How many Paladins out there serve a god, and if you do how do you show your service to that god? If you do not, then can you justify yourself as a Paladin?

Now what I expect from the second question is that someone will reply that they are a champion of a cause, but any class can make that claim, does that make them Paladins as well? I'm very curious as to the responses.

In essense, what makes a Paladin a Paladin? Is service to a deity essential? What separates us from other classes without talking to the mechanics of the game?

>As for what part of that makes him a Paladin. I suppose it would be because he is truly devoted to the service of his God, as opposed to simply raising a sword, and saying it's in the name of Rutilor.<

Excellent reply Serrin, I feel like I know alot more about you. I think this is an example of a Paladin that lives the edicts of his god. Thanks for the reply I'm definately interested in the diversities of the Paladins here.

Madigan worships Chadatru and uses the Book of Deeds as his guide. The Book calls for a paladin to have certain traits, integrity, honor, humility, etc..(I suggest everyone read the Book).

Directly, Madigan always seeks to resolve a dispute with the least about of force and the advantage of all parites if possible. Madigan has not nor will he ever lie, as that is a greater sin and breach of faith to him than any other action. Madigan may not always tell you everything or answer your question, but if he utters a word, it is his belief it is true.

Finally, Madigan believes it his duty and reason for being to serve. Simple things such as helping a young hunter get started in Therengia bring as much pleasure to him as leading in battle.

Anyway, I'm sure most of you are familiar with pious ol' Madigan, so I'm sure that bored you above.

James

Michael is pretty much closest to Redarch kinda paladin, in overwhelming odds when everyone falling around him Michael will not leave the forefront of the battle, if he fighting at your side you know he not gona leave you standin untill he falls in battle.

If your slain on the hunting fields its probably Michael you gona see comming over the hill to find you, wether he likes you or not he feels its his duty to help those in need, He trys not to judge others just trys to find the positive in people (sometimes he not good at that bit). To Michael it would be dishonerable not to help.

As per Redarch Michael is not a cop, but also likes to be the protector, defender. To him his honour and his guild is everything, Michael is the fella you wanna see in your corner when things get tough.

I hope that helps you see how I (the player of Michael) see's a paladin.

Michael.

hmm interest Red. I used to protect more. Now i just get revenge and i put myself in a position to get into conflicts with stuff that i dont approve of. Ferry gangs. Blatant theft in front of the bank. Rock troll nuisances. I dont follow any particular god , but i do know they are out there and i do pay homage to them. Sides, every family needs a blacksheep with a halo.

Clyn

Glory is a follower of the All-god. His history has been posted in a couple of the RP folders, so I won't repeat it here (I think its interesting, but I would not presume to think that others would see it that way, besides, its kind of long!) <G>.

As a fellow follower of the All-god, I am sure that Lennon will probably post about his beliefs and concepts. Glory generally agrees with the way Lennon sees devotion to the All-god, however Glory does not feel the same "intensity" of belief that is apparent in Lennon.

Glory became a Paladin, more because of what he saw in other Paladins (he grew up among Paladins, his parents being caretakers in the guild) rather than because of any strong personal devotion to the All-god. Although he IS diligent in his prayers, tithing, favors, etc - thus his godly devotion is a big part of his life, its just not as intense as what he sees in others. (I hope that makes sense)

Glory's concept of Paladinhood centers around self-sacrifice with "justice" being a strong component of his motivation. He does not really see himself as a "cop" or a "defender" etc, except when those concepts interact with his self-sacrificing motivation.

Glory tends to drop anything and everything to be of service whenever he hears of someone in need. Thus he always goes to glyph when a general call goes out (and used to always go to cast courage when people actually used to ask for it), etc. He will always go to aid deaders, will always leave his hunting or training to drag, get aid, bond, ward, etc. He tries to do everything he can to provide for new members, to answer questions, etc.

I can only hope he has been successful in promoting an example of self-sacrificing service.

Gloryarm

>hmm interest Red. I used to protect more. Now i just get revenge and i put myself in a position to get into conflicts with stuff that i dont approve of. Ferry gangs. Blatant theft in front of the bank. Rock troll nuisances. I dont follow any particular god , but i do know they are out there and i do pay homage to them. Sides, every family needs a blacksheep with a halo.<

I've heard alot of Paladins that seem to follow what they believe to be virtuous in the eyes of their god or gods and some of the reason for choosing to follow said deity.

Clynlyn could you tell me based upon your reply above if you as a Paladin still feels your following any particular virtues, and if not then do you still feel yourself to be a Paladin, and if so why?

This is not to point out who is or isn't doing it right, its to point out the diversities within the guild and help others understand what drives us and defines us.

Krymson.

<<I've heard alot of Paladins that seem to follow what they believe to be virtuous in the eyes of their god or gods and some of the reason for choosing to follow said deity.

<<Clynlyn could you tell me based upon your reply above if you as a Paladin still feels your following any particular virtues, and if not then do you still feel yourself to be a Paladin, and if so why?

<<This is not to point out who is or isn't doing it right, its to point out the diversities within the guild and help others understand what drives us and defines us.

i dont think i all my virtue's are benign. Nor do i think i am not a paladin. First and foremost there is no real doctrine or set direction of the guild. I believe i am a paladin, I believe what i do is right. I also believe what i do is right , therefore its paladin like. If its been said later its not the right thing to do anymore then I will stop. But I dont shout open pockets, I dont roll into an area asking people to steal from me. I go into high profile areas where people will do things. I just hope they pick me. And use me as a target.

