Vindicator
First Post
While reading through the various threads relating to my paladin's beheading of the child molester, I was reminded of the superb play TWELVE ANGRY MEN. 
The discussion and debate you guys came up with well exceeded even that of the men in the play. For your time, effort, and insights, I thank you.
One reason I have loved D&D (and RPGs in general) for over 20 years is that it raises such profound questions and deals with such important issues. Even things like the nature of the gods, the existence of the planes, the distinctions between alignment...these things touch on eternal truths and I am blessed to have such a mind-expanding and ultimately soul-enriching hobby. Perhaps "passion" is a better word.
My DM and I read through everything; the poll results, the various threads, culminating in the jury thread. The verdict of "not guilty", needless to say, provoked much cheering from my companions.
It may interest you to know that we incorporated this enworld discussion into our campaign. In our campaign my paladin (BTW, I am Vindicator, but my paladin is my character. So to all of you saying, "Vindicator, you shouldn't have cut the dude's head off!" I merely shrug and say, "It was my character, dude!"
) was arrested for the murder of the child molester and put on trial for his life. We took all of your arguments and ultimately your jury thread and transferred them over to the game.
My paladin has been required by his god (a home-brewed god, BTW; a very war-like and "honor first" kind of god ) to embark on a quest of atonement, but he will not lose his paladinhood nor any of his paladin abilities. Everybody wins. 
The real winner, in my opinion, is everybody who was fortunate enough to read the intelligent and thought-provoking discussions over this issue. This is one reason I appreciate enworld so much, and will continue to.
Thanks again to everyone who responded. And my DM assures me, this is the first and last time he will *ever* allow a player to challenge his ruling.
Vindicator out
The discussion and debate you guys came up with well exceeded even that of the men in the play. For your time, effort, and insights, I thank you.One reason I have loved D&D (and RPGs in general) for over 20 years is that it raises such profound questions and deals with such important issues. Even things like the nature of the gods, the existence of the planes, the distinctions between alignment...these things touch on eternal truths and I am blessed to have such a mind-expanding and ultimately soul-enriching hobby. Perhaps "passion" is a better word.
My DM and I read through everything; the poll results, the various threads, culminating in the jury thread. The verdict of "not guilty", needless to say, provoked much cheering from my companions.
It may interest you to know that we incorporated this enworld discussion into our campaign. In our campaign my paladin (BTW, I am Vindicator, but my paladin is my character. So to all of you saying, "Vindicator, you shouldn't have cut the dude's head off!" I merely shrug and say, "It was my character, dude!"
) was arrested for the murder of the child molester and put on trial for his life. We took all of your arguments and ultimately your jury thread and transferred them over to the game.My paladin has been required by his god (a home-brewed god, BTW; a very war-like and "honor first" kind of god
) to embark on a quest of atonement, but he will not lose his paladinhood nor any of his paladin abilities. Everybody wins. The real winner, in my opinion, is everybody who was fortunate enough to read the intelligent and thought-provoking discussions over this issue. This is one reason I appreciate enworld so much, and will continue to.
Thanks again to everyone who responded. And my DM assures me, this is the first and last time he will *ever* allow a player to challenge his ruling.
Vindicator out
