Essay Greatness!
Wow! I still have some of those old posts. For those that missed it the first time...The Paladin! I don't know if this is the whole post so If anyone has a more complete/up to date version please let me know.
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The Code of the Paladin
The paladin is commonly regarded as the quintessential holy warrior, but there may be great variance between individual paladins. This variance is the result of differences in their individual codes. A paladin's code is the set of ethical beliefs around which he builds his life, and according to which he judges himself, and the world around him.
While many characters may have their own codes, a paladin's code is unique in two ways. One is the amount of dedication required. While a failure to live up to his own code may lead only to a loss of self-respect for a character, a paladin who so fails may lose his powers, or even be stripped of his paladinhood. Secondly, the paladin's code is usually more complex than the average character's, involving layers of beliefs and guidelines, ranked and rated carefully according to importance and applicability.
While the layman sees the code as a hindrance, the paladin sees it as an integral part of what defines him. Since all actions (to him) have moral overtones, it is through his code that he understands and judges them. By living up to his code, he achieves his position as the exemplar of moral excellence. It is through his code that the paladin's existence takes meaning, and through it that he lives and dies.
[Roleplaying: The paladin's code differs from paladin to paladin, even within the same institution, but it has two specific components. Firstly, there is alignment, which is the overlying structure within which the code exists. And within the code there lie the specific virtues, which the individual paladin upholds. Provided below is a short description of the manner in which the code may be applied, and then a list and description of specific virtues. Lastly, there is a small list of paladin "types", which should serve to indicate exactly how varied the class can be from an roleplaying perspective. It is up to the player and DM to decide what a paladin in general and the PC's paladin in particular mean in their campaign. Hopefully, using these virtues, and others you create, you can create a paladin character which serves your purposes.]
Application of the Code:
All paladins must be lawful good. This alignment involves a belief that the end does not justify the means, as well as an emphasis on achieving the greatest good of the greatest number. These two impulses are balanced in the paladin's code, and in the way he applies it to the world around him.
While the paladin's code may differ in specific areas from that of the society around him, he does not necessarily seek to impose his own value system on those around him. The paladin will act only when an accepted law is patently unjust and unfair to the majority of the innocents who must live under it. This action will differ depending upon the magnitude of the wrongdoing, and even more so, on the nature of the specific paladin. An inquisitor (see paladin "types" below) or a crusader are more prone to interfere than a votary or a militarist, while a knight-errant or an expatriate will fall between the two. Similarly, the three pairs mentioned will differ in how willing they will be to kill in order to uphold their code. While none will slay an innocent (although an inquisitor or a crusader is more prone to make a mistake in judgement), some will be more likely to attempt to convert or persuade the guilty to change their ways.
Similarly, different paladins will regard the use of violence in different ways. While all paladins are warriors, their individual codes will determine how readily (or not) they turn to the sword as a solution. Most paladins will kill only only when it is essential for the greater good, in self-defence (which includes defending companions and those a paladin has sworn to protect), or to save the innocent and the oppressed. Otherwise, they will usually avoid killing, if possible. They will not kill someone simply on suspicion, neither will he kill someone he regards as a threat without tangible evidence (which would hold up in an honest court, so detect evil spells do not count) or certain knowledge of evildoing. Paladins do not kill for treasure or for personal reasons. Some, such as the militarist, may do so to advance the just cause of their patron organisation, while others (for example, the crusader) may do so to punish the wicked and to destroy evil. Others, like the courtier or the healer may be especially averse to killing, regarding it as only a last and disagreeable resort.
To the individual paladin, it is his code which determines the degree to which he risks his life, and more importantly, for what he risks it. Whereas a knight-errant may decide that protecting the honour of a peasant girl is worth risking his life for, the votary is more likely to do so in the cause of his faith. Some paladins may regard the greater good as an important determinant of their actions, deciding that it is not worthwhile to risk death for a trifle, since this may result in a greater calamity which the paladin could otherwise prevent. Others believe that the smallest hint of evil must be dispatched at any cost.
