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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 1338193" data-attributes="member: 177">Well, before we start talking about what the Paladin is or is not, we should see what the original text says.Let's see...  3.5e PHB, pg 44:"Code of Conduct: A paladin must be of lawful good alignment and loses all class abilities if she ever willingly commits an evil act.  Additionally, a paladin's code requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor (not lying, not cheating, not using poison, and so forth), help those in need (provided they do not use the help for evil or chaotic ends), and punish those who harm or threaten innocents"So, now to address your points.1 - The paladin certainly follows a code.  It may not specifically say anything about wearing heavy armor and carrying a lance, but it is a "knight's" code insofar as it follows the common conception of the Knights of the Round Table style of chivalry (which in the common mind is more about personal behavior than how you fight or whether or not your shoulders have been tapped by the king).2 - You can house rule it out if you want, but as written lying is forbidden.3 - Lawful may not imply law abiding, but the Code is more stringent than simple lawfulness.  The Paladin must "respect legitimate authority".  The DM has to figure out what "legitimate" means.  Typically, in such context, it means "legal" rather than "Good".  While Richard Lionheart is away in prison, it's okay to oppose Prince John, as he's not the legitimate ruler.  If Richard dies, though, and Prince John becomes the legal king, the Paladin's paths of resistance become seriously narrowed.  In general, it seem that the Paladin is supposed to play within the rules.4 - You make this big deal about how paladins are not knights of a religion, when your real beef is only about making them recognizable as such.</blockquote>

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