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| Crusader Of The People! |
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WHAT IS A PALADIN?
There are all of the statements regarding a paladins code of conduct, social behavior, and overall character.
(Bolded text is rules text, non-bold text is descriptive.)
compassion to pursue good
will to uphold law
power to defeat evil
purity and devotion
final hope that cannot be extinguished
demonstrate bravery
develop martial skills
learn tactics
find ways to do good
leading a mighty campaign against evil
help others
healing their wounds
curing diseases
destroy evil
smite evil foes
turn away undead
swear to follow a code of conduct that is in line with lawfulness and goodness
scrupulous in observing religious duties
appreciate working with anyone who is brave, honest, and committed to good
cannot abide evil acts by their companions
work with a variety of people quite different from themselves
charismatic
trustworthy
well respected
a fine leader
Code of Conduct Rules Text:
1. must be lawful good, loses all class abilities if willingly commits an evil act or grossly violates the code of conduct
2. respect legitimate authority
3. act with honor (not lying, not cheating, not using poison and so forth)
4. help those in need (with provisions)
5. punish those who harm or threaten innocents
Associates Rules Text:
1. may adventure with...any of good or neutral alignment
2. will never knowingly associate with evil characters nor continue an association with someone who consistently offends her moral code
3. may only accept henchmen, followers, or cohorts who are lawful good
Modern usage
In Early Modern England, the term palatinate, or county palatine, was also applied to counties of lords who could exercise powers normally reserved to the crown. Likewise, there were palatine provinces among the English colonies in North America
Present day
The official title has gone out of fashion, but the word "paladin" is still used to describe a benevolent, heroic champion, or the defender of a good cause.
The twelve paladins of Charlemagne are listed in the Old French Chanson de Roland as follows:
Roland, Charlemagne's nephew and the chief hero among the paladins,
Oliver, Roland's friend and strongest ally, and
G้rin, G้rier, B้rengier, Otton, Samson, Engelier, Ivon, Ivoire, Ans้is, Girard (similar spellings are possible).
The Italians Ariosto and Boiardo listed the paladins quite differently, but kept the number of twelve:
Orlando Roland, Charlemagne's nephew and the chief hero among the paladins.
Oliver rival to Roland
Ferumbras (Fierabras), the Saracen who became a Christian
Astolpho descended from Charles Martel and cousin to Orlando
Ogier the Dane
Ganelon the betrayer, who appears in Canto XXXII of the Inferno by Dante Alighieri
Rinaldo Renaud de Montauban
Malagigi Maugris, a sorcerer
Florismart friend to Orlando
Guy de Bourgogne
Namo (Naimon, Aymon, or Namus), Rinaldo's father
Otuel another converted Saracen
In medieval literature, the paladins or Twelve Peers were known in the Matter of France as the retainers of Charlemagne.
Based on this usage, the term can also refer to an honorable knight...
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