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Musings on the "Lawful Jerk" Paladin
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<blockquote data-quote="Gladius Legis" data-source="post: 7354474" data-attributes="member: 68748"><p>The Code of Conduct was the main problem with earlier paladins specifically because it included and made references to alignment. Not only did the paladin have to stay LG, it could never commit an evil act, ever, or a chaotic act without penance. Which seemed easy until you argued your case with the DM that a certain act was or wasn't indeed chaotic and/or evil. And on top of that, earlier paladins couldn't associate with anyone not of good alignment except on a single-mission basis and had to seek out LG companions above all else (hence, party policing or acting like a jerk to other non-good PCs).</p><p></p><p>5e's Oath tenets work because (a) they do not specifically refer to any one particular alignment, and (b) they don't have those silly restrictions on who the paladin can or can't associate with. And even the Oath mean to reflect the classic LG paladin (Devotion) has its tenets written in a way to address the Lawful Jerks and Lawful Idiots of the past. Like Courage's "caution is wise," so you don't go Leeroy Jenkins-ing something that's bound to kill you, Compassion's "show mercy to your foes, but temper it with wisdom," in case a certain enemy just may be obviously too dangerous to leave alive, and Duty's "obey those who have <em>just</em> authority," so, no, you do not have to blindly obey some usurper or some unworthy ruler just because they're a ruler.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Gladius Legis, post: 7354474, member: 68748"] The Code of Conduct was the main problem with earlier paladins specifically because it included and made references to alignment. Not only did the paladin have to stay LG, it could never commit an evil act, ever, or a chaotic act without penance. Which seemed easy until you argued your case with the DM that a certain act was or wasn't indeed chaotic and/or evil. And on top of that, earlier paladins couldn't associate with anyone not of good alignment except on a single-mission basis and had to seek out LG companions above all else (hence, party policing or acting like a jerk to other non-good PCs). 5e's Oath tenets work because (a) they do not specifically refer to any one particular alignment, and (b) they don't have those silly restrictions on who the paladin can or can't associate with. And even the Oath mean to reflect the classic LG paladin (Devotion) has its tenets written in a way to address the Lawful Jerks and Lawful Idiots of the past. Like Courage's "caution is wise," so you don't go Leeroy Jenkins-ing something that's bound to kill you, Compassion's "show mercy to your foes, but temper it with wisdom," in case a certain enemy just may be obviously too dangerous to leave alive, and Duty's "obey those who have [I]just[/I] authority," so, no, you do not have to blindly obey some usurper or some unworthy ruler just because they're a ruler. [/QUOTE]
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Musings on the "Lawful Jerk" Paladin
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