Paladin Codes/ Rules for Orders
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:39 pm
Long quote and I will explain below...
I believe this is an aspect of a knight's roleplay that is sometimes forgotten and could enhance the gameplay. We have a dearth of knights in FK and I realize that this is a limiting factor but some orthodoxy in the churches and their orders would add some depth and, I believe, it is an effective way to keep paladins from becoming boring and "cookie-cutter" characters. This would, at least, provoke some good role-play between knights, priests, and faith managers as they formulate the code and perhaps provoke future role-play as knights and squires struggle to uphold their order's rule.
As an afterthought, this is not to say that some players have not given this thought already for their own characters, and I realize an official code exists for the class of paladin, but there is nothing (that I've seen) really published as a doctrine for the individual orders in FK and the official code is really pretty generic (as I believe it should be to allow for each order to build from it). I am only recommending this to add more nuance to the class in the hopes of adding something to entice people towards the role-playing challenge of the page to paladin road and increase the enjoyment of those already upon that road.
Okay, if you made it this far then I salute you. The above is excerpted from the cited article. I have cropped the rest because we already have orders of chivalry in FK (and a whole gamut of others to draw upon in Realms' lore), but there is value in considering the codes of these various orders. Some of us are lucky enough to have these already drafted in a "canon" source or by an enthusiast (there is, for example, a code for the Order of the Purple Dragon on Candlekeep: http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/code_pdk.htm).Paladins in History
The term paladin derives from the Latin palatinus, meaning "palace official", and is defined as an officer of the palace. The "knightly" use of the term is traditionally drawn from the twelve peers (les douze pairs) of Charlemagne's court.
Player's Information
Paladins swear to follow a code of conduct that is in line with lawfulness and goodness. Tantalizingly, codes are not detailed in the class description of the paladin, leaving opportunity for expansion. These codes of conduct must, of course, be in line with the nature of paladinhood and its goals - upholding the law, pursuing good, and defeating evil. They can also be great fun to devise. Does your holy order have a particular hatred for a monster type? Did giants ravage a temple of old and destroy it in a single night? Does your order have a particular penchant for horses and seek to dazzle and amaze with trickery from the saddle? If you have an idea you wish to expand on and weave into your paladin character, work with your DM to find an appropriate solution.
Codes of Conduct from History
History and legend offer some interesting variations on codes of honor. Here is one from the period of Charlemagne to consider together with brief notes on how it may be incorporated into your character or adventure path... ...an internet search will bring up many other examples.
Peer Knight
A peer knight follows the code outlined in the Song of Roland:
-To fear God and maintain his Church
-To serve a liege lord in valor and faith
-To protect the weak and defenseless
-To aid widows and orphans
-To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
-To live by honor and for glory
-To despise pecuniary reward
-To fight for the welfare of all
-To obey those placed in authority
-To guard the honor of fellow knights
-To eschew unfairness, meaness, and deceit
-To keep faith
-At all times to speak the truth
-To perservere to the end of any enterprise begun
-To respect the honor of women (or the dignity of men)
-Never refuse a challenge from an equal
-Never turn the back upon a foe
Pett, Richard. "True Paladins: Codes of Conduct that Make Sense." Kobold, August 6, 2008, 29-33.
I believe this is an aspect of a knight's roleplay that is sometimes forgotten and could enhance the gameplay. We have a dearth of knights in FK and I realize that this is a limiting factor but some orthodoxy in the churches and their orders would add some depth and, I believe, it is an effective way to keep paladins from becoming boring and "cookie-cutter" characters. This would, at least, provoke some good role-play between knights, priests, and faith managers as they formulate the code and perhaps provoke future role-play as knights and squires struggle to uphold their order's rule.
As an afterthought, this is not to say that some players have not given this thought already for their own characters, and I realize an official code exists for the class of paladin, but there is nothing (that I've seen) really published as a doctrine for the individual orders in FK and the official code is really pretty generic (as I believe it should be to allow for each order to build from it). I am only recommending this to add more nuance to the class in the hopes of adding something to entice people towards the role-playing challenge of the page to paladin road and increase the enjoyment of those already upon that road.
