So, I'm going to try the Paladin class for the first time in a campaign, having lost a character recently and needing to replace him. Thankfully, it is early on, and 5th level.
Tentatively, I have selected the Oath of Vengeance, due to its emphasis on mobility and damage...I prefer the more nimble, dexterous warriors, such as rogues, monks, and even sword bards...and so it seemed like a good fit. Plus, the Oath Tenants are flexible enough that I can pursue enemies with a considerable mercilessness...but have enough restraint that I can still remain fairly neutral in alignment.
My problem is this...I've tinkered with several backstories, but am having trouble committing to an event significant enough that would lead him to become this slightly darker vigilante.
Here's some of my ideas:
1. (City Watch - Investigator) - He had a significant romantic relationship with a tiefling cleric of Lliira (basically the kindest, most innocent person imaginable). Due to tiefling prejudice, however, she was targeted and killed by a local gang in Waterdeep, and without substantial evidence, not much was done to bring them to justice. He took matters into his own hands, and hunted down the killers, and then the leaders of the gang, when they retaliated. He was dishonorably discharged from the City Watch for ignoring orders to stand down, and now drifts aimlessly as an adventurer, only finding solace in exterminating criminals and evil beings.
2. (Urban Bounty Hunter) - He was known as the best tracker and bounty hunter in Waterdeep, specifically for his indifference to the boundaries of the city's rigid social system. It didn't matter if you were a noble hiding behind your wealth & privilege...or a thief with a horde of assassins at your disposal. If you harmed the innocent, he would find you. Of course, this made him an enemy of nearly every powerful individual in Waterdeep...when things got too hot, he temporarily abandoned Waterdeep to seek out work in other places, lending his services as an adventurer.
3. (Haunted One) - when people started to go missing, and the local City Watch was unable to determine the cause, he ventured out on his own to find answers. He discovered a trail left by recent victims that led through the network of sewers beneath Waterdeep. Due to potential dangers and fact that the victims were likely already dead, the City Watch refused to commit forces to pursue the lead. Instead, the paladin gathered some locals (ala the "Haunted One" feature) and led a raid on the sewers system. There, they found a lair belonging to a trio of oni who had been abducting people and children. They ruthlessly slayed them, and so the hero decided took up a career in monster-slaying, vowing the Oath.
So the only persistent feature I wish for is that the hero in question have some affiliation with Waterdeep, as a person who hunted either evil people or creatures professionally, and decided that he wasn't doing enough and swore the Oath. I enjoy the mechanical benefits of the "City Watch / Investigator" or "Urban Bounty Hunter", as they fit the class. I've considered merging the first backstory with the second one, and simply stating that he became a bounty hunter when he lost his position within the City Watch.
However, if anyone on these forums had an interesting backstory for an Oath of Vengeance paladin, I'm open to suggestions, as long as it centers on Waterdeep (our campaign is going there). Also, if any particular gods exist that are appropriate to a Vengeance Paladin (I know they're not required), please feel free to name them, as I lack knowledge of them.
Personally, I would question the 2nd one like "were there no gloomstalkers, Masterminds, or inquisitors there?" The best tracker... hrm... "among the best" 100% cool with. but... I still like the story of 1 better.
2nd would need to be explained, if you are only 5th now, how did you compete with other bounty hunters, or survive the people you angered? clank clank goes the heavy armour stealth disadvantage.
I like 3 but combine it with one, and make him truly haunted. The oni he thought stole his lover led him to hunt them. It turned out she was one of them and he had sworn an oath to slay them. He kept his vow and broke his own heart. The people love him and fear for the harm he has done to himself
I think the story attached to City Watch is best. It seems to capture the tenets of the vengeance paladin best. I would add that, while he was expelled from the city watch officials, the majority of the watch admire him for what he did. They feel he did what he had to do to remove a threat. Could add some fun flavor to game play.
Lol, dude get creative with it. Paladin's don't need a god to gain their abilities, you make a solemn Oath and become the AVATAR of that Oath. Vengeance/Justice are 2 sides of the same coin. 2 Really good backgrounds for Paladin are Marine and Bounty Hunter. Marine gives you the ability to march for longer as well as proficiency in Land/Sea Vehicles(makes sense if you're from Water Deep) and gives you a good reason to make a powerful Oath of Vengeance. As either Marine or Bounty you could have been hunting pirates that were raiding ships and made an Oath of Vengeance to stop any you see. You want JUSTICE for their crimes of piracy/smuggling etc, but you'll settle for Vengeance.
