Paladins in Fiction

[Krug]

Got to mention Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold, though the definition is certainly not very D&Dish.

 

[Dragonblade]

Galad in the Wheel of Time is specifically modelled after the D&D concept of a paladin. The old school smite evil without mercy while following a rigid and uncompromising moral code variety.

Robert Jordan used to DM games for his son, and I read somewhere that he based the character of Galad on the D&D concept of paladin as ruthless LG destroyer of evil.

 

[Klaus]

Holger Carlson from Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson also has many elements similar to D&D paladins. However, given that it was published in 1961, it is quite likely that D&D paladins were inspired at least in part by that character.

Three Hearts & Three Lions was the blueprint for the AD&D Paladin, down to ability score requirements, alignment, special mount, code of conduct and holy avenger.

 

[rowport]

...Terry Brooks' tales about John Ross are clearly meant to be a modern take on the paladin.

Amazon.com: Running With the Demon (The Word and the Void Trilogy, Book 1): Terry Brooks, Gerald Brom: Books
...

Agreed, and he continues with the concept of Knights of the Word into the most-recent trilogy (set later in time). They are really great books if you like modern fantasy; I enjoyed them more than most of his Shannara series (which is apparently the far future following the modern series-- a bit counterintuitive but there you go).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Agreed, and he continues with the concept of Knights of the Word into the most-recent trilogy

What new trilogy? What is the first book?

TellmetellmetellmetellmeTELLMEtellmetellmetellmetellme!

his Shannara series (which is apparently the far future following the modern series

I figured out pretty early that the Shannara books were set in a fantasy world that followed a modern one like ours...but is he trying to tie it into Word & Void, etc.?

 

[Orius]

In the David Eddings' trilogy The Elenium and it's sequal trilogy The Tamuli Sparhawk and the knights of the Pandion Order are iconic paladins IMHO.

I'll second this. The Elenium is pretty good reading material for anyone who wants some inspiration on paladins. Bevier and the Cyrinic knights IMO are probably closest to the D&D paladin, but the Pandions are excellent for those who want a pragmatic, Templar-esque order of paladins.

Galad in the Wheel of Time is specifically modelled after the D&D concept of a paladin. The old school smite evil without mercy while following a rigid and uncompromising moral code variety.

Robert Jordan used to DM games for his son, and I read somewhere that he based the character of Galad on the D&D concept of paladin as ruthless LG destroyer of evil.

Galad is also a pretty good example of the paladin personality. Especially in the opening to Knife of Dreams.

Jordan played D&D and DMed? I wonder what those games were like.

 

[Merlin's Shadow]

What new trilogy? What is the first book?

TellmetellmetellmetellmeTELLMEtellmetellmetellmetellme!


I figured out pretty early that the Shannara books were set in a fantasy world that followed a modern one like ours...but is he trying to tie it into Word & Void, etc.?

Yes. The Genesis of Shannara Trilogy. Watch out for spoilers!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Well, well, well...I've been buying the Genesis books, but I haven't gotten to them yet.

 

[Uruk]

One of the few D&D novel series I'd recommend beyond just being a quick fun read would be Mel Odom's Threat From Under the Seas trilogy. It teaches us that it's okay to kick ass while being a good two-shoes.

 

[zen_hydra]

Have Gun – Will Travel

Have gun will travel
Reads the card of a man
A knight without armor
In a savage land.

His fast gun hired
Heeds the calling wind
A soldier of fortune
Is a man called Paladin.

Paladin, Paladin
Where do you roam
Paladin, Paladin
Far, far from home.

He travels on
To wherever he must
A chess knight of silver
Is his badge of trust.

There are campfire legends
That the plainsmen sing of
A man with the gun
Of the man called Paladin.

Paladin, Paladin
Where do you roam
Paladin, Paladin
Far, far from home.

Far, far from home
Far, far from home...