kbob
2021-08-21, 10:05 AM
So I’m interested in thoughts on making a Paladin (PC class) as a villain. I am aware of the common issues of PC classes as NPCs (especially when you have divine smite involved). However there is a story reason for my inquiry. I’ll provide a little backstory if that helps.
The short of it: a PC was a vengeance Paladin that went around killing everyone. He was supposed to be CG (I won’t get into my thoughts on alignment and Paladins). However, he took an assassin contract from someone who was obviously evil on a guy who supposedly just owed the contractor some money (never Q the contractor nor the mark). Just went to his house and offed him. All to get info to from the contractor to go kill someone else that had something he wanted.
Due to this, and among other things, I gave him an option from his deity to go through a penance period with no Paladin powers to regain them again OR make a deal with some evil entity tugging at his heart and become an oath breaker. He took the latter. The entity was vecna if that matters. He then continues to murder hobo even more (got the nickname the murder hobo Paladin). In town he was questioned by a guard about something unrelated and he decided to give static back and then it escalated. Surprising to me, after killing 6 or more guards, 2 more came running up (no more left in area... not that they would have been a match) and... he surrendered. I think the player started feeling bad for derailing the session. So they decided to execute him for his murders. To make him feel better, right before he was executed, I had a hand came up from the underworld (presumably Vecna’s) and took him. The players thought that he would come back as an NPC sometime, which was the idea. It’s been like 3 levels now (they are 10-11 now). They have forgotten about it and I just reached a part between chapters in my main campaign so I was gonna have him come back seeking vengeance on his former party for letting him die.
So what are your thoughts on this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Being a Paladin he certainly can down a PC rather quickly. The player of the Paladin is now playing a level 11 halforc barb. I know he would like it but I’m sure the other players would be scared (though I think they’ll enjoy it as well). I would make sure they were at full resources or at least give them every opportunity to be.
The Paladin will have some undead mooks with him. I believe he should be at least the same level as the party maybe one or two higher? Give him some necrotic, shadowy weapon thing and 3 attacks? One shot drops on PCs would be a high possibility and maybe a possible death. But I think if they are smart, even if the Paladin got the drop on them (never had any honor to begin with), they could take him with not too much problem if they are smart. Battlefield control and AOE (work around high saves as a Paladin) and use ranged attacks.
What say y’all? Thanks!
The short of it: a PC was a vengeance Paladin that went around killing everyone. He was supposed to be CG (I won’t get into my thoughts on alignment and Paladins). However, he took an assassin contract from someone who was obviously evil on a guy who supposedly just owed the contractor some money (never Q the contractor nor the mark). Just went to his house and offed him. All to get info to from the contractor to go kill someone else that had something he wanted.
Due to this, and among other things, I gave him an option from his deity to go through a penance period with no Paladin powers to regain them again OR make a deal with some evil entity tugging at his heart and become an oath breaker. He took the latter. The entity was vecna if that matters. He then continues to murder hobo even more (got the nickname the murder hobo Paladin). In town he was questioned by a guard about something unrelated and he decided to give static back and then it escalated. Surprising to me, after killing 6 or more guards, 2 more came running up (no more left in area... not that they would have been a match) and... he surrendered. I think the player started feeling bad for derailing the session. So they decided to execute him for his murders. To make him feel better, right before he was executed, I had a hand came up from the underworld (presumably Vecna’s) and took him. The players thought that he would come back as an NPC sometime, which was the idea. It’s been like 3 levels now (they are 10-11 now). They have forgotten about it and I just reached a part between chapters in my main campaign so I was gonna have him come back seeking vengeance on his former party for letting him die.
So what are your thoughts on this. Ideas? Suggestions?
Being a Paladin he certainly can down a PC rather quickly. The player of the Paladin is now playing a level 11 halforc barb. I know he would like it but I’m sure the other players would be scared (though I think they’ll enjoy it as well). I would make sure they were at full resources or at least give them every opportunity to be.
The Paladin will have some undead mooks with him. I believe he should be at least the same level as the party maybe one or two higher? Give him some necrotic, shadowy weapon thing and 3 attacks? One shot drops on PCs would be a high possibility and maybe a possible death. But I think if they are smart, even if the Paladin got the drop on them (never had any honor to begin with), they could take him with not too much problem if they are smart. Battlefield control and AOE (work around high saves as a Paladin) and use ranged attacks.
What say y’all? Thanks!