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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hawken" data-source="post: 3669117" data-attributes="member: 23619">The issue of 'rights' is irrelevant and misleading. The paladin in question could smite or not smite. If the paladin had quick draw, took a swipe (smite + power attack, two-handed swing, etc, etc.) at the Erinyes...well, 'accidents' do happen--"Sorry, General, when these fiends are about, my keen holy thundering fiend-bane sword seems to have a life of its own! Perhaps if we had known the (opposing) general was in league with fiends, I would have been better prepared. (to the Erinyes) Oh--are you still alive? Dreadfully sorry about that...would you like me to Lay on Hands (sheathes sword, readies 2nd smite with spiked, blessed gauntlet)? (to all) Perhaps we should reconvene in a few days when the opposing advisor has had a chance to recover? That would be the honorable thing to do!" It wouldn't mean the truce is voided. The paladin didn't make the truce, the opposing generals did. Whether the paladin smiting the fiend breaks the truce or not is up to the generals. Smiting won't necessarily break the truce--and in that case, the opposing general would likely consider strongly keeping the truce just to get his yet-to-be-smitten butt out of there alive rather than face his opposite and paladin advisor. Also the paladin would not have to withdraw from negotiations because he is not the one negotiating (associating). He is the one advising. The generals are doing the negotiating. And with a battle imminent, the paladin, rightfully expecting to find the Erinyes during the upcoming battle could definitely wait it out and slay her a few days later if an 'accidental' Smite didn't happen. With his general planning a battle against the Erinyes, that wouldn't offend the paladin's moral code at all, muchless enough for him to withdraw his aid from the general. The imp has Detect Good--the blinding aura of holiness pouring off the paladin would be a good clue (along with the fact of the paladin wielding very un-cleric-like weapons). Then there's that pesky telepathy that lets the imp 'hear' the group's thoughts (if not their actual words) which would likely include the mention of the word 'paladin' at least half a dozen times or possibly even the phrase thought or spoken, "Oh crap! The paladin's never gonna go for this! Whaddaya say, guys?" Unless the paladin was the leader of the group (more often than not the way it is). If he was group leader, the paladin would not be beholden to any agreements the others made without his knowledge. If he wasn't leader, considering his class and code of honor, he still wouldn't be beholden to any agreement with fiends and his companions would already know that.</blockquote>

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