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[Rath Darkblade]

Yeah, 3.0/3.5 still had some restrictions from 2e.
In 2e, Paladins had to be what became known as "Lawful Stupid."

Ah, yes. The kind of 1st-level Paladin who will charge into battle against 10,000 goblins or something equally ridiculous, yelling something like "My goddess and I shalt smite thee, evil ... things!!!"

Of course, 20 minutes later, the goblins will be making Paladin-kebab and saying things like "What was his problem?"

"Don't ask silly questions, Bob. He was a Paladin, he was obliged to be stupid. Pass the ketchup."

For example, if a god/goddess can "anoint" a Holy Warrior (Paladin) to represent them in battle, why wouldn't an evil or even neutral deity do the same?

If an evil deity needed an Unholy Warrior, isn't that what the Blackguard class is for?

I'm not sure how a neutral deity would have a Holy -- er, Unholy -- er, Doesn't-Care-Warrior, though.

[Tawmis]

For example, if a god/goddess can "anoint" a Holy Warrior (Paladin) to represent them in battle, why wouldn't an evil or even neutral deity do the same?

If an evil deity needed an Unholy Warrior, isn't that what the Blackguard class is for?
I'm not sure how a neutral deity would have a Holy -- er, Unholy -- er, Doesn't-Care-Warrior, though.

As you can see - the site you linked for "Blackguard" is a Homebrew. Meaning someone like me and you made it.
There is no "official" Blackguard in 5e.

Why wouldn't an evil deity have an unholy Paladin?

Asmodeus might have an unholy Paladin on the Prime Material Plane to be the leader of the Cults he has. Bane might have Paladins representing him, to keep his tyranny in place in the Prime Material Plane. And Tiamat might have Paladins assigned to ride upon her most trusted dragons. Lolth might appoint Paladins to help lead raids on the surface world to grab slaves to use and experiment on.

Essentially, why wouldn't you - as a deity - want someone, in heavy armor who is good with swords and shields - and also has (dark) magic to command?

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm. I thought the whole point of Paladins was that they served "good" deities. If a Paladin serves evil or neutral deities, shouldn't he/she at least have different powers (not to mention be called something different?)

Also, I thought the Blackguard class was official as late as 3.5e?

[Tawmis]

Hmm. I thought the whole point of Paladins was that they served "good" deities. If a Paladin serves evil or neutral deities, shouldn't he/she at least have different powers (not to mention be called something different?)
Also, I thought the Blackguard class was official as late as 3.5e?

The "serving good deities" is old style thinking.
And why would a Paladin (as a class) be called anything because they serve a specific alignment?
A Cleric who follows the Goddess of Life is called a Cleric; just like a Cleric who follows Lolth is called a Cleric.
And previous editions of D&D don't always carry over into the next edition.
For example, 2nd Edition had Cavaliers and Acrobats as one of the bonus classes (in Unearthed Arcana, I believe it was).
But Cavaliers eventually got shuffled under Fighter/Warrior skills and Acrobats got shuffled under Rogues.

[Tawmis]

I am really enjoying my work D&D campaign more and more - as the party is invested in the current adventure! They're all very excited!
I didn't record this Tuesday's session which was a bummer, because I had fun voicing Pren Flintrock (who the party rescues - spoilers!)

http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... nturers-18

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm. I thought the whole point of Paladins was that they served "good" deities. If a Paladin serves evil or neutral deities, shouldn't he/she at least have different powers (not to mention be called something different?)
Also, I thought the Blackguard class was official as late as 3.5e?

The "serving good deities" is old style thinking.
And why would a Paladin (as a class) be called anything because they serve a specific alignment?
A Cleric who follows the Goddess of Life is called a Cleric; just like a Cleric who follows Lolth is called a Cleric.
And previous editions of D&D don't always carry over into the next edition.
For example, 2nd Edition had Cavaliers and Acrobats as one of the bonus classes (in Unearthed Arcana, I believe it was).
But Cavaliers eventually got shuffled under Fighter/Warrior skills and Acrobats got shuffled under Rogues.

Because the word "Paladin", historically, refers to any of the twelve peers of Charlemagne's court. They are comparable to the Knights of the Round Table in the romances of King Arthur. (Alternately, the word "Paladin" refers to a knight renowned for heroism and chivalry).

So a Paladin that renounced all that and became eeevil is no longer a Paladin. (In bygone eras, he would be renounced: "BOO HISS! TRAITOR!" etc.)

