Paladin Codes
Dictates of the Catholic Church, from the 11th Century Crusades:
1. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches and shalt obey all her commandments.
2. Thou shalt defend the Church.
3. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
4. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.
5. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
6. Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy .
7. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
8. Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.
9. Thou shalt be generous and give largesse to everyone.
10. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.
1. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches and shalt obey all her commandments.
2. Thou shalt defend the Church.
3. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
4. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.
5. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
6. Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy .
7. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
8. Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.
9. Thou shalt be generous and give largesse to everyone.
10. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.
SpringPlum
First Post
I currently play a paladin-type character. Two of the strictest rules of her code:
1) Never attack the unarmed or unable.
The day she found out that unarmed does not necessarily mean unable was very interesting.
2) Never torture.
She travels with a couple of people with pretty loose morals so it has provided much PC friction but player fun.
1) Never attack the unarmed or unable.
The day she found out that unarmed does not necessarily mean unable was very interesting.
2) Never torture.
She travels with a couple of people with pretty loose morals so it has provided much PC friction but player fun.
SamuraiY
First Post
I forget where this came from, but it's very very true.
Lawful Good is not Lawful Stupid.
Also, no matter how much any one thinks it does, the paladin code does not forbid the use of actual tactics (the paladin is not betraying his code if he fails to charge directly into a person who's evil).
Lawful Good is not Lawful Stupid.
Also, no matter how much any one thinks it does, the paladin code does not forbid the use of actual tactics (the paladin is not betraying his code if he fails to charge directly into a person who's evil).
Personally the most unlikely Paladin I've seen in movies is Akira Kurasawa's character of Sanjuro, played in both Yojimbo and Sanjuro.
He's crude, blunt offensive but in his heart a good man.
A paladin based on that character would be shunned by the "honorable" church, mostly his own choice.
But he would do right by the people
He's crude, blunt offensive but in his heart a good man.
A paladin based on that character would be shunned by the "honorable" church, mostly his own choice.
But he would do right by the people
GuardianLurker
Adventurer
If you're looking for paladin-type inspiration, you should *definitely* check out the following series:
David Eddings, Elenium and Tamuli series :a paladin named Sparhawk and his paladin buddies quest to save a queen. This is probably a reasonably close portrayal of the typical gaming paladin.
Elizabeth Moon, Deeds of Paksenarrion and Legacy of Gird : both very paladin focused (Gird and Paks both qualify, even if Gird is a little flawed). Paksenarrion is probably the *SINGLE* best depiction of what a truly dedicated paladin is like. *Very* inspiring.
Also, Monte's new BoHM is just *chock* full of paladin type goodness, including example code.
In fact, you can find my homebrew-modified extract of his paladin class, along with my example Paladin code, here:
http://patriot.net/~glurker/Olerra/HouseRules/Paladin.html
David Eddings, Elenium and Tamuli series :a paladin named Sparhawk and his paladin buddies quest to save a queen. This is probably a reasonably close portrayal of the typical gaming paladin.
Elizabeth Moon, Deeds of Paksenarrion and Legacy of Gird : both very paladin focused (Gird and Paks both qualify, even if Gird is a little flawed). Paksenarrion is probably the *SINGLE* best depiction of what a truly dedicated paladin is like. *Very* inspiring.
Also, Monte's new BoHM is just *chock* full of paladin type goodness, including example code.
In fact, you can find my homebrew-modified extract of his paladin class, along with my example Paladin code, here:
http://patriot.net/~glurker/Olerra/HouseRules/Paladin.html
Olive,
Here is what I came up for as the paladin codes for my game. They are half-stolen form various elements. Some of those elements being posters on this board .
Anyway, here you go:
1. Servitude – Serve the greater good. Always venerate tradition, and respect authority. Go the extra mile; do more than you are required to do, and do so cheerfully. Keep alert for the chance to do a good deed. Only those who have learned to serve are fit to lead others.
2. Charity – The world can be hard, and no man can hope to survive it alone. By helping others you make the world a better place. The helpless need someone to act on their behalf: The weak need strength. The destitute require hospitality and access to the excess of the community. Provide these things for those in need.
3. Courage – You must be ready to make sacrifices to serve the higher order of good and law. You must know when to choose the more difficult path. It is better to put yourself at a disadvantage than risk performing an evil act. Stupidity often masquerades as courage, but this is a waste of resources, and it serves no one. True courage is demonstrated when one stands by their convictions, even when it is difficult.
4. Defense – It is your duty to protect your country, the common man, your religion and the religions of those who promote good (if not always law and order) – even those that may not deserve such protection. The willingly evil or tyrannical have, by their deeds, forfeited their right for your protection. One must be willing to sacrifice everything to defend their charges.
