The Misunderstood Paladin

[Dogbrain]

But what he has done is perform an evil act in order to combat the spread of evil, which is not a good act, nor is it something that a paladin should ever consider.

For a paladin you can't fight evil with evil and still retain your paladinhood.

But it's a logical extension of a GOOD act.

Of course, Paladins are ultimately forces for evil. Their intolerance and violence ultimately act to alienate anyone who doesn't adhere to their narrow-minded "ideals"--no matter how far from evil those people originally were. Furthermore, their unwillingness to let more rational means prevail ensures that violence constantly stalks the countryside, that revenge is always hot in everyone's mind, that violence is seen as the first recourse to any difficulty, not the last.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

(1) The Paladin is charged with bringing war and death to the forces of Darkness, wherever they are found!

This is impossible to enforce. Paladins can get married and even take mental health days off, plus it will interfere with their mission as everytime they see something evil they have to go off and kill it (assuming they won't get killed by doing so).

As much as I am loath to contradict the great maker, the above statement is an evil act if ever I heard one. Its not lawful and it certainly is not good.

Can a paladin lie? Yes, under the right circumstances. He cannot lie to his high priests or whoever his legitimate superiors are, but when faced with the evil city & gate guard proposal then yes. To do otherwise leads him to his death and he has failed his cause. Again we're back to lawful-stupid.

Unfortunately the rules say flat-out that you can't lie ... which means the rules force you to be lawful stupid.

However, you've written a very good house rule above.

 

[DragonLancer]

Unfortunately the rules say flat-out that you can't lie ... which means the rules force you to be lawful stupid.

However, you've written a very good house rule above.

Kind of explains why paladins are meant to be rare.

"I am the champion of Fortog the Paladin-Killer. Are you a paladin?"
"Why, yes, I..."
THWAK & CHOP.

You play them as cannot lie then every party that has a paladin in their number must gag him at all times.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Kind of explains why paladins are meant to be rare.

"I am the champion of Fortog the Paladin-Killer. Are you a paladin?"
"Why, yes, I..."
THWAK & CHOP.

You play them as cannot lie then every party that has a paladin in their number must gag him at all times.

Like I said, we're just following the rules. I've seen it happen before.

Villain: "Who is that?"

Paladin: "I..."

PC: "His name is Belkins!"