Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
Paladin just committed murder - what should happen next?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Hawk Diesel" data-source="post: 7813219" data-attributes="member: 59848"><p>This is a super interesting conundrum.</p><p></p><p>So first, I would be remiss not to mention the fact that 5e is very different than previous editions. There are no alignment restrictions, and no true mechanical implications for acting in ways unbecoming of a paladin. While there is a lot of story elements contained within a paladin's oath, there is no mechanical requirement that a paladin must follow their oath. In the PHB, there is the sidebar about how paladins are fallible, and that any consequences of breaking an oath without seeking some sort of penance is left to the DM to decide. But even then, outside of some guidelines, there is no single or even "correct" answer.</p><p></p><p>Much like a warlock's patron, the paladin's oath provides some built in role playing opportunities, but this does not necessitate a mechanical or even immediate consequence for failing as a paladin. Additionally, as has been suggested by others, this does to a degree depend on that oath. Some oaths may not concern themselves with the protection of the innocent.</p><p></p><p>Another thing to consider is that unlike in previous editions, 5e paladins are not automatically linked to a deity or religion. So the question becomes, who is the in-game authority or arbiter that would decide the severity of the paladin's transgression, if he did indeed transgress, and the consequences? Does the character worship a particular deity or pantheon, and are they a paladin inspired by this higher power? Are they a member of an organization of paladins with their own code of conduct? Or are they a lone entity that draws upon their own faith and discipline in this code of conduct they place upon themselves?</p><p></p><p>If they are a part of a religion, then the consequences could come from that organization or directly from the deity as a form of divine intervention. This is likely the quickest and most direct form of consequence. They may receive visions from this high power that requires some act of penance to address their sin, and if the paladin chooses not to follow along, then they may find themselves exchanging their oath for the Oathbreaker, or divine agents may come to either capture the paladin to put on trial, or assassins to kill him.</p><p></p><p>If they are a part of a paladin organization, then the consequences may be slower and dependent on how the organization obtains information of the paladin's misdeeds. This is unlikely to force the player into an oathbreaker or any other mechanical implications, but more likely for agents to be sent after him or being cut-off from assistance.</p><p></p><p>If they are a "lone wolf" paladin that has created this code of conduct from themselves, then it really should more come from the player as to how this manifests. I mean, think about what would happen to Batman if he ever had to use a gun or take a life. He wouldn't stop being Batman, but his actions would have greater psychological impacts (though this doesn't even take into consideration if there were any laws broken).</p><p></p><p>TL;DR: How does this character relate to the game world as a paladin, and where does this power come from? A god? An organization? Or themselves? This should help drive the determination of transgression, and the impact of not seeking penance.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hawk Diesel, post: 7813219, member: 59848"] This is a super interesting conundrum. So first, I would be remiss not to mention the fact that 5e is very different than previous editions. There are no alignment restrictions, and no true mechanical implications for acting in ways unbecoming of a paladin. While there is a lot of story elements contained within a paladin's oath, there is no mechanical requirement that a paladin must follow their oath. In the PHB, there is the sidebar about how paladins are fallible, and that any consequences of breaking an oath without seeking some sort of penance is left to the DM to decide. But even then, outside of some guidelines, there is no single or even "correct" answer. Much like a warlock's patron, the paladin's oath provides some built in role playing opportunities, but this does not necessitate a mechanical or even immediate consequence for failing as a paladin. Additionally, as has been suggested by others, this does to a degree depend on that oath. Some oaths may not concern themselves with the protection of the innocent. Another thing to consider is that unlike in previous editions, 5e paladins are not automatically linked to a deity or religion. So the question becomes, who is the in-game authority or arbiter that would decide the severity of the paladin's transgression, if he did indeed transgress, and the consequences? Does the character worship a particular deity or pantheon, and are they a paladin inspired by this higher power? Are they a member of an organization of paladins with their own code of conduct? Or are they a lone entity that draws upon their own faith and discipline in this code of conduct they place upon themselves? If they are a part of a religion, then the consequences could come from that organization or directly from the deity as a form of divine intervention. This is likely the quickest and most direct form of consequence. They may receive visions from this high power that requires some act of penance to address their sin, and if the paladin chooses not to follow along, then they may find themselves exchanging their oath for the Oathbreaker, or divine agents may come to either capture the paladin to put on trial, or assassins to kill him. If they are a part of a paladin organization, then the consequences may be slower and dependent on how the organization obtains information of the paladin's misdeeds. This is unlikely to force the player into an oathbreaker or any other mechanical implications, but more likely for agents to be sent after him or being cut-off from assistance. If they are a "lone wolf" paladin that has created this code of conduct from themselves, then it really should more come from the player as to how this manifests. I mean, think about what would happen to Batman if he ever had to use a gun or take a life. He wouldn't stop being Batman, but his actions would have greater psychological impacts (though this doesn't even take into consideration if there were any laws broken). TL;DR: How does this character relate to the game world as a paladin, and where does this power come from? A god? An organization? Or themselves? This should help drive the determination of transgression, and the impact of not seeking penance. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
Paladin just committed murder - what should happen next?
Top