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Message: <blockquote data-quote="FireLance" data-source="post: 1514360" data-attributes="member: 3424">Here are four oaths which you may find useful as a general guide to paladin behaviour. They are taken from my<a href="http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=86651" target="_blank">Oathsworn Paladin</a> 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 RighteousnessThe 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 MercyThe 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 ServiceThe 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 FaithThe 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.</blockquote>

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