Post/Author/DateTime	Post
sabbattack 02-25-05, 07:44 AM	Greetings. I'm in the process of creating a memorable paladin of Kelemvor, and I intend to make him a somewhat dark-clad anti-hero. I tried to figure out some PrCs for flavor, but can only think of Ghostwalker so far. Any suggestions/recommendations on PrCs to add to the flavor? Think of a trenchcoat wearing anonimous undead hunter. Thanx!
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 02-25-05, 10:29 AM	Creating a pally anti-hero would be difficult. My definition of an anti-hero is someone who does the right thing in the wrong or evil way. Look at the Punisher, yea he goes around getting rid of mobsters and druglords, but he ends up filling them full of holes and doing huge property damage. He also doesn't use the purest way's of extracting information. He even has no real problem about killing innocents to get the job done, even though he'd rather avoid doing so. Some think Batman is the perfect example of an anti-hero pally, others will argue, but i'll leave the judgement for yourself on that. It really depends on how your character acts and how leinient your DM is. If your crude, rude, and obnoxius to everyone but still do the right thing the right way, then your DM might let you be good. But if your philosophy is 'for the greater good', then you might find yourself slipping to neutral. Against undead it's easy to be good. Killing undead is an almost inherently good act by its self. As long as your not doing something like mocking the undead in a vile manner or doing something like hanging them from their feet and playing pinata with them. But how does your character handle human situations? Really it boils down to, what is your philosophy? I would suggest making a list of make believe situations and writing down how your character would react. Example would be: How do you extract information from someone that is unwilling to cooperate? If you have the choice of killing the Big Bad Evil Guy who is has and will continue to harm innocents, or saving an innocent boy, which would you do?
Nuntius128 02-27-05, 12:57 AM	Alignment is equal parts action and intention. It would be nearly impossible to have an anti-hero Paladin, as their Code of Conduct prohibits them from doing certain things, or thinking/acting certain ways.
Preyo 02-27-05, 08:54 AM	I'm with Nuntius on this one, however a holy liberator (PrC from CD) or a Paladin of Freedom (UA) would work well for what you want :) However many classes can be roleplayed as an anti-hero. The Reaping Mauler could be a real nice guy who goes around freeing slaves, he just happens to leave the owners behind with shattered spines...
psudodevil 02-27-05, 09:50 AM	In the Margeret Weis' books, the Knights of Takhisis are perfect dark heroes or anti-heroes, depending on how you look at it. They are noble and knightly but also serve evil and commit many evil acts. The book "Unearthed Arcana" provides variant paladins, including lawful evil and chaotic evil ones. If looking for a prestige class I would recommend Black Guard (obviously) or maybe Pious Templar (Complete Divine). A Cavalier (Complete Warrior) could work for a certain type of evil knight.
Quintara 02-27-05, 10:16 AM	Well, seeing as the whole point of a paladin is a benevolent zealot who protects all who are below him, then a paladin will not work for a "dark hero," because their actions will doubtlessly get them booted from the paladin order. I would recommend playing an evil fighter, hexblade or cleric instead. They have fewer or no alignment restrictions, so you can be as nefarious as you damn well want. If you insist on paladin (soon to be ex-paladin), then consider the following prestige classes: Blackguard (duh), Black Flame Zealot (CD), Divine Crusader (CD), Pious Templar (CD), Warpriest (CD), Cavalier (CW), Thayan knight (CW). These will give you that paladinish touch to your character, even if thet're not one.
Preyo 02-27-05, 06:59 PM	Vigilante (CA) is another good dark hero class. Justicar (CW) also works really well.
Ivarrius 02-27-05, 11:45 PM	Hmmm... a Batman flavored PC. Might need Vigilante and Justiciar all in one. Hmmm...
sabbattack 02-28-05, 07:57 AM	Thanx for the food for thought everyone, sorry I didn't clarify my case earlier. What I've been thinking of is an anti-hero in the manner that he's not the "oh my knight in shining armor" who goes around shining clean and helps old ladies cross the street with a "good day, my lady" manner. Think of this character as the quintessential Clint Eastwood character in those spaghetti(sp?) westerns, walking nameless around and sitting in the darkest corner of the taverns looking for suspicious figures. You maybe right about shifting him to Lawful Neutral as more appropriate, but definitely not Evil.
Zerolight 03-02-05, 04:54 AM	It seems to me that the Shadowbane Inquistor (CA) would fit your charecter well. It litterally says that there order "...advocates merciless aggression against evil...". This PrC was written for what you want. They even get stealth and sneak attacks for you sitting in the darkest corners. The idea vaugly reminds me of a NPC from Baldur's Gate: Shadows of Amn, I dont remember his name but he was a older paly that had been threw alot and had a really sober attitude even about "fighting the good fight against evil". Not really an anti-hero maybe just a bit anti-social. I allways find it important, especially with more experienced charecters, to show the ware that battle causes over the years. It would be hard for anybody to go threw some of the quest I put my players in and not come back a little changed.
Preyo 03-02-05, 07:09 AM	Keldorn, he was a very cool NPC, I also liked Adjantis for the original Baldur's Gate... Batman: Variant Paladin (CW not UA) / Justicar / Vigilante Who uses masterwork boomerangs and has a Gnomish Steam Cart :p