New OOTS products from CafePress
New OOTS t-shirts, ornaments, mugs, bags, and more
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 30 of 84
  1. - Top - End - #1
    Barbarian in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2007

    Default 101 Atypical Paladins

    Everyone knows what the typical paladin is. But how to make them different?

    1) The Doctor. (Not that one!)

    This paladin doesn't smite evil, and nor does he wear plate mail. Instead, he wears a white coat. Years of experience in healing and high charisma allow him to manage a well-run and sophisticated (for the setting) hospital. His staff are motivated and incorruptible (he sees to that) and the result is the best hospital in the land.

    Where there is evil, there is harm, and when someone comes to hospital with bruises from being beaten by their partner, or with injuries from an evil monster, he will be the one to send help.

    2) The Master (Not that one, either)

    Clad in loose robes rather than armour, he is the sensei of a monastery, respected by a long succession of students who he has trained in ancient combat techniques. He rules his dojo according to the strictest principles of discipline, and he respects all authority if it has been earned - but no matter how much the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it.

    He and his followers often go wandering in the wider world, defending communities from evil and offering more humble labour and services to anyone truly in need.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Barbarian in the Playground
    Join Date
    Apr 2007

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    3) The Witch (stolen from the late, great Pratchett)

    She looks about as different to a typical paladin as can be. Wearing tattered black and a pointed hat, she lives semi-isolated from the village. People come to her for healing, wisdom... and judgement. She is ancient, with knowledge of local laws that even the stones of the land have forgotten -or so they say. She knows all the local families and their disputes and squabbles, and in these matters she is judge, jury and, very occasionally, executioner. But although she is feared, she is in no way evil - in fact, when she finds true evil in her people, it is swiftly put to an end. Her justice may be harsh, but it is absolutely fair.

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Lord Raziere's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Gender
    Male2Female

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    4) The Cynic
    This paladin is a grizzled old vet who while he keeps to his code no matter what, he has seen too much of the world to not have a cynical/pessimistic opinion of it. He will gripe about authority figures and politicians when they're not in earshot but will be perfectly polite when around them. He will do all the usual paladin stuff but always with some tired grumbling on the side and a notable lack of surprise when villains pull their tricks on him. He will make the effort, but he won't be shocked when it fails.

    5) The Bookish Newbie
    This paladin just got out of training and is wearing glasses. She wants to do her best to live up to the paladin ideal but is clearly green and unsure of herself. She has a shy, timid personality but also trying to live up to an ideal in an attempt to become more than that, seeing paladinhood as a form of righteous strength she needs to attain and is eager to prove herself. Knows a lot of facts and trivia.

    6) The Foreigner
    This paladin is from a far off land, with strange customs and a strange accent. For whatever reason they were inspired by the paladin ideal when they came here and learned all that they could. Now they are a paladin and offer a weird blend of paladin morality and cultural beliefs from their distant homeland, with sometimes odd interpretations of the paladin code.

    7) The Journalist
    Thoughtful, introspective type. Writes a lot of his experiences down and thinks carefully on how to apply his code. Constantly seen with a quill and book even when fighting evil. Has a witty sense of humor and sometimes writes satirical stories about misinterpretations of the paladin code and believes that a paladin should be able to laugh at themselves now and again to keep themselves humble.
    I'm also on discord as "raziere".


  4. - Top - End - #4
    Dwarf in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Alberta. Canada
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    8) The Worldly: This paladin has seen many things in his travels. While he aspires to his paladin code, and never loses sight of the goals set forth by his order, he knows that you must be somewhat flexible as the situation demands it. Joining temporary alliances with evil forces to combat a greater threat. Realizing that law must be tempered with the goals of justice and dignity, lest the law be twisted into slavery and oppression. Knowing that when a society falls to evil, you must fight the law of the land for the sake of the common man. Acknowledging when mistakes are made, and being committed to learning from those mistakes to become an example to all.
    Last edited by Madokar; 2016-07-19 at 03:51 PM.

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Troll in the Playground
    Join Date
    Mar 2015

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    9) The Dealer
    Walks among the darkest villains in the land, and will happily share a meal this them. This is someone who has decided to do what must be done. For the greater good is no excuse and they never miss-use the phrase. They will cross the law and get people hurt, but they come back to make amends. They deal with the worse of villains and managed to get the best behaviour out of them. The villains may laugh or scorn, but they can't help but respecting or fearing the one who will never waver or break. (Based off my favorite paladin-type character.)

