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Message: <blockquote data-quote="papastebu" data-source="post: 3437900" data-attributes="member: 40894">I agree that morality is mainly learned, but I also believe that there is alot more to the concept of race memory than is credited. Somewhere in my genetics is a predilection for being afraid of spiders, which has been reinforced by my own experiences. I don't by any means, however, think that all people abide by the same moral code. This is evidenced by terrorists who have convinced themselves that it is right and good to kill innocents, as well as themselves, in the name of all they hold sacred.I can see that a being that espouses concepts that many would consider evil, would have servants and choose champions from among them who espouse those beliefs, as well. The blackguard or anti-paladin is something to look at when considering this notion. The "paladin" in this case is simply taking the fight to the streets, as he was chosen to do, and with the tenets of his faith and the mores of his culture in tow. The paladin that we have been discussing is simply doing the same thing, with a diametrically-opposed viewpoint. So the answer to this question, as far as I can tell, is that paladins are different in that they are a more intense, much more narrowly-defined version of what I would call the "base ruleset" for the culture in which they developed. Any champion for any deity must uphold the deity's concepts and the morality of his culture, or risk undermining--perhaps even destroying--everything he stands for. Lawful as defined by society. Good as defined by moral conviction.Yes, the human paladin must fight the orcs, as he must fight anyone who threatens his very way of life. If the attackers were humans, instead, I don't think that it would make a great deal of difference, except that the paladin might experience more regret than when killin' orcs. The only way I could see this not being the case would be if the paladin serves a god who wishes for the two peoples--orcs and humans, or otherwise--to coexist peacefully for some reason. If the paladin fought this supposed enemy, then he would be acting directly against the wishes of the one he serves. BAD PALADIN! NO BISCUIT! You are most welcome. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />   They are the chosen ones. The Undying Sun chose the Solars, Luna chose the Lunars, etc. I know the abilities they have don't necessarily represent any of the "classic" stuff very well, but they are in service to higher powers and overarching concepts, and are given powers with which to perform such. You might call them "clerics and paladins" as some are ministers and some are warriors, but the concept is there.  I agree that fighting is implied, but I was trying to think of modern-day examples in the real world. I really feel that those three exemplify the concepts of fighting against something that is anathema. Ghandi fought by not fighting. He put himself in harm's way with nearly every breath he took, and did so out of strong moral conviction, and within the parameters of law. Mother Theresa was the same. She found hunger and disease abhorrent, and fought them to her dying day, because she was called to do so. Dr. King was of the same cut as the other two. He lived as a black man in a post-slavery state. Did you know that slavery was not completely abolished in the United States until the early sixties? It was finally stricken from lawbooks and such persecution outlawed largely due to the efforts of Dr. King. All three of these people were extremely proactive in their causes, and new leaders and followers alike take their cues from those examples. There are many other types of battle than actual, physical, combat.  Are simple bandits something that a deity would send his chosen to deal with? If they are a part of the situation, and the deity wants them dealt with or not, he will let the paladin know. This is true of any situation in the paladin's life. Aside from that, however, the paladin has to make his own choices about what to do. His deity might not be omniscient, but would more than likely be watching the one he chose to serve him in this way. The paladin has a duty and a code that guide him. I haven't ever heard of a paladin being an indescriminate killer, even if in service to an evil god. Sometimes fighting isn't necessary, or would even detract from the paladin's efficacy. In these cases the paladin has to find alternative solutions.Sorry so long-winded. Hope I helped.--Steve</blockquote>

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