PS: Fighting fair fortunately doesn't include avoiding flanking, not using ranged attacks, or the like... I am not sure it ever did except in the case of the most extreme grognard's personal interpretation.
Hmmm? I speak in a broader lawful sense. A code (any lawful code, not just the paladin's) shouldn't be broken or you have failed yourself. The big picture isn't the current fight it is who you are.
Okay... I still don't see the relevance to the scenario you responded to. The point brought up by Shadowborn was that the sorts of real-world codes the paladin code draw inspiration from weren't universal. It didn't dishonor you to act "dishonorably" towards a peasant because you cannot act dishonorably towards a peasant, much like you cannot act dishonorably towards the fish you are eating. It doesn't even have to be this extreme. If your code includes "always offer redemption to those capable of it" and in the setting, demons are utterly incapable of anything but primal, unyielding evil, then it wouldn't break your code to not offer redemption to a demon.
Having a code doesn't mean you have to act the same way towards every creature you meet, regardless of context.
What does the hypocrisy of some old code of historical chivalry have to do with the game?
Having a code indeed DOES mean you apply that code where it is appropriate regardless of circumstances... circumstances are the chatter of the chaotic mind. IF this hypothetical knight or paladin has a code of fair play then YES he would fight fair against all opponents even those he knows will not do the same.
Well I imagine if it ISN'T combat then fair play probably has a very different application. Fair play when hunting might mean avoiding bait and traps to give the animal a fair chance. If it is something you turn on or off then you aren't lawful.
Even if there are strict rules about when it applies?Well I imagine if it ISN'T combat then fair play probably has a very different application. Fair play when hunting might mean avoiding bait and traps to give the animal a fair chance. If it is something you turn on or off then you aren't lawful.
You're going to have to be more specific. What strict rules?
The way I see it, being lawful means you believe in acting a certain way and that you would never comprimise that "correct" way, but of course how you define that correct behaviour is completely up to you.
You know you're playing with a bad DM when all NPCs behave the same way towards an individual PC, regardless of what they've done for said NPC or what that NPC has heard about said PC. Nothing kills immersion like a static world, I tell you. Bonus points if every NPC is a jerk towards you 24/7, even when you are the Cleric of Pelor who ended up saving the village for the third time over from the evil cultists who wanted to ressurect some forgotten deity of theirs.
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the Paladin Code for my regular campaign setting is this:
To dream the Impossible Dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To Right the unrightable wrong
To love, pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my Quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause
And I know if I’ll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To Reach the unreachable star
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the Paladin Code for my regular campaign setting is this:
To dream the Impossible Dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To Right the unrightable wrong
To love, pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my Quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause
And I know if I’ll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To Reach the unreachable star
Nice. Can i use this for my setting as a vow?
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Nice. Can i use this for my setting as a vow?
Only if you sing it.
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Give me a good melody and i will.
What, you can't visualize Peter O'Toole and hear him in your head just reading those lines?
The only "True" Paladin that ever was.