    10) The Vigilantly
    Seeks adventure and when they find it, especially in the form of wrongs committed, they throw themselves on it. Probably resorts to violence more often (and joyfully) than they should, but they use carefully measured force to down their opponents. They are always willing to help, in big ways and in small, but as soon as the problem has been solved they will pack their bags and move on.

    11) The Rogue
    They shouldn't be a paladin, they don't want to be a paladin, the world doesn't want them to be a paladin... yet every time they hear about a problem they (often cursing) can't help but helping. They have an unusual set of skills, they can open locks and steal purses, but they choose their targets by who can afford to loose what is taken (or occasionally, deserves to).

    They are probably holding themselves down by staying to the straight and narrow in a live that demands a very twisted path, but those who know love them for it, and when the time comes will repay the favour in full.

    12) The Lawyer
    Taking the lawful part to the extreme, but to the end of making the law good. Fighting against those who would exploit loopholes or pass laws to their benefit and the loss of others. They will fight for new laws to protect the weak and tear at those that open the way for evil actions. They keep the guilty in jail and make sure the innocent walk free.

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    PaladinGuy

    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    East of the Rockies
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    13) The Warlord:

    A town is attacked in the middle of the night. Men and women clothed in steel broke down the gates subdue most of the guards, then kill the mayor- a man who was elected by the will of the people. In place of the towns democracy, a military dictatorship is set up.

    A blow to democracy? Sure. But a step towards justice.

    The mayor himself was a brutal demagogue. The men and women who elected him were little better. This town's equivalents of "trials" were little better than glorified lynchings- the will of the mob held sway. Justice- true justice- had no place in this town. Virtue was nearly nonexistant

    Until today.

    The Paladin executes the mayor then installs herself as the baroness of these lands. The government set in place now was not made by the people- but unlike the last government, it is actually for them. After all- people don't always know what is best. It is the job of the paladin to be a shining light in the darkness, and lead them towards good and law.

    14). The Woodland Scout

    This man would seem more like a ranger at first glace- leather armors, and a bow strapped on his back, traversing the woods on the back of a trusty horse. The man watches as you stumble through the underbrush and offers you a safe path through the forest. Basically a grown up boy scout, always able to offer a practical helping hand, in addition to being able to protect the innocent from evil with his trusty bow.

    Also expect him to give some advice about how to avoid getting into this situation again. It would be fairly easy to play a paladin of Erastil like this.

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Dwarf in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Alberta. Canada
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    That Woodland Scout sounds like he could be the Divine Hunter Archetype.

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    BardGuy

    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Texas
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    15. The Chef/Agrarian
    "You pray for the hungry, then you feed them". They have mastered the art of cooking, in devotion to the idea that no plant or animal taken for sustenance should be wasted. To honor the sacrifice of other lives, food must be an art. They demand the best in their kitchen, as the responsibility of taking life for food is a great one. They waste not, want not. They provide fish, but also teach others to fish, and how to use every part of the fish. They know that full bellies mean stable communities-good harvests and the responsible use thereof prevent bread riots.

    Food is the best medicine, but they can still use their hands to heal. The skills to clean an animal can perform first aid and even surgery if need be. The bow and arrow is a tool to provide food, but also fend off the monsters. The chef's knife has use in the kitchen and on the battlefield.
    Guides
    Monk dipping for pathfinder druids, a mini guide
    Trapped Under Ice-Geddy2112's guide to the Pathfinder Winter Witch
    I contributed to this awesome guide to chaotic good

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Titan in the Playground
     
    PersonMan's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Duitsland
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    16) The Hedonist

    "What do you mean, a Paladin can't do that? Show me in the Code where it says 'don't drink and don't enjoy the company of these lovely people in these lovely beds'. Trust me, you won't - my teachers never could, either."

    Rather than being the pious, strict no-fun type, the Hedonist happily indulges in what are often called vices, indistinguishable from the rest of the celebrants unless something goes wrong. They flawlessly perform their duties and never let pleasure go before business, but it's a close second.

    17) The Ruthless

    "No, you see, when the Code says 'respect legitimate authority', the key word is 'legitimate'. You aren't. Now, please return the sword your stomach has stolen from me."

