From: davis@cwis.unomaha.edu (James J Davis)
Subject: Re: Paladins
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 09:06:34 GMT

OK, this may not be the 'best' paladin in the world, but I find the
way I've played Brynhild more interesting than any of the would be
paladins you complained about.

First, I don't believe in the perfect paladin.  Like all other people,
they are just human (meaning, just a person, not just a <game mechanic>).
They are driven individuals, but like all others, they have thier times
of failing.  Activity that is not quite 'lawful' can make them all the
more believable.  I don't find perfect Paladins exciting.

But, at the same time, they are good and true.  They have noble hearts
and intentions.  Thier deeds are likely to be sung for generations....

Brynhild's story is not one of easy paladinhood.  She was trained by a
wandering warrior of Forseti, the peacemaker.  She had strong feelings
for the diety, and meeting this man made her feel close to her god.  She
readily accepted his training.  He gave it to her knowing she was far
from perfect, but had potential to become an inspired figure.

She prayed and meditated every morning, asking Forseti for guidance in
her mission of peace and justice.  However, she would lapse every now and
then and do something, well, stupid.

One time, the cleric of Apollo had decided that he needed to rid his city
of crime.  (Truth: the player, a rather poor player, was *very* close to
his next level and he was xp mongering...)  He talked to the various
members of the group, and managed to convince Brynhild of his lofty 
aspirations.  Brynhild should have readily considered the fact that this
town was far from un-lawful, and that the town-guard was well established
already.  There were laws against using weapons in the way the cleric of
Apollo was intending.  However, she had managed to convince herself that
she was not only furthering good, but protecting the cleric, who would
probably go without her if she didn't lend a hand and get himself killed.

The plan was simple.  She was to dress in revealing clothing (which the
cleric supplied, in her size too, which didn't strike her funny at the
time) and tromp along, trying to get attacked one way or another.  The
cleric would come in and we would apprehend the poor-sop 0-level thief
or whatever it was.  Good idea, sure.  After a couple of interesting
encounters (Brynhild was offered drugs and prostitution) she eventually
came upon a poor man being beat to death in an alley by a thug.  We fight,
he is defeated.

Brynhild happily delivers him to the authorities, who are a bit upset.
Realizing what she's done, and how she had no right to do it, she is soon
pushed into the process of doing pennance for breaking the good law of 
the land (it involved cooking the town guard's food for two weeks, as I
recall.)

No, it's not a story of how she's terrible.  If she did anything outright
evil, she would no longer be a paladin, of course.  But her little failings
in judgement (there were several of these) caused her trial and tribulation
with her internal self, helping make her an interesting character to play.

-james
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd