Paladins - Codes of conduct?

Carpe DM · Oct 7, 2004

It depends on the purpose of the code. I find having something short and effective that the character knows by heart to really bring the code alive.

"Fearless to the strong; humble to the weak; help to the helpless, whosoever shall ask it!"

best,

Carpe

Inconsequenti-AL · Oct 7, 2004

Interesting ideas there!

I just got curious what everyone else did.

Finished writing out a code of conduct to talk through with one of my PCs. Previous paladin players had created their own or just played as they felt fit. He was the first one to ask for one...

FireLance, I like your idea of tying various bits of it to various powers/aspects of the class. I'm going to use it - think it'd suit this player. He's not the most confident or decisive person in the world.

A punchy, 1 line summary seems like a good idea too.

Darth K'Trava · Oct 8, 2004

Ours:

The basic Code from the PHB
The paladin's deity's tenets.
Toss in a bit of the Klingon Honor Code

And there ya go.... one paladinic code.

shilsen · Oct 8, 2004

Self-promotion: I wrote an article on how to create a paladin code using a list of various virtues for the paladin to espouse, with sample paladins of different codes. It came out in one of the Asgard online magazines, which are available for download on this site.

Inconsequenti-AL · Oct 8, 2004

shilsen said:
Self-promotion: I wrote an article on how to create a paladin code using a list of various virtues for the paladin to espouse, with sample paladins of different codes. It came out in one of the Asgard online magazines, which are available for download on this site.

Sounds like an interesting one...

Don't supose you can recall which one, off the top of your head?

Hand of Evil · Oct 8, 2004

Oh, something to do, that I have not seen done a lot is to have the player meet other paladins with the same code but different views and takes on it!

Inconsequenti-AL · Oct 8, 2004

Hand of Evil said:
Oh, something to do, that I have not seen done a lot is to have the player meet other paladins with the same code but different views and takes on it!

Now that is a fun idea...

The PCs are all members of a knightly order - like the Templars - without Baphomet, goats and the rest. I was going to have that sort of disagreements between the paladin and other members... Even more fun if they're paladins.

Now to apply my programing skillz to his paladinbot opponent:

10 Detect Evil
20 Smite
30 Goto 10

shilsen · Oct 8, 2004

Inconsequenti-AL said:
Sounds like an interesting one...

Don't supose you can recall which one, off the top of your head?

I checked. It's Asgard #7, the infamous Swimsuit Edition (mindflayer in a bikini, baby!). There's a link to it here: http://www.enworld.org/forums/local_links.php?action=links&catid=20.

I've got a few emails from people on ENWorld who tried it and found it very useful. The funniest one was from someone in Sweden (I think), who'd worked not just the system but me into his campaign too, since the campaign background had the paladin code being designed centuries ago by a sage called Shilsen

Inconsequenti-AL · Oct 8, 2004

shilsen said:
I checked. It's Asgard #7, the infamous Swimsuit Edition (mindflayer in a bikini, baby!). There's a link to it here: http://www.enworld.org/forums/local_links.php?action=links&catid=20.

I've got a few emails from people on ENWorld who tried it and found it very useful. The funniest one was from someone in Sweden (I think), who'd worked not just the system but me into his campaign too, since the campaign background had the paladin code being designed centuries ago by a sage called Shilsen

Thanks for that! I'll have a read and see how I get on...

I was searching for a look for a Mind Flayer villan - that might have to be it

Peskara · Oct 8, 2004

Paladin Oaths

I wrote my own. This is for a paladin of Valysa, the goddess of justice, virtue, mercy and war (as a protector and defender, not as an aggressor, except in a good cause). She's generally depicted as an armored woman or angel with a warhorn and two swords or a lance and shield. The horse and the dog are her sacred beasts. She's also known as the Queen of Paladins. This oath serves as both the code my paladin lives by and a prayer that she says every morning.

"I am the Hand of the Lady.
By horse, hound and horn I swear my life to Her.
Like Her warhorse I accept the charge of battle for the sake of others.
I respectfully submit to the rightful and good laws of legitimate authority.
I serve selflessly. With integrity, humility and personal courage I perform
my duty to Valysa, Her church, and those worthy of Her protection.

Like Her loyal hound I guard the good works of man.
My faith will be the salvation of all I am sworn to defend.

Like the clarion blast of Her warhorn I am ever vigilant against evil,
tyranny and injustice.

By lance, sword and shield I swear myself to Her.

Like Her lance I will lead the charge to victory, not for my own glory, but
for the greater glory of Her name, even if I be broken upon the ranks of Her
enemies.

Like Her swords I am the righteousness that cuts to the heart of evil, yet I
am tempered with compassion for the victims of oppression, slaughter,
malice, treachery and disease.

Like Her shield I am the justice that protects the innocent and the
downtrodden, forged in the fires of mercy that purify the souls of the
repentant.

Honor is Her armor and mine. Its steel is my will, my resolve never to lie,
cheat, gamble, or take unfair advantage of friend or foe. May I always be a
paragon of loyalty, duty, respect, integrity, chastity, courage and
humility, that I may bring no tarnish to Her name or my own and serve as an example to all.

I am a paladin of Valysa, Her chosen champion. I am devoted to Her, mind,
body and soul. I am a channel of Her will.

If I fail Her, may She have mercy on my soul."