There is a special kind of madness, a clarity rather, so far past sanity that the presence of an in- makes little difference.
My colleague Trisha agrees, though to be fair she had a tumultuous relationship with a recorder, so take that how you will.
I am seeking 1-6 adventurers willing to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations. Why 1-6? Because I have had great experiences with all the numbers in that range, and don't know how many will be interested, as this may be a rather unusual campaign.
What is the campaign? Well...
Belief is a thirst, a void that wants to be filled. Our world is... thirsty. We believed, and saw nothing. Perhaps plants are better. Yes. Plants in a desert, with just enough water to live. And so they adapt, learning to draw moisture from the very air, sucking in every drop of water. But now, the dam is breached, the glass is cracked and we are drowning. Neither we, nor the water knows what will happen now.
This campaign is one that's been rattling around in my head for a very long time. I blame a childhood in the outdoors and a love for the game King's Bounty. Quite simply, the world is cool. It would be even cooler if you could fight monsters in it. Last year some wonderful folks were kind enough to muck around in it for a bit, and it helped things shake down nicely.
Our heroes start off in Golarion, as ordinary as adventures ever are. In the process of doing what adventures do best, invading subterranean homes and ruthlessly slaughtering the inhabitants, they come across a Azlanti relic. It could be an artifact, it could simply be a key with an odd metaphysical attunement. Whatever it is, it actives, and our party is swept of to parts unknown. Where they are and what they intend to do about it is something they will have decide for themselves.
As players though, I imagine you'd like a bit more than that. Very well, the answer is Earth, sort of. Those familiar with the books of S.M Stirling will notice my ruthless pillaging of his work. For those who aren't, don't worry, I make that disclaimer so fellow fans won't think I'm trying to hide my plagiarism. To said fans, it's inspired by, not an adaptation. So, here we go.
Several decades ago, as of the campaign's start, technology, on earth, stopped working. More specifically electronics and heat engines, like guns and explosives, stopped working for us, and magic started creeping in. Preposterous, of course, but please indulge me. Anything that turns modern North America into pseudo-medieval high fantasy is going to be, and things involving the Outer Gods tend to ignore reason.
As you might imagine, the transition was rough, most everyone died, quite horrifically more often than not. Some called it the Change.
Some number survived, humans really are quite good at that, and went about the business of establishing nations and discovering the true purpose of plowshares, committing genocide when your local deity isn't looking.
What happened next? Well, the poor soul, from whose journal the above passages where taken, had it right, enough for us to use as analogy anyway. The glass had been cracked. Not a lot, but enough, and the things which exist in the dark corners of the material plane noticed. Why is it always the dark things that notice? Well, when your system is essentially a jar with the lid glued on, no one knows why Azathoth does these things, we don't even know if it knows, it gets shuffled to the back room for someone to look at when they have time. And there it sits, collecting dust, while the bacteria inside slowly change, and get used to thinking they've always been sealed in the dark, alone. Then the jar gets cracked, and the rats start investigating, and maybe the rats start fighting over which rat gets the jar, and maybe in their scuffle the rats knock the jar off the table, and the glass shatters. Bad luck for our poor bacteria eh?
And so it was with earth. Different groups started reaching out, and things answered. At first it was small, so that you could explain it away if you wanted to. Then, one thing decided to give its group a bit more, and so to keep the balance other things started giving their their groups a bit more. Then the fighting began, and as the fighting got more intense, each side kept uping the ante until finally, the jar burst. Some call that the Awakening. I call it terrifying.
I mean really, one minute you're doing your best to stick your sword through the other fellow's guts, and, fair's fair, he's trying to do the same to you. Then suddenly he's turned into some bloody demon, and the priest next to you, well enough fellow as priests go, starts glowing, speaking in tongues, and lops of the demon's head with a flaming sword. Well I tell you what, I buggered out, and buggered fast.
How long has magic been fully present when our heroes arrive? Long enough for people to be familiar with it's existence, short enough for it to still be very mysterious.
So, what's in it for you, and your character?
For you, dragons in the Cascades! Flying griffons over the Grand Canyon! Explore the abomination haunted ruins of LA!
For your character? A world where magic is fresh and new! Weapons and other artifacts like you've never seen! Tales that no one at home would believe!
Character level: 3
20 point buy
Any race (Note that many races do not exist where you are going. The farther from human you look, the stronger the reactions, for good or ill.)