In short, many paladins will react differently to a given situation. If a paladin's comrade has been captured by a giant which the paladin believes he might be unable to defeat in combat, he will react differently depending on his code. A courtier or a healer is likely to bargain with the giant. A votary might retire and pray to his god for guidance, while an expatriate may simply retreat and return shortly after when he is more prepared and likely to succeed. While a militarist, a knight-errant, and a crusader may all fight immediately, they would do so for different reasons. While the first would count on his military training to offset the giant's greater strength, the knight-errant would simply be driven by his confidence in the rightness of his cause, and the last might simply be too focussed on his crusade against evil to consider even a temporary retreat.
[Roleplaying: Paladins are not morons, despite the way they are often played in D&D. Being a paladin, however, is a very low-profit high-risk career, or at least so it seems to anyone other than a paladin. To the paladin, the sense of self-fulfillment which comes from living purely by one's principles is such as cannot be exchanged under any conditions, especially not for simply pragmatic reasons. For an example from literature, see Howard Roark from Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. Although his values are not those of a paladin, he lives as stringently by them as a paladin does by his own. Now place Howard Roark in a world where those who disagree with him might use a meteor swarm instead of an eviction order. That is the situation of the paladin, trying to promote the cause of good in an often uncaring and frequently malignant world.]
Virtues:
Charity:
The charitable paladin alleviates the suffering of the unfortunate, usually by aiding them with material goods and aid as he is able. This may be in the form of a special tithe which he pays to the organisation (see Fealty) he is part of, to be later distributed to the poor, or it may be delivered by the paladin himself. He may share his food with the hungry, his clothing with the ragged, and his indomitable spirit with the hopeless.
Chastity/Celibacy:
The chaste paladin is one who attempts to remain morally upright constantly, in thought, speech and action. While this is common to all paladins, the chaste paladin is an exemplar of moral correctness, constantly concerned with achieving the highest levels of morality that are humanly possible. Some paladins even take a vow of celibacy, throwing off worldly distractions which may affect the performance of their higher duties. While the chaste paladin may be forever faithful to one woman, often in death as in life, the celibate paladin is involved with none. The latter ignores the fair sex no more than the chivalrous paladin does , but his involvement with them is always purely platonic. Some may even shun the company of women as much as possible, in order not to be thus tempted (see the Votary).
Chivalry (Courtly Love):
The true knight of romance and legend, the chivalrous paladin goes out of his way to aid and help women from all stations of society, and often all races. He usually has a beloved, often of higher station. Strangely, his love for her is usually completely platonic and hopeless of fulfillment. In fact, the unachievability of the beloved contributes to her lofty position in his eyes. It is this love which drives him to aid women of all kinds, as a reflection of his beloved. The chivalrous paladin will always aid a damsel in distress and will never slay a woman, turning from both of these paths only under the gravest of provocation and for the strongest of reasons.
Courtesy:
The courteous paladin is a true gentleman in word and deed. He follows social customs to the best of his ability. He treats both friends and stranger with courtesy, whatever their response. He will fight a foul-mouthed braggart, without stooping to his opponent's level by speaking or behaving similarly. He considers the feelings of others and avoids offending them, always speaking tactfully. He behaves with dignity and is perfectly groomed at all times. The courteous paladin seeks to be an example of proper behaviour to those around him, making his way with unflappable dignity and excellent deportment, even in the middle of a crude and rude world.
Faith:
The faithful paladin is an indefatigable worker in the cause of his faith and his god. Sometimes an itinerant preacher, he carries his deity's word to the masses. Whether preferring to verbally teach the ways of his god, or to exemplify his faith's tenets through his own actions, he never fails to hold his faith at the forefront of all his endeavours. He will always defend his faith, facing the direst of dangers to express his belief in the truth of his deity.
Fealty:
Many loyal paladins swear fealty to a lawful good government, religion, philosophy, or even an individual. Regardless of who/what the patron is, this fealty gives the paladin a sense of community, of belonging to something more important than himself. Although he may receive material (and other) benefits from this patronage, this is never the reason behind the fealty. A patron may have specific edicts which the paladin must follow. As in the virtue of faith, the loyal paladin strives to uphold the cause of his patron, never swerving from or disavowing it.
