doctorbadwolf
Heretic of The Seventh Circle
The Web DM youtube channel posted this video [video=youtube_share;-t3_kylsqiI]https://youtu.be/-t3_kylsqiI[/video] earlier in the month, and I just watched it.
It makes some very interesting points about Paladins, specifically in the context of roleplaying one without being terrible.
Something that stands out to me is the example of Michael Carpenter from the Dresden series, because I agree that it is one of the best Paladin's I've ever seen in fiction.
In my opinion, a "proper" Paladin shouldn't be a mindless fanatic (there's a barbarian path for that, or you could use the Conquest Paladin or Order Cleric), and should also not be a hypocrite.
A medieval Christian Paladin of any of the main Oaths or Redemption wouldn't necessarily be an exemplar of The Catholic or Orthodox Church, for instance, even as part of a Catholic Order. They'd be an exemplar, instead, of the spirit of the Gospels, as interpreted in good faith by themselves and their Order. If that means that they must oppose their own Church on something, they will.
The other thing to remember is that Lawful Good is only the uncompromising fist of righteousness if you choose to make it that.
Otherwise, it is a set of ideals that mean that you value empathy, generosity, unity, just order, rule of law, protection of the weak, "speaking truth to power", etc. The Paladin doesn't necessarily violate their oath when they have to compromise their moral comfort to save lives, because the point of their Oath is to protect the weak and work toward creating, growing, protecting, and sustaining a more just, kind, fair, world.
The Paladin should be, under this sort of model, the first character to offer mercy and understanding to the young emaciated thief, the oppressed rebel on the verge of going too far, the bandit who feels that the world doesn't care about people like him and the ideals of civilized society are all lies, the depressed drunkard, etc.
There is not any necessary conflict for a Paladin who sees unjust rule and has a chance to help the people at the expense of an oppressive lord or king.
Even a Crown Paladin can consistently be a rebel leader, or just let rebels go because she knows their cause is right, or stand in front of a corrupt or overzealous official/lord/guard/judge/whatever to protect someone from an exaggerated response to a crime.
"They committed a crime, and the law must be upheld, but Mercy is the sister of Order, and both exist to serve the good of The People, not your personal resentments. Stand down. The punishment for their crime is not death, and I will not allow you use the law as a weapon against our people." -Your Oath of The Crown Paladin, maybe.
I love the part where they talk about seeing orcs and drow and such and seeing a person who has been corrupted by their society or god, who can possibly be saved, and starting there, rather than starting with violence.
I love that idea not only for a Redemption, but for Devotion or Ancients as well, or even Crown or Vengeance, though each will express that differently.
Anyway, great video!
[MENTION=6799753]lowkey13[/MENTION] what kind of Paladin are you gonna make, homie?
It makes some very interesting points about Paladins, specifically in the context of roleplaying one without being terrible.
Something that stands out to me is the example of Michael Carpenter from the Dresden series, because I agree that it is one of the best Paladin's I've ever seen in fiction.
In my opinion, a "proper" Paladin shouldn't be a mindless fanatic (there's a barbarian path for that, or you could use the Conquest Paladin or Order Cleric), and should also not be a hypocrite.
A medieval Christian Paladin of any of the main Oaths or Redemption wouldn't necessarily be an exemplar of The Catholic or Orthodox Church, for instance, even as part of a Catholic Order. They'd be an exemplar, instead, of the spirit of the Gospels, as interpreted in good faith by themselves and their Order. If that means that they must oppose their own Church on something, they will.
The other thing to remember is that Lawful Good is only the uncompromising fist of righteousness if you choose to make it that.
Otherwise, it is a set of ideals that mean that you value empathy, generosity, unity, just order, rule of law, protection of the weak, "speaking truth to power", etc. The Paladin doesn't necessarily violate their oath when they have to compromise their moral comfort to save lives, because the point of their Oath is to protect the weak and work toward creating, growing, protecting, and sustaining a more just, kind, fair, world.
The Paladin should be, under this sort of model, the first character to offer mercy and understanding to the young emaciated thief, the oppressed rebel on the verge of going too far, the bandit who feels that the world doesn't care about people like him and the ideals of civilized society are all lies, the depressed drunkard, etc.
There is not any necessary conflict for a Paladin who sees unjust rule and has a chance to help the people at the expense of an oppressive lord or king.
Even a Crown Paladin can consistently be a rebel leader, or just let rebels go because she knows their cause is right, or stand in front of a corrupt or overzealous official/lord/guard/judge/whatever to protect someone from an exaggerated response to a crime.
"They committed a crime, and the law must be upheld, but Mercy is the sister of Order, and both exist to serve the good of The People, not your personal resentments. Stand down. The punishment for their crime is not death, and I will not allow you use the law as a weapon against our people." -Your Oath of The Crown Paladin, maybe.
I love the part where they talk about seeing orcs and drow and such and seeing a person who has been corrupted by their society or god, who can possibly be saved, and starting there, rather than starting with violence.
I love that idea not only for a Redemption, but for Devotion or Ancients as well, or even Crown or Vengeance, though each will express that differently.
Anyway, great video!
[MENTION=6799753]lowkey13[/MENTION] what kind of Paladin are you gonna make, homie?
