Paladin
A paladin is a type of knight who pledges themself to the service of a god, religious order, or set of higher ideals in order to channel divine magic through them.
Paladins often lead Adventurer parties, as the strength of their beliefs and force of their personality tend to make them skilled leaders.
Career
Qualifications
There are three basic paths to being paladins. Most paladins begin their training as martial fighters of some variety, studying the art of hand-to-hand combat. Longswords and greatswords are the most common weapon wielded by paladins, though famous paladins have wielded hammers, axes, polearms, and other martial weapons. They will often go into adventuring or a military profession before discovering a higher purpose to pledge themselves to, thus gaining their holy magic and becoming true paladins. Examples of this type of paladin include Sasha Haderaa and Césare Verdini.
A second path to becoming a paladin is to study as a cleric, but focus on additional martial training within those studies. The temple-trained paladins of the Wild Dynasty, such as those in Phalanx of the Wild units, are the archetypal examples of this path. They study in the clerical training programs of the temple-campus system, but with extra focus placed on the swordsmanship aspect of the programs. Julien Hawthorne, who began his studies in the College of the Holy Mother, is another example.
The third, and often least successful, path is to have (or claim to have) a calling from a higher power that kickstarts a sudden quest. Strong faith and sense of purpose can make a paladin's cause and leadership skills incredibly compelling, but uneven martial skill often shortens an over-confident and under-trained paladin's career. However, if these paladins' calling is true and they survive the early days of their adventures, they have the potential to make history. Blanche de la Force, champion of Osiris and easily the most powerful paladin of her generation, is the best-known example of this archetype.
Perception
Social Status
Accomplished paladins are often among the most well-respected types of Adventurer. Their devotion to their faith lends them credibility with religious communities and organizations, particularly those following the same god or order as they do.
Operations
Dangers & Hazards
"The paladin rarely grows cynical, but rarely grows old." —Traditional Cape Hildegard saying
Type
Religious
Famous in the Field
Other Associated professions
Comments