Honesty:
The honest paladin upholds the virtue of truth. He avoids duplicity of all kinds, in word or deed. He is open about his opinions, thoughts and beliefs, to all who care to listen and to many who may not care to. He always speaks the truth as he knows it. He may decline to speak or choose to withhold information, but will never overtly mislead anyone, even his enemies. He may not wish to answer a direct question, but if pressed, will tell the truth (although he may answer in such a way as to withhold vital information). The honest paladin does not make promises lightly, because once he gives his word, he always keeps it. He often openly wears a sign of his position and beliefs, so that all may know him for what he is.
Honour:
The honourable paladin acts with integrity at all times, and in all situations. He eschews acts of dubious morality, whether they benefit him or not, such as the use of poison. To him, even more than to other paladins, the ends never justify the means. In combat, his is always willing to fight a foe face-to-face, and will not use ambushes and traps. The honourable paladin will usually choose to die before compromising his principles.
Hope:
The optimistic paladin seeks to engender the same emotion in those he encounters, especially those who are weak and powerless. He aids them against those who would oppress them unfairly, and teaches them that they will always be protected as long as their cause is just. Always effervescent, he believes strongly in the efficacy of his faith, and seeks to carry its message as far as possible. He uses his powers to destroy evil, always certain that he will succeed, and that this success will serve as an emblem of the power of the good and the right. Never flagging in his efforts or despairing in his cause, he often succeeds more due to the strength of his belief than anything else.
Humility:
The humble paladin always remains modest in deportment and speech, avoiding drawing attention to himself while going about his duties. Usually introverted, he declines to speak or reveal much about himself. He is happier enacting his deeds than being praised for them, being more grateful for the opportunity to fulfill his moral obligations, than seeing them as praiseworthy. On the battlefield, he is likely to fight quietly and effectively, without fanfare and posturing of any kind.
Industry:
The industrious paladin engages in productive activity at all times. He may even consider leisure activities to be a waste of time. Extremely self-reliant, he often works not only to support himself but takes time to help others. The industrious paladin believes that work is its own reward. Arriving at a town, he will stable and care for his horse himself, rather than leaving it to an ostler. If taking aid from others, he prefers to repay them by some form of industry, rather than accepting charity.
Justice:
The just paladin seeks to bring fairness and equitable treatment to all he encounters. He strives to simultaneously uphold the letter of the law, as well as the spirit of justice, leaning towards the latter in cases where a conflict between the two arises. He prefers to be an instrument of justice, rather than its final arbiter, enacting the just decrees of a higher power or institution. He is not a supporter of vigilante justice. Only in the rarest of cases does he serve as judge, jury and executioner. He only does so in situations where the social system is unable or unwilling to act, and where the crime is too grievous to go unpunished. In most cases, he simply seeks to uphold the concepts of justice in his surrounding society through his own speech and actions.
Moderation:
Paladins rarely display excess in most areas, but some specifically uphold this virtue, seeking moderation in both speech and action. The moderate paladin always thinks before he acts or speaks. His measured speech and deliberate actions may make him seem somewhat too dispassionate, but this makes him an excellent and dependable ally. Although he always upholds the cause of good and battles the forces of evil, the paladin always makes sure that this is precisely what he is achieving before he is moved to act.
Poverty:
Many paladins take vows of poverty, but in their case, this means a level of wealth which is sufficient to achieve their role as protectors of the good. The paladin will not give away his warhorse and his armour, since these are essential tools in his quest to uphold the right, but he will neither hoard wealth nor seek it out. He will usually utilise whatever is necessary for his upkeep, and tithe away all other wealth to the institution he serves or to the unfortunates he meets in his travels.