    Loopholes, treachery, technicalities - the weaknesses of the servants of a strict code. Except for the Ruthless. They'll listen to the evil speech, shrug when the inevitable 'and you can do nothing about it without breaking your Code!' meets their ears, and put a sword through the offending body. If you ask them afterwards, you'll get a wonderful speech on the philosophy behind the meaning of legitimate authority, or the exact meaning of 'in need', or similar, but they see no need to bother explaining that to the enemy.

    18) The Rude

    "You - yes, you, the idiotic who managed to break his leg. How do you even do that? No, shut up, you might infect me with your stupidity. Hold still and let me heal you."

    Turns out, Good doesn't mean 'nice'. Nor does it mean 'basic manners', apparently. The Rude can be diplomatic when they need to, but just as often they don't see the need. They'll chew out anyone, for anything, while working their hardest to help. Often inspires a confused mixture of anger and gratefulness. It's hard to not be happy to have been saved from an untimely death, but the constant insults do sting...
    Last edited by PersonMan; 2016-07-20 at 11:12 AM.
    Not Person_Man, don't thank me for things he did.

    Old-to-New table converter. Also not made by me.

  10. - Top - End - #10
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Beholder

    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    KCMO metro area
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    19) The Jealous Hometown Hero

    The fight against evil requires constant vigilance - and this paladin is the one stuck maintaining it. When the Call to Heroism came, there were two answerers, and while one was made a knight errant adventurer, this wide-eyed, wistful young pup was the one saddled with Defender of the Local Chapel. They take their job seriously - no small-time demons, devils, or dead things will ever make it past them - but fighting off Busch Leaguers to keep the town safe doesn't look that impressive when the other guy comes home decked out in glowing gold armor with a literal halo and angels' wings. While they still have the heroic heart of a paladin, they take up their post every day secretly hoping that those "doomed hometowns" they've heard of aren't just made up by warlock edgelords.
    Last edited by quinron; 2016-07-20 at 03:37 PM.

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Eldritch Horror in the Playground Moderator
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    20) The Atoner

    The higher the pedestal, the harder the fall. This paladin fell very hard indeed, long ago, but a seed of light stayed dormant within them. Re-awoken to good, redeemed and restored by the willful sacrifice of another fellow paladin who could just as easily have chosen to destroy the corrupt monster who had once been their peer, there is no one alive who can match their zeal or determination to do good, or their willingness to seek good within the hearts of evil. After all, they know better than anyone that it is possible to turn away from darkness, and that you only get one second chance.

  12. - Top - End - #12
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    Kobold

    Join Date
    May 2009

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    21) The Inquisitor

    A paladin must defend the common people from all threats, foreign and domestic. One of the worst threats that can arise is that of internal discord.

    In the normal course of events, people will disagree and argue among themselves, and that's fine. But sometimes, an idea emerges that is dangerous. An idea that threatens the harmony between people and their neighbours, and their legitimate rulers, but simultaneously is persuasive enough to win over many people.

    Enter the Inquisitor. She is charged with identifying such errors and correcting them. She will meticulously examine the dissidents, identify precisely where they have gone wrong, and with infinite patience, explain to them the error of their ways and guide them back to truth. Most heretics, when they realise the magnitude and implications of what they have done, will tearfully recant and return to the fold; but some are too proud, too stubborn, or just plain wicked, and must be purged from the body of the commonwealth, by whatever means necessary.
    "None of us likes to be hated, none of us likes to be shunned. A natural result of these conditions is, that we consciously or unconsciously pay more attention to tuning our opinions to our neighbor’s pitch and preserving his approval than we do to examining the opinions searchingly and seeing to it that they are right and sound." - Mark Twain

  13. - Top - End - #13
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    22) The Spirit Champion

    This black steel and silver armored warrior stands as a paragon of dwarven virtue. His is the axe or hammer that fells the wicked and corrupt. His honor is unbreakable, like adamant. His compassion for the weak and helpless knows no bounds, just like his wrath towards the wicked. He is the champion of the righteous dead, for they give him his power. When he smites the corrupt he does so with the power and fury of millions of dwarven souls. When he heals the sick and injured it is by the grace and compassion of millions of dwarven souls.
    Last edited by Agrippa; 2016-07-20 at 06:11 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Mann View Post
    It's worse than the time some friends used a silver piece, a platinum piece, a delayed blast fireball and a scroll of passwall to make a nuclear explosion in a game...
    Quote Originally Posted by nagora View Post
    Chatter is usually a sign that it's time to break out the Lego pirates and start firing marbles at each other's ships instead of role playing. Some nights, we're just not in the mood!
    My fantasy/RPG blog A Voyage Into the Fantastic

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    BardGuy

    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Latveria
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    21) The masquerader.

