Would A Paladin Break The Speed Limit?

[Torm]

I was just in the car driving somewhere about a half-hour ago, and I noticed that I was speeding as usual to keep with traffic flow. It is the norm. And I thought, it begs the question: If the written law states a speed limit, but the unwritten code of societal behavior says to ignore it, would a Paladin speed?

I personally think that a Paladin's lawfulness is an internal code and not the laws of man, so possibly she would if the circumstances for her to follow her code warranted or allowed it. But I wanted to hear other opinions.

I'm putting this in Off-Topic because it is a little gray to me whether it belongs in General or not - a Mod is more than welcome to move it there, if so.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Only if he were in a hurry.

 

[Ranger REG]

I was just in the car driving somewhere about a half-hour ago, and I noticed that I was speeding as usual to keep with traffic flow. It is the norm. And I thought, it begs the question: If the written law states a speed limit, but the unwritten code of societal behavior says to ignore it, would a Paladin speed?

What unwritten code? Guess that would explain the rise of vehicle-vs-pedestrian accidents in Hawaii.

Only if he's got an emergency call in his police car.

 

[Thunderfoot]

No, but I am of the unpopular belief that the paladin follows both written and unwritten codes of conduct in upholding law and justice (meaning doing what is right regardless of consequence and repenting if shown that an act is negligent.)

My take on paladins is the 'do-gooder' type, but I am a firm believer that 'Lawful Stupid" is wrong. Therefore in this instance, driving the speed limit is both lawful 'written' and safer 'unwritten', though much touted, and the better choice. Would a paladin speed, only if the situation absolutely warranted it, as Ranger REG said, 'in hot pursuit'. Being late for temple, though punishable through penance, is better than breaking one law to cover over a personal mistake (not leaving on time).

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Would a paladin speed?

Only if the situation absolutely warranted it- but the circumstances of "absolutely warranted" can be pretty broad.

Hot pursuit is one cirumstance, as would be trying to get someone to emergency care beyond that which the Pally can provide.

Escaping a foe he cannot defeat at this time in order to regroup and reassess...

Warning a populace of imminent danger...

all would qualify, as would others.

 

[Dioltach]

When I try to imagine how a paladin would act, I just imagine what Constable Benton Fraser, RCMP would do.

 

[Arkhandus]

No, he would stick to the speed limit and demand, loudly, that everyone else on the road obEY THE FRICKIN LAW!!! (KETTENEK'S JUSTICE DEMANDS IT! ) And subsequently get his car rammed into a ditch by a bunch of angry drivers that don't like nansy-pansy paladins yelling at them, and telling them what to do.

 

[delericho]

Escaping a foe he cannot defeat at this time in order to regroup and reassess...

I disagree with this one. Here, the paladin is putting his personal safety above the wellbeing of others. That's a no-no.

Otherwise, I agree with your assessment.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I would think not.

 

[Pbartender]

I was just in the car driving somewhere about a half-hour ago, and I noticed that I was speeding as usual to keep with traffic flow. It is the norm. And I thought, it begs the question: If the written law states a speed limit, but the unwritten code of societal behavior says to ignore it, would a Paladin speed?

No. A paladin would simply leave the Chicago metropolitan area and move to rural Minnesota, where everyone drives 5 miles under the speed limit. He can thus comply with local driving laws without endangering other drivers.