Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Greenzam 03-30-05, 02:57 PM	Would a changeling's shape change ability conflict the paladin code of conduct even if he or she is lawful good? Or could they slightly bend the rules a little, just as long they don't go to far?
ieattrollsforbreakfast 03-30-05, 03:14 PM	The ability itself is not inherently evil or chaotic, but its application can break the code. If you are using the shapechange ability to take the shape of an existing person or actively decieve someone into thinking you are something you are not, that breaks the code...otherwise you are fine. Examples: A changeling paladin changes into the Lord Mayor to get a discount at a shop...code is broken. A changeling paladin takes elf shape so that he does not upset the local populace...code is not broken. A changeling paladin changes into the shape of a known guard so that he might help free an wrongly imprisoned man...code is broken.
Greenzam 03-30-05, 03:24 PM	Dammit! It such a thin little line between upholding and breaking the code.... but I've not givin up...
Sildatorak 03-30-05, 06:29 PM	Changing shape doesn't violate the code in and of itself, but it does have several areas that are potentially risky. a paladin’s code requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor (not lying, not cheating, not using poison, and so forth), help those in need (provided they do not use the help for evil or chaotic ends), and punish those who harm or threaten innocents Helping and punishing don't really come into play with the shapechanging, but it is imperative that a changeling paladin be very careful about respecting legitimate authority and acting with honor. Acts that defraud law-abiding citizens or circumvent the normal process of a just government are blatant violations of respect for legitimate authority. That means that impersonating a city guard is a no-no, but it should be pretty easy for a paladin to know what is right in these situations. The tough one is the part about acting with honor. There is a certain amount of deceit allowed to a paladin for dealing with evil, however. If there weren't, undetectable alignment wouldn't be on their spell list. When dealing with evil foes, it is probably okay to change shape to be able to move around in dangerous territory, but using a ruse to be able to better attack or ambush foes is not honorable.
Greenzam 03-30-05, 07:24 PM	I see what you are saying.. so if I use the changeling shape change to just blend in or aid me in traveling through harsh terrain that would be OK?...
Manyfist 03-30-05, 08:14 PM	I see what you are saying.. so if I use the changeling shape change to just blend in or aid me in traveling through harsh terrain that would be OK?... Yes, Since well as long as you are LG, you can be a changeling changeing from a Orc, to a Tiefling, to an Dwarf. I don't think it's against the Paladin's Honor code. If you were running around naked would that go against beening LG, sure you might be pinched or slapped on the butt, and then put on armor you aren't auto Evil because of armor. Or if you put on any makeup it doesn't make you evil, the same thing applys to the Changlings Alterself. Heck a Dopplegangers Shapeshifting ablity works the best since they change size as well.
Sildatorak 03-30-05, 10:15 PM	I see what you are saying.. so if I use the changeling shape change to just blend in or aid me in traveling through harsh terrain that would be OK?... Definitely. The only problem that might arise is if your disguise becomes more important than your duty. Say you were traveling through orc territory (disguised as an orc, of course) and you came up on a merchant caravan being assaulted by orcs. If you don't help the merchants out because it will blow your cover, you are probably breaching your code by not helping the innocent. However, if you came upon a band of orcs that had successfully raided a caravan, leaving no survivors, whether you should drop your disguise to punish them with righteous fury would depend on the specific situation. If your mission is more important than immediate retribution or if they outnumber you enough that you have no chance of victory, then you may need to see that they are dealt with by alerting authorities to their whereabouts. If you aren't on urgent business for the cause of good and it seems that you would emerge victorious, you probably should drop your disguise and call for their surrender. The paladin code is a high standard, and it isn't an easy road to hoe. That is why getting ahold of a phylactery of faithfulness is a good idea. It is a 1000gp item that will answer these moral dilemas for you if you just stop to think about them.
Manyfist 03-30-05, 10:23 PM	The best thing to do is kill one orc then take over his looks, kill another Orc take over his looks...etc. They be hitting them selves trying to find you just sit back watch them weaken each other, before punishing them with Smite Evil. That's what beening a Changling is all about, switching out your apperance, and not telling a Soul. :eek: A truely werid Idea, is to take the form of your Arch-Enemy(Blackguard), and start doing good around, then see what it does to your arch-enemy. Then once he's weaken Smite Evil. :bounce:
Borris 03-31-05, 12:39 AM	A paladin’s code requires that she respect legitimate authority, act with honor (not lying...) Pretending to be a given orc to better kill his allies is definitely a form of lie. Some goes with impersonating your enemies, or trying to pass as anyone you're not, actually.
Sildatorak 03-31-05, 02:37 AM	That's what beening a Changling is all about, switching out your apperance, and not telling a Soul. Fighting your enemy using deception is not an honorable act, and being honorable is what being a paladin is all about. There is a difference between deceiving a foe to avoid harm to yourself and deceiving a foe to lead to harm to them. The first is tolerable for a paladin, but the second is a clear breach of the code.
Greenzam 03-31-05, 09:57 AM	Hey thanks for helping me but I have one last question. what if someone only responds to a particular person.for example if young child wondered in a dangerous part of the woods, you try to tell him/her to leave but they won't pay you heed because you are not someone they know. would changing into the person they know be breaking the code? you are lying to them in a way..
hiryuu 03-31-05, 10:31 AM	Hey thanks for helping me but I have one last question. what if someone only responds to a particular person.for example if young child wondered in a dangerous part of the woods, you try to tell him/her to leave but they won't pay you heed because you are not someone they know. would changing into the person they know be breaking the code? you are lying to them in a way.. And that is why I have rewritten the paladin's code to include that he may lie and cheat, so long as it serves the greater good for all (that is, the world moves closer to an altruistic state). Honesty – A paladin is honest. Many have taken this to mean that the paladin speaks no lies. Instead, this means that the paladin’s words and deeds must be aligned, and his actions must be truthful to his thoughts and ideals. A paladin may employ trickery and deception, if it serves the cause of righteousness. . A paladin is not a creature of deliberation of morals. Many have taken this to mean that the paladin has no morals, or may make his own morals. This is not true; one who is honest with the self and with the world around her needs no moral guidepost save for her own pure soul.