101 Atypical Paladins

[Kami2awa]

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.

[Kami2awa]

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.

[Lord Raziere]

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.

[Madokar]

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.

[Cluedrew]

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.

[Michael7123]

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.

[Madokar]

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

[Geddy2112]

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.

[PersonMan]

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...

[quinron]

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.

[The Glyphstone]

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.

[veti]

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.

[Agrippa]

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.

[Mister Tom]

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.

[Bohandas]

22.) Less a crusader than a guy who makes prudent use of Resist energy to rescue people from burning buildings

[NovenFromTheSun]

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.

[Red Fel]

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.

[Strigon]

25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8HaQDRZDDk&t=2s (The Uncle) (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.

[Dragonexx]

28:
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.

[Pauly]

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?

[TripleD]

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.

[Red Fel]

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.

[Squiddish]

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/comments/5qkxf8/oath_of_the_crown_as_the_ultimate_capitalist/
33. The communist

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

[JenBurdoo]

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."

[TheIronGolem]

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.

[Velaryon]

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 (http://dresdenfiles.wikia.com/wiki/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.

[Pauly]

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.

[Yes_Thieves_Can]

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. :smallbiggrin:

[Anderlith]

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.

[Dappershire]

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.

[wumpus]

40. The sewer paladin.

He lives in the gutter and dresses like a beggar. He helps and protects the most humble and trod upon. Woe be upon those who would hurt or steal from those so low, for they might find this hero in their path. Often bearing a holy sword that usually takes the form of a humble knife or club, he is the hope for all so low whether he needs to uncloak for his full abilities or not.


This is one I'd love to subvert (mostly the nobility, although in practice that might be required). All the publicly known orders of Paladin are noble. There is another one, the Order of Pelar (aka the sewer paladins). They protect urchins, beggars, and other types often trampled by "real paladins" while going from palace to palace.

While the thieve's guild may know and fear this group, your typically up and coming paladin has never heard them. This is typically encouraged by senior paladins so when one of the new paladins eventually exhibits the Sin of Pride (pretty inevitable and likely develops along with the stick), they take him into the sewers...

"Be on your guard (draws sword)".
[they rush into a room with a surprisingly hale man in the center]
[then crash on their knees, sword in traditional offering pose... "master, we have come..."]

At this point, the paladin learns the rest of the story. All orders defer to the Order of Pelar, and their master is effectively "lord of all paladins" (the crashing on the knees annoys him greatly, and this little ceremony is partly the other orders' jealousy of Pelor's favor). Other bits of the story include how each order tends to have a nasty fallen blackguard in living memory, the High Priest of Pelar is OoP's "fallen paladin", he followed Pelar so closely he is now Neutral Good (he literally "fell up").

[Crisis21]

I can't believe no one's thought of this yet.

41. The Cop

Dedicated to upholding law and order and serving the public good, he uses his intellect (*gasp* an intelligent paladin?! What madness is this?) to investigate wrongdoing and bring justice to those who seek to escape it through misdirection and subterfuge. Often dealing directly with some of the worst the world has to offer, he has learned that compromise is not only sometimes necessary, it can occasionally be the best path to true justice. He knows how to bend on the letter of his oaths in order to better uphold their spirit. He would rather seek atonement for doing what is necessary at the time than permit the wicked to run free (and depending on how he is played, may in fact do this often).

For better thematics, his holy symbol is a small intricate polished talisman in the shape of a shield carried in a folding leather pouch.

[Christopher K.]

42. The Last
The Last finally noticed that his order had dwindled to and order of one. Not through cataclysm, but through slow attrition. In a world which has forgotten his ways, the Last strives to be the final example of what it truly means to undergo his oath, and hopes that his actions may one day inspire someone new to take up the mantle.

43. The Charlatan
A long time ago, the Charlatan was an actor in a theater troupe who dressed as a Paladin. It started innocently enough - someone offered him a free drink, mistaking him for a true Paladin. Over time he started to take advantage of this - dressing the part, fighting for "justice" when he stood to gain a profit, and gathering fame. He's learned a bunch of tricks to make himself look like a legendary crusader - flash paper and a light sword look like divine strikes, some potent magical medicine in a needle on his palm makes him seem to heal with a touch. One day, though, the Charlatan was visited by the deity he was pretending to serve, and given a divine mission. He's not qualified, but he has little choice in the matter now.

[Lord Raziere]

44. The Exile
He walks the earth, cast out. People hate him, for years ago he stayed his hand against an orc and allowed him to go free, he is called "Orc-Lover", "Weak" "Soft" and distrusted for not being able to kill this threat to civilization. He bears it all, knowing that there is a orc tribe out there who because of his action no longer raids any human villages and walks in peace with others. Thus he is an exile, forever still doing the best he can assess and defend people from orcs even kill them, but if he finds a truly good orc, he will let them go free no matter how much people hate and cast him out for it.

[DuctTapeKatar]

The Graceless

Ah. My arch-enemy. Stairs.

Paladins are paragons of good, grace and virtue. This one is just of good and virtue. He is about as graceful as a fish out of water--he trips down stairs, cannot mount his horse without falling down several times, constantly trips (occasionally into the bosom of a woman, who then slaps him repeatedly), and the universe seems to made him into a joke. However, despite them being about as clumsy as a cat swimming through lemon juice after being neutered, he is a paladin. The It's honestly a wonder that he hasn't impaled himself with his spear yet...

