Hello, I just recently started my first game and I’m playing as a Paladin of Thor, and I’ve got some general Paladin questions.
1. How much, if any, of the Paladins own worship of their patron deity is part of the way Paladins are played? Is it necessary to make it obvious that your character prays a certain way or has certain beliefs because of their relationship with said deity? Or can it just be shown a few times and then assumed that’s how they roll.
2. The Paladin I’m trying to create is what I understand to be chaotic good(if not maybe leaning neutral),something a little more imperfect/anti-hero rather than white knight. Not full blown murder hobo like the Punisher, but not 1940s Captain America either. Kind of like Daredevil, except he’s a Norse Pagan Paladin and not blind. Does the Oath of Vengeance still make sense at that point? Or rather Oath of Glory?
Technically, paladins don’t necessarily need a god in this edition, though there are varying views on that. If your table is saying they do, then that’s what matters here. But the reason I’m bringing it up is because, by RAW, there is nothing about pallys and their worship. I’d say just work with your DM and see what their expectations are for how religious a pally is expected to be in their world. Even then, it doesn’t necessarily mean your particular pally has to follow those expectations, and then your character will need to deal with any fallout from their choices. If you are thinking of specific rituals, most games hand wave that. it’s assumed that any characters that need to pray do what they are expected to do off camera, since in general the rest of the table doesn’t want to sit and listen to one person narrate a 15 minute religious ceremony.
Vengence can make sense for what you describe. But really most oaths can be played in most ways, it’s just a question of how far you want to push the envelope, and how accommodating your DM is with holding you to your oaths.
1. How much, if any, of the Paladins own worship of their patron deity is part of the way Paladins are played?
How much do you want it to be? There's nothing required unless your DM says otherwise, and other than that it's entirely up to you. Do you want them to be reserved, and just pray quietly during some or all rests? Do you want them to bellow war cries in their deity's name as combat begins? Do they try to involve other players in their rites and rituals?
I'm a huge fan of figuring out how my character acts, and trying to stay as true to that as I can, and if you want their deity to factor into that then by all means do so; don't do what is optimal, do what is right for the character. Of course you should take stock of what the DM and your group want too, but I wouldn't worry too much about it initially, just try to find the right level for yourself and the group.
2. The Paladin I’m trying to create is what I understand to be chaotic good(if not maybe leaning neutral),something a little more imperfect/anti-hero rather than white knight. Not full blown murder hobo like the Punisher, but not 1940s Captain America either. Kind of like Daredevil, except he’s a Norse Pagan Paladin and not blind. Does the Oath of Vengeance still make sense at that point? Or rather Oath of Glory?
I think both ought to work well for the norse angle, you might also consider Oath of the Open Sea if Critical Role content is allowed (and you or your DM are happy to unlock it, as I don't think it's one of the free ones); this has more of a nautical angle and could suit a viking feel. Oath of Conquest might also be a possibility as they're a bit anti-hero in the sense that they can take things a bit too far in the "I must fight all the evil I encounter" sense so could fit with chaotic good.
My understanding of chaotic good is of someone who tries to do the right thing, but is driven by their own conscience or beliefs above all other considerations; so you don't necessarily care what local laws or cultures think, or even if the people you're "saving" want your help. I have a Chaotic Good Minotaur who definitely errs more towards the chaotic and taking things too far end of the spectrum though, e.g- shooting a pickpocket dead in the street to return a stolen item, or uppercutting someone into a ceiling for bullying, but I have no idea if that's what Wizards of the Coast intend or not, they're pretty vague about the alignments.
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I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
Hello, I just recently started my first game and I’m playing as a Paladin of Thor, and I’ve got some general Paladin questions.
1. How much, if any, of the Paladins own worship of their patron deity is part of the way Paladins are played? Is it necessary to make it obvious that your character prays a certain way or has certain beliefs because of their relationship with said deity? Or can it just be shown a few times and then assumed that’s how they roll.
2. The Paladin I’m trying to create is what I understand to be chaotic good(if not maybe leaning neutral),something a little more imperfect/anti-hero rather than white knight. Not full blown murder hobo like the Punisher, but not 1940s Captain America either. Kind of like Daredevil, except he’s a Norse Pagan Paladin and not blind. Does the Oath of Vengeance still make sense at that point? Or rather Oath of Glory?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Technically, paladins don’t necessarily need a god in this edition, though there are varying views on that. If your table is saying they do, then that’s what matters here. But the reason I’m bringing it up is because, by RAW, there is nothing about pallys and their worship. I’d say just work with your DM and see what their expectations are for how religious a pally is expected to be in their world. Even then, it doesn’t necessarily mean your particular pally has to follow those expectations, and then your character will need to deal with any fallout from their choices. If you are thinking of specific rituals, most games hand wave that. it’s assumed that any characters that need to pray do what they are expected to do off camera, since in general the rest of the table doesn’t want to sit and listen to one person narrate a 15 minute religious ceremony.
Vengence can make sense for what you describe. But really most oaths can be played in most ways, it’s just a question of how far you want to push the envelope, and how accommodating your DM is with holding you to your oaths.
Thanks for the help.
How much do you want it to be? There's nothing required unless your DM says otherwise, and other than that it's entirely up to you. Do you want them to be reserved, and just pray quietly during some or all rests? Do you want them to bellow war cries in their deity's name as combat begins? Do they try to involve other players in their rites and rituals?
I'm a huge fan of figuring out how my character acts, and trying to stay as true to that as I can, and if you want their deity to factor into that then by all means do so; don't do what is optimal, do what is right for the character. Of course you should take stock of what the DM and your group want too, but I wouldn't worry too much about it initially, just try to find the right level for yourself and the group.
I think both ought to work well for the norse angle, you might also consider Oath of the Open Sea if Critical Role content is allowed (and you or your DM are happy to unlock it, as I don't think it's one of the free ones); this has more of a nautical angle and could suit a viking feel. Oath of Conquest might also be a possibility as they're a bit anti-hero in the sense that they can take things a bit too far in the "I must fight all the evil I encounter" sense so could fit with chaotic good.
My understanding of chaotic good is of someone who tries to do the right thing, but is driven by their own conscience or beliefs above all other considerations; so you don't necessarily care what local laws or cultures think, or even if the people you're "saving" want your help. I have a Chaotic Good Minotaur who definitely errs more towards the chaotic and taking things too far end of the spectrum though, e.g- shooting a pickpocket dead in the street to return a stolen item, or uppercutting someone into a ceiling for bullying, but I have no idea if that's what Wizards of the Coast intend or not, they're pretty vague about the alignments.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
You say this, and now here I am, having flashbacks of He-man.
”BY THE POWER OF THOR” doesn’t quite have the same ring, but I’ll figure something out. I just think it would be too much fun to not use.