The OD&D Paladin - Another Look

[Crimhthan The Great]

Over at Dragonsfoot Rizak the Really Horrible wrote an essay on Paladins, it is the first post. Interested in peoples comments. Some of it I agree with and some of it, IMO is from far left field.

Rizak the Really Horrible's Essay on Paladins

I will make one comment here and comment more later on.

Shiny-Field-Plate-Wearing-Dude1: "I'm a warrior of great skill and terrific wrath."
Shiny-Field-Plate-Wearing-Dude2: "So am I."
SFPWD1: "I right wrongs and give aid to the downtrodden."
SFPWD2: "Me too."
SFPWD1: "I'm here to make the wicked suffer, then I'm onto my next job."
SFPWD2: "What are the odds?"
SFPWD1: "My word is law. None may say otherwise."
SFPWD2: "I'm right there with you, buddy."
SFPWD1: "My strength comes from my close connection to Donblas the Justice Maker."
SFPWD2: "What a coincidence!"
SFPWD1: "I'm a Paladin, a follower of the true belief that Nehwon was raised from the egg of a turtle."
SFPWD2: "Sorry, it was the egg of an eagle. DIE HEATHEN!"

The way I run Paladins, this just cannot happen. Paladins are always on the same page. If they are not, one or both may lose their Paladinhood. They are much more closely attuned to their god than clerics and much more solidly grounded in doctrine.

[Crimhthan The Great]

Another poster said

A lot of people think that the word "Paladin" is synonymous with "self-righteous fool". That ain't necessarily so. Nowhere in the description of the class does it say that a paladin is a gung-ho "my way or the highway" type.

IMC the god of Paladins will not have his name tarnished by a self-righteous fool," that kind of behavior results in the loss of Paladinhood at the least and death at the worst. Paladins are righteous not self righteous.

[Crimhthan The Great]

Rizak then says

Agreed. I don't believe that the Paladin needs to follow the Victorian ethical standards. Gluttony, whoring, personal distraction through drugs ... they can all be used to great effect, depending on the situation.

Over on ENWorld years ago there was a thread where a lot of people thought it was OK for Paladins to frequent brothels.

I don't agree with that at all. Besides which Victorians were not all that ethical. A Paladin would remain a virgin until (if and when) he was married. Most Paladins are so dedicated to ridding the world of evil, few marry. This is a case of high morals and dedication, and they are not commanded to not marry, most just don't choose to be. Paladins would not participate in any of the "seven deadly sins." Paladinhood precludes all of these - pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth

[Crimhthan The Great]

Take a look at Three Hearts and Three Lions, by Poul Anderson. Paladins are not kilbots and they are shrewd warriors with a focus on doing the right thing.

[Crimhthan The Great]

Most people will not hold the same beliefs as Paladins. Paladins will not initiate conflicts unless they are being opposed or interfered with, that it, if someone aids an active enemy, then they are creating the conflict.