Well, I suppose that the reverse could also be true. If a Paladin of Lolth didn't do evil things, but went around doing good ... what would Lolth say?

I am really enjoying my work D&D campaign more and more - as the party is invested in the current adventure! They're all very excited!
I didn't record this Tuesday's session which was a bummer, because I had fun voicing Pren Flintrock (who the party rescues - spoilers!)

http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... nturers-18

The Myconoid village reminds me of Morrowind, as well as Tel Mithryn in Skyrim. The Elder Scrolls mushrooms don't attack, though. But other things do.

I especially like this:

...Krunt speaks of how the Aasimar (Ragnaroc) who was so heroic that he found the battle boring, so he went to sleep in the middle of it.

[Tawmis]

Because the word "Paladin", historically, refers to any of the twelve peers of Charlemagne's court. They are comparable to the Knights of the Round Table in the romances of King Arthur. (Alternately, the word "Paladin" refers to a knight renowned for heroism and chivalry).

Yes, but said "Paladins" of Charlemagne's court represented Christians.
So technically, every Paladin in D&D would be considered evil, due to following "pagan" gods, no?
So they're clearly just using the idea of "Paladin" in D&D to represent a "holy warrior" or a "warrior fighting for their deity."

[Tawmis]

Because of our recent Medusa discussion in this thread, I thought you might enjoy this one shot Medusa adventure recently posted by one of the staff members of D&D Beyond.

[Rath Darkblade]

Nifty encounter. I rewrote the original Medusa adventure into something similar, but made it larger and longer.



All right, I'll see myself out ...

[Tawmis]

The Medusa thing seems to keep coming up.
So someone bought my "Secrets Of Havenfall Manor" module and asked me about the sequel I clearly set up and mention (initially called "The Search for Jhade" but I renamed "Into the Shadow Vale").
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/291151 ... or_widgets

Ironically, it's 3 hags who abduct Jhade that the heroes are sent to rescue - by jumping through a portal.
They start in a swampy area, where they discover hags have corrupted the forest - so that even the fae are blood thirsty (introducing a new monster called Faeblood I created).
They learn this from... A Dryad, who has been cursed by the 3 hags to gaze upon others and turn them to stone. So not a Medusa, but a Medusa curse placed on the Dryad, due to their envy of her beauty and inability to corrupt her.
So she wears, funny we discussed it, bandages over her eyes to prevent turning others to stone. But many fell victim to her gaze on accident, so there's statues all around her wooden lodge.
Which, naturally, will put players on edge.

So it's lit the fire under my rump to finish the module now.

[Rath Darkblade]

Strike a light? Good luck with the module, Tawm. Enjoy! It sounds like a fun adventure.

[Tawmis]

When the Conspiracy Theorist in you starts to believe Facebook is listening.......

[Tawmis]

Had a fun session of D&D in Anita's D&D session. Been really enjoying playing this Aasimar Cleric. This is a solid, fun group.
All the notes are on the same page, so if you're interested do a search for: Trystan woke up early and headed down
And that will get you to tonight's session.

http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... ot-brigade


And then tomorrow morning, I am DMing for my work crew in the morning (11am) and until (up to) 6pm.

[Tawmis]

I am not sure if you're interested in the adventures of my D&D campaign for my work group I DM for, which has really picked up and found their rhythm.

So this was from two weeks ago:
http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... nturers-18

And this was from yesterday:
http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... nturers-19


I've been really enjoying DMing for my work group, since they've come together. And yesterday, Jessica (who I normally DM'ed for in my other group) has officially joined this group (as the Air Genasi Rogue) because the other group I DM for is on hold until this whole Corona Virus thing is over.

I've enjoyed doing the voices for Nor'Orn (the crazy goblin), and Pren Flintrock (the dwarf they rescue) and then the whole thing with the dwarf Grendel found and rescued in the latest one.

It's been fantastic letting this whole adventure unfolder, as the pieces of what they've gotten into slowly reveal themselves. And Jessica coming in as an Air Genasi is perfect - because before I was going to use the Azer (which gets mentioned to the party as possibly allies to the Dwarves) to be the ones who mention the Drow visiting their Plane (of Fire). But with Jessica's character, I was able to use her character for that (and the Azer are still relevant too), but it just helps build a bigger picture.

[Tawmis]

Fun game of Anita at the DM Helm. A fight with goblins, hobgoblins and an Owlbear!

http://tawmis.com/kneurth/adventure-not ... ot-brigade