A Paladin Shows Mercy to a Priestess of Orcus?

[Nightfall]

Well theoretically, the priestess could be CN (and let's face it, she didn't seem as devoted to the cause as her comrades) and still get spells from Orcus (assuming that he grants any domains that are not Evil, perhaps). But maybe she would be penalized and not get spells because she wussed out and surrendered to a paladin.

So if she is sincere, she would likely have no clerical powers anymore, so that would solve the "free cleric slave" problem.

Yeah and then along comes Orcus with his "I don't like wussies serving me!" and takes the traitorous witch back to the Abyss with him. (Okay maybe not PERSONALLY but maybe an Aspect, a couple Balors and a Retriver...)

 

[mmadsen]

If the proper authorities demand, lawfully, that the priestess be turned over, and the paladin refuses, then she is violating the code.

Who are these proper authorities? The high-level paladin is an authority.

 

[Ravlek]

Who are these proper authorities? The high-level paladin is an authority.

Sorry for the confusion. Proper=Legitimate(in accordance with the code). This could be the local/national government, or religous authorities. Yet another interesting ramification.

With regards to a high level paladin, certainly in my campaigns. Of course others may be different.

 

[sword-dancer]

The paladin's code from the SRD;

Code of Conduct: A paladin must be of lawful good alignment and loses all class abilities if she ever willingly commits an evil act. Additionally, a paladin’s code requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor .

and an authoritie who demands that the pally acts unhonrable couldn`t be legitimate.

 

[Ravlek]

and an authoritie who demands that the pally acts unhonrable couldn`t be legitimate.

A paladin who gives shelter/harbors a known 'felon' isn't acting honorably. There is always two sides to every coin.

 

[sword-dancer]

Correct me I I´m wrong, but Ich `m sure I´ve read somewhre PHB, DotF that the pally has the right to give mercy as he sees fit.
Therefore she don`t shelter a felon, she`d promissed and given her mercy, so this case didn``t had weight.

 

[ForceUser]

What now? What do you think? I was amazed that she granted her mercy! Just incredible! A priestess of Orcus no less!

From the Book of Exalted Deeds:

For good characters who devote their lives to hunting and exterminating the forces of evil, evil's most seductive lure may be the abandonment of mercy. Mercy means giving quarter to enemies who surrender and treating criminals and prisoners with compassion and even kindness. It is, in effect, the good doctrine of respect for life taken to its logical extreme--respecting and honoring even the life of one's enemy. In a world full of enemies who show no respect for life whatsoever, it can be extremely tempting to treat foes as they have treated others, to exact revenge for slain comrades and innocents, to offer no quarter and become merciless.

A good character must not succumb to that trap.

Man, I love the BoED.

To your paladin's player I say "Bravo. Well played."

 

[Jack of Shadows]

Well,

All the game rules aside, I would have the priestess initially serve out of fear and then slowly have that turn to respect if she is treated decently and then eventually have an alignment change.

The players are going to be expecting her to stab them in the back because it's such a cliche. However the slow conversion of the priestess is a fly fisherman's hat full of plot hooks. For one thing, old Orcus isn't going to be too happy about his servant serving a paladin. Eventually she'll loose her priestly abilities if she doesn't abide by her faith. This leads to all sorts of fun with other minions of Orcus tempting her back to the "dark side".

I say play it out and you'll have an NPC that the players will remember for a long time.

Jack

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I think it could be an interesting campaign development for the priestess to lose her powers from Orcus and subsequently turn towards good.

 

[Ravlek]

Correct me I I´m wrong, but Ich `m sure I´ve read somewhre PHB, DotF that the pally has the right to give mercy as he sees fit.
Therefore she don`t shelter a felon, she`d promissed and given her mercy, so this case didn``t had weight.

I just skimmed over the PHB entry for paladins, didn't see anything relative to giving them the right to grant mercy. Possibly I missed it. No clue regards DotF.
A case of YDMMV.