The Masochist

If you're a noble, you should act like one, with a vulgar grin on your face at all times! What exactly is that pure, focused gaze of his?! I want something more...

They shove themselves into combat, blocking the blows of their enemies! After the battle, when everyone begins to congratulate their protector, they see the paladin... blushing? Drooling? The lusty glaze over their eyes doesn't fade until after the thrill of battle ends, but when the mix of adrenaline begins to exit their system. When talking with sentient monsters, this paladin does nothing but ramble about how much of a horrible fate it must be to be captured by the foe, while salivating. This paladin, despite being just and kind, has very deviant tastes. They follow everything in the code to a T, an then follows it up with near-suicidal acts of throwing themselves toward the thing with the most tentacles or the enemy who looks the most voracious. This makes both sides feel uncomfortable.

[King539]

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.

Oooohhh... I may have my next character concept.

[Kami2awa]

47. The Devil

He's a half fiend, and while he's definitely Lawful Good, written into his DNA is the code of his devil father, one of those tasked with tormenting the evil souls in the Nine Hells. Now, on the material plane, he intends to bring punishment to those who truly deserve it.

[BWR]

48. The Hardhead.
He's an ogre, a race not known for their brains or vibrant personalities. He's as big and ugly as they come and raised as poorly as any other of his kind. A chance encounter with an elf paladin showed him a better life. But he was not content to make only himself better; he envisioned a better future for all the traditionally evil humanoid races. It would not be easy, it would not be pretty, it would be working against millennia of entrenched hatred and culture on both sides.

No one ever said that doing the right thing would be easy.

So he speaks in the language that his fellow 'monsters' understand: force.
He tells them to be good, to stop raiding and killing the 'good' races. Then he threatens when they challenge him. When they attack he dishes out beatings and puts himself in charge.
When the 'good' races come to stamp out the evil he asks them politely to go away and let him try to fix things. Then he beats them up and sends them on their way when they don't listen.
When diplomacy and example don't work, he forces people to act good in hopes that they, or at least their children, will think good later.

He has only a small valley to work with, any more would be beyond his abilities. He hates having to use force where reason should work, but you work with what you have, not what you wish you had. He knows the chances of success are minuscule. He knows he will probably die in the attempt. He knows the job will be left unfinished no matter what his fate.
That is the life of a paladin.

(this is the cohort of a PC in a game I run)

[wumpus]

I can't believe no one's thought of this yet.

41. The Cop
...

Isn't this [various ranks] Carrot of Anhk-Moorpork's Night Watch? Vimes might be a better example (of "the cop"), but he is an agent of Law first, and basically good. Carrot is an agent of good who happens to be a cop.

[Prince Zahn]

I'm digging this thread :smallcool:49. The Haunted.

No stranger to the horrors of war, he has seen such cruel things happen to good people that you could never fathom if you weren't there. All the friends he grew up with have fallen, their cause of death - chivalry, honor, pride.

This noble knight, now older and wiser, still fights the good fight, but the shadows of the past still haunt him. He goes to his temple for solace, but even faith has its limits, he has scars he knows that no divine spell can cure, he's learned since the war that you won't grow old if you don't learn new tricks, gain new friends, yet he still can't completely forsake his faith, and his traditions. The Haunted paladin fights a constant struggle between PTSD, and the core ideals and beliefs that give him a reason to live, and something to fight for.

[Crisis21]

Isn't this [various ranks] Carrot of Anhk-Moorpork's Night Watch? Vimes might be a better example (of "the cop"), but he is an agent of Law first, and basically good. Carrot is an agent of good who happens to be a cop.

Who and who? Never heard of them. I think my inspiration may have come more from various cop shows like NCIS. Though it could probably be played either way.

[Spore]

50. The tactician:

He has noticed a large quantity of demons and kabbalists threatening his homeland. He has recognized that his mundane combat styl gets largely ignored. Thus he decided to become a champion of good. Not because it is righteous. Not because it is the right thing to do (you don't need holy powers to do the right thing). And certainly not because he was chosen. He just decided he is the right guy for the job and needs the specific advantage over the forces of evil.

[Crisis21]

51. The Damned

He bartered his soul to a fiend. Not for money. Not for power. Not for fame, or any other worldly desire. No, he bartered his soul to gain the freedom of other souls. He lives his life knowing that the moment he dies, he is bound straight for the torment of the lower planes, but he has no regrets. He'd do it again if presented the same choice. His future suffering has earned the freedom of others who deserved to have it. His damnation is set, and registers as him being Evil to all who can sense it, but he continues to do only Good deeds. No matter the cost, or the danger. No matter that he may end up in eternal torment all the sooner. It is the path he has chosen, and the price he has paid to walk it.

[Prince Zahn]

51. The Damned

He bartered his soul to a fiend. Not for money. Not for power. Not for fame, or any other worldly desire. No, he bartered his soul to gain the freedom of other souls. He lives his life knowing that the moment he dies, he is bound straight for the torment of the lower planes, but he has no regrets. He'd do it again if presented the same choice. His future suffering has earned the freedom of others who deserved to have it. His damnation is set, and registers as him being Evil to all who can sense it, but he continues to do only Good deeds. No matter the cost, or the danger. No matter that he may end up in eternal torment all the sooner. It is the path he has chosen, and the price he has paid to walk it.

