First Time Paladin

zarabel said:
I have recently started playing online games, and in one I am currently playing a female Aasimar Paladin of Bahamut. This is the first time I have ever played a Paladin and I would really appreciate any suggestions on how to run her well. I want to be sure I follow the rules, but I don't want her to come off as some arrogant bully that people are afraid to relax around.

A paladin is Trustworthy, Loyal, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheeful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

No wait, that's a boy scout.

Talk to your DM about what he expects from a paladin and what will be cause for losing your paladin powers.

The standard rules reseve this for performing an evil act or GROSSLY violating the paladins code which requires acting with honor, respecting legitimate authority, helping those in need, and punishing the wicked.

Generally think of yourself as someone who seeks out wrongs to right and evil to fight. A superhero good guy. Fight for justice, honor and the american way.

Playing a straight up hero can be fun and makes DM plot hooks easy . . . "a foul darkness has fallen upon the land, will nobody stand up to this evil?" the paladin steps up and does so. So if you see something wrong step in and make a stand. If a princess is kidnapped to be sacrificed by an evil cult go rescue her. If somebody must quest to recover the three parts of the shattered skull of the Wyrm Derrocanis to prevent a gateway to the abyss from opening then volunteer.
 

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You really should check out this story hour thread - and those that follow it.

Lady Despina's Virtue

of course there are a few problems with the above:

1) You may spend so much time reading it you don't have any time for work, much less gaming; and

2) It's hard for other DM's to measure up.
 

Voadam said:
Talk to your DM about what he expects from a paladin and what will be cause for losing your paladin powers.

The standard rules reseve this for performing an evil act or GROSSLY violating the paladins code which requires acting with honor, respecting legitimate authority, helping those in need, and punishing the wicked.

This is the best advice anyone can give a person who wants to play a Paladin. You and the DM MUST be on the same page as to how a Paladin should be played. If not, as I posted in another thread, the DM will eventually rule against a Paladin simply because the players idea of a Paladin and the DMs idea differ.
 

Remember the importance of humility. It is one of the knightly virtues, just like courage, honesty and valor. A paladin should always be the first to emphasize the value of the contributions of others.

One of the major challenges to playing a paladin are the preconceptions of the other players, particularly those who are not eager to play a goody-goody character, and who see the paladin as a stumbling block to their baser inclinations. Try to find ways to accomodate their needs and support their goals (within the greater fight against evil, of course!) For example, while you may be willing to charge off without thought of reward, remember that your fellow adventurers expect to be paid. Don't offer their services for free. Instead, offer your share of the reward to your church, charities, and fellow party members. If you have the support of the other players, you are halfway to playing a successful and well-loved paladin.

Ozmar the Paladin Player
 


reveal said:
2 words: Lawful Stupid. Don't be THAT paladin. ;)

Yep. The alignment yoyu want to play is Brutal Good.

DM: "As you enter th eroom you see a ..."
PC: " I smite it!!!"

Just to keep this thread going, I'm gonna start playing a dwarven Pladin :D any advice will be welcome as well.

This description of a Paladin of Bahamut sounds like the sort of person who would help a commoner being beaten unjustly in a barroom brawl by

Don't know about Bahamut, but my paladin would kick the living c**p out of the beater.

And his catchphrase will be (stealing from Starcraft):

"I'm gonna drop the hammer and spread some indiscriminate justice" :D
 

Henry said:
This description of a Paladin of Bahamut sounds like the sort of person who would help a commoner being beaten unjustly in a barroom brawl by
A) healing the commoner to full;
B) Giving the commoner a chair leg;
C) Giving the commoner a rousing speech and telling him to get back in there. :D

Dammit! After that description, I want to play this as my next PC :cool:
 

Here are four oaths which you may find useful as a general guide to paladin behaviour. They are taken from myOathsworn Paladin thread in house rules, where I tie the oaths to the activation of specific class abilities.

I would like to reiterate the advice given by many people in this thread to check with your DM, and to make sure that he's not the type that would come down like a ton of bricks if grey areas subsequently arise.

Oath of Righteousness

The paladin must act with honor. He loses the benefits of this oath if he causes harm or loss to any creature (even an evil creature) by lying or cheating, or if he allows a wrongdoer to escape justice through carelessness or negligence. He will not knowingly associate with evil characters, nor will he continue an association with someone who consistently offends his moral code, unless they are repentant and trying to mend their ways. A paladin may accept only henchmen, followers, or cohorts who are lawful good.

Oath of Mercy

The paladin must treat all creatures with kindness and compassion. He loses the benefits of this oath if he causes or allows unnecessary physical, emotional or spiritual harm or pain to come to any creature (even an evil creature). He may punish or even kill a creature if it is necessary to prevent it from committing an evil act or causing harm or loss to another creature, but it should be in proportion to the creature’s actions.

Oath of Service

The paladin must help those in need, provided they do not use that help for chaotic or evil ends. He serves all creatures, although he may have varying degrees of allegiance. He respects and obeys legitimate authority as it is assumed to represent the interests of the greater number of people. However, he may choose to provide help to an individual instead if he is in greater need of assistance. As a servant, he is humble, courteous and respectful. He loses the benefits of this oath if he does not provide help when he is able to (e.g. providing help would not violate any of his oaths and he is not on a more important mission), or if he acts in an arrogant or disrespectful manner.

Atonement: A paladin who has acted in an arrogant or disrespectful manner may atone by simply offering a sincere apology.

Oath of Faith

The paladin faces the same behavioral restrictions as a cleric of his deity, faith or philosophy and loses the benefits of this oath if he acts in a way that would cause a cleric to lose his abilities. If he serves the forces of good in general (as opposed to a specific god, pantheon or philosophy), he loses the benefits of this oath if he performs an evil act.
 

Don't be lawful annoying. Remember that as much as you have a calling to up hold in the game, it is just a game. Other people have characters concepts they would like to play as well.
 

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