The Misunderstood Paladin

[billd91]

Perhaps it'd be interesting to see, to further disprove the usual paladin stereotypes, some paladin builds that differ from the norm, ie the knightly type of paladin. What kind of non-traditional paladins have you played? It'd be more interesting, IMO, to see "straight" paladin builds (ie no multiclassing, PrC or not).

I've played a sort of idealized Christian-style paladin. He was charitable with his stuff to the point of having to scrape by to get his equipment, humble, forgiving, and as non-violent as situations allowed. He didn't have any kind of ostentatious armor or finery, just a good sword, reasonably stout chainmail, and a kind word. It worked pretty well.

Note that playing an idealized Christian-style character should in no way be construed as an endorsing of the Christian religion. I'm agnostic, bording on atheist. I just thought it would be an interesting character to play.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

Perhaps it'd be interesting to see, to further disprove the usual paladin stereotypes, some paladin builds that differ from the norm, ie the knightly type of paladin. What kind of non-traditional paladins have you played? It'd be more interesting, IMO, to see "straight" paladin builds (ie no multiclassing, PrC or not).

I agree that the paladin doesn't have to be the knightly type, but I have a hard time imagining a paladin any other way.

AR

Interesting... Most of the variants on Paladins that I've played come from the Complete Paladins Handbook for 2EAD&D.

Going with the idea that a Paladin is a champion of a god or ideal who is to say that a very primitive tribe of aborigines couldn't have a paladin? Would such a paladin really care for the moral code of the people outside his tribe? His bonded mount most likely wouldn't be a mount at all but might be a companion animal such as a dingo or something like that. His "gods" might be ancestor spirits. His code would be derived from the fact that he always feels their presence and wouldn't want to dishonor them. Pardon me for this idea, my knowledge of aboriginal beliefs is almost non-existant and I don't even pretend to know much about them.

A plains people style of paladin could have been touched by a spirit following a sweat lodge ceremony.

Maybe we ought to start a whole new thread on coming up with alternatives to the Knightly Paladin.

 

[Reynard]

The paladin should be committed to the code of conduct and morality espoused by his god... and so should priests of the same religion.

I think Paladins should, in most cases, be held to even higher standards than priests, mostly due to the fact that a paladin is a warrior of the faith and it is during times of conflict that people most often fail to act as morally responsible as they should. A Paladin has a great deal of personal power and in order to safeguard those around him, and to avoid allowing the Paladin to "forget" himself in the heat of battle, he or she should be required to always act as closely to true LG as possible.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I've played a sort of idealized Christian-style paladin. He was charitable with his stuff to the point of having to scrape by to get his equipment, humble, forgiving, and as non-violent as situations allowed. He didn't have any kind of ostentatious armor or finery, just a good sword, reasonably stout chainmail, and a kind word. It worked pretty well.

I've played that type too and it was very rewarding. I had a GREAT DM who understood my character and made sure that since I was so charitable and lived in poverty I always found a way to support my character. Some peasant might invite me to stay the night in exchange for helping him split firewood and that sort of thing. I never saved up to buy a magic item so he made sure that my character was equiped within the game to face the challenges for a character of my level. It is VERY difficult to play that way with a DM who doesn't keep your character's vows in mind. They'll wonder why you still have that non-magical longsword when you are 15th level.

 

[Truth Seeker]

Commentary

I think you might be wrong here - IIRC, PHB paladins don't even need a god.

However, I *absolutely* agree with everything else you said. That's how I see paladins as well.

May I add this, what is stated in the PHB, is a guideline, nothing more, player and DM can discuss what deity connection the paladin can have.

That aleration was done to appease some, ahem, religious...parties.

Overall, as I see it, the Discussion on the paladin's code, the way they should be shown, will continue to the ninth degree...why, because there is no set standard to truly follow.

The only way to have a paladin seen as a paladin, is by roleplaying, true old-fashion roleplaying. As for a set standard, it is not warranted, because again, it will be someone's interperation, and everyone will have many differences on approach...an enigma, this profession has been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

On the points illustrated, it is one part of a bigger picture...nice input.

 

[Nightfall]

I don't necessarily agree with Calico's statement.

My favorite paladin is Silas. (Yes I'm pimping the hell out of him but there's a damn good reason! ) Silas is law abiding, even if he questions the right of some laws. But he still follows them and leads by example. He does have a code of conduct, one that is basic and simple. He's also has NEVER knowingly lied. He might omit a truth here or there, but he's never out and out lied. But he's forthright, 100% honest and everyone enjoys his company. (Well now anyway. He's mellowed. ) And he is part of a religion. Especially since he's founding his own knighthood!

 

[Felix]

By the way... a paladin can go around doing Neutral things all day long with the proviso that he also does enough Good things to keep his alignment from sliding. He just can't do an [Evil] act knowingly. There is enough room in Neutral to have some pretty non-stereotype paladin playing, neh?

 

[Numion]

I've played that type too and it was very rewarding. I had a GREAT DM who understood my character and made sure that since I was so charitable and lived in poverty I always found a way to support my character. Some peasant might invite me to stay the night in exchange for helping him split firewood and that sort of thing. I never saved up to buy a magic item so he made sure that my character was equiped within the game to face the challenges for a character of my level.

If that was the case, and you knew it, what was the sacrifice you made? Sure you were in 'poverty', but the DM gave you stuff and abilities to make up for it. Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[Numion]

I don't necessarily agree with Calico's statement.

My favorite paladin is Silas. (Yes I'm pimping the hell out of him but there's a damn good reason! ) Silas is law abiding, even if he questions the right of some laws. But he still follows them and leads by example.

What if an evil ruler passed a law that required all paladins to be locked up and subsequently executed? Or better yet, a law that required all paladins to fall on their own swords? Would he still abide the laws?

 

[Calico_Jack73]

If that was the case, and you knew it, what was the sacrifice you made? Sure you were in 'poverty', but the DM gave you stuff and abilities to make up for it. Sounds like a good deal to me.

I as a player saw what the DM was doing but as far as the paladin was concerned his god may not have given him all that he would want but his god did provide him all that he needed. Hmmm... isn't that a basic tenet of Christianity?