Should there be Repercussions for This? (opinions wanted)

[Nifft]

That brings up a point. Would it be possible to have a Monk/Paladin?

There's one in my current campaign. Very high saving throws. Why do you ask? Do you see a conflict?

-- N

 

[MerakSpielman]

I would presume that a paladin, being Just, would try to match the punishment to fit the crime. If an unscrupulous construction worker is cutting corners when building houses to save costs, and thereby harming innocents who are hurt when pieces of the roof collapse, I think the appropriate punishment is to turn the man in to the authorities rather than smite him to death.

 

[Cerubus Dark]

There's one in my current campaign. Very high saving throws. Why do you ask? Do you see a conflict?

-- N

No I just find them strange, and wanted to see if they would work. I want to have my Monsterus Party run into someone like him. See if they can handle someone who can both kick their butts and still be kind enough to let them repent.

 

[The Sigil]

IMC, Holy Avengers are made out of sharp, pointy objects because Paladins are intended -- by their gods -- to go out and kill evil.

Evil priests of evil gods are pretty darn evil.

If anything, the Paladin "compromised" by letting the evil priest live temporarily (presumably for pragmatic reasons). Killing evil is why Paladins receive their Calling.

Diplomats & Nurses receive a different Calling, and that one doesn't involve Martial Weapon Proficency or the Holy Smite class ability.
(Emphasis mine)

Here we disagree. A paladin is not about KILLING evil, IMO - a paladin is about "ridding the world of evil." Note my post above where I point out that Smiting Evil is good, but Getting Evil To Repent is better... and the reason paladins get divine protection is because they always have to give evil the chance to repent first (and thus give evil the chance at "first blow"). Then their smite, holy avenger, and other abilities kick in to turn them into tactical nukes.

So, I offer you a chance to repent. If you refuse, then you get the business end of my sword.

--The Sigil

P.S. Yelling, "PREPARE TO RECEIVE YOUR PURIFICATION!" before you wade into battle with the same aplomb as a barbarian does not quite do it for me. It makes the paladin uninteresting, flat, and a "Paladinbot." A paladin should be much more than a barbarian with a battle cry that happens to invoke deity.

 

[Cerubus Dark]

I would presume that a paladin, being Just, would try to match the punishment to fit the crime. If an unscrupulous construction worker is cutting corners when building houses to save costs, and thereby harming innocents who are hurt when pieces of the roof collapse, I think the appropriate punishment is to turn the man in to the authorities rather than smite him to death.

Yes but sometime the punishments don't match the crimes.

Keep in mind that evil is subtle and not always a BAM in your face kind of evil like with a red dragon. Liches have plenty of time on thier hands to work their plots, and everyone knows that the mayor is a puppet.

 

[Nifft]

I would presume that a paladin, being Just, would try to match the punishment to fit the crime. If an unscrupulous construction worker is cutting corners when building houses to save costs, and thereby harming innocents who are hurt when pieces of the roof collapse, I think the appropriate punishment is to turn the man in to the authorities rather than smite him to death.

Is the construction worker Evil with a capital "E"? Does he do it to save costs (greedy) or because he delights in the pain and suffering of innocents, and is secretly an Evil priest of the Dark Demon of Damnation and Shoddy Construction?

In the former case, he needs to lose some money.

In the latter case, he needs a good smiting.

-- N

 

[Numion]

I would presume that a paladin, being Just, would try to match the punishment to fit the crime. If an unscrupulous construction worker is cutting corners when building houses to save costs, and thereby harming innocents who are hurt when pieces of the roof collapse, I think the appropriate punishment is to turn the man in to the authorities rather than smite him to death.

Turn the man in to the authorities? Yes. Authority being the Paladin.

Remember that a Paladin can't be dependent on the earthly authorities in doing his job - they might be non-existant, corrupt or even evil themselves. Paladin can't afford the luxury of falling back to the 'authorities' like we do in year 2003 earth.

Judge - jury - executioner

 

[The Sigil]

I think, Nifft, that you and I have a rather different opinion of what a paladin *should* be. And I don't think either of us is empirically "right."

Your view of a paladin seems to be "a holy warrior who is looking for any excuse to use his Smite power."

My view of a paladin is "a holy warrior who is looking for any excuse NOT to use his Smite power" (but will not hesitate to do so if he can't find one).

Is this a fair assessment?

--The Sigil

 

[MerakSpielman]

I've posted a poll so we can register our opinions...

 

[Hjorimir]

Killing of a known cleric of evil deity is perfectly fine IMO for a Paladin - it doesn't matter if the cleric puts up a fight or not.

What about the paladin's code in regards to honor (not using poison, etc.) in his cause? Cutting down a bound prisoner is about as honorable as poisoning them, I'd imagine.