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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Coredump" data-source="post: 2193032" data-attributes="member: 6939">Yes, but I think it is explainable.  You seem to be thinking more like a cowboy good guy. Think Wyatt Earp in Tombstone. Or someone that feels the ends justify the means. Willing to justify (almost) anything in order to get the bad guys out.IMO, DnD does not treat Paladins like that. They are the epitime of Lawful and of Good.In your town, you are the lawman, but you still need to obey and enforce the Law.  You still cannot go around the law just because it is convenient or easier to do so. You must be a shining example, above reproach. (This does not mean you are required to be stupid however.)From original postYou did exactly right. You arrested, you re-arrested and took to higher authority. You now know more about the conspiracy. As long as the human shield was only a shield, and you were not threatening to kill him (ala hostage) no problem. But then you started down the road of convenience.If the Mayor/cavalry won't hold them for you. You build a jail and hold them. Or find a cave/etc and tie them up/chain them to the walls. (yes food and water everyday) Or take them to the next higher level in authority. Sure the King is some dumb distance away, but there has to be *someone* above the mayor nearby..Or start with the Mayor, but not to kill him. To arrest him. Take him to his superior, or go to his superior first. If you want to arrest him and keep him in your jail/cave, okay too. But to enter his home with the purpose of killing him is plain murder. Now, I am also assuming he has not told you of his evil doing first hand. You just know he let them go, or what the goons have blabbed.If you want to be more hardcore.... post laws for *your* town. Ones that are punishible by death. (Not like spitting, but like assaulting an officer, or stealing, etc.) Ones you *know* his goons will break. Then when they break them, you can arrest them, have a (quick) trial, and execute them.  Now, you may want to fortify your building, or go into hiding. But the point is to stay within the laws. Assasinating from a roof top, or assasinating from a sword point is still assasination, and in the 'not cool' column for a Paladin.And I can't think of *any* situation that would allow a Paladin to set fire to a building when he didn't know how many people may get injured. That just *screams* chaotic. Endangering others for your benefit.... *Not* the quote of a Paladin.The bounty hunters are another matter. And it depends on if you thought they know the mayor is corrupt. Following the laws of a corrupt mayor does not safeguard them from justice. If they were duped, then maybe. But I am not sure if you tried to distinguish the difference. It sounds more like an inconvenience to keep him around. Rule of Thumb: Paladins do what is right, regardless if it is convenient. Caveat: they do not have to be stupid about it. *IF* you thought he knew the Mayor was bad, then the *right* thing is to arrest him for conspiring with the Mayor. *IF* you thought he was duped, then  it is for your convenience that you sent him out on his own with low rations. It was for your convenience that you took his rations, benefiting yourself at the expense of another 'innocent'.If he was guilty, you take him back as a prisoner. If  he was duped, you take him back to make sure he gets back okay. Sure you may have to take certain precautions at night, but that inconvenience doesn't change anything. Or give him a choice to go alone or with you. And *at best* you take only the dead men's provisions, or split everything evenly. Remember, if he is duped, he is no more guilty than you are, you are simply taking advantage of him because you are stronger.And it doesn't matter if a brother cares more, it is your duty to see over the souls of others. Besides, these were (apparently) innocents duped into attacking you. If the brother wants to *also* perform last rites...fine. But you do your duty regardless.Don't just get the job done. Do it with Style. And make sure your actions are beyond reproach, that is what makes a paladins armour shine.....</blockquote>

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