I really like this character concept :smallsmile: this might just be my next Paladin.

[Telonius]

52. The Choir Boy. In between sparring with Brother McFinnegan, polishing his armor, and fighting the hordes of evil, he's actually a pretty good singer. (He took Martial Study to get Perform on his class list). Eventually he's hoping to be made choir director. He particularly enjoys helping out students with stage fright. Nothing like Aura of Courage to chase away the jitters.

53. The Genealogist. He's taken his interest in Nobility and Royalty to a bit of an extreme. It's his pet theory that everyone in the world is somehow descended from royalty, and believes that if everyone were to realize the full import of this, and live up to their truly noble heritage, the world would be a better place. Any possible drop of royal blood, however tenuous or illegitimate, is fair game to his interest.

[Mando Knight]

54. The Assassin

The worst of evils cannot always be destroyed on the field of battle in honorable combat. Sometimes, their end must be wrought by a knife in the throat when least expected. More than a mere defender of the night, the Assassin specializes in infiltration and stealth to ensure the long arm of the law brings (lethal) justice even to the "untouchable".

[Crisis21]

55. The Revolutionary - She strongly believes that the laws of the land exist to bring peace and prosperity to the people and allow them to lead happy, productive, and Good lives. The problem is... the laws of this land do anything but. These laws oppress, divide, and bring nothing but suffering to the people while those in power revel in the riches they gain and the pain they inflict. These are not the laws she swore to uphold. These are not the laws her faith would have her defend. These laws have to go.

[iceman10058]

56. The Disenchanted: He has slain dragons, saved the world from demonic hordes, and held back the forces of undead countless times, and does so gladly. At least then you can clearly see who the enemy is and who isnt. Paladins are warriors without fear he hears them say, but you know that to be a falsehood. you scream in terror in your sleep most nights, seeing the ones you couldnt save, the faces of those you have failed, and the corupt rulers you are sworn to that you wish you could deal with as easily as that lich last week, but know that even if you were to cut them all down, more of the same would replace them, and fear that no matter what you do, even if you had an eternity, you cannot make the work a better place.

[Archpaladin Zousha]

Who and who? Never heard of them. I think my inspiration may have come more from various cop shows like NCIS. Though it could probably be played either way.
Colonel Sam Vimes and Carrot Ironfoundersson, from Sir Terry Pratchett's popular Discworld series. One's a chain-smoking hard-drinking cynic stubbornly dedicated to doing the right thing, and the other's a human raised by dwarves who is so naive he'll attempt to arrest a dragon and so strong he'll actually survive said attempt. They fight crime, obviously.

And to keep the thread moving along:

57. The Tribal Champion - Dressed in leathers and furs, tattoos or warpaint adorning his face and a large crude sword on his back, he looks like the ideal of the barbarian, until his sword shines with the light of the stars and he charges towards the demon not screaming a battle cry, but glowering in grim determination. He has been blessed by the shamans of his people to defend the land and all who live upon it, and strike down those who would defile either. And given how much evil flourishes beneath the underbelly of the so-called "civilized world," is it any wonder he has come out of the wilderness now?

[ElChad]

58. The Backwater

Coming from the simple country folk of the swamps, this simple, naïve but friendly Paladin travels his homeland to fight evil and help those in need. Armed with a fishing harpoon and a wooden shield, he is able to fight off the pesky boggarts and fiends that dwell in the mires nearby. He wears rusted armor that floated down the great river that ends in his lands, and a tabard of his deity sewn by his mama. He yearns to prove that fancy book learning and formal training do not make one a paladin; it is the devotion and dedication to spreading good in the world that makes one a paladin. Fighting will always be his last resort, and he has had success in converting the nearby monsters to the light.

[Beleriphon]

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.

Does this guy travel with a mask wearing monk by any chance?

[Crisis21]

Well, so many of these are awesome, I decided to make one that's deliberately designed to be annoying.

59. The Evangelist

"Miss Drow, have you considered the divine spiritual benefits of allowing Shalmao into your life?"

Redemption has long been one of the core tenets of the paladin, but the evangelist is a little... overly enthusiastic about the prospect. They say that there are none more faithful than the converted, and they were probably thinking about this guy when they said it. He found religion in one of the Lawful Good deities during a low point in his life and has made it his mission to spread his faith to anyone and everyone whose ear he can bend. Often ignoring the fact that those he preaches to would rather be anywhere else doing anything else after the first few words from his mouth. He doesn't discriminate either. Maurauding orcs, raping bandits, the most vile and terrible of monstrous intelligences, and at times even fiends. He'll preach the wonders of his god/goddess to them all, eagerly awaiting the moment in which they receive the same divine revelation he once did. He'll still fight and slay the wicked if necessary, of course, but he tends to feel sad about those he sends to the lower planes on the end of his sword before they could repent.

[Samzat]

60. Wine God's Warrior: Having grown among the rugged vineyards of his homeland, this chipper man seems to be all laughs and wine. But when he encounters evil, he takes on a maniac and furious style, smiting in blind fury, like a BarPaladin or a PalaBarian or a Barpalabarian! He drinks harder than most hill giants, and has some wierd superstitions about the vintage, but he brings cheer to the innocent and brutality to the guilty.

