MerakSpielman
First Post
Where do your paladin's priorities lie? Given a choice, which of these things would he emphasize? This is a spin off of the the "Repercussions" thread.
What is most important to YOUR paladin?
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MerakSpielman
First Post
Sorry, I got called away in the middle of posting the poll. It should be working now.
The Sigil
Mr. 3000 (Words per post)
I voted, "other."
A paladin is concerned with "decreasing the power of evil in the world." That is most important to him.
When confronting evil directly, the preferred outcome is that evil repents as that (a) decreases the amount of evil power by X and (b) increases the amount of good power by X. This results in a net shift in power of +2X for good. The alternative desired outcome is the destruction of evil. This decreases the amount of evil by X and results in a net shift of power of +X for good.
Note that this priority also means that the paladin is not going to play "lawful stupid" and be a 1st-level character who never runs from a Balor... dying yourself with no appreciable benefits toward aiding the side of good results in a net shift of power of -Y for good.
With respect to personal conduct, the paladin strives to be a paragon of virtue - because he recognizes that the better he is, the more "good" is in the world and hence the more balance is shifted toward good. That others may see and learn and be inspired by the beacon of purity that is the paladin is a nice side effect, but since that rests in their hands, what with agency of individuals and all, the paladin doesn't worry so much about that. He wants to live pure not so that he LOOKS good, but so that he IS good.
With respect to working with others... a paladin will attempt to heal and cure and teach and generally act benevolently as each act of goodness and kindness (a) tips the scales a little bit towards good and (b) is much more likely to inspire the recipient of the act towards being good themselves than is simply seeing his example from afar. In fact, the paladin probably pays much more attention to and sees as more important his "one-on-one" time with others than his "up on the pedestal being admired by others" time because he knows the one-on-one time is when people can TRULY be deeply touched and inspired, whereas the "up on a pedestal" time usually results in temporary, transitive inspiration.
In essence, to me, the paladin realizes that in dealings with good and with self, he needs to BE good, not to LOOK good, to be most effective. And in dealings with evil, mercy and repentance are to be valued above base smiting. All other decisions and concerns flow naturally - and are automatically prioritized - from the desire to increase the relative amount of good in the world.
--The Sigil
A paladin is concerned with "decreasing the power of evil in the world." That is most important to him.
When confronting evil directly, the preferred outcome is that evil repents as that (a) decreases the amount of evil power by X and (b) increases the amount of good power by X. This results in a net shift in power of +2X for good. The alternative desired outcome is the destruction of evil. This decreases the amount of evil by X and results in a net shift of power of +X for good.
Note that this priority also means that the paladin is not going to play "lawful stupid" and be a 1st-level character who never runs from a Balor... dying yourself with no appreciable benefits toward aiding the side of good results in a net shift of power of -Y for good.
With respect to personal conduct, the paladin strives to be a paragon of virtue - because he recognizes that the better he is, the more "good" is in the world and hence the more balance is shifted toward good. That others may see and learn and be inspired by the beacon of purity that is the paladin is a nice side effect, but since that rests in their hands, what with agency of individuals and all, the paladin doesn't worry so much about that. He wants to live pure not so that he LOOKS good, but so that he IS good.
With respect to working with others... a paladin will attempt to heal and cure and teach and generally act benevolently as each act of goodness and kindness (a) tips the scales a little bit towards good and (b) is much more likely to inspire the recipient of the act towards being good themselves than is simply seeing his example from afar. In fact, the paladin probably pays much more attention to and sees as more important his "one-on-one" time with others than his "up on the pedestal being admired by others" time because he knows the one-on-one time is when people can TRULY be deeply touched and inspired, whereas the "up on a pedestal" time usually results in temporary, transitive inspiration.
In essence, to me, the paladin realizes that in dealings with good and with self, he needs to BE good, not to LOOK good, to be most effective. And in dealings with evil, mercy and repentance are to be valued above base smiting. All other decisions and concerns flow naturally - and are automatically prioritized - from the desire to increase the relative amount of good in the world.
--The Sigil
Last edited:
tonym
First Post
If my paladin had to emphasize one priority on your list--like you asked--it would be the first priority you mentioned.
Although I would never say he was an "evil-killing MACHINE." "Machine" is a loaded word--it makes it sound like the paladin is bloodthirsty and has no personality. My paladin is a complex character.
Instead of saying "evil-killing machine," I'd say my paladin was "dedicated to killing all agents of evil gods."
![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
Tony
Although I would never say he was an "evil-killing MACHINE." "Machine" is a loaded word--it makes it sound like the paladin is bloodthirsty and has no personality. My paladin is a complex character.
Instead of saying "evil-killing machine," I'd say my paladin was "dedicated to killing all agents of evil gods."
Tony
Valiantheart
First Post
Other:
Being able to take an Alignment other than Lawful Good is the most important thing to my Paladins.
Being able to take an Alignment other than Lawful Good is the most important thing to my Paladins.
Terry Edwards
Registered User
The most important thing in my last paladins life was maintaining a civil routine even in the worst conditions. Even when in the wild regions of the lands plagued by the foulest beasts Sir Loins always made time for a cup of hot tea.
FireLance
Legend
I mostly agree with The Sigil, but I have a more defensive slant. I believe a Paladin's most important work is to prevent evil acts from occurring. This could be done by converting a creature from evil to good, slaying an evil creature, giving courage to a group of oppressed peasants, or inspiring a new generation of heroes. It can also be done by simply standing to oppose an evil power and stopping it from harming the helpless, whether it is a low-level paladin defending an old man from a gang of bullies, or a high-level paladin fighting a horde of demons to save a village.
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