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In the Player's Guide, it states that Erastil and Abadar are the best candidates for paladin patrons in the Kingmaker Adventure Path. But suppose that paladin became king? For a paladin of Abadar, that's just dandy, promoting civilization and the rule of law is a king's job. But what business does a paladin of Erastil have sitting on a throne? The information listed about Erastil's followers and paladins indicates they are supposed to be humble, down-to-earth people. They play the role of village reeves or sheriffs, aiding their communities directly. Rather than raising the possibilities of trade treaties, they raise barns.
So, how does a paladin of Erastil justify shedding the humble, down-to-earth responsibilities his god expects of him to take on the burdens of the crown?
And neither of these gods seem to work well if the character is an Aldori Swordlord. Dueling for personal honor and settling arguments with sword-fighting does not seem to mesh well in either Abadar's or Erastil's faith. Both gods promote patient action and a concern for the many as opposed to your own personal pride. Abadar would say his paladin is being reckless and irresponsible, gambling with his life for petty pride and acting no better than a criminal thug. Erastil would say that you've nothing to prove to fools who want to waste their time prancing around with swords when there's a barn that needs raising and a pack of goblins that's harassing the outlying farms. Gorum, the other god promoted in Kingmaker, WOULD be a great duelist's patron, but he can't have paladins, only antipaladins (Hmmmm...an antipaladin of Gorum Aldori Sworlord could make an interesting supplemental villain).
Other gods of swordplay, like Iomedae, Cayden Cailean or Sarenrae, aren't popular either in Brevoy or the River Kingdoms where Kingmaker takes place, and have little connection to the Adventure Path's themes and story arcs. So which deity does a duelist paladin seeking the crown draw his/her sword for?
There are probably some Neutral Good and Lawful Good lesser deities as well as Empyreal Lords both NG and LG that might fit the bill better.
Even though a Ruler - Paladin of Erastil - Aldori Swordlord is Possible in Kingmaker, does not mean it is very Playable.
Every character is not going to seamlessly fit every campaign.
Such a combination would not work in our game, unless there was an AWESOME back story, and even then a maybe.
I don't think Zousha's trying to justify that combination. I think he's looking for alternate options besides Erastil and Abadar for a Paladin/Swordlord combo.
I would have thought a Paladin of Erastil would be a good ruler. He/she would listen to the people and hopefully see the job as a duty, not a gift.
It could be interesting to play that.
I think that a lot of the reason Erastil is a recommended choice is that his worship has been an abiding worship in the area for a long time.
Also, did you read the literature on Erastil included in either book 2 or 3 of Kingmaker? It portrays Erastil as a supporter of the community, and hunting is a key factor in any community's survival. A king or queen paladin of Erastil can be very protective of his or her nation's communities and the components that allow for the survival of those communities.
We play our Aldori as very flashy types, no grim minded folk need apply.
The Queen & her Paladin of Erastil consort/cohort, and the original Council members are/were all followers of Erastil. Though some members have drifted away.
It seemed to be the best choice for THOSE who are bringing civilization to the wilderness.
Once the civilizing has begun, Abadar, Iomedae, Cayden Cailean or Sarenrae could have Aldori/Paladins.
Just don't see the Erastil version. Of course each campaign is different, and in a game where the Aldori are more grim & determined might be better.
Or create different personalities for different Aldori schools. You could make whatever flavor Aldori you want/need then. Though I think our game is stuck with the flashy types.
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Erastil would promote the nurturing of smaller communities in addition to the big settlements, so there would be a focus on smaller villages scattered around a few bigger cities. Maintaining and protecting the natural environment in this kingdom would be important, as compared to Brevoy who chopped down all their forests except the Grozni for the wood. Erastil might promote a house of commons type forum where each of the small communities have a alderman and they all meet with the council to discuss local issues.
As you can see, this possible kingdom plan is very different from what happens in Brevoy or the standard build everything up and civilize it type kingdom you would get with followers of Abadar.
We also play our aldori that way, sort of. More like a culture of Zorro's with the honor system of the samurai, so they are very hot-headed, cocky and proud, but at certain times when honor comes into play, they are very serious and ritualistic.
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I don't think Zousha's trying to justify that combination. I think he's looking for alternate options besides Erastil and Abadar for a Paladin/Swordlord combo.
Exactly, though the Erastil-paladin ideas presented here ARE compelling. However, it seems like, as I said, gods like Iomedae and Sarenrae don't have purchase in Brevoy, where a swordlord would have been born and raised. Gorum is the nobles' god of choice, speaking to their pernicious warlike attitudes. What kind of paladin comes OUT of that environment? I know there's a temple to Iomedae in New Stetven, but what noble would be interested in justice and crusading against demons when they've got to settle whose ass is supposed to be on the throne?
Andoletta is Lawful Good.
We currently have a Paladin of Iomedae in our Kingmaker party. His backstory hails him from another land where Iomedae is a prominent deity. We are not far enough along for our role in the kingdom to be determined just yet, but he is spreading the word of his deity throughout the AP so far. it has not really taken hold, but once we get to the point where a kingdom may arise, he may establish Iomedae as a prominent deity/religion. I'll keep you updated once we get closer to that point. Also check out our progress at http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pvsm?Kingmaker-Adventure-Log. We are still early in the first book.
Edit: Kingmaker Adventure Log
Actually, I reccomend Tanagaar. Speaking of that empyreal lord, I've been thinking of making a Paladin or Ranger of Tanagaar.
The problem I have with Empyreal Lords is they're supposed to be obscure. Having a PC worship one and bring it out into the limelight and such seems like defeating that purpose.
Plus, I'd like to use dragons and bears for my heraldry...
Well, depends on how much work you (meaning both the GM and the player) want to put in as all religions start in obscurity. You could start out with the player being one of a few people who worship the chosen Empyreal Lord, include the prejudices that would come from being in a cult (even a good-aligned one) as an ongoing theme and, as the player and their kingdom grow in power, increase the acceptance and popularity of the chosen Empyreal Lord. Depending on how things go, by the end of the campaign the Empyreal Lord could probably be considered to be on even footing with a minor deity like Hanspur, Gyronna, or Milani in terms of popularity.
And remember: It's your campaign, if you don't like something in the established deities or backstory or how it fits with your imagining, change it or make something up.
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There are several Empyreal Lords that appeal to me. I think the best one for this character would probably have to be Olheon, though, as rulership is her thing.
But I'm wondering if maybe I should stick with Iomedae for this one. She IS the most "Arthurian" of the deities, and that's definitely the mood I wanna set with this character. Might for right, right for right. And rulership is Iomedae's sphere of influence too. She DOES have a temple in New Stetven...
Iomedae is good too. Actually, she seems to appeal to both the Paladin and Swordlord aesthetics without much trouble.
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I think that settles it, then. I'll say he was expected to go into the clergy as a youth due to his parents being low on the inheritance totem-pole, and he eventually was assigned to Restov rather than going to the Crusades as he wanted. He'd be originally a hot-head miffed at losing his chance for glory, but after seeing the Stolen Lands and realizing that people are suffering right in his own backyard, he matures and becomes a wiser and better king.