Besides i think my actions speak for my character. The people who know me can vouch for that. And all things said about me good or bad are probably true.

Clyn

<<As a fellow follower of the All-god, I am sure that Lennon will probably post about his beliefs and concepts. Glory generally agrees with the way Lennon sees devotion to the All-god, however Glory does not feel the same "intensity" of belief that is apparent in Lennon.>>

If we look at the book of the "Origins of the Realms" we find reference to the Void and the One. The One took the Void as a wife and produced the Planes as offspring. Each of these different realms are seperated by time and space (one of them being Elanthia). The Void wept because of the seperation of her children and each of these tears created a different immortal. The One placed within each of these beings a portion of himself. Upon doing so he ceased to exist, as did the "Void" because well the void was filled with beings.

From this Lennon pictures each immortal as inherantly being part of the "One" or All-god. Together these immortals make up the whole of what is the All-god. As such each immortal that Elanthians worship are only one particualr piece or "face" as is commonly explained of this greater being.

As such, Lennon worships each of these faces equally. Each is a portion of a greater whole and each exemplifies different attributes of the All-god.

As Glory stated, Lennon is certain in his belief and intense in the way in which he worships them. For one, he has 1 favor for each of the gods and will get no more until the time comes where he has none left. If upon departing with 1 favor he comes back to the plane of Elanthis he will go secure one more favor for each immortal. If however, the All-god chooses that he walks the starry road, then so be it that is what was meant to be.

Many people ask how if some immortals contradict each other Lennon can worship them all equally. Well, each immortal has its own perception of what is just or right, however, as a unity there seem to be some overarching ideals of right and wrong. Lennon sides with the majority view of the gods, or what he interprets the majority view to be.

He looks at each immortal as being a seperate entity in the same way humans (and to a lesser extent other races ::snicker::) have different "aspects" of their own personality. Chadatru is the god of justice, an overarching theme. While his two aspects Rutilor, the god of truth and a defender of the gods and Boltof, the god of deciet and dishonesty, can bring about justice depending on the context and situation. In esscence he sees each oif the "seperate" immortals in that light. The neutral aspect represents an overarching theme (representing a personality characteristic of the All-god), and the positive and negitive aspect as representing different ways to express the "themes"...

Lennon is and eternal Squire to the All-god. This is the title he has chosen to portray until a time where the All-god deems him worthy of something more. It is Lennon's opinion that this could not happen, until the time comes where the All-god and each of his "faces" can no longer teach him anything about what it is to be a Paladin (which will probably never happen). Lennon is an Advocate of the Immortals justice, as well as Holy Warrior against abominations of the Immortals majority view.

I suppose that will do for now. If anyone has any other questions concerning this feel free to ask. No gurentee I will answer in a timely manner.

--Just a Squire

The main reason for my curiosity is to understand diversity in the guild. It seems that for the most part most Paladins are in some way tied with the immortals and follow in what they percieve to be that deitys wishes or virtues. Some Paladins however believe in doing what they percieve to be right or to champion a belief or cause or a group of people or province.

I can't say any of these are wrong or right really, only that I think a true passion for something that is shown through the Paladins actions and deeds that helps define the Paladin. I think though that Paladins, much like the Cleric guild or where I think the mage guild should go, should be set into paths. If not then you leave too much up to speculation around what does or does not make the Paladin and allows those whom really do not fit within the guild to defend themselves due to a lack of definition. The "I'm a Paladin because I'm in the Paladin guild" view is one I think we should as a guild be above. I personally would like to be able to say that each of the members within my guild at least know why they joined the guild, what it is the guild stands for, and how they represent the interests of the guild.

A guild without definition or purpose is simply not a guild. I'd say the Paladin guild is one of the toughest to define or want to define from a mechanics point for several reasons. One you don't want to make everyone in the guild the same but yet can't have such a loose environment where a person can lay claim to being a part of the guild without having to share in the same goals of the guilds purpose. Two, because of the textbook Paladins tie to the immortals you can't do too much with this and not step into the boundary of clerics or so many GMs seem to think. Three, Dragonrealms staff have made a very clear direction away from anything dark or evil when it comes to players which again hampers diversity. (Hell just see how many uses of the word evil you can find in anything vs. the number of time good is used. You can find dark vs light imagery sure but that's about as far as it goes)

I think career paths in the guild would be a great thing. But I think it's going to take a GM to put their foot down and define the role of the Paladin to make that happen. Personally I think if the paths were set by deity or immortal and then use those immortals views and traits to allow such things in the paths as an Armorer, Holy Warriors of a particular ethos (Which would allow those to follow dark or light gods), Defender, Diviner (for those more interested in the magic granted Paladins), Warden or Justice entity, etc. etc.

This would create the definition that Paladins are in fact defenders and protectors of the faith where clerics are preachers and teachers of the faith. While this would still upset some whom do not see themselves in any way tied to the immortals I think in such a case then it should be viewed as a roleplay opportunity for someone who has taken no particular path as to how they fit, what has caused them to lose faith, or do they see themselves as fallen from grace. As far as being worried about division within the guild, the guild is still a whole with the purpose of defending, protecting, and representing all of the faiths brought on by the immortals and the people that follow them. It's simply diversity in terms of how that goal is achieved in each of the different paths.