Paladin: Difference between revisions

Paladins must uphold the teachings of the Oath from which they draw their powers. This does not mean street preaching, but that they must live their lives and exhibit themselves according to the holy cause they have chosen to represent. They must obey the tenets of their Oath. They must strive to act in a manner that is in the spirit of their Oath.

For example, a Paladin of the Roadwardens who rarely travels, and ignores bandits will not be able to remain one for long. A Paladin of the Vanguard Knights who is reluctant to combat evil in melee will also lose their powers. Etc.

Basically, confrontation is acceptable, but baseless slander is not.

Similarly, the quality of the confrontation is taken into account. Paladins who gets into arguments and fisticuffs with local thugs could lose their powers, but one who engages in honorable duels or fights in defense of innocent life would not.

Paladins are expected to be honest in words and deeds. Paladins cannot lie under any circumstances. They may choose to not speak at all, as opposed to lying. They also cannot practice other forms of deceit, such as disguising  

themselves in order to sow discontent among their rivals is dishonest.

Paladins may 'disguise' themselves so as not to be seen immediately for who they are, but they may not use this to create an advantage by pretending to be someone else when confronted or by performing actions under a secret identity.

For example, a Paladin, if captured, and asked by an enemy where to find the undefended leader of the Paladin's group, cannot lie, but may refuse to answer.

As another example, a Paladin may wear an obscuring cloak to pass through an unfriendly town unmolested, but they may not wear the cloak in order to hand out notices signed by a false name, or to spread word about their rival's crimes while pretending to be a local thug.

Paladins are expected to be courageous, both in battle and out. While retreat is, at times, the only sensible option, if Paladins routinely flee prematurely, or flee in a manner that endangers their companions, they could lose their powers. Likewise, Paladins are expected to be brave when representing their cause, and to stand up against their enemies out of battle as well.

For example, Paladins who flees from combat, and thus allows their companions to die in their place, could lose their powers. But as a counterexample, Paladins who find themselves surrounded by overwhelming odds, with no hope for victory, may retreat honorably if they take care to ensure that their retreat does not cause the loss of innocent lives.

Paladins who becomes meek and timid when confronted by rivals could lose their powers.

Honor is everything to Paladins, at times to a fault. They are expected to be respectful to all, even their enemies. No pissing on corpses for the Paladins. They are also expected to be willing to go all the way to see that their honor is maintained. They shall always keep their word once given, or die trying.

For example, if an enemy they have defeated behaved courageously in their own way, Paladins might even adhere to a dying wish or see a proper burial performed. Paladins will never desecrate the dead.

If Paladins are challenged to a duel by someone of similar ability, they must accept. If, for example, a drunken commoner well beneath them makes a challenges, they may turn away, as this shows greater honor than pulverizing an unworthy opponent.