All classes, even the maligned summoner. Gunslingers can work too, information on request.
All Paizo material is fair game. 3PP on approval.
Two traits.
Party balance is not required. If we end up with a party of all bards, that's fine.
Mechanics at the price of character is frowned on. If you pick the reactionary trait, it should fit your character. If what fits gives you no advantage whatsoever, go with it and I'll see to it that things work out. Dwarven oracles of stone work!
Important Your character must be from Golarion, or at least that solar system. No earthlings for now. The party starts together and has worked together, at least a little, when the action starts.
Witches, Wizards, and Alchemists are going to be at a disadvantage-ish. Scrolls are rare, relative to Golarion standards, so learning a spell can become a not insignificant quest of it's own. Witches have it easier than wizards, as there are more of them and each one's familiar is a potential source of spells. This isn't to discourage anyone from wizards, just don't want anyone to be surprised when there isn't Ye Olde Magick Shop with a pile of scrolls handy. However, magic is still experimental here, and some of the pre-change learning has magical applications. This means wizards spells can start functioning a little differently than their sorcerous counterparts. Physics + magic = Fwoosh! Chemistry + Alchemy = Mwahahaha!
Typically neglected skills will be useful. Profession(Farmer), Knowledge(Engineering) and others will help gain quests and rewards you would otherwise be ignorant of. Knowledge(Nobility) is always useful for determining rank and not getting executed for a gross breach of protocol.
Full character work up is not required. It's nice, as it gives me a better idea of the character, but don't feel obligated to calculate every save or slot every skill.
Do give me backstory/fluff. I like reading it, and feel leery of characters without it. If you know the crunch but are having a hard time with fluff, I have Ultimate Campaign, which has superb background generating tables, which are also available online, just ask and its power will be yours. If I like you, but feel the fluff is lacking, I will offer some possibilities to mull over. I do this because first, I enjoy using books I've purchased, and second, I find that the more you know about your character, the more enjoyable the experience for everyone.
Posting Shedule Lately I've been posting once a day, but been able to post twice if the situation calls for it. If the posts are short and easy, generally that means combat, then I will aim for twice a day. This helps things move along quickly. If they are longer, or more difficult, as role-playing posts often are, it may drop to 1, or even less. Writing up in-depth reactions and descriptions can be time-consuming, especially if I hadn't considered it before. I've been blind-sided by players enough to know that sooner or later something will happen that I'll just need a while to mull over. Also, there are some days, in which I may be unable to post, regardless of in game happenings. A very important disclaimer I wish to add. I am a college student with classes and work. Though I do not anticipate dramatic changes in my posting ability, capstone/internship/finals are finally over, it's happened far too often in the last year for me not to warn you. If it comes to it, I'll deputize someone as co-dm in order to keep things rolling.
I would like the same from you. Tell me how often you are usually able to post, and how often disappearances tend to occur. If you have never done PbP, don't worry, just give your best guess, and don't worry about being overwhelmed. I prefer players able to post once a day, or more. If you generally can, but are semi-regularly are unable to post, say every other thursday and friday, that's okay. If you anticipate not being able to post, give an idea of what your characters immediate goals, likely actions, etc. are. I will not punish your character for player difficulties. Also, I will not let the party languish while some are away. Once a majority of players have posted, I will move things forward at the next regular posting time. This should help us avoid the quagmire that so often dooms PbP games. Weekends are open. If we all end up posting 4 times on Saturday, great! If no one posts until Monday, that's fine too.
I will try, and sometimes fail, to make the posts descriptive and interesting, and hope you will do the same. If you only have time to post a single sentence, or don't think there is anything more to be written, I understand and would rather have a short post than none at all. However, this is a written game of make-believe. Think about the books you enjoy reading, and try to write posts like that. What is your character thinking? What are they doing? Are the fidling with a string as they talk? What are they thinking, to themselves, about the other character's actions? If you don't put in down in text, it doesn't exist. Also, please interact with one another. The game is not me and you, and me and him, and me and her. It's all of us together.
Thank you for your time, and hopefully we get a wonderful crew together.
this sounds vaugly familiar....
Ooo. Ooo!
GM... Can you sense it? Can you? It is the.... RAGELANCEPOUNCE summoner! PREPARE TO MEET YOUR DOOM!!!
Just kidding. Though I have a revcommendation. If guns stopped working, then ban slinger.
