Typically non-sentient NPCs (animals, golems, etc.) do not have alignments.

As for the rest I think you're on the right track. Good-aligns need a compelling reason to kill neutral beings that doesn't just boil down to something as shallow of equipment, coins, or levels.

This is one of those "your mileage may vary" subjects in the sense that the degree to which you might get away with questionable behavior in this regard depends largely on your role, cabal, who happens to see you doing it how often, etc.

It is also worth noting that when we see someone mowing down NPCs under circumstances that give us pause we typically provide them with some kind of IC clue (advice from a NPC, an echo, etc.) that what they are doing may have to negative consequences.

Typically non-sentient NPCs (animals, golems, etc.) do not have alignments.

I agree with this IC, but as far as the CF code is concerned most have no ethos and a neutral moral alignment. That's largely an artifact of how ROM and the game evolved, and not how I'd do things from scratch today. (Fixing this would be a lot of work.)

That said, good-aligned characters can generally mow these down for any reason except enjoyment.

As for the rest I think you're on the right track. Good-aligns need a compelling reason to kill neutral beings that doesn't just boil down to something as shallow of equipment, coins, or levels.

Yup. Here, some secondary reasons (a good-aligned Battlerager mowing down neutral mages, good-aligned Outlander attacking a dwarven smithy, self-defense against aggressive neutrals, etc.) will generally fly.

Random gnome citizens? Wood-elf foragers? Various merchants? Frowned upon to various degrees. Usually there's a warning before action, but egregious cases can move right to consequences. If you're killing random children because they're neutral, that's more than a wrist slap.

Theft is generally a lesser crime, but a good-aligned thief should generally practice his or her trade on evil NPCs. It's not like they're so far to find.

valguarnera@carrionfields.com

Yeah, that's why my lowbie goodies can never get +hit +dam bracers, because taurus is nuetral and I can't think of a good reason to kill him.

The bazaar has that covered now, just mow down some evils for clinky.

Tarus kicked my father during a scuffle and killed him. I swore to avenge dad as life as an orphan was tough.

Look to the north! The fields east of Udgaard hold your answer.