I have this friend who's playing a paladin for the first time. It's actually her first time playing D&D. I'm pretty excited because I'll be the DM, and it's also my first time being one. She mentioned that she was thinking of being a loyal knight to a princess, which I don't think is anything new. She said however that she intended to be loyal to another member of the party, who's playing as a princess. I don't want to hold her back from roleplaying, but I also don't want to misinform her about what she can and cannot do. If she can be loyal to another player as part of her oath as a paladin, is it risky in some way? I just don't want anything to go wrong since it's her first time. I know a paladin's oath can be almost anything but do you draw the line at that? I could be overthinking but I just want to be sure.
Do any paladin experts know anything about this subject?
Totally fine as long as the other player is also ok with it. Otherwise it gets wierd. Intertwined backstories can lead to some really fun RP moments. Having the oath play into that just makes sense.
Normally, A Paladin's Sacred Oath is not pledged to people or nation but to precept, ideal or concept such as Oath of Devotion, or Ancient, Conquest, Crown, Glory, Redemption, Vengeance etc You start in a preparatory stage, committed to the path until sworn to it. Becoming a paladin involves taking vows that commit the paladin to the cause of righteousness, an active path of fighting wickedness and final oath, taken when he or she reaches 3rd level, is the culmination of all the paladin’s training.
But If it's what they all want, you can relate it to another specific character somehow. An exemple for a Paladin with Oath of Princess Devotion or Watcher could be;
Oath of Princess Devotion
The Oath of Princess Devotion binds a paladin to the loftiest ideals of justice, virtue, and order towards Princess [insert name]. Sometimes called cavaliers, white knights, or holy warriors, these paladins meet the ideal of the knight in shining armor, acting with honor in pursuit of justice and the greater good. They hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, and some, for better or worse, hold the rest of the world to the same standards. Many who swear this oath are devoted to gods of law and good and use their gods’ tenets as the measure of their devotion. They hold angels — the perfect servants of good — as their ideals, and incorporate images of angelic wings into their helmets or coats of arms.
Tenets of Princess Watcher
Though the exact words and strictures of the Oath of Princess Devotion vary, paladins of this oath share these tenets.
Honesty. Don’t lie or cheat to Princess [insert name] . Let your word be your promise.
Courage. Never fear to act, though caution is wise.
Compassion. Aid Princess [insert name] , protect her, and punish those who threaten her. Show mercy to your foes, but temper it with wisdom.
Honor. Treat others with fairness, and let your honorable deeds be an example to Princess [insert name]. Do as much good as possible while causing the least amount of harm.
Duty. Be responsible for your actions and their consequences, protect Princess [insert name], and obey her having just authority over you.
Oath of Princess Watcher
The Oath of the Princess Watchers binds paladins to protect the Princess [insert name] from the predations of monstrous creatures, many of which can lay waste to mortal soldiers. Thus, the Watchers hone their minds, spirits, and bodies to be the ultimate weapons against such threats. Paladins who follow the Princess Watchers' oath are ever vigilant in spotting the influence of extraplanar forces, often establishing a network of spies and informants to gather information on suspected cults. To a Watcher, keeping a healthy suspicion and awareness about one's surroundings is as natural as wearing armor in battle.
Tenets of Princess Watcher
A paladin who assumes the Oath of the Princess Watchers swears to safeguard Princess [insert name] from otherwordly threats.
Vigilance. The threats you face are cunning, powerful, and subversive. Be ever alert for their corruption.
Loyalty. Never accept gifts or favors from fiends or those who truck with them. Stay true to Princess [insert name], your comrades and your duty.
Discipline. You are the shield against the endless terrors that lie beyond the stars. Your blade must be forever sharp and your mind keen to survive what lies beyond.
Just use Oath of the Crown, since it's already in the rules and appropriate. She could be serving the kingdom, royal family, sovereign, etc. g with the current party). Not sure what happens if princess dies on her watch so work that out. I would probably set it up it as serving the royal family and the princess is the current mission (or maybe always was her mission). This way, if the princess quits the game (it happens), you say she went home, and the paladin gets another assignment (like continue with eh current party). Make sure the princess is cool with the paladin's assignment being to protect her. It could be interesting RP as the paladin tried to keep princess from doing really dangerous things. Plus, the paladin reports back to the throne. I think this is less boring for the paladin than just being the princess' yes-person.
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I have this friend who's playing a paladin for the first time. It's actually her first time playing D&D. I'm pretty excited because I'll be the DM, and it's also my first time being one. She mentioned that she was thinking of being a loyal knight to a princess, which I don't think is anything new. She said however that she intended to be loyal to another member of the party, who's playing as a princess. I don't want to hold her back from roleplaying, but I also don't want to misinform her about what she can and cannot do. If she can be loyal to another player as part of her oath as a paladin, is it risky in some way? I just don't want anything to go wrong since it's her first time. I know a paladin's oath can be almost anything but do you draw the line at that? I could be overthinking but I just want to be sure.
Do any paladin experts know anything about this subject?
<< Life is ephemeral. Phyrexia is eternal >>
Totally fine as long as the other player is also ok with it. Otherwise it gets wierd. Intertwined backstories can lead to some really fun RP moments. Having the oath play into that just makes sense.
As long as everyone is on board, it could work. Probably oath of crown could fit well, but most could work.
Just, as DM, I’d be prepared for what happens to the pally if the princess dies.
Normally, A Paladin's Sacred Oath is not pledged to people or nation but to precept, ideal or concept such as Oath of Devotion, or Ancient, Conquest, Crown, Glory, Redemption, Vengeance etc You start in a preparatory stage, committed to the path until sworn to it. Becoming a paladin involves taking vows that commit the paladin to the cause of righteousness, an active path of fighting wickedness and final oath, taken when he or she reaches 3rd level, is the culmination of all the paladin’s training.
But If it's what they all want, you can relate it to another specific character somehow. An exemple for a Paladin with Oath of Princess Devotion or Watcher could be;
Seems like the princess watcher would also need to respond to her requests with “As you wish.”
This was extremely helpful. Thank you so much
<< Life is ephemeral. Phyrexia is eternal >>
Just use Oath of the Crown, since it's already in the rules and appropriate. She could be serving the kingdom, royal family, sovereign, etc. g with the current party). Not sure what happens if princess dies on her watch so work that out. I would probably set it up it as serving the royal family and the princess is the current mission (or maybe always was her mission). This way, if the princess quits the game (it happens), you say she went home, and the paladin gets another assignment (like continue with eh current party). Make sure the princess is cool with the paladin's assignment being to protect her. It could be interesting RP as the paladin tried to keep princess from doing really dangerous things. Plus, the paladin reports back to the throne. I think this is less boring for the paladin than just being the princess' yes-person.
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E/RPG geek.