wishes and bargains, Vile deals with mortals more often than other Princes, generally for his own amusement. Each bargain he strikes is kept—though more often than not, its fulfillment is to the detriment of the mortal who made it.
Usually, Clavicus Vile’s aims aren’t outright malicious, buthis pursuit of mischief and trickeryplace him squarely under Chaotic Neutral.
14Hermaeus Mora: Lawful Evil
Hermaeus Mora has little concern for mortals unless he can use them. He appears to harbor respect for mortals who, like him, strive for forbidden knowledge—however, he’s not above driving them to madness.
Like many Lawful Evil characters, Hermaeus Mora isn’t out for destruction. He doesn’t take pleasure in suffering, but disposes of his champions when their usefulness runs out. His only interest is in his own goals, and he will strike the cruelest of bargains to advance them.
13Hircine: True Neutral
The Father of Manbeasts, Hircine holds a certain respect for those who prove themselves in his trials. As his quest inSkyrimshows, it is possible to incur his wrath, but he can be assuaged by an exhilarating hunt.
Several Daedric princes fall under this alignment, protecting their worshippers while ignoring other mortals. Hircine has no affinity for destruction or deceit: he’s after the thrill of the chase, rewarding his devotees and punishing those who betray him.
12Jyggalag: Lawful Neutral
The rarely-seen Jyggalag (pictured in this image fromDeviantArt’s SPARTAN22294)is the Daedric Prince of order and deduction. His domain is defined by rigidity, while his his lack of concern for mortal affairs points towards neither a good nor evil nature.
As fans may know, Jyggalag and Sheogorathare the same entity, as Jyggalag was cursed to become the opposite of everything he stood for. Considering Sheogorath’s nature, it’s little wonder that his antithesis falls under Lawful Neutral.
11Malacath: True Neutral
Like the Orcs who revere him, Malacath is sometimes described as ruthless and violent. Yet, though he rules with an iron hand, it’shard to mark him as evil: He is a protector of the ostracized and spurned, rewarding valor in his worshippers.
True Neutrals are often characterized as survivors. Malacath and his Orsimer children embody this spirit to the letter, refusing to let the world tear them down.
10Mehrunes Dagon: Neutral Evil
The main antagonist ofOblivion, Dagon’sattempts to invade Mundusand eradicate mortals leave no doubt as to his evil nature. Yet, though he revels in destruction, Dagon always has a plan—whereas Chaotic Evil violence is often arbitrary.
Also unlike chaotic characters, Dagon sees value in having underlings (in his case, the Mythic Dawn) assassinate and torture in his name. With consistent method to his madness, Mehrunes Dagon adheres to neither law nor chaos in his pursuit of power.
9Mephala: Chaotic Evil
Lies, deceit, and betrayal are hallmarks of evil, and these are Mephala’s domain. Like any Chaotic character, she acts with only her own amusement in mind, seducing and meddling with mortals at her own whims.
The patron of secret murder, Mephala is worshipped by the Morag Tong, an assassin’s guild inMorrowind. Some speculate she may be the Night Mother, though others disagree. Regardless, her association with assassins reinforces her Evil alignment.
8Meridia: Lawful Neutral
The Daedric prince of life and energies, Meridia bears a hatred for necromancers, undead, and anyone who uses her gifts to their own ends. This trait is central to her quests in bothOblivionandSkyrim, in which she recruits the protagonist to aid in her crusades.
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Her adherence to her ideals marks her as one of the few Daedric princes in the Lawful column. Neither cruel nor benevolent towards her acolytes, she seems to view them as tools, placing her in the Neutral row.
