In gaming, Alignment is a term used to describe how a character sees and views the world and its inhabitants. The term is often used directly as a reference to Dungeons & Dragons, where until recently, a player could choose from one of nine alignments (although this number has been cut down in more recent rulesets).
"Good" Alignments
These are characters that exemplify, on the whole, the concepts of justice, chivalry, and righeousness. In previous D&D Rulesets, these were divided into three separate alignments. A Paladin who travels the land, handing down holy justice, would be an example of a Lawful Good character.
Lawful Good
Characters who follow this alignment follow the law to its letter, be it civil or theocratic, and are capable of unleashing richeous justice upon their enemies. Lawful Good characters are often inflexible, as they are bound by the laws that they follow, from which there is often little or no leeway.
Chaotic Good
While Chaotic Good characters are technically good, they tend to follow their own code and laws, and may take actions that to others may not even look like actions that a Good character would carry out. Chaotic Good characters are impulsive and can often be described as reckless, but no-one can argue that they believe they are doing good.
Neutral Good
Neutral Good characters try to adhere to the "good" conduct expected of them, but see no particular pressing need to interfere with how others live.
"Evil" Alignments
Characters who fall into these alignments can typically be said to carry out plans or actions that fit negative interpretations of behaviour. They can often be said to be cruel, aggressive, violent, or any combination of these and other negative traits. In previous rulesets, these are also split into three alignments.
Lawful Evil
A Lawful Evil character is one that stays within the bounds of the law, but carries out actions that, while cruel, the law does not punish them for; these characters play by the rules, but do so without mercy, or compassion. Lawful Evil characters may have a personal code, or may have specific taboos or practices that they do not partake in (such as the killing of children, for example), often believing that such principles set them apart from others. A Landlord who heavily taxes the poor could potentially be an example of a Lawful Evil character.
Neutral Evil
A Neutral Evil characters carry out what they can get away with, and they hold no pretense that they are following laws or a personal code, but they have no innate desire for conflict that other Evil alignments may possess. They shed no tears for whom they kill, and their actions are often guided by self-interest, but without the desire for restless strife.
Chaotic Evil
A Chaotic Evil character is a character that follows his or her greed and pure lust for power, destuction and wealth. These characters are unpredictable, and may be prone to bouts of extreme violence, combined with a ruthless and supreme brand of brutality. Groups composed of characters of this alignment rarely last long, and cna be subject to repeated attempts for others to assassinate or engineer their way to power. However, any such groups are often poorly organized, and generally do not last long.