Getting very close to starting my campaign as a Vengeance Paladin. I've got all the mechanics worked out and am down to the fluff. Unfortunately, it's this kind of thing I obsess about.
The character in question has been marked by Bahamut after a significant event that started him on his true path as a vengeance paladin. He has not taken an Oath (level 1) but has been impacted and set on his way. The mark Bahamut has left is a series of runes on either side of the characters head. They're kind of like tattoos but they glow a pale to bright blue when the character feels deep emotion or uses his divine powers.
Here's where I need some help. On one side the runes read "No mercy for the wicked". It is the other side I am trying to figure out. I had something there that I felt meh about. I was thinking something about the just or the righteous or even about protecting the innocent. Any ideas? I'm open to anything.
The concept here is Bahamut is a god of justice and sometimes justice requires extreme measures. Think of the character kind of like someone who only really goes after true evil, not bad people but evil people. People beyond saving that threaten to harm others who are innocent. In the character's backstory, the was a group of paladins dedicated to exactly this but they were wiped out in a battle with the Drow hundreds of years prior to the character being born. This campaign is homebrewed and the DM has hinted it will be a bit dark.
I put a lot of fluff into most of the backstories I come up with. Most times, 99% of it won't come out in game but it helps me to connect with the character and get into it. It's the really little details I like the most.
I definitely get the concept is a bit dark for Bahamut but I couldn't think of a better draconic god to use lol.
What if you can’t read the other side? It’s in a language you don’t know, or the runes keep shifting. Bahamut has a plan for you he hasn’t revealed yet. Leave it cryptic and up to the DM to fill in later.
Or some kind of memento of why he’s out for vengeance, the names of the people who he lost or who wronged him.
What if you can’t read the other side? It’s in a language you don’t know, or the runes keep shifting. Bahamut has a plan for you he hasn’t revealed yet. Leave it cryptic and up to the DM to fill in later.
Or some kind of memento of why he’s out for vengeance, the names of the people who he lost or who wronged him.
I really like that. I'll talk to the DM and see what he says.
Oddly, that was the very first version. No rest for the righteous/No mercy for the wicked. Campaign starts Friday and everything needs done by Thursday. I think I've totally settled on "Shield of Innocence" and "Hand of Justice". I like it because he is basically being labeled as such. Hand of justice speaks for itself and I like Shield of innocence because he is both trying to protect the innocent and be innocent as well. This keeps him from judging others. He is simply the hand.
I tried to use as many ideas from here as possible. I really appreciate all the feedback. All of it went into the process and I love where it ended up. Couldn't have gotten here without the input.
Getting very close to starting my campaign as a Vengeance Paladin. I've got all the mechanics worked out and am down to the fluff. Unfortunately, it's this kind of thing I obsess about.
The character in question has been marked by Bahamut after a significant event that started him on his true path as a vengeance paladin. He has not taken an Oath (level 1) but has been impacted and set on his way. The mark Bahamut has left is a series of runes on either side of the characters head. They're kind of like tattoos but they glow a pale to bright blue when the character feels deep emotion or uses his divine powers.
Here's where I need some help. On one side the runes read "No mercy for the wicked". It is the other side I am trying to figure out. I had something there that I felt meh about. I was thinking something about the just or the righteous or even about protecting the innocent. Any ideas? I'm open to anything.
The concept here is Bahamut is a god of justice and sometimes justice requires extreme measures. Think of the character kind of like someone who only really goes after true evil, not bad people but evil people. People beyond saving that threaten to harm others who are innocent. In the character's backstory, the was a group of paladins dedicated to exactly this but they were wiped out in a battle with the Drow hundreds of years prior to the character being born. This campaign is homebrewed and the DM has hinted it will be a bit dark.
I put a lot of fluff into most of the backstories I come up with. Most times, 99% of it won't come out in game but it helps me to connect with the character and get into it. It's the really little details I like the most.
I definitely get the concept is a bit dark for Bahamut but I couldn't think of a better draconic god to use lol.
What if you can’t read the other side? It’s in a language you don’t know, or the runes keep shifting. Bahamut has a plan for you he hasn’t revealed yet. Leave it cryptic and up to the DM to fill in later.
Or some kind of memento of why he’s out for vengeance, the names of the people who he lost or who wronged him.
I really like that. I'll talk to the DM and see what he says.
In the end I chose "Deliver protection to the innocent" and "Deliver justice to the wicked". Thanks for getting the creative juices flowing!
That's even better. This is perfect. Again, thank you!
I would suggest expanding the runes idea to become the oath you are expected to take when you reach your subclass.
I’d go with
”All you can drink coffee” and “Chili cheeseburger with. Fries, 1 cp”
But my god doesn’t really have paladins.
Is your god named Denny, Lord of late night dining?
How about "No rest for the righteous"?
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
Oddly, that was the very first version. No rest for the righteous/No mercy for the wicked. Campaign starts Friday and everything needs done by Thursday. I think I've totally settled on "Shield of Innocence" and "Hand of Justice". I like it because he is basically being labeled as such. Hand of justice speaks for itself and I like Shield of innocence because he is both trying to protect the innocent and be innocent as well. This keeps him from judging others. He is simply the hand.
I tried to use as many ideas from here as possible. I really appreciate all the feedback. All of it went into the process and I love where it ended up. Couldn't have gotten here without the input.