ir278@sdcc6.UUCP (Paul Anderson) (05/10/85)
I'm really not interested in what morals or religion should guide a Paladin, I leave that to the DM or the player (I never play them myself). I would, however, like to hear anyone's experience he cares to share either playing as, playing alongside, or DM'ing Paladins. I had an interesting relationship with a Paladin once: I was playing a Ranger in a large group that included two Paladins. One of these (the one with whom I had the interesting relationship) had sort of presumed the position of leader and tended to show off (the other stayed back with the rest of the crowd and did as a cleric told him). Anyways, this big-shot and I, both being fighter-types representative of Good, somehow got along and often worked together when problems arose. Once we were fighting these warrior-gone-berserkers, and one I was fighting near the end of the battle was hit so hard (three hard ones in a row without returning any) that he surrendered (these weren't full-fledged berserkers). Since early in the battle he had hit me kinda hard, I kicked him over and held the point of my sword to his throat so he wouldn't move. The paladin saw this, assumed something, and cried out "Hold! Stop! I wish to talk to him!" I was pissed and told him to go suck a cross. His honor was insulted and he, a Lawful Good Paladin, charged me in a blind rage. I was ready to parry, but a cleric (to whom I had donated a jar of Keogthom's Ointment earlier in the game) cast Hold Person on him, and he didn't save. Hee hee hee. I danced up to him (the berserker tried to escape but was tripped and subdued by a monk), sheathed his sword, and slapped him awake. He apologized (ha! ha! ha!). Later in the game, we were split into two groups: one around the berserker captives (including mine) asking questions, one around their treasure chest hoarding gold. A rather low-witted Magic User (the player; he was very much a Munchkin) in the treasure group fireballed the captive group (I saved, but all the captives but one died). Another MU next to the conspirator willingly took 12 HP damage casting a point-blank lightning bolt, and the Paladin... who was also with the captives...went into ANOTHER rage, charging the MU, screaming "That was an act of Evil and Chaos you vermin!" and swinging his sword. I think he was puched off a bluff or something, 'cause the MU got away with a scrap of his life and survived the campaign. By the way, the other Paladin at some point lost his paladinhood and never complained once. I think he just wanted too badly to kill someone. See what the violent nature of mankind does..... Any other stories? Paul Anderson UC San Diego