I just want to throw it out there ... the Gods are always watching. ;)
Which is basically the answer to the question about trees falling when no one is around to hear them.
Killing an innocent, no matter why, is never good, however under some circumstances it could be justified as serving the greater good.
Rationalized, not justified, IMO. In my game, a paladin who chooses to kill an innocent even to serve a "greater good" still commits an evil act and falls.
So, the cliche dilemma of "Kill this baby, or I destroy that city" isn't really a dilemma. The paladin's answer is, "No, and, furthermore, you'd best make damned sure you kill me next, because, if not, I will smite you mightily."
:)
Mark L. Chance | Spes Magna Games
I don't believe that playing a Paladin is easy. But because a Paladin has so many standards to live up to, some may conflict. I believe a Paladin is a supposed to be a leader, and sometimes they have to make tough decisions, sometimes they just can't save everybody. The worst thing I think a Paladin could do is just give up. A Paladin needs to set priorities on what's most important.
It's important to decide which codes supersede others. Otherwise you get this whole mess of a Paladin who is rendered useless because of conflicting codes.
If they try and they fail, then they need to atone. Sometimes Paladins come across situations where they need to atone from every action available to them.
I just want to throw it out there ... the Gods are always watching. ;)Which is basically the answer to the question about trees falling when no one is around to hear them.
Killing an innocent, no matter why, is never good, however under some circumstances it could be justified as serving the greater good.Rationalized, not justified, IMO. In my game, a paladin who chooses to kill an innocent even to serve a "greater good" still commits an evil act and falls.
So, the cliche dilemma of "Kill this baby, or I destroy that city" isn't really a dilemma. The paladin's answer is, "No, and, furthermore, you'd best make damned sure you kill me next, because, if not, I will smite you mightily."
:)
Mark L. Chance | Spes Magna Games
I agree with you, the Paladin should fall. My point about it being justified is that a Good person could do it and not be called evil or have to change alignment if they had exhausted all other options. It's why every Don Quixote needs his Sancho, and every Paladin needs a companion with less ethics than them (which isn't hard, really). They need them so that should the very worst happen, they can do what the paladin cannot bring himself to do. of course that won't make the paladin feel any better, and he may ostracise the friend, but the point is the most people get saved.
|
There, that should muddy it up a bit more. I think most of your paladin codes are more strict than the simple definitions of Good and Law.Good implies altruism, respect for life, and a concern for the dignity of sentient beings. Good characters make personal sacrifices to help others.
Law implies honor, trustworthiness, obedience to authority, and reliability.
That they are. It even says so in the core rulebook where they listed many ways to fall even if your alignment stays LG.
Varies from game to game, setting to setting, and person to person.
The GM is always right (in his game, anyway), and the paladin need to adhere to whatever the GM ends up deciding. Of course, one can always argue about the finer points ad infinitum, but the easy way is "Hey, GM, what do you think a paladin can and cannot do?"
I have played... at least 6 paladins that I can think of off the top of my head, and I have never had a problem with the code. Even back in 2e AD&D when such things were more of a headache. Just behave according to code, and do good when you have the opportunity. Smite those that detect as moderate+ evil, as they are invariably terrible things that need to die, unless there is obvious shenanigans afoot ("Hmm, this 6 year old girl singing the "Pretty little puppies and kittens make me happy" song detects as OVERWHELMING EVIL... hey, wizard, can you check if there is some magical trickery afoot?")
And one definite DO: Be awesome. You are the embodiment of good and justice, and have massive charisma. A paladin should never be easily forgotten.