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Cavalier's code of conduct from Unearthed Arcana
- Thread starter ForceUser
- Start date
The cavalier must follow a code of conduct and ethics, akin to chivalry. Upon being sworn to knighthood (by a cavalier of at least 2 levels higher, in a ceremony as simple as a dubbing with the sword or a full ritual of fasting, vigil, sacred vows, and celebration), the cavalier must pledge himself or herself to this code. Failure to sustain the oath is not sufficient reason to revoke knighthood, unless the order or liege lord of the cavalier specifically demands such. In the latter case, the cavalier becomes a mere fighter, though weapon specialization is not gained and the privilege of weapons of choice is retained.
A cavalier must serve someone or some cause - normally a deity, greater noble, order of knighthood, or the like. The cavalier must seek to sustain the virtues and the code of chivalry. The knightly virtues are these:
-Liberality
-Honor
-Good
-Faith
-Glory
-Unselfishness
-Pride
-Courtesy
-Bravery
The code for a feudal campaign may be summed up as follows. The DM may adjust this code to fit his or her own campaign.
-Noble service cheerfully rendered
-Defense of any charge unto death
-Courage and enterprise in obediences to rule
-Respect for all peers and equals
-Honor to all above your station
-Obedience and respect from all beneath your station
- Scorn for those who are lowly and ignoble (this includes knightly limitations on weapons and armor)
-Military prowess exercised in service to your lord
-Courtesy to all ladies (if the cavalier is male)
-War is the flowering of chivalry
-Battle is the test of manhood
-Combat is glory
-Personal glory above all in battle
-Death to all who oppose the cause
-Death before dishonor
In enforcing this code, the DM may reduce or eliminate experience that is gained by the cavalier if its gaining violates the spirit or letter of the code. A cavalier who retreats from battle, even to save fellow party members, would receive half experience for the beasts slain in his or her retreat. Similarly, a cavalier who dons leather armor to infiltrate a thieves guild to effect a rescue will gain no experience, since the rescue would be done in means not approved of by the code. Note that even neutral and evil cavaliers are bound by this code, but in their cases the obedience is to non-good masters.
A cavalier must serve someone or some cause - normally a deity, greater noble, order of knighthood, or the like. The cavalier must seek to sustain the virtues and the code of chivalry. The knightly virtues are these:
-Liberality
-Honor
-Good
-Faith
-Glory
-Unselfishness
-Pride
-Courtesy
-Bravery
The code for a feudal campaign may be summed up as follows. The DM may adjust this code to fit his or her own campaign.
-Noble service cheerfully rendered
-Defense of any charge unto death
-Courage and enterprise in obediences to rule
-Respect for all peers and equals
-Honor to all above your station
-Obedience and respect from all beneath your station
- Scorn for those who are lowly and ignoble (this includes knightly limitations on weapons and armor)
-Military prowess exercised in service to your lord
-Courtesy to all ladies (if the cavalier is male)
-War is the flowering of chivalry
-Battle is the test of manhood
-Combat is glory
-Personal glory above all in battle
-Death to all who oppose the cause
-Death before dishonor
In enforcing this code, the DM may reduce or eliminate experience that is gained by the cavalier if its gaining violates the spirit or letter of the code. A cavalier who retreats from battle, even to save fellow party members, would receive half experience for the beasts slain in his or her retreat. Similarly, a cavalier who dons leather armor to infiltrate a thieves guild to effect a rescue will gain no experience, since the rescue would be done in means not approved of by the code. Note that even neutral and evil cavaliers are bound by this code, but in their cases the obedience is to non-good masters.
ForceUser
Explorer
All those paladin behavior threads got me thinking that I needed a definite, clear-cut code of what is desirable and undesirable behavior from a paladin. Then I remembered the code from 1E UA. Obviously, this code is secular, but it can be modified for paladins. For instance, instead of Pride being a paladin virtue, I'm going to replace it with Humility. What fun!
tonym
First Post
Humility?
The way I see it, if a man was humble, he would not strive to be a paladin. Paladins are so far above the common man, paladins have more in common with their god than their own family.
Pride, now that makes sense. "I must become a paladin, father. My god needs help, and I can provide it!"
Tony M
The way I see it, if a man was humble, he would not strive to be a paladin. Paladins are so far above the common man, paladins have more in common with their god than their own family.
Pride, now that makes sense. "I must become a paladin, father. My god needs help, and I can provide it!"
Tony M
William Ronald
Explorer
tonym said:
I think that humility is included in many because pride is often the downfall of many good men. So, I suspect a cavalier would generally respect a priest or priestess of his or her faith. Assuming that one has a better sense of judgement than a deity may end up leading to some problems. So, a paladin could be humble before those he sees as speaking on behalf of a legitimate authority (a high level priest, a king) et cetera.
A cavalier is somewhat different in that there is a focus on social class. A lowly peasant who becomes a warrior might find it difficult to win the full respect of a cavalier. This would not be impossible, but can present some role playing challenges. Similarly, there can be conflict between the code of a paladin and the code of a cavalier. (Thus, it is important to have the DM and the player of a paladin/cavalier work on a code to help avoid misunderstandings. For example, a paladin/cavalier should be able to challenge authority if it is no longer legitimate.)
JRRNeiklot
First Post
Pride is good. Excessive pride is not.
dcollins
Explorer
ForceUser said:
Note that technically in the 1st Ed. Unearthed Arcana, Paladins were considered a sub-class of Cavaliers, and had to follow all the same strictures in the code. I agree that "humility" is not necessarily a virture for Middle Ages paladins (thinking of Sir Galahad here, that guy seemed barely tolerable in that regard).
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