Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shar_the_Black 07-16-06, 02:04 PM	Howdy folks, I'm currently writing a story right now about a young man who's training to become a paladin. His mentor, a wiened nomadic warrior agrees to train him, but is slightly hesitant to do so. He trained a woman many years ago but something happened that made her turn her back on her god, her vows and what she believed in. She's now a blackguard in league with some other ner-do-wells. However, I'm having trouble thinking of how she became evil. I don't know what sort of event might have triggered such a drastic change in one who believed in fighting for the greater good. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks ahead in advance, ~Shar the Black
R2-DS 07-16-06, 05:35 PM	The Paladins god turned his or her back when the opposing church attacked and destroyed the Church of (God's name here) This isnt just any church mind you its like the "Vatican" we'll say, where the head of that religeous order presided(can you say epic Cleric died here?). All were murdered, except your Paladin now turned Blackgaurd. Ofcourse this isnt true.........The God knew his temple was going to be razed and allowed it to happen to teach the young Paladin and her teacher a lesson in Humility. We'll say that the female Paladin was akin to say "Anakin Skywalker" in that she was very promising in her training but craved more power that her mentor was unable/unwilling to impart with her. The destruction of her holy order was the catalyst and when the dust settled she was accepted by the evil order of (God name here) and became a black gaurd. Now the wizened reluctant mentor figure sees an opportunity for redemption in this promising new student but is reluctant to teach him because of his preveous (perceived) failure. Will the new young Paladin confront and redeem the Blackgaurd, or will the wizened old mentor type have to take up his sword one more time to finish that which he started. Maybe this new young Paladin will be tempted by offers from the Blackgaurd to convert to her order and the Wise old mentor figure will be forced to "save" his new student. In the end and only on death's door does the blackgaurd truly repent for her ways and dies a Paladin. Young new student witnesses if not participates in the conflict and becomes more solidified in his faith because of said events. End with the first bricks of the new church being laid by the new initiates of the order of(God name here)
General_Ridley 07-16-06, 05:55 PM	The Paladin could have been in terrible, terrible trouble (what kind I don't know). In desperation, he cried out "Pazuzu, Pazuzu, Pazuzu!" The Demon Lord showed up, and offered his help. The Paladin took it, and slowly became dependent on the help of Pazuzu. Doing so is a big no-no for Paladins, and accepting the help of Pazuzu is a highly chaotic act that can change your alignment to become more chaotic.
WayneTheGame 07-16-06, 06:16 PM	Sounds very Star Wars-y so why not use that? The paladin in question made a pact with a demon (or something similar) in order to save the life of someone she cared about, and fell into darkness as a result. Unable to return and atone (out of fear that she would be executed instead, perhaps?) she embraced evil because the demon/whatever she had made a deal with in the first placed used honeyed words to let her believe that he/she/it was the only person that understood her and the only person she could trust. It's cliche, but it works :)
Fithero 07-16-06, 07:22 PM	What about instead of the demonic force fooling the paladin, the paladin is infact tricking the demon? Think about it, if your a paladin, youve got to fight your way through the BBEG's entire army just to get to them... and by that time your pretty buggered. BUT! If your their right hand man/woman, your right at their side and can take them out right quick, no worries. A paladin might see that the only (cost effective, effiecent... whatever else) way to take out evil is by being evil yourself. Their willing to damn their own souls to take out as much evil in the world as possible. Later
Jedipilot24 07-17-06, 08:26 AM	Think Prince Arthas from Warcraft III.
Ramaloke 07-17-06, 10:03 AM	"Oh Morning Lord of all that is holy! Please, Please protect my Beloved! I've done everything for you in my many years of service, plumbed the depths of hell for you, please I beseach you to extend your divine will and protect him!" Only that help never comes.
Tramp4life 07-19-06, 09:10 PM	Seduced is always nice...turn the paladin towards evil slowly, without his/her knowing. Then, show them the wickedness she has sown...heart breaks, they feel there's no turning back and they become a servant of what they hate. ORRRRR, make them believe they're doing it for the greater good (a la Constantine--the angel Gabriel thought he was doing the Lord's work by making humans EARN their rights to heaven)...
Piggyfreak6 07-19-06, 09:11 PM	Maybe have her parents murdered and she wonders how her god could let this happen. So she becomes like, lawful evil to kill evil doers but also anyone who gets in her way.
Tormsskull 07-20-06, 02:32 PM	Avoid cliches, try to think of something original. Here's something: The woman was the oldest daughter of a prominent noble. Her father had no sons, and so she was staged to take up the position of power, and was really looking forward to it. She even became a paladin hoping to bring pride to her father and prove her ability to be a good leader. She was a very good and pure person, doing good deeds and all that goody-two-shoe type things. One day her father called her before him and told her that he had had a son out of wedlock, and that he didn't believe women had the right to become Lords of their own house. He told her that his bastard son would become the Lord of the house once he passed. She was infuriated by this, but called upon her paladin training to remain calm and to see things through. Upon returning to her church, and confiding with one of the clerics there, she broke down in tears. The cleric told her to be calm, she would get through this, etc. She returned to her home and explained to her father about her feelings of betrayl by him. He told her that she was a no-good piece of crap and that he wished she had never been born. In rage she punched him in the face, and sent him sprawling to the ground. He drew a dagger and attacked her, a short fight ensued, in her rage she battered him to the ground and then drove her sword right through his heart. She cried, said a prayer to her god, but her prayer was unanswered. Her paladin powers were stripped from her for slaying her father when she could have just subdued him. She cried vengeance upon her god, saying that if he abandonded her now she would raise the forces of evil and destroy his followers to the last. After seeing no sign, receiving no message, she proceeded to bar the church and burn in to the ground, slaying all within. Now she is evil and dead set on destroying any followers of her old religion.
Dell Kallyan 07-20-06, 02:36 PM	Kind of cliche, but some paladins become overzealous and their logic becomes twisted so that they start doing evil acts in the name of good. Something like killing a man for stealing food, because that man deserved to die for commiting an evil act. The paladin still thinks he is righteous, but in reality he has become evil. Paladins always remind me of Jedi...
Emissary666 07-20-06, 03:37 PM	we have seen this alot. What is good and what is evil? The paliden followed and evil religon but thought it was good. She was a blackguard but saw the truth and became a paliden. Or her diety was the cause of death to a loved one, she turned her back on it and became a blackguard. or she is just possessed.
gerbilattack 07-20-06, 06:00 PM	Belkar, from OOTS, almost suceeded too
an_idol_mind 07-21-06, 08:10 AM	I think a quote from Emperor Zombie in the excellent comic/cartoon "The Amazing Screw-On Head" answers the thread's original question: "You told me how sweet the candy tasted, then told me not to put it in my mouth, and got mad at me when I did."