Re-opening an old can: Warlocks and Angels

[Rechan]

Given how angels have their own agendas, and aren't Goodie-goodie good good, I think that a Warlock making a pact with an angel might actually make a whole lot of sense.

Of course, since Angels work for Gods, then that Warlock might be an inadvertent instrument of that god.

However, ultimately the question of Warlocks making pacts with angels always comes down to one question for me: If you can just make a pact with an Angel to do good, why wouldn't everyone do it? It's a whole hell of a lot easier than being a priest or a paladin, right?

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Well it depends on what the Angel wants in return. That is the big difference with Clerics and Paladins your faith is enough, with a Warlock a deal must be struck.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Considering that Angels are not automatically good, it might be harder to find an Angel to pact with that also shares your alignment.
Angels also seem pretty single-minded (Angel of Valor, Angel of Vengeance), and you might not be interested in what they want, in the end just having as much problems with an Angel as with a Devil or Fey.

There's also the question how proactive a Warlock is in selecting his Pact partner (narratively). It's possible he doesn't get to choose - he stumbles on a writing that allows him to make a pact with a Devil, and if he doesn't pick this option, he wouldn't become a Warlock at all.

 

[Frostmarrow]

This sounds like a cool plot device.

A cleric dreams an angel of his church is making deals on the side. Can the angel be saved or must the angel be destroyed?

 

[Midnight Dawns]

Another idea that might be interesting is to have one of the more influential members o fa church making a pact with an angel that either serves another god (opposing or not) or an angel of an opposing ideal. ex The god served is one that promotes peace and passive resistance and the cleric makes a pact with an angel of vengeance.

 

[FireLance]

However, ultimately the question of Warlocks making pacts with angels always comes down to one question for me: If you can just make a pact with an Angel to do good, why wouldn't everyone do it? It's a whole hell of a lot easier than being a priest or a paladin, right?

Was that the main issue? I thought it was more along the lines of: why would gods/angels make pacts with warlocks when they already have priests and paladins?

Anyway, why would being contractually required to perform certain actions (the warlock pact) be any less difficult from performing the same actions out of love, respect, or your own free will (the faith or devotion of a cleric or paladin)? If anything, it would be harder for the warlock (at least on a personal level) to fulfill the terms of his pact as he would have to consciously remind himself what he has to do, when the same actions would come naturally for a cleric or paladin.

 

[Rechan]

Was that the main issue?

The "Why would anyone bother with priestliness if you can get your power without all the training and such" is my sticking issue. May not be anyone else's.

The notion is that Warlocks get their power right up front. No years of training, it's just handed to them on a platter. That's the allure of making pacts with otherworldly entities; you get what you want RIGHT NOW. "Making a deal with the devil", after all, is all about getting what you want, but you have to pay the price with your soul; there's little responsibility and restriction until the end of the line.

It's sort've like those deals where you can get a TV furniture without making payments for x months, but then you gotta start making them and the payments are hefty. The allure of "get what I want now, because that's all that matters" short-sightedness that is your downfall.

Anyway, why would being contractually required to perform certain actions (the warlock pact) be any less difficult from performing the same actions out of love, respect, or your own free will (the faith or devotion of a cleric or paladin)?.

I'd presume that a person who believes in non-violence isn't going to make a pact with an Angel of Vengeance. More importantly, I highly doubt an angel with Ideal X is going to accept a pact from someone who's not 100% in line with Ideal X; an Angel of Death isn't going to tolerate someone who's even half-way squeamish about killing.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Yeah, but Rechan there has to have a pact made and some sort of agreement reached. As such it may be faster but potentially more costly then simply having faith in a deity and thus gaining the services of that god's Angels.

 

[Rechan]

Yeah, but Rechan there has to have a pact made and some sort of agreement reached. As such it may be faster but potentially more costly then simply having faith in a deity and thus gaining the services of that god's Angels.

In a roundabout fashion, that's my point: What's the cost of making a pact with an Angel?

If you make a Pact with the Devil, he gets your soul and you go to hell.

What's the cost of making a deal with an Angel? An Angel whose Ideal you agree with significantly enough that he'll make a deal with you? Where is the drawback?

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Well I imagine a Angel would have a very strict view of its ideals. As such, a Warlock could be in for a world of hurt if he even remotely steps outside that, since unlike with a god an Angel you made a pact with be watching you very closely. It be like the old Paladin codes, except you would have a Angel on your ass.

I think to, you have to show some reason why it is a better deal for an Angel to work for you and not a deity. This could be extremely costly, you may need to act out various wishes the Angel would normally do. The Angel may send you to kill your brother for being an adulterer or wipe out your villages temple for worshipping a god who fronted your Angel, etc.