Tolerance:
While this is not a virtue associated with paladins in general, the tolerant paladin is not unheard of. Although he does not compromise on his efforts against evil, the tolerant paladin recognises that it is the rare individual or institution which can live up to his own high standards. Although he deplores this fact, he believes that it is not his place to force others to emulate him, although he may seek to verbally persuade them, or use his actions as an example. The tolerant paladin does not seek to forcibly impose his own values on those he encounters, unless they are truly abhorrent and evil. He treads a careful path between laissez-faire and a too draconian enactment of his own beliefs on others.
Valour:
The valiant paladin is the ultimate warrior, facing and defeating evil with blade in hand. No physical danger is great enough to prevent him from upholding the ethos he holds dear. His courage is particularly evident on the battlefield. Seeing battle as a way to both defend and advance his faith, he fights fearlessly until the enemy is vanquished, often taking on the most powerful enemies himself. He generally prefers melee to missile combat, so he can engage his opponent face to face. He will rarely withdraw from a battle, only doing so if faced by insurmountable odds, and even then, never leaving fallen comrades and allies.
[Roleplaying: The average paladin usually upholds the virtues of Fealty, Courtesy, Honesty, Valour and Honour, but the relative importance given to each and to other virtues depends on the individual. The examples given below provide indications of how a specific paladin character may be constructed, using the virtues and specific character traits to create a unique individual. Note that the same virtues which are paramount to one paladin's code of conduct may be neglected, or even actively avoided, by another's.]
Some Types of Paladins:
The Courtier:
The courtier is the gentleman paladin, living at the court rather than in the saddle. He is likely to be as skilled at diplomacy, dancing and writing poetry as wielding his sword, and may emphasise personal grooming, courtly etiquette and fine living as much as any other qualities. Often serving as the political advisor to a particular ruler, he strives to make his liege achieve a simultaneously moral and effective reign, where the populace is kept happy while being led in the right directions. In fact, he may believe that he can lead the battle against evil more effectively through words than through actions. Of course, when battle is necessary, he is as ready as any other paladin, although he will usually fight with an emphasis on finesse and style. The courtier is almost never an adventuring paladin, leaving the court only due to the most extreme reasons.
Suggested Virtues: Fealty, Courtesy, Chivalry, Tolerance
Neglected Virtues: Poverty, Chastity, Humility, Industry
The Crusader:
The crusader is a paladin who faces the world with his sword. He is usually at his best on the battlefield, leading the war of good against evil in the most direct way possible. The crusader fights evil without asking quarter and rarely gives any. Focussed and driven, he is often a loner (although he may also serve as part of a like-minded organisation), fighting a holy war against evil (in general), although he usually works against a specific group/individual/species, etc. Crusaders are commonly adventuring paladins, often having some tragic incident in their past which drives them onto their path, in which case a strong desire for revenge drives them. Ironically, they sometimes stumble off the paladin's path by enacting the very evils they seek to destroy, in a too reckless approach to their aims.
Suggested Virtues: Valour, Honesty, Justice, Moderation
Neglected Virtues: Chivalry, Courtesy, Tolerance, Humility
The Expatriate
The expatriate is always a solitary paladin, who has lost his patronage or parent organisation, either due to its dissolution or because he has forsaken it or been dismissed. This loss defines him, is the defining aspect of his character, although it is never his fault, since he would not then retain his divinely-granted abilities. Having lost a sense of belonging, the expatriate is often bitter and cynical. He remains devoted to his beliefs, perhaps especially so since he sees himself as the last one upholding them, but sees his own quest as ultimately in vain. The battle of good against evil appears as hopeless as it is worthwhile, and the world around him appears permeated by the negative aspects of existence. Of all paladins, the expatriate is perhaps most aware of his role as a seeker for perfection in a flawed world. He is commonly an adventuring paladin.
