D&D 5E Paladin just committed murder - what should happen next?

[MoonSong]

In case you've missed the points I've been arguing.

1. The DM was wrong to include the situation as he did

Just let me quote this in case you've missed it.

THE DM PUT A FRIGGIN' DRAGON TWICE THE PALADIN LEVEL!!

2. The Paladin did an immoral act by not attempting to validate that he was in a no-win scenario.

I argue that neither applies to a paladin, as they are held to a standard way higher than that. No paladin should ever sacrifice an innocent for self-preservation period.

Spoiler: However, having said that...

THE DM PUT A FRIGGIN' DRAGON TWICE THE PALADIN LEVEL!!

 

[FrogReaver]

... and your last sentence exonerates the Paladin - thank you - because the Paladin had no justification - none whatsoever - to believe that the dragon could be negotiated with or beaten in a fight.

We are dealing with a situation where the act the Paladin did was outright evil in every scenario except a no-win scenario. A good person doesn't do otherwise outright evil acts without making sure they are justified by virtue of only having worse options.

 

[FrogReaver]

Just let me quote this in case you've missed it.


I argue that neither applies to a paladin, as they are held to a standard way higher than that. No paladin should ever sacrifice an innocent for self-preservation period.

Spoiler: However, having said that...

THE DM PUT A FRIGGIN' DRAGON TWICE THE PALADIN LEVEL!!

I don't buy it. It's not moral for the 2 to die when 1 of the 2 would do.

 

[MoonSong]

Where does it say either of those things in any edition?

It isn't in a rulebook, but tell me of a knight in white armor that ever did this?

 

[MoonSong]

I don't buy it. It's not moral for the 2 to die when 1 of the 2 would do.

"Take me instead, I'll be a better meal for you"

Edit: I guess you didn't click on that spoiler...

 

[FrogReaver]

It isn't in a rulebook, but tell me of a knight in white armor that ever did this?

Tell me one that was ever presented with that situation.

 

[MoonSong]

Tell me one that was ever presented with that situation.

Granted, but tell me of one that you can see doing this?

 

[FrogReaver]

"Take me instead, I'll be a better meal for you"

Agreed. That was an option the Paladin had and should have attempted to take before just handing the man over. Of course perhaps the man was too injured and would have died without the paladin taking him to town (so there's a bit of unspecified circumstances for us to judge perfectly). But assuming the injured man was in bad shape but note dire shape then this is a great example of something the paladin should have tried.

 

[FrogReaver]

Granted, but tell me of one that you can see doing this?

I think you're line of "take me instead" was actually what would happen. I'm not sure about medieval knights, but in movies that's often something the hero will offer.

 

[Maxperson]

It isn't in a rulebook, but tell me of a knight in white armor that ever did this?

I've read about plenty of white knights that made a bad decision. Look at Lancelot and Guinevere.