Only vaguely? Clearly I didn't traumatize everyone enough. Glad to see you and Tibbers are still around.
@Ragmar, if you want to try it, go for it, though I warn you that uber-builds do not gain favor in my eyes.
As for guns, that is a general rule. As said, if a person is particularly interested, I'll leave the door open, though it isn't recommended.
currently in the application process for another game but if not selected I may port annie back over here again.
how long will recuitment be open?
You would put your fate in my hands again? Are you mad!?
Honestly I'm not sure on recruitment time. When I've got a pool of applicants that I like, I'll end it. Aim is to start play by next week, though it could be sooner if lots of people show interest and everyone is ready. I'll definitely give 24hr notice at least. When does the other game's end recruitment?
just waiting on selection now, recuitment closed yesterday
Sounds interesting; I'll dot on this for now, and will make an application when I have a moment.
Well, I used to watch Visionaries when I was younger, so this does intrigue. :)
It almost makes me want to play a NE Sorcerer so that when I can finally fly around, I can land in front of people and claim I have come to claim planet Houston.
Question: I take it the gods of Golarian can reach this new mysterious realm the locals call Dirt... pardon me.. 'Earth', and grant spells?
Dottting for interest. A setting where magic has a sense of mystique is right up my alley, this sounds like great fun!
I'm thinking of a ranger, Human or 1/2 Elf, perhaps of the spell-less variety. He would be a kind but pessimistic man, greatly disturbed by this plane-shifting madness, Eagerly seeking out a sage or scholar that can help explain this new world, and more importantly; how to get home.
@Ridge, Houston is where the wild things are...
@GM, glad you're interested. Magic is indeed mysterious, and perceived differently than in Golarion.
I am interested as well is alchemist available? also im am very new to this I hope thats not a problem but wont be upset if it is
Being new isn't a problem. Alchemist would be a fine class for the campaign, though it isn't the easiest to play if you are new to the rules. Make sure to look over the class carefully and understand what the different abilities are.
ok question for GM, do you remember the 3.5 warlock(if you played)? As I have the Invoker from Little Red Goblin Games, which is essentially a pathfinderized version of the warlock. Your thoughts?
Can't say I am familiar with it. My thoughts are I'd need to look over it before saying anything. You have a link?
not on the d20 but I can send you the stats etc via PM (warning stat block chart does not directly translate via copy and paste so it will be hectic to say in the least...).
Fair enough. Send it to me, if you can reformat into something easily readable, that would be great.
I really enjoyed that the first three books in that series by SM Sterling. A good place to get inspiration from. I will see what I come up with.
Looking forward to it.
ok here is my character idea...This could get fun fast (note if you don't like the invoker then I can make this concept work via sorcerer).
Morthar was originally a Chelexian slave who through masterful guile and manipulation betrayed the son of his master who was studying in the Egorian academae. He killed the incompetent wretch and swore his infernal pact from knowledge he had gleaned from the student's books (the guy never touched them, the student was to busy whoring and partying). He has lived for a far longer time then most owing to this pact.
Morthar early on recognized an essential reality to a warlock's survival, one must not be a pawn... Instead of making a pact with the first devil he found capable of creating such a pact Morthar leafed through the ranks of fiends to find the ideal patron and so he did. Morthar located the highly obscure Heresy Devil called Ivagaurn, like all heresy devils Ivagaurn was a diabolical scholar who knew the secrets of ancient heresies and forgotten sorceries. However Ivagaurn had not been quite as..."politically astute" as his fellow devils and as a result he had little power.
This changed when Morthar made his pact with the devil to further his interests in exchange for diabolical power, unfortunately for Ivagaurn Morthar was not a "pawn"...he was a bishop or perhaps even a "queen". Morthar had systematically eliminated all written records of his patron and by doing so virtually isolated his patron from any other possible source of mortal minions. Further more everything Ivagaurn has accomplished on the mortal plane would be either obliterated or vastly diminished if Morthar were to die or worse yet switch diabolical allegiances. As such everything his patron has is pinned on this one "pawn" and as such Morthar has wheedled out many concessions from his patron. One of these concessions is the secret of long life, while not truly a state of immortality Morthar will live a lifespan three times a normal human's thanks to his patron's efforts.
