Paladin as a bad guy? Have you done it before? Is my idea plausible? I am not talking about a fallen paladin turned to evil. I am talking about a true Lawful Good paladin as an adversary for a good party.
My idea.
The PCs are natives of the Kingdom of A. The kingdom is fairly small and has been at war on and off with its neighboring kingdoms, B, C, D and E for as long as anybody can remember - which is well over a century. Even when the war was not in full swing, there were constant skirmishes, border disputes and just outright mistrust and hostility. Political intrigue and double crosses are the normal way of life. No kingdom can really gain the upper hand, as if one became too powerful, the others would unite to slap them back down. The peasants are often overwhelmed with tax burdens to pay for the wars and the military. Significant development is severely impeded unless it somehow aids the war efforts and the defense of the kingdom.
Along comes a Paladin Bob, the new King in the Kingdom E. He sees the constant state of war as bad, as does everybody. He believes he hears a calling from his Lawful Good deity instructing him to do his best to stop the wars between the 5 Kingdoms. He gives speeches around his kingdom to the peasants and farmers urging them to rally to his cause so they can make the lives of their children better and more peaceful in a heavenly kingdom under his Good and Just God. However, instead of unilaterally declaring peace, he is instead marshalling them for war and trying to swell the ranks of his army for one big push across the other 4 kingdoms. In addition to the peasants and farmers, several other paladins from around the 5 kingdoms hear Paladin Bob’s call and believe in him. They also join his cause.
Paladin Bob’s forces quickly overwhelm Kingdom B, leaving your Kingdom A by itself to the North and Kingdoms C and D to the South.
You are loyal members of Kingdom A. Do you heed Paladin Bob's call and believe it best in the long run if your kingdom loses its independence while gaining peace & stability? His call is already being heard by peasants and farmers in your kingdom and there is some stirrings that Paladin Bob’s ideals sound good to them – a better life for them and their children, lower taxes, a peaceful and more secure life. To them, one master is no different than another. There are rumors that the King of C may renounce his title and join Paladin Bob.
Do you send emissaries to Kingdoms C & D for a coordinated 3 pronged attack in response? (Maybe a job for the PCs?)
Just curious – what do you think? I am guessing that many PCs would not like giving up their kingdom & freedom for another master, even if this master promises better things in the future. What if the PCs decide to throw in with Paladin Bob?
Just a random idea I thought of while on a painfully long plane ride about 10 days ago (Shanghai to Haerbin to LA to Atlanta to Connecticut!)
My idea.
The PCs are natives of the Kingdom of A. The kingdom is fairly small and has been at war on and off with its neighboring kingdoms, B, C, D and E for as long as anybody can remember - which is well over a century. Even when the war was not in full swing, there were constant skirmishes, border disputes and just outright mistrust and hostility. Political intrigue and double crosses are the normal way of life. No kingdom can really gain the upper hand, as if one became too powerful, the others would unite to slap them back down. The peasants are often overwhelmed with tax burdens to pay for the wars and the military. Significant development is severely impeded unless it somehow aids the war efforts and the defense of the kingdom.
Along comes a Paladin Bob, the new King in the Kingdom E. He sees the constant state of war as bad, as does everybody. He believes he hears a calling from his Lawful Good deity instructing him to do his best to stop the wars between the 5 Kingdoms. He gives speeches around his kingdom to the peasants and farmers urging them to rally to his cause so they can make the lives of their children better and more peaceful in a heavenly kingdom under his Good and Just God. However, instead of unilaterally declaring peace, he is instead marshalling them for war and trying to swell the ranks of his army for one big push across the other 4 kingdoms. In addition to the peasants and farmers, several other paladins from around the 5 kingdoms hear Paladin Bob’s call and believe in him. They also join his cause.
Paladin Bob’s forces quickly overwhelm Kingdom B, leaving your Kingdom A by itself to the North and Kingdoms C and D to the South.
You are loyal members of Kingdom A. Do you heed Paladin Bob's call and believe it best in the long run if your kingdom loses its independence while gaining peace & stability? His call is already being heard by peasants and farmers in your kingdom and there is some stirrings that Paladin Bob’s ideals sound good to them – a better life for them and their children, lower taxes, a peaceful and more secure life. To them, one master is no different than another. There are rumors that the King of C may renounce his title and join Paladin Bob.
Do you send emissaries to Kingdoms C & D for a coordinated 3 pronged attack in response? (Maybe a job for the PCs?)
Just curious – what do you think? I am guessing that many PCs would not like giving up their kingdom & freedom for another master, even if this master promises better things in the future. What if the PCs decide to throw in with Paladin Bob?
Just a random idea I thought of while on a painfully long plane ride about 10 days ago (Shanghai to Haerbin to LA to Atlanta to Connecticut!)