And Vegenace Paladins CAN build Dex, but i 100% would not do that. You might as well just go Bow Fighter at that point or Arcane Archer, you'll get more out of it. Your primary stats are Str-Char-Con in that order, the other 3 don't matter. Pole-Arm Master, Great Weapon Master and Sentinel are all great picks for Vengeance as you want to be on the frontlines smiting and dealing as much damage as you can. Going Sword and Board is an option as well, take Fighting Style - Dueling for that +2 damage on your 1 Handed weapons and your sword on average does as much damage as a Great Weapon (minus the feat) and you get a +2 to AC that allows you to better frontline tank. On the flipside you could also just go Maul/Polearm take +1 AC fighting style and dish the damage. GWM makes them a bit more mobile as killing an enemy allows you to make an additional attack as a bonus action, but they are DEFINTELY not a dexy class.
So, I'm going to try the Paladin class for the first time in a campaign, having lost a character recently and needing to replace him. Thankfully, it is early on, and 5th level.
Tentatively, I have selected the Oath of Vengeance, due to its emphasis on mobility and damage...I prefer the more nimble, dexterous warriors, such as rogues, monks, and even sword bards...and so it seemed like a good fit. Plus, the Oath Tenants are flexible enough that I can pursue enemies with a considerable mercilessness...but have enough restraint that I can still remain fairly neutral in alignment.
My problem is this...I've tinkered with several backstories, but am having trouble committing to an event significant enough that would lead him to become this slightly darker vigilante.
Here's some of my ideas:
1. (City Watch - Investigator) - He had a significant romantic relationship with a tiefling cleric of Lliira (basically the kindest, most innocent person imaginable). Due to tiefling prejudice, however, she was targeted and killed by a local gang in Waterdeep, and without substantial evidence, not much was done to bring them to justice. He took matters into his own hands, and hunted down the killers, and then the leaders of the gang, when they retaliated. He was dishonorably discharged from the City Watch for ignoring orders to stand down, and now drifts aimlessly as an adventurer, only finding solace in exterminating criminals and evil beings.
2. (Urban Bounty Hunter) - He was known as the best tracker and bounty hunter in Waterdeep, specifically for his indifference to the boundaries of the city's rigid social system. It didn't matter if you were a noble hiding behind your wealth & privilege...or a thief with a horde of assassins at your disposal. If you harmed the innocent, he would find you. Of course, this made him an enemy of nearly every powerful individual in Waterdeep...when things got too hot, he temporarily abandoned Waterdeep to seek out work in other places, lending his services as an adventurer.
3. (Haunted One) - when people started to go missing, and the local City Watch was unable to determine the cause, he ventured out on his own to find answers. He discovered a trail left by recent victims that led through the network of sewers beneath Waterdeep. Due to potential dangers and fact that the victims were likely already dead, the City Watch refused to commit forces to pursue the lead. Instead, the paladin gathered some locals (ala the "Haunted One" feature) and led a raid on the sewers system. There, they found a lair belonging to a trio of oni who had been abducting people and children. They ruthlessly slayed them, and so the hero decided took up a career in monster-slaying, vowing the Oath.
So the only persistent feature I wish for is that the hero in question have some affiliation with Waterdeep, as a person who hunted either evil people or creatures professionally, and decided that he wasn't doing enough and swore the Oath. I enjoy the mechanical benefits of the "City Watch / Investigator" or "Urban Bounty Hunter", as they fit the class. I've considered merging the first backstory with the second one, and simply stating that he became a bounty hunter when he lost his position within the City Watch.
However, if anyone on these forums had an interesting backstory for an Oath of Vengeance paladin, I'm open to suggestions, as long as it centers on Waterdeep (our campaign is going there). Also, if any particular gods exist that are appropriate to a Vengeance Paladin (I know they're not required), please feel free to name them, as I lack knowledge of them.
Plus, it's fun to hear other peoples ideas.
Those are really good, I might use one with some adjustment nice job!!
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So, I'm going to try the Paladin class for the first time in a campaign, having lost a character recently and needing to replace him. Thankfully, it is early on, and 5th level.
Tentatively, I have selected the Oath of Vengeance, due to its emphasis on mobility and damage...I prefer the more nimble, dexterous warriors, such as rogues, monks, and even sword bards...and so it seemed like a good fit. Plus, the Oath Tenants are flexible enough that I can pursue enemies with a considerable mercilessness...but have enough restraint that I can still remain fairly neutral in alignment.
My problem is this...I've tinkered with several backstories, but am having trouble committing to an event significant enough that would lead him to become this slightly darker vigilante.
