Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Netjack 01-09-08, 02:23 PM	In an oriental adventure, how would a paladin character be treated? Obviously he isn't from around there, but a paladin is more or less consider a knight, and a knight pretty close to a samurai. Granted, who ever he talked to knew about him in some way. Would he be treated well, or would everyone hate him because he wasn't born there?
narukagami 01-09-08, 03:02 PM	In an oriental adventure, how would a paladin character be treated? Obviously he isn't from around there, but a paladin is more or less consider a knight, and a knight pretty close to a samurai. Granted, who ever he talked to knew about him in some way. Would he be treated well, or would everyone hate him because he wasn't born there? Depends, are the people of your world xenophobic? If yes, the answer is obvious, if no, proceed reading. If the people aren't xenophobic they'd probably meet him with mild to great curiosity. Maybe some apprehension since he might be walking around encased in metal and carrying weapons. Does the paladin speak the local language? If not, he might get himself in a mess of trouble just because no one can understand him, and he can't understand anyone. If the paladin can speak to the locals, be it via knowledge, magic, or a friendly translator, and the people aren't totally xenophobic, he might not have much trouble. Adjusting to the local customs may be the extent of things.
heretic888 01-10-08, 08:41 AM	Hi Netjack, Obviously he isn't from around there, but a paladin is more or less consider a knight, and a knight pretty close to a samurai. Eh.... not really. First off, a knight is, strictly speaking, an occupation or a social position. It is not taken for granted that a Paladin character will be a knight, he (or she) is just a divine champion chosen by the gods to be an instrument of their will. This could happen to a peasant just as easily as it could a noble vassal. Furthermore, on the level of specific comparisons, there are many notable differences between Samurai and Paladins. Samurai, for one thing, are not typically (or ever, to my knowledge) associated with divine powers or being champions of holy deities --- nor are they associated with healing wounds or curing sicknesses. In this regard, Paladins might be more closely associated with Sohei than Samurai. Would he be treated well, or would everyone hate him because he wasn't born there? Honestly, it depends on the nature of your campaign world. If it was closely based on the ethos of pre-modern Japan, foreigners would be looked down upon by most of the populace. Laterz.
The_Shaman 01-10-08, 08:58 AM	In an oriental adventure, how would a paladin character be treated? Obviously he isn't from around there, but a paladin is more or less consider a knight, and a knight pretty close to a samurai. Granted, who ever he talked to knew about him in some way. Heretic has a point: a paladin may fight like a "knight" (mounted, heavily armed/armored warrior) or look like a knight, but they're usually a part of a pseudo-clerical, religious order, kinda like the sohei. S/he may be an aristocrat, and thus a knight, but does not need to be. In general, most societies distrust foreigners, and OA campaigns - more or less based around Rokugan - certainly do so. However, if the paladin's patron is accepted as part of the local religion, in whatever name, the paladin can find some help. If not, s/he's an armed, dangerous foreigner. However, a compelling personality (charisma), honorable bearing (relatively speaking - hopefully the paladin quickly learns and adapts to the local customs), tact and etiquette (you did put ranks in diplomacy and knowledge nobility/royalty, didn't you?) will probably grant the paladin a better reception than other armed, dangerous foreigners are likely to enjoy.
aelryinth 01-10-08, 06:10 PM	A paladin is a member of a class chosen by divine powers to epitomize what it means to be a LG warrior. How is this at all anathemic to Eastern culture? Paladins do not have to be knights, they can come from any level of society when they hear the Call to Serve. What the culture might have problems with is that the Paladin adheres to the laws of being a paladin, not to the laws of the local ruler/family/clan, which might cause some friction. On the flip side, a warrior clearly blessed by the gods in societies where such things are taken seriously will probably be allowed to fullfill his fated role without too much interference. Remember that most oA societies are heavy on the L, not on the G. LG people are equally likely to **** off LN's who don't want to think about moral consequences, and LE's who are taking advantage of the system. But, Paladins fit in OA as easily as they do europe. Just quit equating them with knights on horseback, and replace with LG Divinely powered Melee, and you're good to go. ===Aelryinth
DarthVicious074 01-15-08, 03:50 PM	A paladin is a member of a class chosen by divine powers to epitomize what it means to be a LG warrior. How is this at all anathemic to Eastern culture? Paladins do not have to be knights, they can come from any level of society when they hear the Call to Serve. What the culture might have problems with is that the Paladin adheres to the laws of being a paladin, not to the laws of the local ruler/family/clan, which might cause some friction. On the flip side, a warrior clearly blessed by the gods in societies where such things are taken seriously will probably be allowed to fullfill his fated role without too much interference. Remember that most oA societies are heavy on the L, not on the G. LG people are equally likely to **** off LN's who don't want to think about moral consequences, and LE's who are taking advantage of the system. But, Paladins fit in OA as easily as they do europe. Just quit equating them with knights on horseback, and replace with LG Divinely powered Melee, and you're good to go. ===Aelryinth Well if you're to remain true to the pre-Commodore Perry and even Pre Portugese expeditions, then yes, Samurai would look down on, and possibly kill the Paladin simply for being an outsider. But again, it's all about campaign settings. I remember one time where our party (all good) engaged and killed a group of paladins and clerics because the party mistook them for evil (they were all Drow or Tiefling).
narukagami 01-15-08, 04:13 PM	Well if you're to remain true to the pre-Commodore Perry and even Pre Portugese expeditions, then yes, Samurai would look down on, and possibly kill the Paladin simply for being an outsider. Kinda, sorta, maybe. Japan indulged in foreign trade throughout its entire history, be it with China, Korea, or Europe. Japanese isolationism is almost exclusively a product of the Edo era, with a few short-lived exceptions dotting the timeline here and there. And even those exceptions were just trade restrictions, not some kind of fervent xenophobia. If you were paralleling mid-Tokugawa, pre-Perry times, then probably. But again, it's all about campaign settings. I remember one time where our party (all good) engaged and killed a group of paladins and clerics because the party mistook them for evil (they were all Drow or Tiefling). Exactly, it all comes down to setting. In my OA setting, few if anyone outside of the major ports have ever even seen a foreigner. In the ports, people look at them more as a source of exotic goods and gold than some kind of threat. The foreign traders think of the people of that part of my world the same, as well.