I have a half-elf paladin based in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting (specifically Deepingdale in Cormanthor)
On PC creation I took Knight of the Order background which seemed appropriate, and decided that Knight of Myth Drannor was good fit.
But now I'm confused.... Who does he take direction/orders from? Who does he report to?
My understanding is that a Paladin has a primary religion/deity that they felt the 'call' to serve and were invested with holy power to be able to do their smites, spell casting and other class features. So the PC belongs to that group and has renown and ranks and duties to his superiors in that organization.
But he's also a Knight. This peerage is bestowed by the state authority, raising the paladin to the upper crust of their social structure. So he has obligations and rights that arise from that relationship, along with associated renown/rank/superiors. If peerage titles can be granted by groups other than the state, it seems like the title would be worthless. (Yeah we 5 criminals subscribe to a set of values and beliefs, we're calling ourselves the Knights of Rippuoff)
And last but not least, he's a member of a non-state military unit, the Knights of Myth Drannor. That membership also comes with duties, superiors and responsibilities and definitely a rank in the hierarchy of that group.
So how does this work? Does he hold 3 separate renown scores in the same geographic region? Does he report to 3 different sets of superiors? Who did he swear his Sacred Oath to?
Seems to me that the Church/Religion he belongs to would be top of the pyramid of service obligations/loyalty/discipline. Since, as I understand it, you cannot be a paladin without support of a religion/church and keeping them happy keeps them agreeable to inducting the PC into greater and greater mysteries of the church (level advancement)
Can someone sort me out on this?
I'm guessing it's exactly as advertised and the paladin has all those differing demands on his service/duty and sometimes they don't agree and he has to resolve it as best can or suffer the consequences when he prioritizes one association/group over another.
So how does this work? Does he hold 3 separate renown scores in the same geographic region? Does he report to 3 different sets of superiors? Who did he swear his Sacred Oath to?
That's up to you and your DM. Renown is an optional rule so it may not be a factor.
Seems to me that the Church/Religion he belongs to would be top of the pyramid of service obligations/loyalty/discipline. Since, as I understand it, you cannot be a paladin without support of a religion/church and keeping them happy keeps them agreeable to inducting the PC into greater and greater mysteries of the church (level advancement)
I'm not well-versed enough in FR lore to know the implications of being a paladin in that setting, but the 5e rules don't require paladins to serve a church or deity. Their oath is the source of their power.
As for a paladin's lifestyle and obligations, the Basic Rules/Player's Handbook addresses that as well:
Almost by definition, the life of a paladin is an adventuring life. Unless a lasting injury has taken him or her away from adventuring for a time, every paladin lives on the front lines of the cosmic struggle against evil. Fighters are rare enough among the ranks of the militias and armies of the world, but even fewer people can claim the true calling of a paladin. When they do receive the call, these warriors turn from their former occupations and take up arms to fight evil. Sometimes their oaths lead them into the service of the crown as leaders of elite groups of knights, but even then their loyalty is first to the cause of righteousness, not to crown and country.
So yes, typically a paladin would prioritize their cause over any other responsibilities they have.
Player character Paladins operate in a more freelance state. If you are part of a church or order then you would be more like a knight errant. They let you do your own thing as long as you follow the deities/order’s tenents. Really it’s the kind of stuff you would work out with your DM though.
The nature of a Paladins oath actually limits their ability to serve cause beyond that oath to a certain degree, so it would be the most important obligation. It would trump both church and state.
I have a half-elf paladin based in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting (specifically Deepingdale in Cormanthor)
On PC creation I took Knight of the Order background which seemed appropriate, and decided that Knight of Myth Drannor was good fit.
But now I'm confused.... Who does he take direction/orders from? Who does he report to?
My understanding is that a Paladin has a primary religion/deity that they felt the 'call' to serve and were invested with holy power to be able to do their smites, spell casting and other class features. So the PC belongs to that group and has renown and ranks and duties to his superiors in that organization.
But he's also a Knight. This peerage is bestowed by the state authority, raising the paladin to the upper crust of their social structure. So he has obligations and rights that arise from that relationship, along with associated renown/rank/superiors. If peerage titles can be granted by groups other than the state, it seems like the title would be worthless. (Yeah we 5 criminals subscribe to a set of values and beliefs, we're calling ourselves the Knights of Rippuoff)
And last but not least, he's a member of a non-state military unit, the Knights of Myth Drannor. That membership also comes with duties, superiors and responsibilities and definitely a rank in the hierarchy of that group.
So how does this work? Does he hold 3 separate renown scores in the same geographic region? Does he report to 3 different sets of superiors? Who did he swear his Sacred Oath to?
Seems to me that the Church/Religion he belongs to would be top of the pyramid of service obligations/loyalty/discipline. Since, as I understand it, you cannot be a paladin without support of a religion/church and keeping them happy keeps them agreeable to inducting the PC into greater and greater mysteries of the church (level advancement)
Can someone sort me out on this?
I'm guessing it's exactly as advertised and the paladin has all those differing demands on his service/duty and sometimes they don't agree and he has to resolve it as best can or suffer the consequences when he prioritizes one association/group over another.
That's up to you and your DM. Renown is an optional rule so it may not be a factor.
So yes, typically a paladin would prioritize their cause over any other responsibilities they have.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Player character Paladins operate in a more freelance state. If you are part of a church or order then you would be more like a knight errant. They let you do your own thing as long as you follow the deities/order’s tenents. Really it’s the kind of stuff you would work out with your DM though.
The nature of a Paladins oath actually limits their ability to serve cause beyond that oath to a certain degree, so it would be the most important obligation. It would trump both church and state.