[Mr. E]

61) The Love-lorn.

He/she is not good, not really. Deep down they are pretty much neutral, maybe even evil. But they find themselves hanging out with the 'right' crowd, and before you know it, they're passionately in love with someone with high standards. In order to prove themselves worthy, they try their very best to be an exemplar of good, a hero. Who knows, perhaps if they fake it for long enough, they will make it (like Belkar from OoTS, except actually genuinely trying to be nice).

62) The Romantic.

Grows their hair oddly, wears frilly shirts and breeches, composes poems of dubious quality. A born romantic, with a tendency to wax lyrical about the beauty of nature for hours on end, sometimes in the middle of fight scenes, and read books about tragic love affairs. When a NPC dies, no matter how important they were, spends at least five minutes cradling them in their arms and weeping about how they were too young, no matter how old they actually were.

[Durkoala]

63. The Bipolar

Both a warrior of boundless righteous fury and a wellspring of all-encompassing compassion... just not at the same time. In moments of peace, they will offer the hand of redemption to even the most vile of villains, forgive and encourage any who are truly remorseful and aid or just chill with the others. Cheerful, positive and gracious... until something manages to override their sunny attitude and is subject to a lesson as to the origin of the word 'fury'. No quarter will be given, no pleas listened to, no fiend spared the smiting rod as the paladin charges, frothing at the mouth with rage.

After the dust settles and the pieces picked up, they return to their urbane attitude, even to the point of offering to help the unfortunate enemy recover and adjust to any missing limbs. Few are brave enough to ask whether that honestly cheerful smile hides a great regret at having such a vicious temper or... not. After all, some things are too horrific for mortal minds to know.

[NovenFromTheSun]

64. Champion by necessity.

Many people have become warlocks in a moment of desperation where they needed power to survive. This one sought help from a more benevolent force. With their new skills and abilities they now have a chance against the being threatening them and their loved ones, but it may not be enough.

Just an ordinary person at heart, they're not devoted to any particular sense of heroism. They'd rather avoid confronting they're enemies in the few times that's possible, and plan on returning to their average lives once they've found safety. Still, with each evil smote their confidence grows and a small voice begins to say "maybe I am cut out for this."

[Crisis21]

65. The Vice Guy

You hadn't really met a paladin before, but you'd heard about them. You thought that they upheld the ideals of Law and Good while forsaking even the slightest form of sin. Then you met this guy. He upholds the ideals of Law and Good all right. Opposes the wicked, helps the innocent, and all that. But the moment he's off the clock, when the Evil hordes are all defeated and the orphans tucked in, he's as indulgent as anyone. Moreso even. He can drink the stoutest barbarian under the table, he can hold his own gambling with the card sharks, he loves good food, showing off, lives at least a comfortable lifestyle, and the only reason he doesn't pay for 'companionship' is because he's charming enough to never need to.



66. The Traveler

I can't stay anywhere for too long. The call of the road beckons to me. Justice is needed just over the horizon. At the next town. I know you want me to, but I can't stay. The eternal quest calls me ever onwards to my next destination.



67. The Half-Demon

You were born with the taint of Evil upon you. One of your parents was a fiend from the lower planes, probably a succubus/incubus, and you inherited a portion of their fiendish nature. Your destiny seemed set from birth.

Well screw that. You're going to defy your Evil heritage and become a champion of Good if it kills you.

And it just might.



68. The Berserker

You want to be a paragon of virtue and calm righteousness. It's just... you have a bit of a temper. When you come across the atrocities the wicked inflict upon the innocent, your vision turns red and blood pounds in your ears. By the time you regain control of yourself, the wicked lie in pools of their own blood hacked to pieces and those you came to save are staring at you in terror.



69. The Divine Courtesan

"I thought paladins took a vow of chastity." "You haven't met the right paladins then."

The concept of a paladin prostitute sounded like a contradiction in terms. Then you met her. She uses her body as a means to heal the mind and souls of those who are in need of it in the dark of night and the rustle of sheets. Redeems the corrupt by showing them the beauty of mutual affection. She gives her love freely, asking only a donation to a charitable cause as payment for her companionship.

[Admiral Squish]

70: The Lover:
Love is sacred, and beauty, divine. Through loving one-another, mortal souls taste a tiny fraction of the love the goddess has for them, and the act of making love allows one to touch the divine. No matter what form that love takes, or who it brings together, love is something good and beautiful and pure, and it must be protected. Every soul is inherently beautiful to the lover, from the most homely ogre to the most radiant nymph, and they all deserve to love and be loved. The lover loves everyone, often physically. They stand against anyone who would shame or harm others for who they love, who would dare to outlaw love itself, or seek to corrupt the beauty of love with cruel, selfish rape. But even when facing the most vile of demons, the lover acts with love, knowing the most cruel and bitter souls are often those most in need of love.

