Legends of Belariath
Classes
Paladin
As much as the cleric is the Voice of their God/ess, the paladin is the enforcer, the justicar, the defender of his Deity and is driven by the consuming need to convert as many as he can to the folds of his God/ess by any means necessary. It may be by example, coercion and counseling, raping, or punishing, to the point of death, those that deny or openly oppose his chosen God/ess. While the paladin may be called into service in other areas, whether through the Temple or types of warfare (religious, spiritual, battlefield, etc.), there is always that prominent expression of faith that is the core of the paladin - everything else is secondary. They march through this life as if it were their own and it is but only after their chosen Deity. He or She must come first in all the Paladin does. How others perceive them is of no mind to the Paladin, however, only the God/ess they serve dictates what they do in the life they own.
Character Creation
Allowable Races: Cat Person, Chirot, Dark Elf, Drak Sen (bejeweled), High Elf, Merfolk, Sithian
Qualifying Classes: Cleric, Knight
Type of Class: Advanced Physical
Spell Spheres Allowed: Racial, Common
Armor: A B C D
Weapons: A B C D
Class Bonus Stats:
| STR | INT | AGI | RES | STA | SPL | LFE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus Stats | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Mindset:
As much as the cleric is the Voice of their God/ess, the paladin is the enforcer, the justicar, the defender of his Deity and is driven by the consuming need to convert as many as he can to the folds of his God/ess by any means necessary. It may be by example, coercion, and counseling, raping, or punishing, to the point of death, those that deny or openly oppose his chosen God/ess. While the paladin may be called into service in other areas, whether through the Temple or types of warfare (religious, spiritual, battlefield, etc.), there is always that prominent expression of faith that is the core of the paladin - everything else is secondary.
As a Divine Warrior his sole interest is in battling and defeating any opposition that hinders spreading the Word of His/Her Deity by any means deemed acceptable by his Ethos (his code of honor and sworn bond to his God/ess).
Due to the Divine bond of the paladin to his God/ess, he is gifted with abilities to aid him in his all consuming desire to serve; whether it be through sexual desires, nature or the path of a lone soldier. He harbors a nearly overwhelming drive to seek and follow a liege who sympathizes with his own beliefs and whom the paladin believes can guide them along their path of divine/spiritual growth and/or obsessions. Without this faith and this bond to the Divine, no abilities will manifest for these are what set aside this divine warrior from all others and enable him to be a powerful influence in making his God/ess' will known to all who will listen.
Concept:
An air of spiritual conviction and surety of purpose becomes apparent to any who come in contact with a paladin. They are a willing instrument of their deity to cut away any enemies like chaff from wheat - whether by sexual prowess or physical might in their attempts to sway or defeat the unbelievers.
Their ways and beliefs are as varied as the Gods and though spiritual in nature and unseen by mortal eyes, the Divine is just as powerful as any tool and becomes outwardly visible through the unwavering devotion a paladin shows through his/her actions.
The demeanor of a paladin is generally calm, firm, and sure, even in the deepest of holy (or unholy) rage, times of adversity or greatest of sexual passions. It is that which sets them apart from other warriors, for they are divinely and guided. Paladins are committed, unshakable, and unwavering in their spiritual battles to equalize or best the opposing powers that be.
Advantage:
Faith Affirmed
A Paladin looks to their Deity to guide their hand in battle and believes in providence, not chance. While some might see an opportunity to strike first as a bit of good luck, the Paladin sees it as a direct affirmation of their faith; the hand of their Deity turning fate in their favor. This inspires in the Paladin a zealot's ferocity, making them that much more deadly in the initial moments of combat.
Mechanics:
If the Paladin wins an !init roll, they receive +1 for each time Paladin is selected to all attacks for three full rounds.
Sense of Threat
Paladins spend their lives on the forefront in defending those of their faith from all forms of dangers. As such they have a heightened sense of where danger will come from and the intent of other characters. This will act as a 'lie hear spell' to those who are planning to harm the paladin or their faith.
Disadvantage:
Question of Faith
A Paladin looks to their Deity to guide their hand in battle and believes in providence, not chance. While failing to beat an opponent to the first strike might be seen as a bad bit of luck by most, for a Paladin it calls into question their Deity's approval, and can leave the Paladin struggling with the weight of divine ire, whether real or only imagined. This can hamper and distract the Paladin in the initial moments of combat.
Mechanics:
If a Paladin loses an !init roll, they receive -1 for each time Paladin is selected to all attacks for three full rounds.
May my faith be shield enough
The Paladin takes great pride in their faith, and are unwavering in its superiority. As an exemplar of the martial strength of the divine, they know that their God will provide for the faithful in the toughest of times, and brook no argument on that point. Thus they are highly reluctant and will frequently outright refuse to accept help from any outside their faith. Accepting the aid of heathens and profligates can feel to them like an admission they do not trust their God to bring them through what tribulations they might face, or worse, a concession that their God is not strong enough to provide for them.