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I have read the Core quite a few times over to try and find an answer, as well as did a few searches through the search bar (perhaps my searching abilities are a bit lacking,) but most of the topics seem to cover god/dess needing to be one alignment step from the character to gain their 'benefits'.
I'm wondering if perhaps a Paladin could be godless, gaining his righteous powers from the overall force of 'Good'. Does a Paladin need a god/dess in order to be blessed with the ability to fight for the forces of good?
I'd allow it. Sounds like a good explanation up to me. I only play homebrew though so you may be out luck with the whole PFS thing.
Another alternative is that you could just make a GOD up yourself. Clerics have the option of not using a God, but following a principle. Same concept right?
Point of interest: even if the Paladin serves a god, that god does not grant the Paladin their spells:
Clerics, druids, experienced paladins, and experienced rangers can cast divine spells. Unlike arcane spells, divine spells draw power from a divine source. Clerics gain spell power from deities or from divine forces. The divine force of nature powers druid and ranger spells, and the divine forces of law and good power paladin spells. Divine spells tend to focus on healing and protection and are less flashy, destructive, and disruptive than arcane spells.
I think the answer in Golarion is yes. Each Paladin has a code of conduct with the alignment appropriate god.
As for any other home game, nope.
I think the answer in Golarion is yes. Each Paladin has a code of conduct with the alignment appropriate god.
As for any other home game, nope.
NO?
Here, I copied this directly from the CRB, god is mentined no where but divne is.
Through a select, worthy few shines the power of the divine.
Called paladins, these noble souls dedicate their swords and
lives to the battle against evil. Knights, crusaders, and lawbringers,
paladins seek not just to spread divine justice but
to embody the teachings of the virtuous deities they serve.
In pursuit of their lofty goals, they adhere to ironclad laws of
morality and discipline. As reward for their righteousness,
these holy champions are blessed with boons to aid them
in their quests: powers to banish evil, heal the innocent,
and inspire the faithful. Although their convictions might
lead them into conf lict with the very souls they would
save, paladins weather endless challenges of faith and dark
temptations, risking their lives to do right and fighting to
bring about a brighter future.
Role: Paladins serve as beacons for their allies within
the chaos of battle. While deadly opponents of evil, they
can also empower goodly souls to aid in their crusades.
Their magic and martial skills also make them well
suited to defending others and blessing the fallen with the
strength to continue fighting.
Alignment: Lawful good.
Hit Die: d10.
So how to interpret that? Could you follow a philosphy much as a cleric can?
I'd say yes.
As has been said, per the game's Core Rulebook a paladin does not inherently need to serve a deity.
In the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting, though, they do; the setting standard is that both paladins and clerics must serve a specific divine entity.
As has been said, per the game's Core Rulebook a paladin does not inherently need to serve a deity.
In the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting, though, they do; the setting standard is that both paladins and clerics must serve a specific divine entity.
Thats fine and all, but if he's playing homebrew then he's can play w/e he'd like. It mentions no wher in the original post about this.
PFS requires deity for a Paladin? I recall JJ saying multiple times that only clerics need deities.
I'm not finding something saying Paladins need to have a deity in the Play Guide either
Thats fine and all, but if he's playing homebrew then he's can play w/e he'd like. It mentions no wher in the original post about this.As has been said, per the game's Core Rulebook a paladin does not inherently need to serve a deity.
In the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting, though, they do; the setting standard is that both paladins and clerics must serve a specific divine entity.
Which is why I stated both the setting-neutral answer and the setting-specific answer.
Heaven's Agent, are you talking about the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting or the Inner Sea World Guide? I'm downloading the latter, but the former is the 3.5 version, where setting-neutral answer was that Paladins had to have deities.
PathfinderWiki mentions that they're more likely than not to not worship a deity. Which fits with James Jacobs' statement.
Heaven's Agent, are you talking about the Pathfinder Chronicles Campaign Setting or the Inner Sea World Guide? I'm downloading the latter, but the former is the 3.5 version, where setting-neutral answer was that Paladins had to have deities.
I honestly don't recall where I saw it, only that I was surprised by it. It may have been a print source or on the forums, but I just don't remember. It's not something I had to keep tabs of, so I didn't.
I was under the impression they did not need a God. Especially because one of my friends played an Atheistic Paladin. He believed his powers came from himself and he needed to do the right thing, but religion was stupid.
I don't see anything wrong with letting a player play a paladin devoted to no particular deity. The "gods of good" can guide his destiny without his devotion to their particular ideals, but his road may be a little more difficult in the long run.
There are rules for Paladin Codes of Conduct suited to a Patron Diety.
I don't suppose these are documented somewhere eh?
I would love to read through those.
Faiths of Purity had the individual paladin codes. The neutrality book had some too.
Here's the sacred servant. It's an archetype that devotes the paladin to a single deity. Read the fluff :)
Faiths of Purity had the individual paladin codes. The neutrality book had some too.
Thank you those were quite interesting.
Thank you those were quite interesting.Faiths of Purity had the individual paladin codes. The neutrality book had some too.
Faiths of Corruption has codes for antipaladins, as well. It's an interesting read, and great fodder for coming up with memorable BBEGs.
Faiths of Corruption has codes for antipaladins, as well. It's an interesting read, and great fodder for coming up with memorable BBEGs.Thank you those were quite interesting.Faiths of Purity had the individual paladin codes. The neutrality book had some too.
I think Ill have to get that one, though looking at the cover of it....that picture, every time I see Nualia I wanna know whats the deal with her anime mech armor >_>
But but but...without a god how will I get my Divine Bond
Divine Bond (Sp): Upon reaching 5th level, a paladin forms a divine bond with her god
and become a Divine Champion?
Holy Champion (Su): At 20th level, a paladin becomes a conduit for the power of her god.
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From the forces of good or god/desses of good I would assume. Only the Sacred Servant seems to be required to have a specific deity chosen. I don't see why you couldn't say 'worship' the powers of good itself, instead following specific examples from several god/desses.
For instance, a belief in following the laws as set to follow Abadar's examples, all but the laws set in wickedness for immoral gain. A paladin could strive for a belief in community, family, and helping ones fellow man from Erastil. A page could be taken from the great Iomedae, giving the paladin an upholding idea of valor, honor, and justice in the name of what is good.
You could continue with Irori, with the belief of always seeking to better oneself and learn something new each day, working to perfect yourself as you struggle along the path to purity and righteousness. The ideal of the redemption of yourself and others, as well as honesty, could come rising from the fires of Sarenrae, burn itself into your heart as a constant reminder you are never too far away from falling yourself. Why not even stand up as a tower of protection for others, shielding those as would please Torag?
I think setting a code based on following ideals of multiple god/desses, the overall force of good itself, would be a possible and probable force which could allow one to be righteous enough to gain the powers of a paladin, following along the path of the knights of old to rise and strive to fight for what is considered good and just.
Akin to Sir Lancelot before his fall.
BuzzardB: Vestigial text from a draft when they had a deity. The Bard has the same issue in a few places.