Morthar has made himself both essential to his Patron and has attained what must be considered to be "life time pact security". As besides just obliterating all (known) mortal records of his patron he also has another thing going for him: Reputation. Morthar is not just an incompetent failed apprentice of a wizard seeking power, he is a capable and lethal warlock that gets things done. If Morthar wanted to change his pact Hell would have dozens of devils ranging the spectrum of powerful devils (matron devil+) who would give Morthar a powerful pact. Ivangaurn knows this all too well...
this is the basics of Morthar, if you like I'll flesh him out more... Just think of the potential... Morthar, Conqueror of Miami!
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I would be interested in this. This would my first pbp, so hopefully everything is smooth if I get chosen. I am currently able to post everyday, more than once if needed. I have an idea for a character already, just have to do the numbers and paperwork. DM, could you shootme a message when you can? Thanks.
*Waves to Annie* (^_^)
Here be a version of m'self whut be at first level, like.
Aim is ta' progress through Ninja and Monk.
I-yam gon'a be a fightAH! *Balls fists and jabs at air*
(^_^)
Much cheers to all.
Hi edward :) Hi annie :) Hi GM Grey :)
This DOES sound distinctly familiar, in fact i remember trying to submit olaf alongside annie the last time :)
Small world :)
I think ill be submitting a goblin something or other. His saving grace; people of this world dont quite yet know what the little terrors are. While that might be detramental to some, its a downright boon in this greenies case :)
Edit: Hi Sunny! How many different Sunny's are there? I distinctly remember a few back from before.... >_>
Still, it would be an honor ^-^
For some insane reason, I'm inspired to make a Halfling Paladin. I'll have a presentation as son as I can. Would you allow a paladin to serve an ideal rather than a deity? Also, does the power of Golarion deities reach Earth?
Well this looks interesting. I should have a character partially done and up hear by the end of the day.
Joining... if you still have room! It looks like you might be full already! (Which is also fine... in that case, I'll just enjoy watching the story unfold. :D)
Hi Sunny! How many different Sunny's are there? I distinctly remember a few back from before.... >_>
Still, it would be an honor ^-^
Whut d'ye mean? There's jus' m'self? (>_>)
Though, folks do tend ta' say they find it hard ta' be tellin' me kin apart from m'self.
Maybe..kind'a like how hard t'is ta' tell Dwarfs apart, y'ken?
Wow, this sounds extremely interesting. I hope you're still looking at submissions, because I'm going to have to think long and hard on what type of character to submit. Initial ideas bring to mind an easy-going, light-hearted martial type.
Rogue, fighter, ranger? Hmmmm...
I have an idea for a summoner. He's a halfling con artist with the feat that makes it really easy to pass for a human child. His eidolon would be something sort of resembling a dog, called Spot. Figure he grew up grifting in Oparra.
I have an idea for a summoner. He's a halfling con artist with the feat that makes it really easy to pass for a human child. His eidolon would be something sort of resembling a dog, called Spot. Figure he grew up grifting in Oparra.
Ok i have got to have annie with him
Imagine mischief
My character is already well into the works. He's a human knife master/scout hailing from Ilsurian. He spent his younger days as a poacher, until a rival fisherman burned his father's boats in rebuttal for my characters nefarious deeds. Extremely ashamed for the ruin he brought upon his family, he gave all the money he had earned selling his poached good at market to his father and hit the road, determined to mend his relationship with his father by proving himself in the world.
A couple questions:
How should we handle HPs for subsequent levels?
How do you plan on handling knowledge (local) since we are strangers to this land?
How will you handle encumberance? I've only started buying gear and am already close to my weight limit.
I haven't had much luck in pbp up to this point as both campaigns I've been in haven't made it past the first combat. I'm really looking for a campaign I can really sink my teeth into and the premise for this game really has my juices flowing. I can post as often as the campaign requires, but weekends are tough as I am a new dad.
On a side note I could really see this character building a sort of big brother rapport with Sunny. Also, I think he would really fit into the mischievous angle this game seems to be taking. Ranks in disguise = fun times.
Sunny has a good rapport with everyone.
Ok i have got to have annie with him
Imagine mischief
I pity any sympathetic humans.
*Glomp HUGZ Annie and teh lil' kid* (^_^)
Sooo CUUUUTE !
On a side note I could really see this character building a sort of big brother rapport with Sunny. Also, I think he would really fit into the mischievous angle this game seems to be taking. Ranks in disguise = fun times.
Firstly, a HUGE congratulations on ye lil' one! (^_^)
Second, I'd like ta' clear up a lil misnomer. Sunny in't...um...'Young'.
