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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pbartender" data-source="post: 4415845" data-attributes="member: 7533">An idea my wife once had -- and she has never been one who was fond of playing clerics or paladin -- for a cleric or paladin, stemmed from the idea that most "good" religions consider killing a sin.  However, evil exists in the world and must be fought against. It would be her cleric's (or paladin's) job go out into the world and take it upon herself to kill (evil people and creatures), in order to save other still innocent souls from the necessity of committing such a terrible sin in thier own defense.She got idea after I'd read to her the following passage from The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane, by Robert E. Howard...[bq]He stood up, wrapping his cloak more closely about him. "The Lord hath led my feet into many strange places," he said somberly. "Some were fair and many were foul; sometimes I seemed to wander without purpose or guidance but always when I sought deep I found fit reason therefor. And harkee, lad, forbye the fires of Hell there is no hotter fire than the blue flame of vengeance which burneth a man's heart night and day with out rest until he quench it in blood."It hath been my duty in times past to ease various evil men of their lives -- well, the Lord is my staff and my guide and methinks he hath delivered mine enemy into mine hands."[/bq]The idea being, Solomon Kane doesn't go looking for evil.  Whether he likes it or not, his God has seen fit to give him the skills and tools to fight Evil and then deigns to cross Kane's path with Evil.  Thus, Kane's drive for vengeance against evil comes as naturally and implacably as a cat's hunting instinct when faced with a feeing mouse.Of course, none of that's exactly "non-martial"...  Hrm.Also consider the Brother Cadfael novels...  A lengthy series of mystery books revolving one particular monk.  He took his vows, only after having lvied a full life and having fought in the crusades.Make your cleric a middle-aged fellow, who's a old army veteran.  He's tried his best to settle down and live the quiet life of a village priest, but trouble and adventure keep finding him anyway despite his best efforts.</blockquote>

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