    In public, the mask is up. He is every inch the paragon of valour, a fearless chivalric orator who can turn a rabble into a death or glory charge in minutes. He seeks out evil wherever it may, dispensing muscular justice tempered with divine mercy.

    But inside.... He hatesthis. Yes, the outcome of his facade is good, and surely lawful, most of the time. But people have always looked up to him, with his presence and easy good looks and way with words. And he sees what they see in him for what it is; a mere glamour. He would rather people did good and obeyed the law for the sake of good and the law, not from awe at his example. With those who know him in private, he is uncertain and self deprecating and even rather shy. But the mask is always ready at a moment's notice.

  15. - Top - End - #15
    Firbolg in the Playground
     
    Bohandas's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2016

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    22.) Less a crusader than a guy who makes prudent use of Resist energy to rescue people from burning buildings
    "If you want to understand biology don't think about vibrant throbbing gels and oozes, think about information technology" -Richard Dawkins

    Omegaupdate Forum

    WoTC Forums Archive + Indexing Projext

    PostImage, a free and sensible alternative to Photobucket

    Temple+ Modding Project for Atari's Temple of Elemental Evil

    Morrus' RPG Forum (EN World v2)

  16. - Top - End - #16
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    NovenFromTheSun's Avatar

    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Lakewood, Colorado
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    23. The Regreter

    Sometimes you just get swept up in a fit of idealism and dedicate your life to a cause without really thinking about it. This paladin considers his choice to become one foolish, but doesn't feel right leaving it until he completes one last mission.

  17. - Top - End - #17
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Red Fel's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2013

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    24. The Thug.

    She's not well-versed in theology. She's not a gifted orator or motivating person. She's not an inspiring presence or a comforting comrade. She's not warm, she's not fuzzy, and she's nobody's idea of a positive role model. She doesn't have a mind for strategy, a gift for words, a knowledge of the world, or skill with crafts.

    She breaks things. That's all she's good at. That's all she's ever been good at. She's really, really good at smashing.

    She'll never build a monument. She'll never cure a disease or write a book or compose a song. The only thing she's good at is hurting things, hurting people. And the only good she can do with this skill is to hurt the bad people, to stop them from hurting the good people.

    And maybe, just maybe, some good can come of her breaking things.
    My headache medicine has a little "Ex" inscribed on the pill. It's not a brand name; it's an indicator that it works inside an Anti-Magic Field.

    Blue text means sarcasm. Purple text means evil. White text is invisible.

    My signature got too big for its britches. So now it's over here!

  18. - Top - End - #18
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8HaQDRZDDk&t=2s (Sorry about the potato quality)

    26. The Retiree: This guy's had enough adventuring for one lifetime. He's overthrown villains, been backstabbed, tricked, even fell once or twice before atoning. Now, though? Now, he just sits in his home by the village, helping the younger generation find their place in the world, and healing injuries when he can.
    Just don't expect him to get off his lawn chair.

    27. The Diplomat: He doesn't set out to kill evil plotters, or rid the land of monsters; he just seeks to settle disputes before they turn bloody. If two nations become unfriendly, he's the one who drops by their respective capitols for a chat with the leaders. When he leaves, they each feel slightly foolish at thinking about a war in the first place.
    Last edited by Strigon; 2017-03-23 at 07:12 PM.
    That's all I can think of, at any rate.

    Quote Originally Posted by remetagross View Post
    All hail the mighty Strigon! One only has to ask, and one shall receive.

  19. - Top - End - #19
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Dragonexx's Avatar

    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Behind you!
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    28:
    Quote Originally Posted by Maxus
    Saint Iratus was a 8th-Century Paladin who gained divine recognition for his merciful defeat of the Kiron the Tyrant-King of Kroll. History tells us he had Dark King Kiron in a headlock, and was making passable progress towards unscrewing Kiron's head, while delivering a eloquent catolog of the Dark King's lifetime of sowing evil, hatred, and misery, and was screaming "REAP THE WHIRLWIND ****STAIN!" when Sharptooth, his barbarian companion, persuaded him to relent and spare Kiron's life. Kiron later reformed, and joined a monastery which had a vow of silence and also a prohibition against nodding or moving the head.

