What's a Paladin to do? [Archive] - Wizards Community

What's a Paladin to do? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MatsF
07-08-04, 03:04 PM I just started playing my first Paladin and I wanted some advice about the Code of Conduct, but let me explain my situation first. My character was on a patrol with a Wizard, a Druid, a Rogue, and a bunch of low-level NPC chumps. During the night, 24 gobling ambushed us. The Wizard casted an area-of-effect spell, killing half of the goblins, but he also killed a few of the NPC patrol guys that we are with. I want advice on what I should do to the Wizard. Talk to him, kill him, or what. Any help would be awsome. Thanks.
The Philosopher King
07-09-04, 09:44 AM I'd say it depends on what the Wiz was trying to do. Did he mean to blow up the NPCs as well as the gobbos or was it an "accident"?
If he was trying to kill as many beings as possible (ie is CE) then your standard pally is within the code to get his smite on.
However, he probebly isn't CE if there's a pally in the party, and so it likely falls more under "accident". I'd say that you should give the wiz a stern lecture on not killing innocents and how to aim "Well done on nuking those greenies, but seriously, try not to kill everyone" Also, clunk 'im on the head 3 stooges style :)
Mr.Musgrave
07-09-04, 10:38 AM I agree with TPK. Then again, sloppy spell-casting isn't much better than just slaugtering people. Great power comes with blah blah blah.
Princeoflowlight
07-12-04, 10:18 PM A stern talking-to seems like the best course of action.
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger
07-12-04, 11:04 PM Stern talking and repentence . The wizard should repent for his evil deed by either rasing the dead, and if thats not possible, then donate time and funds to help others in need to repay his debt so to say.
TinySilverChalice
07-13-04, 01:29 AM I agree with TYDS. Ask the wizard what happened from the wizard's point of view and why he did what he did. If he gives a less than apologetic answer, explain why such things are not proper behavior (you as a play may have to think out that logic, as strange as it sounds), and how he might redeem himself for the mistake.
cmas3117
07-13-04, 12:35 PM I think it would definitely be within the pervue of the paladin to watch the wizard in question.

The wizard is responsible for the death of allies, that's a bad thing any way you slice it. First, I would talk with the wizard with a neutral person present. If the wizard is appologetic or sorrowful for their deaths. I would recommend some kind of reparations to the families of the slain soldiers, or perhaps some kind of service to their community to recompense for their loss. There are lots of delicious opportunities for roleplay with this.

If the wizard is not appologetic, then you might have a couple of different problems. A) the wiz is clearly evil regardless of what it says on his sheet. This is a matter for smitage. Anyone who would intentionally or wantonly perform such an act must be destroyed least the present a danger to innocent people. B) The player considers the npc(s) expendible because their npc(s). This is a whole different kettle. The player needs to be reminded that npcs are people too, and they represent lives and such. This should actually be handled by the dm. If I was the dm, the families of the slain npc(s) would likely come calling either with violence or more insidiously with a wrongful death lawsuit. If your paladin is for example a paladin of Tyr, he would be honor bound not only to stand in support of the law, but might also be called upon to act as prosecutor, or even judge. Again lovely opportunities for roleplay.
Aki Warren
07-16-04, 11:38 AM Aye, he's right. I would question the Wizard, most seriously, in fact here is an example (example are always helpful, no?)
My pally is named Aki and the wizard is named Je, for ease of spelling

Aki-"Mage, you may have killed some goblins, but you killed some innocent people as well"

je-"Your point being? We are all safe, and there would have been more deaths had a not have sacrificed a few of them (ohhhh, a twist!)"

Aki-"You can not decide who will live or die mage. You may defend yourself and allies, but you do not have the right to decide the fate of your allies"

Je-"But I..."

Aki-"Mage, you killed innocent people, and reprimations must be made for this crime"

Je-"Like what!?"

Aki-"You will raise enough money to have a cleric raise them from the dead. Your will right your wrong Mage"

Je- "But...but...that's to much money!"