Suggested Virtues: Honour, Valour, Charity, Faith
Neglected Virtues: Fealty, Hope, Chivalry
The Healer
The healer is a paladin who uses his divinely-granted abilities to aid the poor and the diseased. He often eschews the more martial aspects of the paladin's role, taking up arms only to protect his charges. Often working in conjunction with clerics of his (or an allied) faith, his primary goal is to care for others. Along with healing, he often provides both spiritual and material aid to those he meets. Self-aggrandisement and glory are even further from his thoughts than from those of the majority of other paladins. While the healer is often found far afield, he is rarely an adventurer. Usually he seeks out a rural community to aid with his healing abilities, before moving on to another which is more needful of his aid, and so on. In rare cases, he may become a permanent part of a small community which is closer to his heart than the grandest of royal courts.
Suggested Virtues: Charity, Humility, Moderation, Industry
Neglected Virtues: Chivalry, Valour, Courtesy
The Inquisitor
The inquisitor is perhaps the paladin most feared by all evildoers, and strangely, by many who are good as well. Usually working as part of a larger organisation, he relentlessly seeks out and destroys all that he sees as evil. For the inquisitor, there is no acceptable path except the straight and the narrow, and all who stumble off it are deserving of chastisement. Since much evil is concealed or existing under false pretences, the inquisitor's main role is to reveal it, and then destroy it. For the inquisitor, the end (the greater good) is always more important the means, although he strives to keep the latter lawful. This emphasis leads to the fact that the inquisitor, like the crusader, runs the risk of losing his powers through too rigorous and unthinking an approach.
Suggested Virtues: Fealty, Valour, Honesty, Justice, Chastity
Neglected Virtues: Honour, Moderation, Toleration, Courtesy
The Knight-Errant
The knight-errant is the quintessential adventuring paladin, travelling out into the world in order to find, battle and defeat evil. Often young, naïve and optimistic, the knight-errant does not seek out a specific foe, but wishes to combat evil in general. While possibly owing loyalty to a specific faith or ruler, he often works alone, sometimes in the company of a group of adventurers. Usually outgoing and amiable, his interest in the surrounding world knows no limits. As part of his apparent naïveté, he is constantly cheerful, confident of the correctness of his beliefs, and sees each day as another opportunity to further the cause of good. Reliable in combat, and a boon companion out of it, the knight-errant is often the perfect member of an adventuring party.
Suggested Virtues: Valour, Honour, Honesty, Hope, Chivalry
Neglected Virtues: Celibacy, Poverty, Humility, Moderation
The Militarist
The militarist paladin is a man of war, usually heading the military branch of a particular faith or serving in a high post in an army. His efforts are completely aimed at defeating evil on the battlefield, and all of his training is dedicated to that end. Inspirational and charismatic, he is a splendid leader of men, inspiring them to impossible feats by personal example. As a warrior par excellence, he is a symbol of the martial ability his followers must seek to achieve. Due to his paladin ethos, he ensures that his followers act and fight in accordance with the proper rules of warfare. While this emphasis on propriety and honour on the battlefield sometimes leads to disagreements with the more pragmatic of his superiors, the militarist's undoubted ability usually carries the day, just as it does on the field of battle.
Suggested Virtues: Valour, Honour, Fealty, Honesty
Neglected Virtues: Courtesy, Humility, Poverty, Chastity
The Votary
The votary is the purely religious paladin, who has dedicated his life and efforts to his faith. Whether a member of an established church (where his allegiance is always to his deity before the institution), or a lonely anchorite in a secluded cell in the wilderness, the votary concentrates body and soul on understanding his god's wishes and enacting his commands. Although he is as martially capable as any other paladin, he will usually fight only to protect his faith, rather than to aggressively carry it forth. Philosophical and introspective, the votary's life is spent in fruitful work, usually within the bounds of the establishment he calls home. Like the courtier, the votary is almost never an adventuring paladin, venturing forth from his home only for the most important of reasons.
Suggested Virtues: Faith, Celibacy, Poverty, Industry, Humility
Neglected Virtues: Chivalry, Valour, Courtesy, Fealty
Seriously, it's been a busy year, what with returning to the US, joining the Ph.D. program of Temple U. in Philly, teaching, etc. But I'll be back in India for 3 months over the summer, which'll give me time to do some more writing. To tide you over until then, here's another one on Creating Effective Villains (also up at 