Here's some of my ideas:
1. (City Watch - Investigator) - He had a significant romantic relationship with a tiefling cleric of Lliira (basically the kindest, most innocent person imaginable). Due to tiefling prejudice, however, she was targeted and killed by a local gang in Waterdeep, and without substantial evidence, not much was done to bring them to justice. He took matters into his own hands, and hunted down the killers, and then the leaders of the gang, when they retaliated. He was dishonorably discharged from the City Watch for ignoring orders to stand down, and now drifts aimlessly as an adventurer, only finding solace in exterminating criminals and evil beings.
2. (Urban Bounty Hunter) - He was known as the best tracker and bounty hunter in Waterdeep, specifically for his indifference to the boundaries of the city's rigid social system. It didn't matter if you were a noble hiding behind your wealth & privilege...or a thief with a horde of assassins at your disposal. If you harmed the innocent, he would find you. Of course, this made him an enemy of nearly every powerful individual in Waterdeep...when things got too hot, he temporarily abandoned Waterdeep to seek out work in other places, lending his services as an adventurer.
3. (Haunted One) - when people started to go missing, and the local City Watch was unable to determine the cause, he ventured out on his own to find answers. He discovered a trail left by recent victims that led through the network of sewers beneath Waterdeep. Due to potential dangers and fact that the victims were likely already dead, the City Watch refused to commit forces to pursue the lead. Instead, the paladin gathered some locals (ala the "Haunted One" feature) and led a raid on the sewers system. There, they found a lair belonging to a trio of oni who had been abducting people and children. They ruthlessly slayed them, and so the hero decided took up a career in monster-slaying, vowing the Oath.
So the only persistent feature I wish for is that the hero in question have some affiliation with Waterdeep, as a person who hunted either evil people or creatures professionally, and decided that he wasn't doing enough and swore the Oath. I enjoy the mechanical benefits of the "City Watch / Investigator" or "Urban Bounty Hunter", as they fit the class. I've considered merging the first backstory with the second one, and simply stating that he became a bounty hunter when he lost his position within the City Watch.
However, if anyone on these forums had an interesting backstory for an Oath of Vengeance paladin, I'm open to suggestions, as long as it centers on Waterdeep (our campaign is going there). Also, if any particular gods exist that are appropriate to a Vengeance Paladin (I know they're not required), please feel free to name them, as I lack knowledge of them.
Plus, it's fun to hear other peoples ideas.
Personally....
I like the 1st one the best.
Personally, I would question the 2nd one like "were there no gloomstalkers, Masterminds, or inquisitors there?" The best tracker... hrm... "among the best" 100% cool with. but... I still like the story of 1 better.
Blank
2nd would need to be explained, if you are only 5th now, how did you compete with other bounty hunters, or survive the people you angered? clank clank goes the heavy armour stealth disadvantage.
I like 3 but combine it with one, and make him truly haunted. The oni he thought stole his lover led him to hunt them. It turned out she was one of them and he had sworn an oath to slay them. He kept his vow and broke his own heart. The people love him and fear for the harm he has done to himself
Mind if I use the City watch background for myself?
I think the story attached to City Watch is best. It seems to capture the tenets of the vengeance paladin best. I would add that, while he was expelled from the city watch officials, the majority of the watch admire him for what he did. They feel he did what he had to do to remove a threat. Could add some fun flavor to game play.
Lol, dude get creative with it. Paladin's don't need a god to gain their abilities, you make a solemn Oath and become the AVATAR of that Oath. Vengeance/Justice are 2 sides of the same coin. 2 Really good backgrounds for Paladin are Marine and Bounty Hunter. Marine gives you the ability to march for longer as well as proficiency in Land/Sea Vehicles(makes sense if you're from Water Deep) and gives you a good reason to make a powerful Oath of Vengeance. As either Marine or Bounty you could have been hunting pirates that were raiding ships and made an Oath of Vengeance to stop any you see. You want JUSTICE for their crimes of piracy/smuggling etc, but you'll settle for Vengeance.
And Vegenace Paladins CAN build Dex, but i 100% would not do that. You might as well just go Bow Fighter at that point or Arcane Archer, you'll get more out of it. Your primary stats are Str-Char-Con in that order, the other 3 don't matter. Pole-Arm Master, Great Weapon Master and Sentinel are all great picks for Vengeance as you want to be on the frontlines smiting and dealing as much damage as you can. Going Sword and Board is an option as well, take Fighting Style - Dueling for that +2 damage on your 1 Handed weapons and your sword on average does as much damage as a Great Weapon (minus the feat) and you get a +2 to AC that allows you to better frontline tank. On the flipside you could also just go Maul/Polearm take +1 AC fighting style and dish the damage. GWM makes them a bit more mobile as killing an enemy allows you to make an additional attack as a bonus action, but they are DEFINTELY not a dexy class.
Those are really good, I might use one with some adjustment nice job!!