71: The Muse:
The muse’s beauty is legendary on its own. It is whispered that she was born of the union of a holy man and a nymph, and her beauty is certainly otherworldly enough to give those whispers credence. In battle, she is a sight to behold, protected only by her otherworldly grace as she twirls and dances in the midst of combat, twin scimitars trailing glistening crimson as she carves into the enemy’s ranks. Her beauty has inspired countless works of art, some praised as masterpieces, but every artist, to a one, has claimed that their work is but a pale shadow of the true beauty of the muse. When not in battle, the muse indulges in art of her own, but to this day has never shown anyone but her most trusted companions her works. Some say it is because her glorious works would overshadow all others. Some claim she’s just not much of an artist, herself.

72: The Flame:
Fiery is perhaps the best term to describe the Flame. A dwarf maiden bearing hair so red it seems to glow, the flame is the chosen paladin of Primus Ignis, the First Flame, the pure, elemental fire, whose many aspects are revered all through dwarven culture. The priesthood hoped to find the nature of the Hearth-Warmer of Iron-Melter in her, but instead, they found the Wildfire, the untamable, uncontrollable passion that burns in the hearts of warriors and destroys the old so the new can grow. Where other paladins strike with holy energy and glow with golden light, the flame is wreathed in spectral flames, her smites burning, her healing touch a soothing warmth. When not fighting in the arena, she wages a one-woman war on the stagnant power structure of the dwarven empire and on oppression everywhere.

[eru001]

The Loyal Regicide: He has dedicated his life to protecting and serving the people of the kingdom, and has done well by all accounts. Under the old king his name was a byword for truth, justice, and the Kingdom's way. But that was under the old king. The new king is bad. The new king, either through malice, incompetance, or both is poised to bring nothing but ruin, but without any other viable heir, the new king is all the kingdom's got. The new king's death would lead to civil war, but he is the kind of dangerous that puts his in a worse catagory of catastrophes than a civil war. A private audiance is easy to arrange for so famed a knight as he. A tear in his eye, he pulls his dagger.

[Crisis21]

74: The Politician

You had two revelations in your life. The first was the one that led you to the holy and righteous path you follow. The second was about who held the real power to affect change in the realms. So let your brothers and sisters in arms fight the monsters, punish the wicked, and put out the petty brushfires across the realm. You're going to make a name for yourself. Cultivate the love of the people and the gratitude of the royalty. Get a title and climb the ladder so you can bring about real change. You're going to change the world for the better, no matter how long it takes.

[falcon1]

75: What The Twist reminded me of: He's well dressed, with an elegant cane. With an extremely heavy top. He attends the galas and parties of the upper crust, always selling his latest piece of art. Which is always a commentary on some social injustice. He owns several expensive hotels. And several more that provide shelter and food to poor children. He has impeccable manners. Until he sees someone being exploited. Then the cane I mentioned earlier? They find out about the heavy top.

[NovenFromTheSun]

76. The Oblivious, or "what's a paladin?"

They have the powers, they have the cause, and they have the good nature. What they don't have is any conception that he or she is doing anything out of the ordinary. They think that everyone can lay on hands and those using bandages or spells are just relying on some kind of aid or mnemonic. They don't quite grasp that their smite attack is anything more than a really good hit. They might not even know that paladins exist, thinking them just legends or never even hearing of them.

[Cluedrew]

I had this idea a while ago but then life got in the way:

77) The Warden {of Nature}:
There are some places where one should never go, but people do. The desperate and the foolish. But waiting there, ready to turn back the foolish and guide the desperate is the warden. Protecting the people from the dangers there. But also guarding the place, because it is a beautiful place although not one that mixes very well with people. The warden loves both sides, keeping them separate preserves both, but some times, they will mix. And some times people learn.

This one just came to me:

78) The Warden {of Prison}:
"Correctional" services is too often is a joke. Put some chains on them for a time, take the chains off until they do something and then you put the chains back on. But not here, not under this warden. Smite evil has surprisingly little use in a prison riot, and none at all the rest of the time. It is the other, less glorified skills that have a role here. Destroying evil doesn't mean hurting evil. Sometimes it just takes a nudge, or a bit of help to let them take the path that they wanted to take but couldn't. Helping them while they are here and when they leave, the warden will see satisfyingly few of them ever again.

In other news, anyone else want to make the most interesting all paladin party ever?

[Darth Tom]

28:
I post this again.

Add a really thick French accent and you have my HEMA instructor. Especially the commandments.

[OldFenris]

Hi, I`'m new, couldn't resist the Topic :)

79. The Penitent

Once he was the Top-Assassin of the Local Thieves Guild. Countless Victims fell to his Blade, until the Guildmaster gave him the Order to kill a famous party of Adventurers. He took his most trusted Fighters and ambushed the Party while they were examining the Sewers, but as it happens, they were too powerful, he got killed and his Corpse vanished through some Drainage Tunnel.

Since he was such a powerful Asset the Guildmaster ordered that he get raised from the Dead, but it took a few Weaks until his Body could be recovered. During this time he was a Larvae in Hell, and when he finally was raised, he had only one Goal: Never going back to this Place. He left the Thieves Guild and went to a Temple of Ilmater, where he begged for a second Chance. He is now a Blade for the Broken God, trying to work his way up to Celestia, especially by righting the wrongs he did in his first live.
(Stole this Backstory from an ancient Baldur's Gate Fanfiction, don't remember wich one though, used it once in a Game.)

