Supposedly Really Historic Paladin Codes

Mathius Archian

Mathius Archian was said to place pen to paper during the beginning of the Daemon Wars, out of a fear that the Wars were such that they might wipe out civilization altogether. Other orders have since adapted his teachings, though they are not considered here anything more than a set of ideas.

Mathias is provided as an example of a writings on the subject that one might find within Tenebrae. Think of it as a philosophy he presented, which it is intended to be, and that many more ideas exist. In fact, if you find other examples you feel might be shared, contact staff. There's always more than one way to play.

A Code for the Orders

As writ by Matthias Archian, sometime during the beginning of the Daemon Wars

A Paladin embodies all that is Good. The clergy act as teachers and counselors for wisdom, guides and agents for this Grace. The paladins shall act as the guardians of the faithful, the champions of the innocent, and the bulwark against Evil and all who delight in wickedness.

The Paladin swears obedience and loyalty, diligence and sacrifice to the ranks of an Order.

The Paladin is trained in the skills of the Light. He is educated in the Wisdom of the Heavens, as taught by the priests, through prayer and observance, and through enlightened by the Grace of the Celestial Saints. He is strengthened by his faith.

The Paladin is charged with reflecting the Good through his actions. His life serves as an example of the power of Grace.

He is an encouragement to the faithful, a shepherd to the lost, a defender of the weak, and a champion of Good in all of its incarnations.

The Paladin's behavior shall thus be governed by adherence to the following code:

1. He shall act with compassion and humility, mete justice and offer hope, for these are the cornerstones of all that is Good.

2. He shall deny hatred and arrogance, eschew selfishness and elude despair, for these are the tools Evil uses to undermine all that is Good.

3. He shall endeavor to follow the laws of society and the authority of its rulers, for civilization is the soil in which the weak can thrive. Only with great cause and in the service of Good may he violate the laws or challenge the rightful rulers of a land.

4. He shall work to bring down the reign of savagery and wrest order out of chaos, for the mayhem of anarchy is the mire in which Evil grows.

5. He shall protect the gentle from the exploitation of the powerful. He shall protect the innocent against the debauchery of the depraved. He shall protect the kindly from the abuse of the cruel. He shall protect the righteous from the injustice of tyrants. From these are drawn those destined for Heaven and they are his charges.

6. He shall battle against Evil wherever he finds it. He must not befriend those who are Evil nor shall he cavort or travel with those who are Evil. He is the enemy of Evil and must not enjoy its company and must be beware the wiles and trickery of Evil and not fall for its charms.

7. He shall battle and destroy devils and demons, for their place is not in this world and their presence will only corrupt and hurt.

8. He shall battle and destroy the undead, for their time has come and gone, their remains must be returned to the grave or scattered as dust to the wind.

9. He shall promote the teachings of the Gods of Light, encourage faith within the Light, and promote Good wherever he goes. He shall reach out to those not in the faith and support the faithful through deed and word. He shall practice the observances and rituals of the faith as an encouragement to those around him and invite their participation.

10. He shall behave honorably, even when not treated thus. He shall not steal, shall not be craven in his dealings, shall not fight through trickery nor subterfuge nor deceit, and shall not torture.

11. He shall recreate in activities that relax the body, soothe the spirit, enlighten the mind, or advance his skill. He shall avoid activities that hollowly stimulate his senses, excite his emotions, or compromise his character in the eyes of others.

12. He shall make only those oaths he intends to keep and is capable of fulfilling. He need only accept oaths from those who have proven themselves capable of fulfilling them or who will prove themselves thus capable as part of their oath.

13. He shall not ask of others that which they cannot do or that which he can do himself. He shall not willingly accept more upon himself than he can do well.

14. He shall show courage and confidence in all situations, especially in the face of Evil. He shall not, however, forget his responsibilities and must not confuse courage and confidence with bravado and arrogance. Victory is often not found in battle.

15. He shall give quarter when asked, accept surrender when offered, and spare those who lie helpless at his feet when they might be redeemed. Those thus taken are in his charge until they are given over to those with the authority to judge them. He shall not spare those who cannot be redeemed or promise mercy, but kill that which is Evil by nature, for only through the waters of the Lethe might they be redeemed.

16. He shall look after the well being of others, both his charges and companions, before seeing to his personal needs. He shall look after them in the order of their need, helping the most needy first. Only when the safety and well being of other depends on his needs, should this be abrogated.

17. He shall share his deeds, his hopes, his sins, and his fears with the clerics and his superiors in his Order. They will keep him on the path of Good, away from the temptations of Evil.

Supposed Real-World Sources

Excerpt from: Divided Allegiance

by Elisabeth Moon

Most think being a holy warrior means gaining vast arcane powers, that they would be nearly invincible against any foe. But truth is that while Paladin are skilled at fighting, that was the least of their abilities. A quest might involve no fighting at all, or a battle against beings no steel could pierce.

Above all paladins show that courage is possible. It is easy enough to find reasons to give in to evil. War is ugly as many know. But we do not argue that war is better than peace; paladin are not that stupid. It is not peace when cruelty reigns, when stronger men steal from farmers and craftmen., when the child can be enslaved, or the old thrown out to starve, and no one lifts a hand. That is not peace: that is conquest and evil.

Paladins do not start quarrels in peaceful lands, never display their skills to earn applause. But we are the sword of good defending the helpless and teaching by our example that one person can dare greater force to break evil's grasp on the innocent. Sometimes that can be done without fighting, without killing, and that is best.

But some evil needs direct attack, and paladins must be able to do it, and lead others in battle. Wonder why paladins are so likeable? It is important, we come to a town, perhaps, where nothing has gone right for a dozen years. Perhaps there is a temple there and sometimes there is not. The people are frightened, and they have lost trust in each other, in themselves. We may lead them into danger, some will be killed or wounded. Why should they trust us?

Because we are likeable, and other people will follow us willingly. And that's why we are more likely to choose a popular adept as a candidate rather than the best fighters.

Excerpt from: Practice Relating to Rule 57. Ruses of War

by various authors, gathered by the Red Cross

Ruses of war are legitimate so long as they do not involve treachery or perfidy on the part of the belligerent resorting to them. They are, however, forbidden if they contravene any generally accepted rule.

The line of demarcation between legitimate ruses and forbidden acts of perfidy is sometimes indistinct … [I]t is a perfectly proper ruse to summon a force to surrender on the ground that it is surrounded and thereby induce such surrender with a small force.

...Among legitimate ruses may be counted surprises; ambushes; feigning attacks, retreats or flights; simulating quiet and inactivity; use of small forces to simulate large units...[etc.]

Source