    For his great-hearted compassion and temperance, Iratus was visited by angels in his dreams, and went on a holy journey to Mount Celestia. There, he got permission to cut a golden oak from the high reaches, and fashioned the oak tree into a gorgeous, solid table.

    Then he carried the table on his back, to the court of a Balor and chokeslammed the Balor through the table. The table shattered and riddled the Balor with holy splinters. The battle went precipitously downhill for the Balor from there.

    Afterwards, Iratus gathered up the pieces, proclaiming he was going to "MAKE SOME ****ING SHIVS OUT OF THIS TABLE, BECAUSE THAT BALOR CAUGHT ON WHITE FIRE WHEN HE HIT THE WOOD AND I WANT TO SEE THAT **** AGAIN!"

    He made good on his word, whittling rough daggers and, one on occasion, a wooden sword, out of it, and legend tells that a whole table leg survived intact, and that this was wielded by Saint Iratus as a greatclub to terrific effect in later battles.

    After his eventual death, the mourners found his workroom was covered in splinters of the Golden Table, left behind as he whittled out weapons, and they gathered up the holy oak and kept them safe. Soon, Iratus's students and disciples formally declared themselves the Order of Saint Iratus, and the splinters were given out as recognition of great deeds. They also dedicated themselves to Iratus' philosophy of battle and life in general, which ran as such:

    1) PUT THAT ARMOR ON AND START RUNNING, YOU HAND****ERS. I SPREAD FLUFFY BUTTERY-SMOOTH GIRLY-MAN MUSCLE LIKE THAT ON MY TOAST FOR BREAKFAST!

    2) WHO THE **** SPENDS THEIR TIME PRACTICING THE NINE-CRESCENT WATER MOON STRIKE OF FLUFFY BUNNY BULL****? JUST BEAT THE **** OUT OF THEM! IT WORKS FOR ME!

    3) PRACTICE YOUR ****ING MAGIC, DIMCOCK! THAT **** IS ****ING AWESOME!

    4) BE COOL TO THE POOR, THE SICK, THE ELDERLY, AND THE LADIES! UNLESS THEY'RE EVIL, THEN KILL SOME OF THEM SO HARD EVERYONE ELSE STRAIGHTENS THEIR **** UP!

    As might be gathered, the Iratians pride themselves on their physical strength, and take direct approach to combat, augmented by choice spells and heavy armor; they often emulate Saint Iratus himself by focusing on grappling. They are also generous to the common man (and polite to the ladies/and or men), while being very vocal and demonstrative in their destruction of evil.

    Iratus was canonized after his miraculous appearance to a group of downhearted adventurers, who were ready to cease fighting against governmental corruption in a lawless city, some fifty years after his death. Records say he shouted at them for twenty minutes, in profanity that made some observing knackermen vomit, then marched the party to a local gang leader's office and kicked the gang leader in the testicles so hard they flew out his mouth, then gave some money to a street urchin for his sick grandmother and proclaimed "DO IT LIKE THAT ****ERS. IF THE LAWS ARE SERVING EVIL THEY'RE ****ING BAD LAWS AND YOU SHOULD KILL THEM TOO! DON'T MAKE ME COME BACK DOWN HERE AND REPEAT MYSELF." and disappeared while he ranted about the obviousness of his approach.
    I post this again.
    Pokemon Mystery Dungeon D20: A system designed for adventuring in a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon world.

    The Review/Analysis Thread: In-depth reviews of various games and RPG products.

    The New/Redone Monsters Thread: Taking bad or bland monsters and making them more interesting and challenging.

    Yu-Gi-Oh!: Realms of Myth: In the world of monsters, Winda and Wynn go on an "epic" journey to find the legendary Dark Magician.

    Keys to the Contract: A crossover between Madoka and Kingdom Hearts.

  20. - Top - End - #20
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Oct 2016

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    30 The Hermit. Leave me alone and let me meditate in peace. I need tme to write my profound thesis on the nature but of ... [SMITE!]. Now will you evil doers leave me alone?