80. The Alpha-Mother

The Party was hired to destroy a Tribe of Gnolls, that raided the Area around a small Village. When they found the Caves, the whole Tribe attacked in a terrifying Frenzy. After the last of the Gnolls were slain, the Party searched the Caves to save abducted Villagers and get some loot. When they found a Cave full of youngs of the Gnolls the Dwarf sighed and draw his Axe once again. "Stop!" said the Paladin "We can't kill Children". "Oh come on!" retorted the Dwarf "When we leave them here, they either get eaten by their neighbours or starve to Death. It is a Mercy we have to do". The Eyes of the Paladin flashed shortly in bright Light, as always, when she judged someone and then declared "They are not tainted by the by the Ways of their Parents". "So what ?" said the Dwarf "Do you want to raise them yourself ?!".

Around 15 Years later there were at first Tales of Gnolls returning Children that got lost in the Woods or saving Merchants raided by Brigands, later they started trading with the Village.

81. The Knight of the Dead

She was a powerful councilwoman, until she found out about a Conspiracy by the Snakefolk that wanted to take over her City. When she was too much of a Thorn in their Side they poisend here with a magical Poison that should even prevent a raising from the Dead. But her Will was to strong and she only fell into a Coma. During this time her soul was already on the Fugue Plane. When her time for judgement came the God of Death said that she was yet alive and had to wait till her fate was clear. During this Time she stood beside the God, hearing the Tales of the Dead, hearing the Judgements of the God and she saw the God crying behind his Mask. She felt pity for the dead and Sympathy for the grim Judge. One Day the God said that the Poison in her Blood is defeated and she can return to the Land of the Living. When she awakened she still felt the Power of the final Judge. At first she used it to rout out the Snake-Cult, later she travelled the land, visiting cemetaries, morgues and haunted Places, talking with Ghosts and other sentient Undead, helping them to find peace i.E. by bringing their murderers to justice or by finding out what happened to their loved ones.

[Anderlith]

The Sociopath

He doesn't feel empathy. In his heart of hearts he couldn't care less if the damsel died, outwardly he is a textbook paladin, but inside he is just following a textbook chart of what he is supposed to do without feeling it. He doesn't value anything a paladin stands for, but he never lets anyone see that side. He smiles the charming grin, the one he practiced in the mirror, because paladins are supposed to be charming. He kills evil things because paladin's are supposed to kill evil. He even married a woman he has no feelings for because he saved her from a dragon & she swooned, & that is what a paladin is supposed to do. If you could see to his inner thoughts you might wonder why a sociopath would ever even begin to follow the paladin path, well it's because he was prophecized, foretold, trained & groomed & thinks that this is what he is supposed to think & do & feel.

[Cluedrew]

So... someone what thought there way to paladin status instead of feeling their way there?

[Samzat]

83. The Contradiction
Who ever thought of an undead paladin? Gods know you didnt when you decided to become a lich all those years ago. At a certain point you ran out of things to do. You couldnt think of magic items to make, or spells to research, or evils to commit, so one day you sat down and had a good think. That day turned into 2 years, just pondering and reflecting, looking for inspiration. You scryed on all manner of places in search of a muse, and one day you came across a paladin. He had this look in his eye, the look of a man with a drive, and a purpose. You realize then where the hole in your atrophied, shriveled, desiccated heart was all along. Though you couldnt figure out when the change happened, you had wanted this the whole time. And gods, the look on those paladins' faces when you came to their temple and kneeled at their knight-commander's feet.

[iceman10058]

83. The Contradiction
Who ever thought of an undead paladin? Gods know you didnt when you decided to become a lich all those years ago. At a certain point you ran out of things to do. You couldnt think of magic items to make, or spells to research, or evils to commit, so one day you sat down and had a good think. That day turned into 2 years, just pondering and reflecting, looking for inspiration. You scryed on all manner of places in search of a muse, and one day you came across a paladin. He had this look in his eye, the look of a man with a drive, and a purpose. You realize then where the hole in your atrophied, shriveled, desiccated heart was all along. Though you couldnt figure out when the change happened, you had wanted this the whole time. And gods, the look on those paladins' faces when you came to their temple and kneeled at their knight-commander's feet.

I love this, can I use this?

[Samzat]

I love this, can I use this?

Go ahead. I probably won't.

[Floret]

84. The Half-Monster
At least that is what his mother called him, after it turned out after birth he was not her husband's son, but one of the Orc Raiders'. And afterwards, the children in the village. Most people met, in fact. The last war was still too fresh in memory - ending just about around his birth.
She was almost about to kill him on the spot, then and there - but the priests of the temple she had fled to from the raids forbid it. Of course, many orcs were evil. But not inherently. This child was to be judged on its own merits, not by his blood.
He was raised more by the priests than by his own parent. The only thing she ever did was to tear out his teeth, as they started becoming big - for his own good, she said, to not look so intimidating. Eating was hard, but he got used to it.
Eventually he chose to follow the Path of the god in whose temple he'd grown up in. It only seemed natural, to protect others from injustice, after her priests had protected him. And since noone was gonna listen to a half-monster's sermon - going out into the world, weapon in hand, sounded like the natural way.

(Based on a character of my boyfriend)

[sengmeng]

85) the Fashionista

Helping the poor, defending the weak, smiting evil: all essential for being a paladin, but pointless if you don't look really, really ridiculously good looking doing it.

