Paladin Profession

[Bozidar]

Paladins try to live up to a perfect standard, but not all manage it.

I thought of this. I wondered what it would be like for this character to spend some time atoning for some mis-deed, to regain his status as a paladin.

But he's just too strong of will, and character. He knows, because of how he was raised, that his time on the planet is short, and he won't waste time feeling sorry for himself. He's going to get something accomplished.

Good suggestion, though. Not right for this guy, but a good suggestion..

 

[Bozidar]

1) Does your character know there is "downtime" for 5 years? I would suspect not. This may influence what he does.

I'm not sure yet. I have to wait to get through one final bit of role-playing before we get to the time-call. I'm not sure how my DM is going to explain it, so i'm honesty not sure right now. Regardless of wether he's settling down long-term or short-term, his immediate goals are short-term so they solve the problem either way.

2) Does he have Leadership? If so, he'll most likely work on that.

He does, but he just lost his cohort. While most of the group was involved with a fight with some weird cockroach creatures, he and his cohort were on rear-guard. A harpy vampire snuck up on us from behind, grabed him, and launched him from the ledge we were on (think Indiana Jones, Last Crusade). Ryn fought the creature valiantly, but didn't have the weaponry to do any damage to the creature. His mount, the dire lion, was likewise unable to affect the creature. To sum up -- he won't be attracting any followers or cohorts until he's had time to mourn, and regain his confidence in being a leader again. His friends will help, and he'll get through it, but it'll take time.

3) Does he have access to funds? Nothing like spending money - normally on the Church or other people though.

He has access to debt

In my Paladin's situation, he does not know that there is downtime and so with no immediate quests on hand - sort of - he is looking to establish himself and his order a little bit more. He's 10th level with the Leadership ability so his focus is setting up a Chapterhouse to attract those of a like mind. He has given all his funds either to his Church or those who have adventured with him including a 100,000gp sword to the other main fighter in the group - boy did that test his faith. However, he figured that he was already tough enough and as for funds, he is hoping to gain support and sponsorship for his Chapterhouse from the local nobility who need a strong arm of the law at the moment. His Diplomacy Skills are excellent - maxed out - so he figures he should eventually get the financial support he needs.

When Agback mentioned the order thing, above, i thought it was a good idea, but now I REALLY like the idea. If part of our "pitch" to the queen (see one of my posts above to reapersaurus) is that I will establish a knightly order of larethian knights, it might get us the funds we need to really build a great place! Excellent idea, and thanks I don't have maxed out diplomacy skills, but with the influence of the wizard, and the help of one of her followers (a courtier with diplomacy skills) we should do well..

thanks again to you, and everyone

 

[LuYangShih]

Interesting. Corellon is a CG deity, so technically no Paladins in his service exist, but that is obviously not the case here. I am simply curious as to whether or not you are a special case, or more Paladins of your faith exist in the campaign world you are playing in.

 

[Green Knight]

Speaking of which, where does it say that Paladins must worship a deity that's within one step of their alignment? I know it's in the Forgotten Realms and in Living Campaigns, but I have yet to see such a rule in the PHB or any other core book.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I was actually thinking of doing something similar to this in Living Greyhawk.

I bought KJ Parker's "Colours in the Steel" on the basis of one phrase on the back-cover blurb; the main character's profession.

Fencer-at-Law.

-Hyp.

 

[Wippit Guud]

You could spend a year in silence, just to appreciate the sound... of a whisper... (I love that movie)

Ok, a couple of other things to consider:

Ambassador/Envoy - especially to a military-based people. Dwarves would be a good place, they respect fighters and lawful tendencies.

War - If there's a war somewhere, he could serve as an officer, be a learning experience as well as a way to contribute

 

[Bozidar]

Interesting. Corellon is a CG deity, so technically no Paladins in his service exist, but that is obviously not the case here. I am simply curious as to whether or not you are a special case, or more Paladins of your faith exist in the campaign world you are playing in.

I'm having a little trouble finding the rule that states that only LG dieties can have paladins in their service..

 

[Wippit Guud]

I'm having a little trouble finding the rule that states that only LG dieties can have paladins in their service..

I would think it's more of a 'correct roleplay' point... why would a lawful good paladin follow a god that does not uphold his own personal code of ethics? Sure, they're both good, but paladin's code:

"requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor, help those in need (provided they do not use the help for evil or chaotic ends), and punish those who harm or threaten innocents." -SRC, Paladin

A chaotic god would be all about going against legitimate authority, asking for self preservation, and so on...

 

[Bozidar]

I would think it's more of a 'correct roleplay' point... why would a lawful good paladin follow a god that does not uphold his own personal code of ethics? Sure, they're both good, but paladin's code:

"requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor, help those in need (provided they do not use the help for evil or chaotic ends), and punish those who harm or threaten innocents." -SRC, Paladin

A chaotic god would be all about going against legitimate authority, asking for self preservation, and so on...

Well, needless to say i disagree with your assessment. Corellon, and i'm sure other good gods, stand for things other than chaos. He's the protector of the elves. He's the enemy of evil, the protector of his people, and the source of their magic. I think there is room for paladins in the service of this god. i think there is more than enough room for them.

Also from the SRD- ""Chaos" implies freedom, adaptability, and flexibility. On the downside, chaos can include recklessness, resentment toward legitimate authority, arbitrary actions, and irresponsibility."

I don't think a paladin would have trouble following a god that encouraged freedom, adaptability and flexibility. In fact, with most paladins i've seen role-played, it sounds like a good idea to reach for those ideals when bogged down by what is most times very rigorous rules and such. Sure, he has to look out for recklessness, and the rest, but all god's and all their peoples have failings that need to be watched. That's part of his job as a paladin of corellon, to ensure that evil doesn't begin to grow within the elven race.

 

[Wippit Guud]

This is gonna turn into an alignment debate...

I don't think a paladin would have trouble following a god that encouraged freedom, adaptability and flexibility. In fact, with most paladins i've seen role-played, it sounds like a good idea to reach for those ideals when bogged down by what is most times very rigorous rules and such.

Actually I would find paladins (and monks) among the more inflexible people in the world, based solely on being lawful. Law is all about rules that have to be followed. in Dragonlace, Solamnic Knights are lawful to a fault, they wouldn't bend a rule to save a life (any life, not just their own). For law without a good or evil inclination, you can use Judge Dredd as a perfect example, he didn't care about right or wrong, all he cared was that you followed the rules.

Looking at good vs evil, it is not an evil act to kill someone when defending yourself. Yet, in law, people have been charged, and convicted, with manslaughter when they do kill someone in their defense. Heck, people are charged with just hitting an intruder with a baseball bat.

But, I should stop now, this debate has been hammered in to the ground 1000 times. Regardless of my opinion, it's up to the DM to decide these things