Vae Victus
First Post
Paladin-like behaviour
Another thing...
First of all, the example of Arthur slaying the giants on the islands (someone posted this early on in the thread) would not fit here. Those creatures were of another species- i.e. monstrosities, abominations before the sight of God, or "sons of Cain" (to use a term from Beowulf). Despite the silliness concerning equal treatment for demihuman races in high magic/high fantasy campaigns like Forgotten Realms, the "correct" approach (I use that term loosely since "correct" is only what your DM says is correct in your particular campaign) would be to treat humans like humans and monsters (demihumans, goblinoids, fey, etc.) like insults to God worthy of extermination. In your case, you slew a child molesting human, but he was still a human. Gary Gygax's example of beheading a group of captured orcs is different; they deserve to be beheaded simply by virtue of their species.
The "proper" thing to do, I suppose, would be to loudly call out to the man in a clear and commanding voice that "in the name of [insert deity here], his holy church, and the local ruler, lord [blank], you are hereby apprehended for lecherous conduct and lustful depravity." If the rapist was too drunk or foolish to not resist, the paladin has one of two options he may take- 1) he either apprehends the suspect through unarmed or subduing combat or 2) he can deal a maiming and debilitating wound (removal of a hand, ear, etc.) to compel him to not resist. The paladin then drags him out into the public square, parading him for all to see (pants down and all) and loudly proclaiming what the criminal has done. Hopefully, on the way to the square, he will pass at least one night watchman or member of the local garrison to which he may address a request to speak with either the highest ranking noble in the area or ideally the local ruler (magistrate, castellar, whatever). At that point he hands him over, remembering to be respectful and pay homage to the rightful ruler to whom the criminal is handed to.
Another thing...
First of all, the example of Arthur slaying the giants on the islands (someone posted this early on in the thread) would not fit here. Those creatures were of another species- i.e. monstrosities, abominations before the sight of God, or "sons of Cain" (to use a term from Beowulf). Despite the silliness concerning equal treatment for demihuman races in high magic/high fantasy campaigns like Forgotten Realms, the "correct" approach (I use that term loosely since "correct" is only what your DM says is correct in your particular campaign) would be to treat humans like humans and monsters (demihumans, goblinoids, fey, etc.) like insults to God worthy of extermination. In your case, you slew a child molesting human, but he was still a human. Gary Gygax's example of beheading a group of captured orcs is different; they deserve to be beheaded simply by virtue of their species.
The "proper" thing to do, I suppose, would be to loudly call out to the man in a clear and commanding voice that "in the name of [insert deity here], his holy church, and the local ruler, lord [blank], you are hereby apprehended for lecherous conduct and lustful depravity." If the rapist was too drunk or foolish to not resist, the paladin has one of two options he may take- 1) he either apprehends the suspect through unarmed or subduing combat or 2) he can deal a maiming and debilitating wound (removal of a hand, ear, etc.) to compel him to not resist. The paladin then drags him out into the public square, parading him for all to see (pants down and all) and loudly proclaiming what the criminal has done. Hopefully, on the way to the square, he will pass at least one night watchman or member of the local garrison to which he may address a request to speak with either the highest ranking noble in the area or ideally the local ruler (magistrate, castellar, whatever). At that point he hands him over, remembering to be respectful and pay homage to the rightful ruler to whom the criminal is handed to.