[Bohandas]

85) the Fashionista

Helping the poor, defending the weak, smiting evil: all essential for being a paladin, but pointless if you don't look really, really ridiculously good looking doing it.

This immediately made me think of Rarity

[Lentrax]

This immediately made me think of Rarity

Yeah, but is it really atypical?

[eru001]

He who fought monsters.

He was a mercenary, a brigand, or a pirate, until one day his band ran afoul of a werewolf. After a desperate fight several were dead, and he, was wounded. For safety, his comrades abandoned him in the wilderness. He had to make his way on his own, for some time. He had plenty of time to think. To reevaluated his life. To realize that he was going in the wrong direction. Off in the distance he spotted smoke one day. It led him to the remains of a chapter house of some order of paladins or other, from the scattered bodies it looked like the five residents had done a number on an orc horde before it finally overran them. He stayed there for a while, the partially burnt building was still reasonably good shelter. He read through some of the manuals, and practiced, practiced, practiced. After all, he had plenty of time, and it was better that he not seek out company anyway. He wasn't friendly around the full moon anymore. During this time, he found some clarity, and he figured that while it might be too late to fully redeem himself, it wasn't too late to at least help somone. Off he went, sword in hand. He blows in from out of town, on clear moonless nights. Fights bandits and monsters, and leaves, taking only a bowl of stew and pint of ale as payment, refusing all other compensation. For a long time he isolated himself during the full moon. Now though, now he just makes sure that the nearest prey are someone who deserves it. Every weapon which comes to hand after all, one of the only lessons from his less reputable days that he still holds to.

[Bluepaw]

87. The Gambler

In the eyes of those who encounter him a run-down smugglers' tavern or on a corrupt kingpin's pleasure barge, he may resemble other dime-a-dozen dashing swashbucklers, but he has an ace up his sleeve: the divine blessing of the Goddess of Luck, whom he has faithfully served in his years of wandering. He knows, like no one else in the room, that luck is more than random chance or temporary victory in corrupt circumstances: it is a force, a weave, a subtle attunement to an inscrutable truth. The House may always win the battle, but the greater balance prevails in the long term. He is here to ensure that it does. And as he rolls his holy symbol across the table, the sound seems to go out of the room for a moment, leaving only the bump and clatter of the die. His eyes meet the eyes of the kingpin's lackey operating the game, glittering with a microsecond of a wink. So, punk: do you feel lucky?


88. The Fact-Checker

AKA the altogether-too-topical paladin: She serves an almost-forgotten God of Knowledge, whose temples are overgrown, whose priests have been let go due to lack of support from the populace, and whose libraries, once-spectacular civic centers, have become the playground of spiders and vermin. Her society's thirst for knowledge has apparently turned to revulsion: why struggle for the truth when whatever people happen to think or serves their immediate goals is far more satisfying, far more successful at gaining them what they want? But there are a few who remember. Our paladin's once-mighty order may have gone underground, but it has not vanished: she seeks out threatened knowledge in a corroded society, protecting those who cultivate it where possible, memorizing it and fleeing where not, and in her spare time, copying the rare and ill-maintained manuscripts she has rescued. So far she has operated in the shadows. But should she fall under the sights of the regime, she won't be at a loss for tactics of resistance: she has not failed to learn from history...

[Crisis21]

89. The Unexpected

Okay, you know my type. The patron god of a 'typically evil' race who favors his chosen children and the rest can rot in the nine hells. Yeah, I care about my chosen people, I like seeing them happy, but I gotta admit that I've come to enjoy seeing their enemies driven before them and hearing the lamentations of said enemies' women. Everyone who's not part of mine sees me as evil, after all, so why not own the label and show them just how bad I can be.

So what the %#$* am I doing with an oath-sworn goody two-shoes Paladin?!


90. The Jizo

After your first lifetime, they offered you a place in the Heavens as an honored hero. You refused.

After ten more, they offered you a place as your god's own honor guard. You refused.

After a hundred, they offered to make you a minor god with retinues of honored heroes as your servants. You refused.

There is only one desire that drives you, lifetime after lifetime, to push yourself to the limits, to aid others at great cost to yourself, and to delve into the deepest pits of corruption with your staff held high. That desire is that one day you will possess the strength necessary to storm the gates of hell itself and free all the misguided souls from their eternal torment so that they may repent and seek a better path. Not a select few, not those that are judged worthy of a second chance in a celestial court, all of them.

[Leewei]

91. The Mobster. In an oppressive, evil empire, the underworld's protection racket is reasonably-priced and very effective. The Don always keeps his word, and is generous to his community. In the family, someone without honor is worthless.

[Crisis21]

92: He Who Rages Against The Heavens

The gods are a lie. They are naught but powerful parasites who glut themselves on the faith and worship of the mortal realm, never doing anything worthy of the praise they demand. They take and take, but never give back anything of value for the faithful do not need gods to draw upon holy powers, just their unwavering faith. This perpetuated falsehood that says otherwise must end. For all to live in peace and harmony, these so-called 'gods' must fall.