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    WhiteWizardGirl

    Join Date
    Feb 2013

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    31. The Jaguar Warrior

    Souls feed the gods. Gods keep the universe running. Universe running means everyone stays alive. What greater good is there than that? Go out there and catch a few goblins to rip out their hearts.

  22. - Top - End - #22
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Red Fel's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2013

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonexx View Post
    28:
    I post this again.
    This had the effect of a particularly potent Smite Evil on me, because it darn near killed me laughing. Take my applause with dignity.

    29. The Legend. We skipped a number, folks.

    You weren't entirely sure who this old guy was when he first joined you. He seemed competent enough and friendly enough, so you saw no problem with him traveling alongside you. It wasn't until you saw him handle steel in a fight that you started to think about who he might be.

    That's impossible, you though. Nobody has seen him in years! Plenty of stories abounded about what happened after his last great fight, decades ago. His enemies fell on him in hordes, and he carved through them by the thousands before he breathed his last. He exploded in a burst of white light and ascended physically to the heavens, flowers blooming on the battlefield in his wake. He was betrayed by his own allies, and fled into a life of seclusion. Nobody knows what really happened.

    But there is no mistaking it. It's him. He's real, and he's here, with you. He seems surprisingly down to earth about the whole matter. Although there are some things he won't discuss, he doesn't seem consumed with angst or regret, nor overflowing with confidence and boisterousness. He's just... A person. A real person. Kind, and open, and helpful, if showing his age a bit.

    The one thing that strikes you is how he talks about his past. "That person," he says, "Isn't who I am anymore. He was the legend. But he belongs in the past. Me? I'm just another ordinary do-gooder. And I want to meet today's legends." And they call him Thunder God Cid.
    My headache medicine has a little "Ex" inscribed on the pill. It's not a brand name; it's an indicator that it works inside an Anti-Magic Field.

    Blue text means sarcasm. Purple text means evil. White text is invisible.

    My signature got too big for its britches. So now it's over here!

  23. - Top - End - #23
    Orc in the Playground
     
    MindFlayer

    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    32. The Capitalist

    Elsewhere in the world, there are people under communist regimes, people without access to good deals or free market. Go help them!

    Inspired by this: https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/com...te_capitalist/
    33. The communist

    Elsewhere in the world, the proletariat struggle under the bourgeois! Go help them!

  24. - Top - End - #24
    Dwarf in the Playground
    Join Date
    Jun 2007

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    34. The Godless ("I'm not in this for your religion.")

    This fellow isn't an outright atheist, he just separates god from portfolio and thinks that you shouldn't need to be sworn to a god to know how to strive for lawful good. He may have powers granted by an unknown patron for unknown reasons, by a cynical or amused god, or none at all, but he does his best to serve, fight and heal and is genuine in his desire to promote the common welfare. He doesn't evangelize either, though he may lecture on doing right because it's right, not because a god tells you to. "Hands that help are better than lips that pray."

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Mar 2013

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    35. The Principled Mercenary

    Has sword, will travel. Law and Goodness are important, but even a paladin's got to get paid, and un-looted dungeons are a bit thin on the ground these days. If you're under Evil's thumb and can offer some coin, he'll be there to help. Often ends up waiving his fees for clients in desperate straits, which leaves him well-loved but much less financially successful than he'd like. Do not mistake his desire to get paid for willingness to sell out his principles, however. Think carefully before offering him a job with the bad guys, especially under false pretenses. It never ends well.

  26. - Top - End - #26
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    Quote Originally Posted by JenBurdoo View Post
    34. The Godless ("I'm not in this for your religion.")

    This fellow isn't an outright atheist, he just separates god from portfolio and thinks that you shouldn't need to be sworn to a god to know how to strive for lawful good. He may have powers granted by an unknown patron for unknown reasons, by a cynical or amused god, or none at all, but he does his best to serve, fight and heal and is genuine in his desire to promote the common welfare. He doesn't evangelize either, though he may lecture on doing right because it's right, not because a god tells you to. "Hands that help are better than lips that pray."
    Basically Sanya from the Dresden Files. He's not called a paladin, but he literally wields a holy sword with one of the nails from the cross (yes, that cross) forged into the hilt, has dealt with and fought all sorts of supernatural beings, and literally spoken with angels... yet remains an agnostic. After all, he could be mad. He could be hallucinating. They could exist but not really be divine. He insists that he can't know for sure.


