Unless a lasting injury has taken him or her away from adventuring for a time, every paladin lives on the front lines of the cosmic struggle against evil. Even so, their martial skills are secondary to the magical power they wield: power to heal the sick and injured, to smite the wicked and the undead, and to protect the innocent and those who join them in the fight for justice.Īlmost by definition, the life of a paladin is an adventuring life. Paladins train for years to learn the skills of combat, mastering a variety of weapons and armor. Although many paladins are devoted to gods of good, a paladin's power comes as much from a commitment to justice itself as it does from a god.
Different paladins focus on various aspects of the cause of righteousness, but all are bound by the oaths that grant them the power to do their sacred work. Many tales are woven about noble knights and oath-sworn champions, although pragmatists note that the tales often end with a tremendous sacrifice on the part of said champions.Ī paladin swears to uphold justice and righteousness, to stand with the good things of the world against the encroaching darkness, and to hunt the forces of evil wherever they lurk. Their devotion to a higher ideal makes paladins popular folk heroes in Faerûn. Although less common, there are paladins of the following deities: Helm, Hoar, Lathander, Sune, Corellon Larethian, The Red Knight, Clangeddin Silverbeard, Arvoreen, and Mystra. Torm and Tyr are both popular deities for paladins, as is Ilmater, who stresses self-sacrifice and the alleviation of suffering.
The most common paladin deities are those that embody action, decision, watchfulness, and wisdom. Most paladins in Faerûn, like clerics, are devoted to a particular deity. A paladin of Sune would emphasize aspects of courtly love and courtesy, whereas a paladin of Tyr would be more concerned with justice and fair treatment of foes. Death before dishonor.Įvery paladin grades and emphasizes these virtues based on his or her own personal ethos and religious background. Grant mercy to those who seek redemption. Cause the most good through the least harm. Render service cheerfully and without disdain. Share resources, especially with those who have the most need. Do not boast or accept rewards undue to you. Unjust laws must be overturned or changed in a reasonable fashion. Laws exist to bring prosperity to those under them. Earn the respect of those below your station. Treat others with respect despite how they treat you. When such a warrior also has a great devotion to a particular deity, that god can reward the faithful with a measure of divine power, making that person a paladin.ĭifferent paladin orders in Faerûn emphasize different elements of righteous behavior, but all paladins are expected to hold true to a common set of virtues:
These warriors aspire to be the best people they can. They exemplify a host of traits that folk consider honorable, just, and good. Some people are warriors of superior virtue. Paladins who take up the adventuring life, however, rarely remain so rigid in their attitudes - if only to keep from alienating their companions. Some paladins devote themselves expressly to protecting the innocent and spreading justice in the world, while others resolve to attain that goal by conquering those who stand defiant and bringing them under the rule of law.Īlthough no paladin in the world could be described as typical, a number of them are narrow-minded do-gooders who refuse to tolerate even the smallest deviation from their own outlook. lt is a source of power that turns a devout warrior into a blessed champion.Ī paladin is a living embodiment of an oath - a promise or a vow made manifest in the person of a holy warrior who has the skill and the determination to see the cause through to the end. Whether sworn before a god's altar and the witness of a priest, in a sacred glade before nature spirits and fey beings, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witness, a paladin's oath is a powerful bond. Overview Whatever their origin and their mission, paladins are united by their oaths to stand against the forces of evil.
0 kommentar(er)
