A question about Paladins and killing.

[Zapak Vim]

catch the babies, put them in a cage, spay and neuter, then release in wilderness away from human populationss

 

[Boondoggle]

What kind of DM throws such a lame & cliche 'dillema' at the paladin for no good reason? Why did he put the damn things there in the first place?

 

[Sejs]

What kind of DM throws such a lame & cliche 'dillema' at the paladin for no good reason? Why did he put the damn things there in the first place?

To cause the paladin to fall. Duh. Just enough rope to hang yourself with and all that.


Seriously, Bissichan. Talk to your DM. You really need to get the facts on how he handles redemption and the like before you go making a decision that could cost you your class.

 

[kenobi65]

So do you change dragon alignment from "Always xxxx xxxx" to "Usually xxxx xxxx" ?

No, and that's probably a better explanation of how we view things. If the creature's alignment isn't inborn (and, when I made the original post, I didn't remember that dragons are in the "always" category), then killing the babies is evil.

Better?

 

[kenobi65]

catch the babies, put them in a cage, spay and neuter, then release in wilderness away from human populationss

"When Jim opens the cage, the baby trolls don't react at first. But, within a few seconds, they bound off, to explore their new world. With the radio tracking collars they're wearing, we'll be able to follow their migratory patterns, and check in on them from time to time."

 

[Raven Crowking]

You should be uneasy. Being lawful good means you should never enjoy killing. That does not change the fact some things need to die to further the cause of Lawful Good. And though modernistic folks don’t like it, sometimes a merciful death is better that the alternative.

Are you saying you would not break the eggs of a dragon if the eggs detected as evil?

Now, in my book having a ‘baby’ that detects as evil is saying to the paladin, “Give this childe a merciful end” But given a game’s Morals will fluctuate based on the DM, I'd recommend asking for a Knowledge religion check to know what is "The Right Thing To Do." either that or say…

“We are all reasonable people here and I’ll abide by what you say is right and wrong in your game. Now simply tell me the lawful good thing to do here is so I can do it and we can get on with playing. If there are any checks involved with figuring out right and wrong, I’ll take 10.”

Never have I read better advice in a paladin thread.

 

[Tewligan]

catch the babies, put them in a cage, spay and neuter, then release in wilderness away from human populationss

But they're trolls! They can regrow their junk!

 

[Harm]

1) They detect as evil so they are a clear danger
2) They can't be reasoned with
3) Dealing with them until they can be reasoned with is overly onerous
4) Kill them

 

[billd91]

"When Jim opens the cage, the baby trolls don't react at first. But, within a few seconds, they bound off, to explore their new world. With the radio tracking collars they're wearing, we'll be able to follow their migratory patterns, and check in on them from time to time."

You forgot:

"While I watch from the safety of the land rover."

 

[painandgreed]

*snip reasonable answer*

+100 bonus XP to frankthedm

As DM, I'd consider the paladin justified in most actions. Kill them, take them to superiors for judgement, keep them or let them go for a second chance. The last two are the risky ones and by doing so, he'd be betting his paladinhood that they will not commit more evil acts. Some paladins are willing to place more personal risk for their beleifs. Other than that, in a world with palatable evil as a natural and objective force, creatures, including babies with no reasonable expectation of reforming or adhereing to societies laws, it would be justifiable to put then to death. Even human children. If a paladin ran across a cause like Sawney Bean and his family of cannibals (google it if you don't know what I'm talking about), if there were children that detected as evil, it is reasonable that they have committed enough evil acts even if their life has been short to be sentenced as an adult. Given a just afterlife, i see no reason to penalize a paladin for acting within the law to despose of evil even if not the most exalted of possible paths.