First Time Paladin

[zarabel]

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.

 

[shilsen]

Hi Liz!

One way to view the character is to focus on the virtues espoused by the particular deity. The description of Bahamut in the Draconomicon says that he "urges his followers to promote the cause of good, but prefers to let beings fight their own battles when they can. To Bahamut, it is better to offer information, healing, or a (temporary) safe refuge rather than to take others' burdens on oneself." So a paladin of Bahamut could take a similar approach.

One easy way to avoid being the kind of paladin who becomes a pain for party members is to focus on leading by example rather than by telling others what to do. Fight the good fight, but don't yell at others because they fail to live up to your standards.

 

[Caspian Moon Prince]

It really seems like a lot of people have problems with either playing a paladin or don't like for a paladin to be in the group because of most being played with a "holier than thou" type attitude. Shilsen's advise is right on. Lead by example, not by ordering others around.

 

[Ranger5]

I am currently playing a paladin of Torm in an FR game. My two companions are a LN elven monk and a N human cleric of Kossuth. The background of the PCs are that my paladin and the monk have known each other for a while and the cleric is a new addition to our group. And as Torm is the god of loyalty and duty, I play my paladin as the friend both other characters can rely on for anything within reason. If they propose an act that is obviously evil, I tend to point out the moral consequences of such an action and will often propose a more moral act. Our group considers the Good part of Lawful Good to be more important than the Lawful part. Though don't get me wrong, my PC will never knowingly commit an evil or unlawful act. And I try and show the other characters the virtues of doing the same thing. Of course it is easier with the monk.

 

[Hjorimir]

As paladins tend to have a high Charisma it makes perfect sense that they often (though not always) fill a leadership role. Don't be afraid to have a small (remember the word small) holier than thou perspective. You are, after all, a direct representative of your god's will.

The question I often have is why don't clerics have this same attitude? Is it because D&D players just want them along for the healing they provide? But an important thing to remember is that religious characters may proselytize, but they're trying to convert, not conquer.

Converting to the ways of your faith is probably best achieved by setting the standard or leading by example. Combine that with a little counseling and oratory and you can go a long way being a paladin without being overbearing. However, if faced with something that would break your code or challenge your beliefs, you should be prepared to be adamant in your stance. You answer to Bahamut, not the other members of your party.

 

[Torm]

I highly recommend reading through the thread currently on the board about why Paladins are disliked, especially my comments on page 7 of that discussion. (I AM, after all, the God of Paladins.)

Congratulations on your calling, and go forth with the blessings of Torm! May you serve well.

 

[Nightfall]

Torm,

No offense man, but when I compare you to say my god of Paladins (that is Corean, of SL fame), you come up a little short. But I will say you are by far the best of the Triad with Tyr coming in second, and the other god that have paladins as being around average.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

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.

You came to the right place. There are many ways to play a paladin.

Self-Doubting
Role: You constantly question your actions. Angst is your co-pilot.
Quote: "Should I let this orc prisoner go or not? I don't know! I am flumoxxed by this moral dilemia!"
PRO: Only paladin archetype that can drink absinthe.
CON: Since Strum was the original self-doubting paladin, you have to read the Dragonlance Trilogy.

Zealot
Role: You kill things. Oh. For your god.
Quote: "Die heathen! Um, for god!"
PRO: You'll get bonus roleplay exp for powergaming.
CON: The party druid will make a personal point of getting on your nerves.

Moderate Moderator
Role: You serve as an example, but are tolerant of all walks of life.
Quote: "So, you're a demilich? That's cool."
PRO: No one will accuse you of being a stuffed shirt.
CON: You might fall asleep during your own dialogue.

Moral Relevantist
Role: You redifine the terms "lawful" and "good" to your own personal code.
Quote: "You know, if we just take this bribe aren't we preventing violence? Is that the right thing to do?"
PRO: You get to do whatever you want.
CON: You'll have to read about nine different philosphy books to keep one step ahead of your DM.

Sneaky and Silent
Role: If you shut up whenever there is an alignment issue, maybe your DM will forget you are lawful good.
Quote: "You're interrogating orc children? Um. I just remembered I have to drive my sister to tennis practice. Back in twenty!"
PRO: Since you're never around when your code is brought up, you don't ever have to worry about it.
CON: You miss out on half the game, but really, that's the half the DM would have just used to rake you over the coals and you wouldn't get any exp from it anyway.

Hope this helps!

-BG

 

[The_Gneech]

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.

Well, be courteous, humble, and good-natured! Have your paladin remember the birthday of everyone else in the party and make them little presents. Have your character say "please," "thank you," and "I'm terribly sorry, but..." a lot. In short, make the paladin just a very nice, likeable person!

...who blasts demons with holy fire.

-The Gneech

 

[Henry]

The description of Bahamut in the Draconomicon says that he "urges his followers to promote the cause of good, but prefers to let beings fight their own battles when they can. To Bahamut, it is better to offer information, healing, or a (temporary) safe refuge rather than to take others' burdens on oneself." So a paladin of Bahamut could take a similar approach.

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.

I like that image of a paladin - it's different. A paladin who makes sure that people fight fair, who doesn't necessarily intercede as your champion immediately. It's still good; but it's more patronly than the typical image of the "Mighty Mouse" Paladin.

Congratulations on your calling, and go forth with the blessings of Torm! May you serve well.

I gotta say that Torm is a regular player of mine, and serves his mortal followers quite well in his portrayal of a gamer.