    35. The Knight in Shadow - This paladin operates in darkness. Rather than being a shining beacon of hope for all to see, he instead is the quiet whisper of justice that you hear over your shoulder at night. He is out there taking back the night from the evil forces that use darkness and shadow to conceal their crimes and misdeeds. Those that haunt the dark alleyways and unlit forest paths, looking to prey on the innocent and unwary, must in turn look over their own shoulders and quake with fear, lest the Knight in Shadow catch them unaware.

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Bugbear in the Playground
    Join Date
    Oct 2016

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    36. The most evil man in the world.
    After a long career of evildoing he came face to face with the fiends of hell who claim his soul. He escapes with his life intact by making a deal with a LG diety, but if he commits one more evil act his soul will go straight to hell. Deciding he doesn't want to spend eternity in hell he sets out to do sufficient good deeds to save his soul.
    But he is still intrinsically evil. Casting detect evil on him will cause him to light up like a Christmas Tree. He cannot use LG aligned weapons/equipment, he can use evil aligned equipment freely.
    He is well known an feared as the most evil man in the worldand everyone treats him as that.

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Pixie in the Playground
    Join Date
    Mar 2017

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    37. The Cowboy Captain

    With either an airship, sailing vessel, or (preferably) a spelljammer in his possession, this Paladin has a devoted (but probably not devout) crew that adventure with him. The goal of the journey for the captain is a long one; he could be soul searching as he struggles with his faith, or he could be looking for the holy grail, or simply wandering the land looking for rights to wrong on a sort of a private crusade. He stays nowhere long, half because trouble tends to find him and his crew, and half because he has to get on with his quest.

    So basically Malcolm Reynolds with Lay on Hands and Turn Undead.

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Banned
     
    Anderlith's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jun 2011

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    Hedge Knight
    (Budda with a Broadsword)

    He was a noble, saw how corrupt they had become, he didn't want to end up like that, his honest heart failing, his honor tarnished. He wanted to help, but the upper crust always suspect alterior motives. They never truly believe a man's word is bond. So he walked away, taking nothing but a horse, a sword, & his grandfathers armor. He spent the next few nights in an alleyway or under a hedge, & it wasn't long before he found someone in need. He dutifully serves the people, he never comprimises, he never makes the hard choice, he forces honesty on villians, & kindness on tyrants. Sure some say his ways are naieve but he is quick, crafty, &strong he has has a will harder than adamantine. He's yet to fail. Every village he helps, every lord he advises, asks him to stay. They try to buy him, reward him, they try to give him titles & land & women, but he politely refuses all. He never takes more than a few days rations & some minor items & supplies. Someday people may change, all oaths upheld, men will be loyal, & lords just, but until then there is a single man travelling, & leading by example.

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Dwarf in the Playground
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Seattle
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: 101 Atypical Paladins

    Quote Originally Posted by Dragonexx View Post
    28:
    I post this again.
    *snrk* -That- was amazing.



    39. The Twist


    He was old, uncouth. His hair, an unwashed mess. His face, an untrimmed tangle. His breath, well, it smelled of onions more than vaguely. There was no denying his skill with a blade. His teamwork though... He was the type of madman who would rush forward, no matter the odds. When discretion was called for, it only brought biting mockery. Gods, did he have a sharp tongue. "Coward", "Weak Willed", "Pansy", "Elf-like", always a name to call us. Cruel words, whenever our bravery wasn't up to his expectations. Violence was all he seemed to know; when a companion fell, he would hover over the poor soul, and with one mighty blow to the face, demand they rise and fight once more. Slaps and more mockery for any too injured to carry on the battle.
    It wasn't until we came across a village, their youngest daughters all taken by evil men, that we discovered the truth in front of us all along. By the time we were ready to set off after the villains, his hair was washed and combed back, his face was clean shaven. He had never called upon his God before that day. Never proselytized for his faith. He never had to, to be the Paladin we needed. Every insult, merely the aura of his courage washing down on us. Every slap, a healing hand.
    I never counted myself much a believer, til that moment. But now, I understand, that Gods act in mysterious ways.


    Completely and shamelessly stolen from an old, semi-famous tumblr account.
    Last edited by Dappershire; 2017-03-25 at 03:01 AM.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •