paladins

[marycatelli]

So where do the adventuring paladins come from in a RPG?

In NPCs, the only paladin we see become one is directly, divinely appointed.  But that would throw most games off. (Besides, he's an NPC.0:)

And in Order of the Stick, though they even know they are in a game, the paladins who've taken center stage have belonged to an order with a mission.  (And the far-faring paladin is one they send on missions.)

Even in Rusty and Co., Madeline the Paladin goes on missions from some kind of church -- since Derek the Cleric gives her prophecies to direct her.

The random adventurer paladin would really interesting to world-build, even if possible.

Comments

[headnoises.livejournal.com]

I always played mine as it being a vocation-- they don't have the words to sway people, but they're really good at fighting. So they baptize that, and go on holy missions.

Even explained being side-by-side with probably evil people as my trying to convert them. ;)

[marycatelli]

Hmm -- so does the decision, by itself, trigger the holy powers? Or do you have to be formally initiated?

Most D&D universes have the gods intervening very rarely -- for good reason. This would be a sign of divine intervention whenever someone decides on the class.

[headnoises.livejournal.com]

After dedication-- basically, they sacrificed their will, labor and even life to their chosen deity. (Although I wouldn't have put that way when I was designing the characters.)

Usually formal dedication, although one character I was playing with writing was basically a battlefield confirmation. Only one was a formal dedication by an order, but that's for ease of RP-- it would be tempting the DM to make the order do really stupid things because Easy Drama. Lots of "old ruined temple/church, was there praying for a while, then offered self to chosen lord" type origins for me. Usually Ilmater, since he may as well be named Christ on the Cross.

[marycatelli]

OTOH, for the classic D&D adventure, it would then have to be rather like a confirmation where you go off and do your own thing after.

[headnoises.livejournal.com]

I'd put it closer to wandering priests.

With armor and weapons. :D

[marycatelli]

Like the clerics, who also don't have much in way of missions.