However, for the purpose of qualifying for classes, feats, and other abilities, he is eligible if one of his alignments meets the requirements. While in an identity whose alignment is incompatible with an ability, class, or feat, he temporarily loses access to the feat or ability or is treated as an ex-member of the class, as appropriate.
For example, a splintersoul with barbarian levels, a lawful-good social identity, and a neutral vigilante identity can’t use his vigilante talents or his rage class feature while in his social identity, but he regains these abilities and can use them as normal as soon as he changes to his vigilante identity.
A splintersoul with paladin levels must follow the paladin’s normal code of conduct while in a lawful-good identity, but while in an identity with a different alignment, the following changes apply to his code: Willingly committing an evil act (for example, casting a spell with the evil descriptor) still causes the vigilante to become an ex-paladin, but otherwise, he can do whatever else he feels is necessary to uphold the causes of law and good. He should strive to act with honor and uphold the tenets of his faith, but failing to do so is not a violation of his code. At the GM’s discretion, other classes or archetypes with similarly strict codes of conduct can also follow a less strict version of a code of conduct while in an identity with an incompatible alignment.
This alters dual identity.
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This is an ex-class archetype and can be taken by a character immediately upon becoming an ex-paladin.
EX-CLASS ARCHETYPES
The following archetype can be taken by an ex-paladin immediately upon becoming an ex-paladin, regardless of character level, replacing some or all of the lost class abilities. If another archetype the character had before she became an ex-paladin replaces the same ability as the ex-class archetype, she loses the old archetype in favor of the new one; otherwise, she can retain both archetypes as normal. Vindictive bastards can gain further levels in the paladin class, even though becoming an ex-paladin normally prohibits further advancement in the class. While an ex-member of a class can recant her failings and atone for her fall from her original class (typically involving an atonement spell), her acceptance of her ex-class archetype means she must atone both for her initial fall and for further straying from the path. As a result, such a character must be the target of two atonement spells or a similar effect to regain her lost class features. Upon doing so, she immediately loses this archetype and regains her original class (and archetype, if she had one).
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If a Paladin with one level in Splintersoul Vigilante changes into an identity that isn't LG, can they change into the Vindictive Bastard paladin and then back into their normal Paladin class when they return to their LG identity?
Not without two atonement spells. You still have to follow the Paladin code while outside of your LG alignment (even if it is less strict at the GM's discretion) and an Evil act (or acts sufficient) that causes you to fall still effects your LG identity.
It is an intriguing concept, however, to have a Paladin identity and a Vindictive Bastard identity.
Two atonement spells? I can see how you'd need one atonement spell since the other you is willingly taking on the Vindictive Bastard archetype, but two seems one too many.
(I was under the assumption that you'd switch between pally and ex-pally whenever you switched identity)
As a true neutral pally isn't allowed, it seems logical that we're treated as an ex-member of the class when we're in such an identity. So we can't Smite Evil and if we do "the big bad" out other identity also falls. Or does the splintersoul simply let us play a pally with slightly tweaked alignment restrictions?
The Ex-paladin section of the Vindictive Bastard archetype specifically calls out needing two atonement spells in order to resume taking Paladin levels, and restoring your previous archetype (if any). Once for falling and once for willingly walking down the wrong path (taking the archetype).
Hm. I figured that the splintersoul didn't have to bother with repenting for becoming an ex-member of pally since they're able to fall once every two minutes. So you'd get a freebie when switching back.
Hm. I figured that the splintersoul didn't have to bother with repenting for becoming an ex-member of pally since they're able to fall once every two minutes. So you'd get a freebie when switching back.
If Splintered Identity did not require that you adhere to the Paladin Code and falling in your other identity (such as performing an evil act) did not effect your other identity, I would say that you would be fine. Unfortunately, it does. If you fall in your non-LG alignment identity, you fall in the LG identity. If you pick up the Vindictive Bastard archetype in one Identity, it applies to both. Therefor, you must follow the atonement rules in the Vindictive Bastard archetype for both identities.