She's jus' rilly not too knowin' of tha' ways of folks other than her kin. Ye ken?
So...she un'erstands a lot of things. Jus'...not in how they relate ta' others who in't like tha' same clan as her Island kin folks. (^_^)
*Goes back to huggin' an' snugglin' tha' lil ones* (^_^)
So cuuute
Um...whut were I sayin'? (>_>)
Oh, as for posting frequency, I can do plenty.
I'll get a background worked up. I already have the build since I made it for PFS some time ago, but never got around to playing it.
I can post okeys. But...me Real Life shift pattern can put a real crimp in things. Leavin' me with not much of a window fer rilly big, slabs of postin', like.
I can pretty much manage one post a day. Of a few lines or more. Maybe more when folks interact with m'slef. Actually talkin' ta' peoples be all-a-ways more fun, ye ken? (^_^)
Agin, much cheers ta' all!
He may be cute....But I'm HOT
*Giggles @ Annie's linky* (^_^)
See, tha' only reason I be about postin' like tha' clappers at tha' moment is I be on a a few days off between me shifts an' stayin' up late an' enjoyin' m'self.
I've only a lil' more time and then back ta' tha' grind stone I go.
I be makin' tha' most of me free time on'a net an' all. (^_^)
Here is sixteenbiticon's submission. I will gladly flesh out my background as much as needed as well as purchase more gear (both combat and non) if I am selected, so for right now this is just your standard HL stat block. I just wanted to get something up for you to take a look at.
Glad to see the interest everyone. I'll have more detailed feedback once people have had time to time flesh out their submissions. Remember to look over the submission guidelines.
@Sixteen, HP will probably be half hit dice or half + 1, I do like rolling, but being the person who rolled a one isn't fun. K:local will still help you identify humanoids, if they are ones you'd have been familiar with on Avistan. A giant is a giant more often than not. I also see the skill as being to read the local scene. The culture and language may be unfamiliar, but you can get a good idea of who's who and will pick up local traditions and social graces faster than other characters. I will be using encumbrance, but won't be terribly strict. If you're a few pounds over, don't worry about it. If you're attempting to carry three suits of armor and a dozen swords in your pack, then there'll be issues.
Ah that reminds me. I use knowledge skills a bit differently. Sometimes everyone who beats a DC will get the same knowledge, other times, this meaning if I have time to do it, each person making the check will receive slightly different information based on their class and background. For example, a sorcerer may learn that the monster has spell resistance, while a rogue who sneak attacks might learn roughly how many HP it has.
I know there's already quite a lot of interest in this game, but I hope it's okay if I take a chance and toss my hat into the ring as well.
At first, I was interested in the (rare!) opportunity to play a summoner, but then I had second thoughts. In a campaign about exploring a brand-new world (from the perspective of the character, at least) what would really fit? What would really be useful?
I started thinking of the need to build (or re-build) the pieces of civilization that will have been lost in a radical world-change such as the Awakening. A character with a lot of Craft and Knowledge skills would be about to make a strong impact on such a world.
So my rough concept is this: Eolgrin Kalderon, a Dwarven Investigator. Part of a small group of politically unaffiliated Dwarven wanderers that different clans could call upon to help settle disputes and resolve issues. He traveled from clan to clan, mountain stronghold to hilly fortress, listening to problems, investigating and researching, and coming up with solutions that usually gave all parties some measure of benefit.
Kalderon's chief personality trait is curiosity, and he would be dazzled by the prospect of exploring an entirely new world. He has a healthy respect for the traditions and accumulated knowledge of those who came before him--but unlike most Dwarves, Kalderon is willing to set tradition aside to experiment with new ideas. I see him as being somewhat atypical for his race: more positive and optimistic than the average dwarf, more outgoing and willing to work with others.
The Inquisitor class gives a lot of skills, and many abilities focused on making those skills better. This character would have a lot of Knowledge skills (probably at least one rank in every Knowledge, if I can pull it off), and would excel at Craft (Alchemy), taking both the Brewmaster feat and trait. Probably also taking Brew Potion at 3rd level, to provide the other characters with useful potions.
I know alchemist formulas will be hard to come by, but Kalderon is the type of character who wouldn't be afraid to experiment and develop new formulas on his own (plus I'd spend a healthy portion of his starting money on scrolls, to beef up his formula book before the start of the story).
