Hey all, looking for some advice on the best Paladin Oath to take for my character outline. As a foreword, this character is loosely based off of Severian from Gene Wolf's "Book of the New Sun". As the title lays out, this my character works as an Executioner for the state, as part of a formal guild of trained and organized professionals. I'm currently trying to decide between Oath of Vengeance and Oath of Conquest. I see this character very firmly as someone who believes in Justice and the systems that sustain life, but faithfully carries out his legal work as an Executioner with no qualms. He sees his role in society as a necessity. The justice system is there to attempt to rehabilitate criminals, and when (after many attempts) these criminals demonstrate their continued commitment to antisocial behavior, he is there to serve a very specific purpose.
If it helps, this is my rough character background. I'm interested to hear what anyone's thoughts are!
Gerontius Ward was orphaned at an early age, and without any extant family or community members to bring him up, he became a ward of the state. As a ward with no fundamental and clear place in society, he was brought by clerics of Pelor to Carcinsoul Island, which hosts the so-named Carcinsoul Prison, and is the ultimate place for prisoners that demonstrate resistance within Peldonia's system of rehabilitation. There he was to be brought up and raised by the guild Executors. The guildsmen and women on this island ply a unique trade. When the system of Peldonia justice fails to rehabilitate a criminal, they are sent to Carcinsoul Prison where after a time they are executed. The existence of this Finality is an open secret throughout Peldonia, and the officials that carry out this action bear the burden of the accumulated shame of Peldonian society. They are the focal point upon which the failures of Peldonia gather, and are largely shunned and treated with distance by polite society.
Gerontius is a journeyman in this system, having spent practically his whole life raised among his superior Executors on the isle, with an extensive education over the years in morality and ethics, the legal and ceremonial workings of the Peldonian justice system, the anatomical layout of the different peoples of the kingdom and varied euthanasia practices, and martial and medical skills pursuant to the carrying out of these practices. He has sworn to perform his duties respectful of the gravity of his actions, and in full sight of the justice system under which he serves. Geron has personally fulfilled a few executions at this point in his career, and assisted with more.
Neat idea. I’d say Oath of Vengeance for the way you describe him. Vengeance paladins can be merciful but not against the greater evil, in this case those who must be executed because they have proven themselves irredeemable. Oath of Conquest paladins seem more menacing about it than you describe him, although it would fit as well.
I think the Vengeance version would be less dark to play…more fun.
thinking back to a younger Severian, it seemed like he wasn't without mercy. i might be misremembering but it seemed like he felt it was a mercy to perform his job of torture neatly and professionally. in his role as executioner i remember Severian getting into trouble for skipping a few executions (whether out of mercy or because they were sexy ladies). not especially professional in that sense. either way, vengeance oath's "no mercy for the wicked" and "by any means necessary" doesn't really fit Severian. similarly, vengeance might evoke a bit more passion than Gerontius the beheading bureaucrat likely feels. same with conquest's "douse the flames of hope" which seems to go above and beyond duty and following orders. but, then again, maybe the guy is on a crusade and this means more to him than just a job.
oath of the watchers "vigilance, loyalty, discipline" sounds maybe a little more like a bureaucrat who believes in their cause... even if the watchers subclass seems mostly geared towards shutting down extraplaner stuff rather than domestic political issues. then again, maybe that makes more sense as they run into more weird monsters and magic.
I'm a it late ot the party but reading this made me think Oath of the Crown. "Willing to do what needs to be done for the sake of order" and "deal with the consequences of your actions, and you are responsible for fulfilling your duties and obligations." really seem to fit this concept.
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Hey all, looking for some advice on the best Paladin Oath to take for my character outline. As a foreword, this character is loosely based off of Severian from Gene Wolf's "Book of the New Sun". As the title lays out, this my character works as an Executioner for the state, as part of a formal guild of trained and organized professionals. I'm currently trying to decide between Oath of Vengeance and Oath of Conquest. I see this character very firmly as someone who believes in Justice and the systems that sustain life, but faithfully carries out his legal work as an Executioner with no qualms. He sees his role in society as a necessity. The justice system is there to attempt to rehabilitate criminals, and when (after many attempts) these criminals demonstrate their continued commitment to antisocial behavior, he is there to serve a very specific purpose.
If it helps, this is my rough character background. I'm interested to hear what anyone's thoughts are!
Neat idea. I’d say Oath of Vengeance for the way you describe him. Vengeance paladins can be merciful but not against the greater evil, in this case those who must be executed because they have proven themselves irredeemable. Oath of Conquest paladins seem more menacing about it than you describe him, although it would fit as well.
I think the Vengeance version would be less dark to play…more fun.
thinking back to a younger Severian, it seemed like he wasn't without mercy. i might be misremembering but it seemed like he felt it was a mercy to perform his job of torture neatly and professionally. in his role as executioner i remember Severian getting into trouble for skipping a few executions (whether out of mercy or because they were sexy ladies). not especially professional in that sense. either way, vengeance oath's "no mercy for the wicked" and "by any means necessary" doesn't really fit Severian. similarly, vengeance might evoke a bit more passion than Gerontius the beheading bureaucrat likely feels. same with conquest's "douse the flames of hope" which seems to go above and beyond duty and following orders. but, then again, maybe the guy is on a crusade and this means more to him than just a job.
oath of the watchers "vigilance, loyalty, discipline" sounds maybe a little more like a bureaucrat who believes in their cause... even if the watchers subclass seems mostly geared towards shutting down extraplaner stuff rather than domestic political issues. then again, maybe that makes more sense as they run into more weird monsters and magic.
I'm a it late ot the party but reading this made me think Oath of the Crown. "Willing to do what needs to be done for the sake of order" and "deal with the consequences of your actions, and you are responsible for fulfilling your duties and obligations." really seem to fit this concept.