I'm interested in how other folks implement the Paladin's code. Or if you implement codes for other classes like the Cleric.
RAW
A paladin must be of lawful good alignment and loses all class features except proficiencies if she ever willingly commits an evil act.
Additionally, a paladin's code requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor (not lying, not cheating, not using poison, and so forth), help those in need (provided they do not use the help for evil or chaotic ends), and punish those who harm or threaten innocents.
Here is what I add on.
A paladin must attempt to give mortal (human elven orc dwarf etc.) enemies a chance to surrender and repent. If the attempt would put the lives of innocents in danger or if there is no reasonable way to return them to church custody they may forgo this. To aid them in this task paladins train to be able to better able incapacitate their foes. A paladin may choose to deal subdual damage with any weapon with no -4 penalty.
Against an evil immortal enemy (evil outsider, dragon, undead) the paladin is not required to fight honorably they may ambush, use poison, and lie if necessary.
A Paladin always has the right to ask the GM if an action they are considering taking is a violation of the code.
I threw it out.
A paladin must attempt to give mortal (human elven orc dwarf etc.) enemies a chance to surrender and repent.
Should be okay, but some Deities have strict rules about giving quarter. You'd have to decide which rule the Paladin holds in a higher regard.
Against an evil immortal enemy (evil outsider, dragon, undead) the paladin is not required to fight honorably they may ambush, use poison, and lie if necessary.
Dragons are immortal?
Anyway: "Boo! Hiss!". Codes like that of the Paladins are weakened by if... then clauses and other detractions. Sure, an Undead will probably be put to death as an abomination. But if quarter and mercy in combat are part of the Paladin code, then quarter and mercy must be offered. Paladins are at their best in simple, straightforward and black-and-white situations.A Paladin always has the right to ask the GM if an action they are considering taking is a violation of the code.
It's a bit "meta" to put that in the actual code, but probably a wise table-rule all the same. Although... isn't that what the Phylactery of Faithfulness is for?
A paladin must attempt to give mortal (human elven orc dwarf etc.) enemies a chance to surrender and repent.Should be okay, but some Deities have strict rules about giving quarter. You'd have to decide which rule the Paladin holds in a higher regard.
Against an evil immortal enemy (evil outsider, dragon, undead) the paladin is not required to fight honorably they may ambush, use poison, and lie if necessary.Dragons are immortal?
Anyway: "Boo! Hiss!". Codes like that of the Paladins are weakened by if... then clauses and other detractions. Sure, an Undead will probably be put to death as an abomination. But if quarter and mercy in combat are part of the Paladin code, then quarter and mercy must be offered. Paladins are at their best in simple, straightforward and black-and-white situations.A Paladin always has the right to ask the GM if an action they are considering taking is a violation of the code.It's a bit "meta" to put that in the actual code, but probably a wise table-rule all the same. Although... isn't that what the Phylactery of Faithfulness is for?
Maybe the paladin doesn't want to wear a dumb-looking box on their head?
If you think the paladin's code is stupid, just look at the anti-paladin's code.
You can't perform acts of mercy or altruism, even for your own allies or family. So unless you beat your wife and kids, that fancy smite good power won't last long.
"Hmm. You should have died from that blow, puny hero. I need to return home and put Timmy to the bastinado once again!"
By the way, isn't the idea of a "paladin" originally a Persian one? It sounds a lot like Saladin. Seems out of place in a game originally based on Tolkien (though of course it's moved on now).
Pathfinderizing the Knight class from the 3.5 PHB II would work better than having a paladin class per-se. Any divine class can ride a horse through town and do the whole "make-the-blind-see" routine.
The paladin and antipaladin should be archetypes of that Knight class instead.
Damn you, closed content!
All classes that depend on external sources for power have a code they must follow. This also applies to philosophical clerics or code of honor paladins and similar.
The exact code depends on the deity/philosophy in question. The codes are restrictive and proscriptive - in return you get cool powers.
The codes are worked out between player and DM at character creation, with about 3-5 main points ("thou shalt" or "thou shalt not" type of points) with 4-12 secondary points (clarifications and exceptions of the main rules or lesser procriptions/restrictions - generally stick to the letter but a small violation isn't the end of the world).Players are expected to know their own code well enough to determine whether a certain action would violate their code. In the heat of battle, sometimes they don't think properly and will be punished for misdeeds. Any actions resulting in faulty communication from the DM will not occur (usually). Lesser violations will often result in some sort of punishment from DM. Temporary loss of some or all powers until a set time passes or some restitution has been made (donation/sacrifice of wealth, Atonement spells, minor quests, etc.).
For lesser violations, I tend to allow any friendly cleric to cast Atonement spells or set some sort of pennance. For more serious violations, you need to visit someone with the same patron or the same order.
I like the idea of having the characters invent their personal/religious codes. That would indeed eliminate the need for my house rule that the player can ask the GM. Thank you for sharing.
A paladin must attempt to give mortal (human elven orc dwarf etc.) enemies a chance to surrender and repent.Should be okay, but some Deities have strict rules about giving quarter. You'd have to decide which rule the Paladin holds in a higher regard.
Against an evil immortal enemy (evil outsider, dragon, undead) the paladin is not required to fight honorably they may ambush, use poison, and lie if necessary.Dragons are immortal?
Anyway: "Boo! Hiss!". Codes like that of the Paladins are weakened by if... then clauses and other detractions. Sure, an Undead will probably be put to death as an abomination. But if quarter and mercy in combat are part of the Paladin code, then quarter and mercy must be offered. Paladins are at their best in simple, straightforward and black-and-white situations.A Paladin always has the right to ask the GM if an action they are considering taking is a violation of the code.It's a bit "meta" to put that in the actual code, but probably a wise table-rule all the same. Although... isn't that what the Phylactery of Faithfulness is for?
So that is a the code for the most common type Paladin in my homebrew world, probably should have mentioned that. In my world there is the distinction between mortal, those who can change their alignment, and immortal those who cannot. Orcs may be raised in an evil society but they can always choose to be good. Demonas and black dragons however are inherently evil and cannot change, not standard but my interpretation. This concept was largely inspired by the Dresden files books.
I felt that while it makes sense for a paladin to be honorable and merciful to mortals against evil immortals it leads to lawful stupid behavior and seriously pisses off the rest of the party.
By the way, isn't the idea of a "paladin" originally a Persian one? It sounds a lot like Saladin. Seems out of place in a game originally based on Tolkien (though of course it's moved on now).
Pathfinderizing the Knight class from the 3.5 PHB II would work better than having a paladin class per-se. Any divine class can ride a horse through town and do the whole "make-the-blind-see" routine.
The paladin and antipaladin should be archetypes of that Knight class instead.
Damn you, closed content!
Paladins were the elite warriors of Charlemagne's court so European in origin.
My favorite take on the paladin code is the oathbound archetype in Ultimate Magic. If the paladin has a specific oath chosen from those suggested list(or another fitting one made up), then the upholding of it automatically makes him/her LG. (Lawful for living and dying by an oath, good because the oaths are all to hunt down some evil.) Doing this allows for more varied paladin motivations and I feel like it simplifies the code mess a lot.