Should I nix the PC's Paladin status?

[Lela]

Indulgences associated with the Christian Church are usually terribly misunderstood.

This site however explains them well.

Thanks CrusaderX. While I think I was confused a bit more by what the site said, I found that a few things were made clear. I always like fixing misunderstandings on my part and this helped somewhat.

 

[Dragonblade]

I think sword-dancer was referring to the custom of "weregild". In ancient Celtic societies, weregild was money paid to compensate the victims of a crime by the criminal himself or his family members.

The custom was designed to discourage the endless retaliatory bloodfeuds that could become big social problems. If a reasonable amount of weregild money was offered, then most families would be honor bound to accept it and once accepted the blood debt would be considered settled and the feud would end.

Although not always...

 

[sword-dancer]

I think sword-dancer was referring to the custom of "weregild". In ancient Celtic societies, weregild was money paid to compensate the victims of a crime by the criminal himself or his family members.
...

Yes i refferred to this old saxon and viking Custm, but a murder couldn`t release himself through this.

 

[Left-handed Hummingbird]

Yes i refferred to this old saxon and viking Custm, but a murder couldn`t release himself through this.

In Denmark they could. I don't remember the actual amount but murder was definitely a crime where you paid a fine to the family and that was that. I mean, it's just murder, no sense in getting all worked up about it. The killed was probably an honorless weakling after all. No big loss.

Now if they were thieves that was an entirely different matter. Thieves (if they stole fore more than a few pennies) - especially "stimænd" - highway robbers - were the lowest of lowest and would be banished / outlawed (which in effect was a death sentence). Thieves had no chance of buying themselves off the hook.

 

[sword-dancer]

Murder like stabbing somebody from behind down and don`t declare yourself the killer.
Weregild was never considered the most honorable action, but a legitim action, but it was AFAIk considered to dishonourable to take it when the relative was treacherously murdered.

 

[ced1106]

So, do you think I should nix his status or let it slide

Currently reading Call of Duty. Here's a good quote:

"Whoever or whatever in your campaign granted the paladin his powers would be loath to take them away. As long as the paladin is performing, that is, effectively protecting the innocent and fighting evil, a few minor infractions on the Code of Conduct will likely be overlooked by those powers, and should be overlooked by you.

The focus of the game is on heroic fantasy, not morals and ethics in the real world.

Paladins should be held to a higher standard than lawful good fighter/clerics, and as long as the moral challenges the players face are fun, it is ok. But try not to be too strict. Let the paladin get away with a few mistakes if the action was “borderline”. No matter what type of ruling you’re making, it’s generally better for the campaign to err on the side of the players. They only control one character, and taking away that character’s powers is an extreme measure."


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[Lela]

Re: Re: Should I nix the PC's Paladin status?

Currently reading Call of Duty. Here's a good quote:

"Whoever or whatever in your campaign granted the paladin his powers would be loath to take them away. As long as the paladin is performing, that is, effectively protecting the innocent and fighting evil, a few minor infractions on the Code of Conduct will likely be overlooked by those powers, and should be overlooked by you.

The focus of the game is on heroic fantasy, not morals and ethics in the real world.

Paladins should be held to a higher standard than lawful good fighter/clerics, and as long as the moral challenges the players face are fun, it is ok. But try not to be too strict. Let the paladin get away with a few mistakes if the action was “borderline”. No matter what type of ruling you’re making, it’s generally better for the campaign to err on the side of the players. They only control one character, and taking away that character’s powers is an extreme measure."

A thought provoking quote ced1106. Thanks. I'll have to look into getting my hands on Call of Duty.

 

[Left-handed Hummingbird]

Re: Re: Should I nix the PC's Paladin status?

Good advice, Cedric, IMHO.

I especially agree with this:

They only control one character, and taking away that character’s powers is an extreme measure."

Give the players some leeway in how to play their character; don't spoil their fun.

 

[Lela]

Actually, LHH most of my players have two characters. Some are wolves and some are wives and some are just other characters.

It's mostly just semantics but I don't feel as bad for not holding back if one of them dies (or whatever).

Still good advice though.

 

[Xarlen]

I have a question Lela. How is it that a Chaotic Good Diety would be petitioning for a Lawful Good Paladin's status nixed?

If nothing else, in *her* eyes, she would have seen He was doing the right thing, because it seems like a 'Chaotic Good' action, even if he stopped himself. So why would she be getting so pissy about a lawful infraction when she wouldn't believe in it to begin with?

Yes, he infringed on her privacy, but it was for a good cause, for HER worshipper. Why would she be So fickle when there are Bigger problems at hand? Like, say, her Worshipper in mortal danger?