Blessed Paladin
Paladins are already paragons of virtue, at least of the strictures and teachings of their god, but the blessed paladin is one even higher - the paladin's paladin. She holds herself to an even higher standard of morality than most heroes - dangerously so. Through her virtuous deeds, she declares herself an agent of a just and good good, even though that deities' influence in the Domains of Dread is significantly suppressed by the omnipresent Dark Powers. Although no commoner would understand the purpose of an esoteric and forgotten god like Heironeous, or even the zeal required of the lawful good sect of Church of Ezra, the blessed paladin righteously struggles to maintain that link with their divine. A blessed order of knighthood is likely to consist of only one or two exemplars, but the blessed paladin nonetheless obeys the lawful strictures of her faith. Most heroes of this sort crusade for many years as a paladin before they strive even further, adopting the most rigourous discipline, and vows, that make up the burning faith of the blessed paladin.
Roleplaying a Blessed Paladin
Backgrounds of a Blessed Paladin
Alignment and Religion
While Paladin alignment restrictions within Time of Unparalleled Darkness are relaxed to "any good", the blessed paladin is a much more narrow path, and they must be lawful in their actions. A blessed paladin takes a vow, before their god or goddess, forsaking all their divinity considers wrongdoing. After she takes this vow, she shines like a beacon to all creatures of evil that try to scry or divine her presence. The vast majority of Ravenloft's creatures are obscured in their motives and morality, but the blessed paladin cannot hide her alliance with the forces of light. Her code of honour regards such subterfuge as dishonourable. She no longer wishes to hide, for she is ready to face the worst horrors the world can hurl at her. Commoners state that the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long - the same principle often applies to blessed paladins. Yet, so adherent to their divine and their ways they are, and devoted to those beliefs, the blessed paladin happily faces this adversity head-on.
The Blessed Paladin as an Adventurer
Prestige Class Requirements
To become a blessed paladin (blp), a character must fulfill the following criteria:
- Class: Paladin. This is an extension of the paladin class, and as such, they must have already previously been a paladin.
- Alignment: Lawful Good.
- Base Attack Bonus: +4
- Feats: Blessed. The paladin must pass a test of virtue and have gained the Blessed feat as a result.
- Morality: The character must remain Blessed. See also the special restriction Moral Compass listed below.
A blessed paladin that strays from the morality restrictions "falls" and reverts to a normal paladin. They retain blessed paladin levels, and if they manage the arduous task of becoming once-again Blessed, they regain their abilities. Otherwise, the blessed Paladin levels are counted as if they are additional normal Paladin Levels. Ie, a Paladin 6/Blessed Paladin 10, whom loses their Blessed Status, are counted as if they are a level 16 Paladin.
A paladin must strive to quickly regain their Blessed Paladin levels if they stray, and as such, characters whom are "fallen" blessed paladins will be reverted to normal Paladins entirely if they do not undertake some quest to restore their Blessed status. A paladin whom loses their blessed paladin ranks in this way may not gain them again. At that point they may remain a paladin, if they are scrupulous enough about their vows, but they can never regain that highest virtue they once exemplified.
An Important Note on Expectations of Play
Note that Blessed Paladin is essentially the reward for performing a story arc as a paladin player to gain the Blessed ability, and as such, along with the expectations of behaviour of Blessed players to begin with, these players will be held to very high standards in terms of their "goodly" behaviour. If these expectations chafe, you are free to turn down both Blessed Paladin status and the Blessed feat to no ill effects (other than missing the opprotunity to have such things, of course.)
Additionally, the blessed paladin is a radiant force of light in the realm, and while that comes with the awe and admiration of the common-folk more often than not, their actions sign a clarion call to evil, a call that demands response. Expect as a blessed paladin to be constantly challenged. Again, if such bothers you, you are free to turn down blessed paladin without reprecussions to your existing class.