[Dr paradox]

93. The Deprogrammed
Once, there was a fringe god. A small god. Their teachings were esoteric, their tenets off putting, and their church insular. It wasn't exactly a "growth" religion, but it survived for centuries as an underground, borderline illegal cult on the edges of society. Every so often, they would send agents into civilized lands to spread the good word and bring disaffected youths back to their compounds for induction into their happy family. Among these was a unique young woman - driven and intense, and the High Reverend-ess of the church quickly took her under her wing for special lessons. As the years went by, the young woman was groomed to be the sword and shield of their little church - trained to root out nonbelievers, and put trespassers in their temple to the sword. It was the only calling she ever received, from the only voice she had ever trusted, so she did it without joy and without question.
The day came, however, that the infractions of the little church became too great for the local kingdoms to countenence any longer. Adventurers were dispatched, quests were accomplished, unholy idols were put to the flame, and the dark stones of their accursed ziggurat were toppled and left to be consumed by the surrounding forest. As many of the cultists as possible were captured and brought back to a monastery in civilized lands to be saved from the dark influence of their former god. Among these, improbably, was the young woman.
Over time, she was drawn out of the stupor the High Reverend-ess' lessons had placed her in, and the more she learned of the outside world, the more she was horrified by what she had done. But, her god worked in strange ways, and the power she had been invested with - and the commandments that rang through her dreams - never departed. Spurred on by a desire for redemption mingled with the still burning desire to punish the unworthy, the young woman stole off one day with a party of adventurers who had stayed at the monastery for a time.

[DontEvenAsk]

58. The Backwater

Coming from the simple country folk of the swamps, this simple, naïve but friendly Paladin travels his homeland to fight evil and help those in need. Armed with a fishing harpoon and a wooden shield, he is able to fight off the pesky boggarts and fiends that dwell in the mires nearby. He wears rusted armor that floated down the great river that ends in his lands, and a tabard of his deity sewn by his mama. He yearns to prove that fancy book learning and formal training do not make one a paladin; it is the devotion and dedication to spreading good in the world that makes one a paladin. Fighting will always be his last resort, and he has had success in converting the nearby monsters to the light.

Relatedly,

94. The Farm Knight

Her mighty lance, with which she spears evil foes? A pitchfork. Her strong wooden shield, with which she protects the innocent? An old, retired barn door. Her paladin's mount, who carries her proudly into battle? A draft horse who pulls the hay cart in peacetime. Her only armor is a homemade quilt stitched into the form of a gambeson. She wears false armor over top - wood painted in shiny silver-tone pigments that she saved for months to buy. She's not part of any official order, and she might not be in service to a deity - if so, probably a god of agriculture, the hearth and home, or simply her own race. She probably has a chicken or two in tow, maybe a goat or sheep, possibly a barn cat or herd dog.

This paladin is a farmer and a farmer's daughter. She tends the livestock, washes the laundry, does the dishes, and fetches the water from the well. Some days she cooks breakfast; she makes excellent waffles. She quite likes this life, and her mother, and the animals, but she does want something else from life - not necessarily to leave the farm, not forever anyway, but to be of use beyond it.

Growing up, she loved fairytales and bedtime stories about noble warriors who fought evil - the origin stories of saints, Knights of the Round Table, Robin Hood, that kind of stuff. (I actually have something of a bibliography of these sorts of legends, but that's probably a list for another time.) She was that kid who decides, "I'm gonna be a knight and slay dragons when I grow up!" and means it. At first it was the glory and glamour in the stories, but as she grew up she came to realize, in a sheltered farm girl way, what it was really all about - standing up for the little guy. She can get behind that.

She still doesn't really understand what paladinhood means, though, not completely - she's lived her whole life with her loving, wonderful mother, and her small, civil village, where no real evil has ever come. She's never killed a person (although she can't speak to never having killed at all; gotta do something with hens too old to lay, after all). She's certainly never been in a city, and she's not familiar with corruption or moral ambiguity. But she's not stubborn and willfully ignorant about these things - she's simply never been exposed to them. Learning about them won't be fun, but that's part of the job - and she figures it's worth it. She is genuinely Lawful Good, just very green and wide-eyed.

Still, that pitchfork makes a helluva weapon when she really applies herself. And for the love of god, don't hurt her ma.

(This is more or less my current character in a Pathfinder game I'm in with some old friends. She's actually a Knight, not a Paladin, but I intend to take Paladin levels somewhere down the line. So far we've learned that the formerly normal church in her hometown has been infiltrated by creepy cultists who do gross meat magic and attack on sight, and she had a small breakdown upon realizing she'd killed some in self-defense. Good times.)

[Braininthejar2]

95: The construct: They say there can be no real good without free will. And yet, he brings justice every day, working tirelessly for the cause, bringing light and hope where there is none. He doesn't question his path - he was forged to be that way. And yet, there is much more to his zeal than just blind obedience.

[CartmanTuttle]

96: The Action Hero

Who says you can't be awesome AND a goody-two-shoes? You stand for law and all that is righteous, but when the bad guys come knocking, you're armed and ready with a shotgun in hand, a pistol at your hip, various automatic weapons and explosives on you, and a big mouth. Sure, people might think you're cheesy spouting off those one-liners, but you are the paragon of justice, and sometimes it comes in the form of machismo.

[Jendekit]

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.

He rather than she, but this is my next character.

"Isn't that why you keep me around? Hurting people's the only thing I'm good at." (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0881.html)