I am soon going to be running a one on one campaign with a friend. They are starting as a level one rogue, and I will be giving them sidekicks. The story is there is a large kingdom that has grown large and successful due to the holy army of the church. There is one paladin in specific that is incredibly powerful, smart, and a great leader who would sacrifice himself before his men. Overall great person. Then randomly the town will be attacked and the great paladin will go missing, so my player will venture to try and find who kidnapped him. Along the way many other places will have been attacked or magical events tied to some type of evil. Once the player find the paladin it is turned out that he broke his oath on accident to save a soldier, but some evil force, was thinking an evil god or some strong devil maybe, used the chance to take control. Im just wondering what could have taken control, and also whatever else would be fun to add. Anything that could also make the story more interesting would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not sure I fully understand what you are specifically asking...
As you are the one that developed this storyline, what do you mean by "what could have taken control"? Are you thinking that something used a spell, or potion, or other means, or is that what you are looking for?
You might have more success in getting responses if you posted in the Story & Lore Forum.
Cheers!
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Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty. Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers; Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas. Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
<snip> Once the player find the paladin it is turned out that he broke his oath on accident to save a soldier, but some evil force, was thinking an evil god or some strong devil maybe, used the chance to take control. Im just wondering what could have taken control, <snip>
Not knowing what deities you're using I'll put a trio of devils out there:
Asmodeus: Asmodeus represents the antithesis of paladin ideals, embodying cruelty, manipulation, and a desire for absolute control, making him a fitting patron or full controller for a paladin who has betrayed their oath.
Mephistopheles: He is a particularly cunning and manipulative devil, which can be good if you want to weave more deception and playing the long-game strategy to achieve their goals into the story (not that Asmodeus doesn't also have patience to see his plans come to fruition).
Zariel: Zariel is a fallen angel from the Nine Hells, which seems to directly connect to the idea of a paladin who has fallen from grace and shifted to the "dark side". She might see a chance through this great paladin to re-insert herself into the affairs of the mortal world, maybe using the paladin as a way to shunt troops/souls toward her in the endless Blood War against the demons, or perhaps pursuing some long-abandoned goal she had in the paladin's world.
You’re the DM, so of course anything goes. But typically, a paladin breaking their oath accidentally wouldn’t necessarily make them turn evil or become an oathbreaker. And certainly not doing it accidentally to save someone else. I’d re-write that to him declaring the oath was holding him back from goal, and he chose to break it to further that goal. Probably he’s convinced himself it’s a noble goal, even if it’s not. Or he’s been tricked by one of the folks Allurian mentioned.
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I am soon going to be running a one on one campaign with a friend. They are starting as a level one rogue, and I will be giving them sidekicks. The story is there is a large kingdom that has grown large and successful due to the holy army of the church. There is one paladin in specific that is incredibly powerful, smart, and a great leader who would sacrifice himself before his men. Overall great person. Then randomly the town will be attacked and the great paladin will go missing, so my player will venture to try and find who kidnapped him. Along the way many other places will have been attacked or magical events tied to some type of evil. Once the player find the paladin it is turned out that he broke his oath on accident to save a soldier, but some evil force, was thinking an evil god or some strong devil maybe, used the chance to take control. Im just wondering what could have taken control, and also whatever else would be fun to add. Anything that could also make the story more interesting would be greatly appreciated.
Greetings Bellion_Whiskmore,
I'm not sure I fully understand what you are specifically asking...
As you are the one that developed this storyline, what do you mean by "what could have taken control"?
Are you thinking that something used a spell, or potion, or other means, or is that what you are looking for?
You might have more success in getting responses if you posted in the Story & Lore Forum.
Cheers!
Breathe, dragons; sing of the First World, forged out of chaos and painted with beauty.
Sing of Bahamut, the Platinum, molding the shape of the mountains and rivers;
Sing too of Chromatic Tiamat, painting all over the infinite canvas.
Partnered, they woke in the darkness; partnered, they labored in acts of creation.
Not knowing what deities you're using I'll put a trio of devils out there:
Asmodeus: Asmodeus represents the antithesis of paladin ideals, embodying cruelty, manipulation, and a desire for absolute control, making him a fitting patron or full controller for a paladin who has betrayed their oath.
Mephistopheles: He is a particularly cunning and manipulative devil, which can be good if you want to weave more deception and playing the long-game strategy to achieve their goals into the story (not that Asmodeus doesn't also have patience to see his plans come to fruition).
Zariel: Zariel is a fallen angel from the Nine Hells, which seems to directly connect to the idea of a paladin who has fallen from grace and shifted to the "dark side". She might see a chance through this great paladin to re-insert herself into the affairs of the mortal world, maybe using the paladin as a way to shunt troops/souls toward her in the endless Blood War against the demons, or perhaps pursuing some long-abandoned goal she had in the paladin's world.
You’re the DM, so of course anything goes. But typically, a paladin breaking their oath accidentally wouldn’t necessarily make them turn evil or become an oathbreaker. And certainly not doing it accidentally to save someone else.
I’d re-write that to him declaring the oath was holding him back from goal, and he chose to break it to further that goal. Probably he’s convinced himself it’s a noble goal, even if it’s not. Or he’s been tricked by one of the folks Allurian mentioned.