I like the, puppet master, KOTOR and portrait recommendations! I'm hoping the game has a puppet master element otherwise it was a mistake not to develop these tadpole powers.
True, alignment is only as fun as the DM makes it. I like stories that focus on a moral code -- can you keep to a moral in the face of challenges. Unfortunately, I don't think we've seen any fantasy / sci fi movies or show really embrace that premise since Star Trek the Next Generation. The lack of media interest and representation makes people assume that it's not a good premise to build upon.
"Know Alignment" was like the most useless spell in Baldur's Gate 1/2. "Detect Evil" got a little love at least with a couple questlines, but it was mostly irrelevant too. The hidden alignment feature
Bit of trivia --having alignment hidden on the character sheet was another feature that was removed from BG2 in the last moment. If you root around in the code you will see that Yoshimo was originally a Lawful Evil, Bhaal worshiping assassin. I think it was originally intended to bring a "which party members can you trust" element to the game that never really made it in. I don't know this but I also think Viconia was supposed to have a moment where she could betray you in the underdark as part of the axed House DeVir side quest.
