What would a paladin do

[dren]

The scenario is this, a paladin has been wrongfully convicted of a crime and the punishment is brutual but not life threatening. The Kingdom isn't evil most likely this case could be a case of misidentification or a frame-up by someone within the justice system. Still, the paladin will serve many years if he is arrested. The paladin's church will neither give him aid, nor hunt him down, as they must look out for all of their faithful and while they do not fully believe the charges, he has been convicted in absentia.

What would a paladin do to avoid arrest? Prove his innocence? What happens when his old colleagues come looking for him, not willing to use lethal force but not backing down either or listen to his pleas.

Just so you know, this could be an ongoing point in my next series of adventures, the paladin is the npc protangonist and the PCs are faced with a grim decision, what should they do when they find him. The reward is not spectacular but it is substantial (2000 gold pieces) and they could use it to curry favour with the authorities. They will probably believe him when the paladin states his innocence.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Woas]

I believe as a Paladin, I would allow myself to be put in jail. I wouldn't exactly agree or accept the conviction. But I would hope that my friends/family would help me to correct the sitation and I would be more than happy to work with whatever government/police force that is persecuting me to get through the ordeal.

 

[Crothian]

I'd prove my innocence, but it depends on the legal system of the city. Are the trials fair , would I have a chance to create a defense, or is everything out of my hands? Could I submit to a zone of truth to prove I didn't do it?

 

[Arkhandus]

In a world of magic, where there's magic to counter almost any other magic, it is unlikely that Zones of Truth and Discern Lies spells would be fully trusted, though they most certainly would be considered strong evidence for or against a person's guilt or innocence. I don't think the caster is really aware of whether or not someone has failed their saving throw against the effect.

In the case of a paladin, there's definitely more firm reasons to trust his word. The paladin can agree to submit to a Zone of Truth, then answer questions in his trial, and then display that his deity has not revoked his paladin powers, proving that he has indeed kept to his word as his paladin code requires. If he had agreed to allow the Zone of Truth to affect him, but actually resisted it instead, then his paladin gifts would be revoked for violating the paladin code of conduct. Otherwise, obviously, if his deity is the local religion's god or goddess, or simply a well-known god of truth, justice, honor, law, or the like, then the judge should believe the paladin to be telling the truth and truly innocent, if the paladin indeed told the truth and retains his powers.

In any case, a paladin is required to respect the law and adhere to the local justice system. If he's required to go on trial, he will do so, and if he is convicted, he will accept his punishment, even if he knows that he is innocent. His deity will not revoke his blessings just because he was put into jail. He upheld his code and the trust his deity put in him. At least, if he really does want to remain a paladin. Otherwise, if he values his freedom and reputation overmuch (rather, more like a normal person than a shining paragon of virtue), then he will resist and will try to prove his innocence instead. His deity may revoke his blessings for this, but if he does prove his innocence, he may be able to receive a successful Atonement and regain his boons.

 

[philreed]

Sounds like a shirt.

WWPD

 

[Starglim]

Nice moral dilemma for the party (though I'm a bit concerned that you assume that players will believe in his innocence).

As others have said, the NPC may be a paladin no longer by the time the PCs catch up with him, if he has resisted arrest or broken out of lawful custody. You could consider giving him an urgent higher duty that would be compromised if he is in prison, that would convince him to do such a thing (favouring Good over Law), and also place the PCs in an even more awkward moral position if they prevent him from stopping evil X / saving innocent Y.

 

[Rev. Jesse]

The paladin needs to clear his name. Two reasons:
1.) Implied in the paladin's commitment to Law is one to truth and justice. If the law of the land is neither truthful nor just, then the paladin is not obliged to obey it. Given that the paladin knows of his innocence, he should not be morally required to submit himself to a trial that does not reveal the truth of the matter.
2.) Your story relies on it.

Obviously, the 2nd point is far more important. If you are concerned about the paladin losing his paladin abilities or being untrue to his class, you can always provide him w. an attonement from an unaligned LG cleric (or another church). As described in the PhB, the paladin can change allegencies, provided he is still devoted to the LG cause.

And, there is plenty of examples of righteous men on the run for crimes they didn't commit in our culture. Was the paladin framed by a one-armed man?

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

In a world of magic, where there's magic to counter almost any other magic, it is unlikely that Zones of Truth and Discern Lies spells would be fully trusted, though they most certainly would be considered strong evidence for or against a person's guilt or innocence. I don't think the caster is really aware of whether or not someone has failed their saving throw against the effect.

Even if they are, an intelligent suspect can easily dance around the spell. Plus, it doesn't last long, either.

In the case of a paladin, there's definitely more firm reasons to trust his word.

No there are not. I can't imagine a world where people would be naive enough to believe a paladin when they claim they can't lie. A lot of people are going to believe they are lying when they say they can't lie. Many people accuse Aes Sedai of Wheel of Time, an order of spellcasters who can't lie, of, well, lying. Aes Sedai find ways of not telling the truth without actually making up facts, without breaking their oaths.

I believe that only people who worship the same deity as that paladin, or are themselves paladins, would automatically take them at their word.

In any case, a paladin is required to respect the law and adhere to the local justice system.

Nope. Not if the local justice system is unjust. (Not that this is a problem in this circumstance.)

 

[Crothian]

Even if they are, an intelligent suspect can easily dance around the spell. Plus, it doesn't last long, either.

If you dance around it, then you look guilty. But if the Paladins just answers "I did not do this crime" in a zone of truth people will trust that.

What ways are their to counter a zone of truth besides making the will save? THe character won't be able to do anything else since his actions would be obbserved.

 

[Starglim]

If you dance around it, then you look guilty. But if the Paladins just answers "I did not do this crime" in a zone of truth people will trust that.

What ways are their to counter a zone of truth besides making the will save? THe character won't be able to do anything else since his actions would be obbserved.

Zone of truth is an Enchantment (Compulsion) and is mind-affecting, for a start. It's possible even protection from evil would block it. Mind blank certainly would. The defendant could have a magic item or long-duration ability that granted one of these effects without doing anything visible in the courtroom.