5. Faith – Horrible things happen to even the most just and valorous. It is those that continue to hold true to the tenants of good and law in hard times that demonstrate true strength. Be a pillar of piety. It is your faith that will provide you the might needed to endure hardships and overcome evil. Your example will give others hope in dark times.
6. Justice – The implementation of a code of law is all that keeps anarchy at bay. True justice protects nobles and commoners alike, and all but the most vile humans and demi-humans are entitled to its protection. Demonstrate the justice that laws can bring at all opportunities. Offer terms to defeated enemies who are not wholly and unredeemably evil. Accept their surrender and consider them under your protection, for mob justice is no justice at all. Let them go free rather than let them come to harm.
7. Integrity – When you give your word, keep it. Your integrity is worth more than your reputation, possessions, or life itself. Be careful to whom you give your word; ensure that it cannot be twisted to evil ends. Choose your companions and patrons wisely. You are entrusting them with your honor. Do not cooperate in evil actions. Your silence or negligence may be the cooperation needed for evil to flourish.
8. Combat – Keep you arm strong and your aim steady. Seek out evil and destroy it before it can harm the innocent. War made in the proactive defense of good and order is just. War made simply for the sake of slaughter is not. Attempt to use the minimum amount of violence necessary to achieve your goals. Mindless slaughter is a waste of resources and leads to evil and chaos. With opponents that are wholly corrupt, however, total destruction may constitute the minimum amount of violence required.
9. Judgment – There will be times when one or more of the above codes will conflict with each other, and when the right and good decision is not clear. That is why it is important to never act rashly. Only act after due consideration. When all options appear equal it is better to err on the side of mercy. Evil acts can never achieve a worthy purpose. Consider carefully what evil might result from an apparently good action, and if there is not a better way.
Here is what I came up for as the paladin codes for my game. They are half-stolen form various elements. Some of those elements being posters on this board .
Anyway, here you go:1. Servitude – Serve the greater good. Always venerate tradition, and respect authority. Go the extra mile; do more than you are required to do, and do so cheerfully. Keep alert for the chance to do a good deed. Only those who have learned to serve are fit to lead others.
2. Charity – The world can be hard, and no man can hope to survive it alone. By helping others you make the world a better place. The helpless need someone to act on their behalf: The weak need strength. The destitute require hospitality and access to the excess of the community. Provide these things for those in need.
3. Courage – You must be ready to make sacrifices to serve the higher order of good and law. You must know when to choose the more difficult path. It is better to put yourself at a disadvantage than risk performing an evil act. Stupidity often masquerades as courage, but this is a waste of resources, and it serves no one. True courage is demonstrated when one stands by their convictions, even when it is difficult.
4. Defense – It is your duty to protect your country, the common man, your religion and the religions of those who promote good (if not always law and order) – even those that may not deserve such protection. The willingly evil or tyrannical have, by their deeds, forfeited their right for your protection. One must be willing to sacrifice everything to defend their charges.
5. Faith – Horrible things happen to even the most just and valorous. It is those that continue to hold true to the tenants of good and law in hard times that demonstrate true strength. Be a pillar of piety. It is your faith that will provide you the might needed to endure hardships and overcome evil. Your example will give others hope in dark times.
6. Justice – The implementation of a code of law is all that keeps anarchy at bay. True justice protects nobles and commoners alike, and all but the most vile humans and demi-humans are entitled to its protection. Demonstrate the justice that laws can bring at all opportunities. Offer terms to defeated enemies who are not wholly and unredeemably evil. Accept their surrender and consider them under your protection, for mob justice is no justice at all. Let them go free rather than let them come to harm.
7. Integrity – When you give your word, keep it. Your integrity is worth more than your reputation, possessions, or life itself. Be careful to whom you give your word; ensure that it cannot be twisted to evil ends. Choose your companions and patrons wisely. You are entrusting them with your honor. Do not cooperate in evil actions. Your silence or negligence may be the cooperation needed for evil to flourish.
8. Combat – Keep you arm strong and your aim steady. Seek out evil and destroy it before it can harm the innocent. War made in the proactive defense of good and order is just. War made simply for the sake of slaughter is not. Attempt to use the minimum amount of violence necessary to achieve your goals. Mindless slaughter is a waste of resources and leads to evil and chaos. With opponents that are wholly corrupt, however, total destruction may constitute the minimum amount of violence required.
9. Judgment – There will be times when one or more of the above codes will conflict with each other, and when the right and good decision is not clear. That is why it is important to never act rashly. Only act after due consideration. When all options appear equal it is better to err on the side of mercy. Evil acts can never achieve a worthy purpose. Consider carefully what evil might result from an apparently good action, and if there is not a better way.
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