Aki-"Then I reccomend you do not do it again"

And there is one possible outcome

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MatsF 07-08-04, 03:04 PM	I just started playing my first Paladin and I wanted some advice about the Code of Conduct, but let me explain my situation first. My character was on a patrol with a Wizard, a Druid, a Rogue, and a bunch of low-level NPC chumps. During the night, 24 gobling ambushed us. The Wizard casted an area-of-effect spell, killing half of the goblins, but he also killed a few of the NPC patrol guys that we are with. I want advice on what I should do to the Wizard. Talk to him, kill him, or what. Any help would be awsome. Thanks.
The Philosopher King 07-09-04, 09:44 AM	I'd say it depends on what the Wiz was trying to do. Did he mean to blow up the NPCs as well as the gobbos or was it an "accident"? If he was trying to kill as many beings as possible (ie is CE) then your standard pally is within the code to get his smite on. However, he probebly isn't CE if there's a pally in the party, and so it likely falls more under "accident". I'd say that you should give the wiz a stern lecture on not killing innocents and how to aim "Well done on nuking those greenies, but seriously, try not to kill everyone" Also, clunk 'im on the head 3 stooges style :)
Mr.Musgrave 07-09-04, 10:38 AM	I agree with TPK. Then again, sloppy spell-casting isn't much better than just slaugtering people. Great power comes with blah blah blah.
Princeoflowlight 07-12-04, 10:18 PM	A stern talking-to seems like the best course of action.
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 07-12-04, 11:04 PM	Stern talking and repentence . The wizard should repent for his evil deed by either rasing the dead, and if thats not possible, then donate time and funds to help others in need to repay his debt so to say.
TinySilverChalice 07-13-04, 01:29 AM	I agree with TYDS. Ask the wizard what happened from the wizard's point of view and why he did what he did. If he gives a less than apologetic answer, explain why such things are not proper behavior (you as a play may have to think out that logic, as strange as it sounds), and how he might redeem himself for the mistake.
cmas3117 07-13-04, 12:35 PM	I think it would definitely be within the pervue of the paladin to watch the wizard in question. The wizard is responsible for the death of allies, that's a bad thing any way you slice it. First, I would talk with the wizard with a neutral person present. If the wizard is appologetic or sorrowful for their deaths. I would recommend some kind of reparations to the families of the slain soldiers, or perhaps some kind of service to their community to recompense for their loss. There are lots of delicious opportunities for roleplay with this. If the wizard is not appologetic, then you might have a couple of different problems. A) the wiz is clearly evil regardless of what it says on his sheet. This is a matter for smitage. Anyone who would intentionally or wantonly perform such an act must be destroyed least the present a danger to innocent people. B) The player considers the npc(s) expendible because their npc(s). This is a whole different kettle. The player needs to be reminded that npcs are people too, and they represent lives and such. This should actually be handled by the dm. If I was the dm, the families of the slain npc(s) would likely come calling either with violence or more insidiously with a wrongful death lawsuit. If your paladin is for example a paladin of Tyr, he would be honor bound not only to stand in support of the law, but might also be called upon to act as prosecutor, or even judge. Again lovely opportunities for roleplay.
Aki Warren 07-16-04, 11:38 AM	Aye, he's right. I would question the Wizard, most seriously, in fact here is an example (example are always helpful, no?) My pally is named Aki and the wizard is named Je, for ease of spelling Aki-"Mage, you may have killed some goblins, but you killed some innocent people as well" je-"Your point being? We are all safe, and there would have been more deaths had a not have sacrificed a few of them (ohhhh, a twist!)" Aki-"You can not decide who will live or die mage. You may defend yourself and allies, but you do not have the right to decide the fate of your allies" Je-"But I..." Aki-"Mage, you killed innocent people, and reprimations must be made for this crime" Je-"Like what!?" Aki-"You will raise enough money to have a cleric raise them from the dead. Your will right your wrong Mage" Je- "But...but...that's to much money!" Aki-"Then I reccomend you do not do it again" And there is one possible outcome