Classic Character Classes
Paladin
What is a Paladin?
A
Real World Paladins
The idea of the paladin began under the reign of Charlemagne, in 7th - 8th century France. The world 'paladin' comes from the Latin word 'palatine' which translates to 'government official servant'. Paladins were fantastic warriors and known for defending the vulnerable and crusading to remove evil from the world. They believed greatly in justice and order. Many paladins started as honourable knights and swore to a strict code of honour. They were so talented and devout that it was believed paladins were in fact blessed with divine magic.
World of Legends Paladins: Braitheld Paladin Orders
The following is an extract from "On the Fields of Death: The Military of Braitheld" by Navarre Elamoira
"In the time of the great plague, faith in the ruler and lords began to wane and threatened the power of the sovereign. To make matters more dire, the Catakai began to gain significant influence throughout the populace. The intellectuals and advisors of the realm, the Catakai used their education and oratory skills to call for change and for the end of the monarchy. In response, Kind Renovick I attempted to dispose of the High Inquisitor, Bessian, in 1405. In response, Bessian called on the clerics and people to defend the people of the land and take up arms against the rise of persecution.
Eight military orders were formed to defend the commons under the sigil of given legend from Braitheld’s past. Declared paladins, the first orders were mostly comprised of Knights and Ardent who believed their blades belonged to the people. General disfavour of the questionable leadership of Renovick, the Paladins crushed his dynasty in six months and took control of the realm for over three centuries.
Now nine major orders and several smaller, the paladins remain second only to the sentinels in martial ability but their devotion to their duty and the defence of common folk makes them extremely popular throughout the realm. Loved not feared, with the exception of one of the orders, the Paladins have done much to defend many of the fringes of the realm from invaders, bandits, and other marauding threats. Trained from childhood, the Paladins devote themselves to the service of an ideal and notion of heroics while they defend the people in their travels.
The paladins remain one of the most formidable forces in the entire realm but remain outside the direct command of the ruler. They are instead commanded by dubbed Paragons, or the most righteous and devoted of the order. Voted into power by the paladins of their respective orders, the paragons largely operate their order independently but in times of great strife have banded together."
Paladin
is typically defined by their oath to a belief or cause, often in service to a Ruler or Deity. Their oath is an incredibly powerful bond and they rarely stray from the oath they swear to. The Paladin oath is known to grant special gifts and talents as long as they abide by the rules of their oath.Real World Paladins
The idea of the paladin began under the reign of Charlemagne, in 7th - 8th century France. The world 'paladin' comes from the Latin word 'palatine' which translates to 'government official servant'. Paladins were fantastic warriors and known for defending the vulnerable and crusading to remove evil from the world. They believed greatly in justice and order. Many paladins started as honourable knights and swore to a strict code of honour. They were so talented and devout that it was believed paladins were in fact blessed with divine magic.
World of Legends Paladins: Braitheld Paladin Orders
The following is an extract from "On the Fields of Death: The Military of Braitheld" by Navarre Elamoira
"In the time of the great plague, faith in the ruler and lords began to wane and threatened the power of the sovereign. To make matters more dire, the Catakai began to gain significant influence throughout the populace. The intellectuals and advisors of the realm, the Catakai used their education and oratory skills to call for change and for the end of the monarchy. In response, Kind Renovick I attempted to dispose of the High Inquisitor, Bessian, in 1405. In response, Bessian called on the clerics and people to defend the people of the land and take up arms against the rise of persecution.
Eight military orders were formed to defend the commons under the sigil of given legend from Braitheld’s past. Declared paladins, the first orders were mostly comprised of Knights and Ardent who believed their blades belonged to the people. General disfavour of the questionable leadership of Renovick, the Paladins crushed his dynasty in six months and took control of the realm for over three centuries.
Now nine major orders and several smaller, the paladins remain second only to the sentinels in martial ability but their devotion to their duty and the defence of common folk makes them extremely popular throughout the realm. Loved not feared, with the exception of one of the orders, the Paladins have done much to defend many of the fringes of the realm from invaders, bandits, and other marauding threats. Trained from childhood, the Paladins devote themselves to the service of an ideal and notion of heroics while they defend the people in their travels.
The paladins remain one of the most formidable forces in the entire realm but remain outside the direct command of the ruler. They are instead commanded by dubbed Paragons, or the most righteous and devoted of the order. Voted into power by the paladins of their respective orders, the paragons largely operate their order independently but in times of great strife have banded together."
Variations of Paladin:
Ancient Oath Paladin - A Paladin with an alignment towards the natural order. In Isilendor, these Paladins often accompany druids and reside within the forests of Eldathren.
Conquest Paladin - A Paladin devoted to battling and destroying those who would sew chaos on the world. They are known for their battle prowess and often unyielding.
Paladin of the Throne - A Paladin of utmost loyalty to the ruler of their realm. They promise to uphold the law of the land and take great responsibility within the realm.
Righteous Paladin - A Paladin devoted to protecting the people; The common folk, unable to defend themselves from tyranny and strife. They are the epitome of Lawful Good behaviour.
Vengeful Paladin - A Paladin that gives themselves to a dark and bitter oath. They are less concerned with spirituality and the law. They often align themselves to a cause and obliterate anyone who opposes the cause, without any semblance of mercy.
Divine Paladin - A Paladin that pledges loyalty to a deity and to live their life by the rules of said deity. In Isilendor, Paladins are more often dedicated to Solis, the southern sun, abiding by Order and light.
Oathbreaker Paladin - A Paladin that severs their oath by committing a dark deed. Breaking an oath distorts the divine powers into dark and cruel powers.
Conquest Paladin - A Paladin devoted to battling and destroying those who would sew chaos on the world. They are known for their battle prowess and often unyielding.
Paladin of the Throne - A Paladin of utmost loyalty to the ruler of their realm. They promise to uphold the law of the land and take great responsibility within the realm.
Righteous Paladin - A Paladin devoted to protecting the people; The common folk, unable to defend themselves from tyranny and strife. They are the epitome of Lawful Good behaviour.
Vengeful Paladin - A Paladin that gives themselves to a dark and bitter oath. They are less concerned with spirituality and the law. They often align themselves to a cause and obliterate anyone who opposes the cause, without any semblance of mercy.
Divine Paladin - A Paladin that pledges loyalty to a deity and to live their life by the rules of said deity. In Isilendor, Paladins are more often dedicated to Solis, the southern sun, abiding by Order and light.
Oathbreaker Paladin - A Paladin that severs their oath by committing a dark deed. Breaking an oath distorts the divine powers into dark and cruel powers.
Powers of the Paladin
Paladin
s are best known for gaining powers through the devotion to their oath. Often times this comes in the form of divine, radiant or fiery magic that blesses their blades and shields. A sword and shield is the most common strategy while they call to the heavens to grant them the strength to smite their enemies, heal their allies or ward against evil.Paladins can grant courage to those around them and fight ferociously in battle. They are considered incredibly charismatic people, winning over the people with their powerful speeches and divine aura. They are known to be particularly strong against the undead and unholy.
What do you think of Paladins?
Could you see yourself becoming one?
For more detailed sources of information, see the following links:
History of Braitheld: On the Fields of Death
Who were the Paladins?
Forgotten Realms Wiki: Paladin
DND 5th Edition: Paladin
History of Braitheld: On the Fields of Death
Who were the Paladins?
Forgotten Realms Wiki: Paladin
DND 5th Edition: Paladin
