Paladins: Which do you hate more - LE or CE?

[Torm]

It has been expressed to me that Paladins, being LG, should despise CE - since it is opposed on two axes - more than LE, since it only opposes on one. But it seems to me that the opposite is true, for the exact same reason: CE is just rampant, unfocused (or at least, not AS focused) evil, but LE is actually using a tool that a Paladin would regard as sacred - law - in a corrupt and perverted fashion.

Thoughts?

(Completely aside: I just noticed that, having made my first post back here after being run ragged at work and posting only very occasionally and that to CircvsMaximvs as "Publius", it is coincidently my post number 1776! )

 

[Nightfall]

I hate em both. There.

*Also lost my paladin hood cause I endorsed a plan to start a seige of the small Banite enclave.*

 

[Torm]

I hate em both. There.

That isn't in question. The question is, which more? Or, put another way:

You are the only hero available and you have a choice between focusing your attention first on a monster of CE evil nature who is preying upon caravans between your city and a neighboring town, OR on a local politician whom you suspect is LE, who is participating in and possibly leading a very methodical plot to assassinate members of the city government and force the city under his or his master's control.

Which one first? (You're a Paladin, or were, so I won't ask just, "which one", cause we both know we'll get around to both - it's just a matter of priorities. )

 

[Odhanan]

It has been expressed to me that Paladins, being LG, should despise CE - since it is opposed on two axes - more than LE, since it only opposes on one. But it seems to me that the opposite is true, for the exact same reason: CE is just rampant, unfocused (or at least, not AS focused) evil, but LE is actually using a tool that a Paladin would regard as sacred - law - in a corrupt and perverted fashion.

Thoughts?

I think that depends entirely on precise PCs/NPCs and events in-game. That's something I manage on a case by case basis when I run an honorable character. CE isn't "more evil" than LE, nor does it make an NPC "more easy to hate" for a paladin. Anyway, a Paladin consumed by "hate" probably wouldn't keep his status for long, at least by my book.

 

[kirinke]

First, you should approach that situation not from a LE, CE standpoint, but from what you can reasonably accomplish. Just cause you're a paladin, doesn't mean you have to be stupidly lawful good too.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The answer probably varies a lot for individual paladins. Consider George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire characters: If there was a Lawful Good hero in those books (and there are arguably a few), I suspect most would have much more problem with Chaotics at this point in history.

 

[shilsen]

Neither, because as a paladin I have no way to personally work out whether someone is LE or CE, since I can't cast Detect Law/Chaos. So it comes down to the specific situation, not the alignment.

 

[Glyfair]

I think that depends entirely on precise PCs/NPCs and events in-game. That's something I manage on a case by case basis when I run an honorable character. CE isn't "more evil" than LE, nor does it make an NPC "more easy to hate" for a paladin. Anyway, a Paladin consumed by "hate" probably wouldn't keep his status for long, at least by my book.

I tend to agree that it's on a case by case basis. Indeed, I'd imagine most decisions don't focus directly on alignment. I think a paladin would go after a CG entity if he feels their actions will cause the most evil (or even an LG entity).

On a specific alignment basis, I still think it depends on the paladin. IMO, paladins focus most on defeating evil. His lawful alignment is mostly a function of how he promotes good and fights evil. A given paladin might have a smidgen of respect for a lawful evil ruler because, although evil, he at least he goes about it in an orderly fashion. On the other hand, he might feel a particular emnity towards them because they pervert the natural law.

 

[Shadowbane2]

Chaotic Evil, IMO. Though LE is istill evil, it maintains a strict code of laws that people follow, though much more serious and draconian that LG. CE is out for blood and distruction, no matter what. Definately seems like a much bigger target for Paladins.

 

[Klaus]

If given choice, I think paladins would go after CE first. It's random, uncontrolled, unpredictable, anarchic evil. CE spouses the opposite of everything a paladin stands for. All things being equal, A paladin would probably give the same treatment to LE and CG. They got *some* things right (one has the desired for ordered society, the other cares for the welfare of others), but both have reprehensible ideas in some areas (tyranny for one, lack of rules for the other). CE, OTOH, got *everything* wrong (lack of rules and a disregard for the welfare of others).