A different role for the Anti-paladin

[Turanil]

I like the concept of the paladin as a promoter of law and goodness; but then, I don't like when a champion for each alignment appears, as I feel it but "mundanizes" the concept of that class. So, until today I strongly disliked the idea of an "anti-paladin", which is but a paladin with reverse abilities and promoting chaos and evil. I really don't see the need to bring this symmetry to the game/campaign world. If I specifically wanted a champion of chaos or evil, I would rather create some sort of ninja (as an assassin with spells and powers) or a warlock summoning demons. In short, something radically different and more appropriate to the concept.

But then, I got some idea I find more interesting. The C&C anti-paladin version by Colin Chapman, is called an "avenger". Okay, it's your typical reverse paladin promoting chaos and evil. However, the name "avenger" inspired me a new concept:

-- The avenger is a paladin bent on revenge and righting wrongs his own way. He seeks evil-doers and brings them to his own justice, torturing them if he thinks they deserve it, etc. Where a true paladin combats evil, he is nonetheless supposed to abide by law and goodness, so respect the law, be fair, be chivalrous, have mercy, etc. This is not how the avenger (anti-paladin) proceeds. The avenger (anti-paladin) tracks down those he thinks perform evil, but on his own terms, and taking all actions he sees appropriate, with few concerns for the law or whatever. Revenge is his obsession, and avengers (anti-paladins) are often driven by hate.

-- Avengers outwardly and superficially operate and act like paladins. Avengers think of themselves as paladins, sworn to the eradication of evil, but above all retaliation against evil-doers. They do not combat law and good, and in fact promote them according to their own biased views. Hence avengers are evil, being usually LE, but over time drifting toward CE. Avengers are anti-paladins in the sense that they perform like a caricature of intolerant and merciless paladin, and have all powers of a paladin in reverse. For example: Detect Good instead of Detect Evil, because avengers suspect everybody, only those who radiate good are not suspect.

-- Avengers are not champion of chaos and evil who hate law and goodness. If there is champions for that, they are not anti-paladins, they are totally different characters, and not always of the same class (hey, it's chaos after all).
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[dachda]

Interesting idea. I like it. Seems like it would very difficult to run as a player, but as an NPC has a lot of possibilities. I could see all sorts of interesting situations where a party runs into an Avenger, who seemingly is on their side, but will quickly take issue at the player's 'good' methods of dealing with evil. Might be even more interesting if the player's are neutral alignments and so don't radiate goodness.... Even more fun as the Avenger would be indistinguishable from a paladin until he/she started using their version of 'good' methods.
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Sir Dachda McKinty,

Margrave and Knight of Portlandia
Castles & Crusades Society

[serleran]

I remember this concept in a Dragon magazine, maybe #39 or something? The one with the "paladins of all alignments" and then, a later one where they had different types of lawful good paladins.

Also, I believe the RC (Frank Mentzer's original rules) mentions "avenger," too.

That said, I like the idea... I was going to do a class called Executioner where they were paladins, essentially, but who felt the law was theirs to decide. Basically, a typical "bounty hunter" type, but with more paladin-esquery.

[dachda]

Serleran wrote:

Quote:
I was going to do a class called Executioner where they were paladins, essentially, but who felt the law was theirs to decide. Basically, a typical "bounty hunter" type, but with more paladin-esquery.

Another interesting idea, like this too. If you end up with a write-up I hope you share with us. Triggering lots of adventuring ideas, maybe one of these guys decides some action of the players was unlawful and he becomes a party nemesis. like it.
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Sir Dachda McKinty,

Margrave and Knight of Portlandia
Castles & Crusades Society

[shadoes]

Dragon 106 article is a Plethora of Paladins. One of my favs.

For my current campaign I have made paladins rare. PC paladins must be good aligned. But I have only allowed one PC paladin and he is young and has not even discovered everything he can do. For that matter he is not even 'sure' (in character) that he is really a paladin. There are only 5 known paladins in the world and those that are good aligned are quite respected the evil ones are feared.

[ssfsx17]

I'm looking forward to a full writeup. I've always wondered how well Batman or Rorschach would translate to a fantasy genre.

[old school gamer]

The villian design handbook for AD&D had an example villian who was a member of a Lawful Good church, fighter class, who had become such an uncompromising zealot that he was Lawful Evil as a result.