If this feels like the type of character you'd like to share this adventure with, let me know, and I'll flesh out the rough concept more fully.
Thank you for your consideration!
Added a bit more to Pavo's fluff. I will probably continue to add things here and there as the recruitment process continues.
Saranie of the Rising, Halfling Paladin
Background is done, now working on her crunch. What is our starting wealth?
Another question: Would Knowledge(Religion) be useful despite Earth having very different forms of divine influence, I would assume.
Since there seems to be concern, recruitment is still quite open. It's finished submissions and their quality that matter, not who expressed interest first. Once I feel the pool of finished, or close enough, applicants is looking good, I'll give the 24hr-ish notice and then make a final decision. Everyone gets equal consideration. In a previous game someone actually entered a character right after the cut off and still got in.
Unless you'd prefer it to be private, I'll give feedback here so if someone else has a similar question/idea they can benefit.
@Viluki, interesting. Haven't seen may characters take advantage of infernal contracts. I'm still mulling over Invoker. I like the like it, but have some concerns. Start building him as a sorcerer for now, but I'll have a sure answer for you tomorrow. I'm not sure about him having such a strong hold over his patron. Most devils in a position to make these pacts are powerful enough that removing their name from record would be difficult, if not impossible. Perhaps if the connection is a very intimate one with a, relatively, weak devil it would work. I'm thinking of the interesting possibilites of what happens when your patron finds his prize has vanished. Have you considered tiefling, very subtle outward expression, as a way of representing the extra gifts? Now, why would he be part of a group encountering our McGuffin? What would he do in a strange new world?
@Sunny, I'm not familiar with Island Elves, mind telling me a bit more about them? The posting restriction will be fine, thank you for telling me.
@Pavo, liking what I see so far. How did you get +11 to bluff? What do you think his first priorities would be in strange land?
@Cydrius, divinities of golarion will indeed be available, though there may be some surprises when you get there. *edit* Saranie is interesting. A paladin who as fallen and recently regained her grace. What would she do in a world where none have heard of the Dawnflower?
@Unlucky Jon, sounds like Kalderon would be a fine addition. I like what you've showed me so far. Who is his patron diety? What about the new world would be most interesting to him?
I need to give it some more thought but, essentially, spread the good word of Sarenrae where she believes others would benefit from it, and do good where she can, whether or not her faith is recognized. She might have to actively restrain herself from zealously proselytizing.
A question: What do you consider grounds for a paladin to fall? I know some GMs are more zealous than others, so I'd like to see in advance.
I've got my general crunch done, but my transcription of it to her profile was devoured by a forum bug of some sort. I'll put it up later. I'm going for a light-armored archery paladin build using the Divine Hunter archetype to make Saranie a ranged damage dealer and a buffer and healer.
DM did you get my PM?
@Cyriuds, the forum goblins seem to be particularly active. I've experienced similar things. I haven't seen the crunch, so I don't know if this is a potential issue, but I have read that divine hunter paladins are OP/game-breaking/etc. I don't know if this is true, nothing in the archtype particularly jumping out at me, but if it is, please exercise restraint.
As for paladins falling, I'll give three versions of the same scenario to show my stance.
You have been informed peasant X is a demonic cultist from a reliable source. When you go to investigate, X acts in a threatening manner and reaches for a weapon/spell, you attack and he dies. Later if find out he was innocent. Feel bad because an innocent died, and ponder if there would have been a reasonable way to avoid what happened, but no penalty. Check credibility of source.
You have been informed peasant X is a demonic cultist from a reliable source. When you go to investigate, X acts in a threatening manner and reaches for a weapon/spell, you attack, wound him, and he begs for mercy. You kill him. Later if find out he was innocent. Temporarily lose powers. You are a paladin of Sarenrae, even if you had reasonable suspicion and he threatened you, he asked for mercy and you weren't certain of his guilt. Check credibility of source. Most minor infractions of the code are like this. Using poison will probably lose you powers for 24hr, but no more.
You have been informed peasant X is a demonic cultist from a reliable source, you kill him. You become ex-paladin. Regaining your status is possible, but difficult and unlikely to happen for at least a level. You lack the wisdom and maturity to wield the goddess's power.
There is a peasant, he looks suspicious. You kill him. Are you sure there wasn't supposed to be an 'anti' in front of the paladin?
@Grimdog, standard wealth for lvl3 3000gp to work with.
@Annie, I did. I'm still considering the template.