The path of a Paladin is not an easy one. To even say that much is an understatement – aside from the spectre of death that follows an adventurer, a Paladin is constantly battered with the responsibility of decision-making. Tales and great warriors often gloss over this difficulty – these great people, with the truthest of ideas in their hearts, stalwartly commit to their path and forever forge onwards. But, if that were the case, where are the legions of legendary heroes? Why are there no large, trained armies of righteous Paladins, carrying their beliefs on their breast as they ever march towards glory?
Those who would walk the path of a Paladin are, first and foremost, bound by an Oath. The specifics of the Oath is not as important as one would think they are – what is important, however, is adhering to that Oath, no matter what it may be, for these things are not forged idly. No powerful being would accept words so carelessly given, for no powerful being would wish to be seen as a fool. As such, not all who wish to become a Paladin are able to do so. To have the proper resolve, to have the necessary devotion, and to have the heart to endure – these things are all crucial to the creation of an Oath.
As the Oath is central to the Paladin’s very existence, it is necessary for a Paladin to act in accordance with the Oath taken, regardless of what it may be. This, more times than not, leads to a Paladin becoming almost single-minded with their task – pure adherence to their Oath is more important than discerning the truth of a situation, and such behaviours have been known to split an adventuring party or two. This often leads a Paladin to venture forth alone, and likely meet an ignoble end, or to flit between groups, unable to forge lasting relationships lest their behaviour change.
Adhering to one’s Oath, however, grants powerful abilities. The ability to discern good from evil at a glance, to heal the sick and infirm, and to perform a myriad of other wonderful abilities is likely a reason that a Paladin, if they try hard enough, can find a home anywhere. But they are destined to adventure – the Oath one takes more often than not requires them to provide aid or assistance to those less fortunate, and those sorts of individuals will always exist, both at home and abroad.
What happens, however, if a Paladin were to break their Oath? It is well-documented, and an unenviable journey – seeking absolution is necessary, and depending on which being they served, the acts they must perform will vary. Whatever is done must show that they are not above their Oath, and such a thing will not occur again. For, if it does, what is the point? Without an Oath, a Paladin is no Paladin, even if wickedness plagues their heart and tries to corrupt their being.
That being said, however, what about those Paladins that break their Oath and are unrepentant? That is slightly less clear. However, there is no shortage of stories in which a Paladin became a tyrant or the arbiter of their own law, and suddenly found themselves without divine blessing, and left to their own devices. Their wonderful powers now gone, they often fancy themselves little more than a well-armed bandit.
A question is on your mind, however – what about the Oathbreakers? These Paladins are, despite breaking their Oath, still Paladins. But, rather than seeking to assist others and those who are less fortunate, they seek primarily to accomplish their own goals and ambitions. The Oath of the Oathbreaker Paladin and other Paladins are, interestingly enough, nearly the same. Once again, the actual Oath itself is not important – what is important is adherence. Any being willing to accept an Oath from a Paladin who has already reneged on a prior Oath is likely to be considered “evil” – these beings may not necessarily care for loyalty or honesty, for the moment the new Oath is struck, the Paladin goes down a path one cannot return from.
The smell of the divine and goodness is like an old taste once loved – it now puts a frown on one’s face. The scent of the wicked and evil is like the sweetest of drinks – it is alluring, and it is near impossible to resist being whisked away for a moment in a fleeting memory. The Oathbreaker, imbibed with the power to do as they please, is perhaps the least common Paladin to exist. The cowardice at the core of their person manifests itself as negativity and disdain for living creatures, and more often than not, they are not beyond subjugating either the forces of good or evil for their own gain.
An Oathbreaker, much like any other Paladin, can break their Oath for any reason. It is unknown as to whether they do it solely for greater power – if so, would that imply the path of an Oathbreaker is easier? There is little to suggest this is the case. Paladins of all stripes who adhere to their Oath become legendary in their own respects, and one would be hard-pressed to find a Paladin who completely regrets the way their lives played out. And Oathbreakers, through trampling their old Oath underfoot and seeking out a new one, must yet adhere to another Oath for their powers to be made manifest.
Indulge this theory, if you will: good and evil is infinitely more complex than we allow ourselves to understand. Most individuals in this world fall somewhere within neutrality, and it is more often at times than it is consistent that we behave in a way that would be understood as “good” or “evil”. Oathbreakers, in this regard, are “evil” because they willingly chose to turn their back on the righteous Oath they swore prior, regardless of any events that pushed them to make that decision. There is always a choice, after all.
However, it is undeniable that some individuals we consider “evil” can, at times, correct or otherwise fix situations that those bound by “goodness” are unable to do. This can even be those Paladins that end up breaking their Oath and undergo penitence – perhaps there was an individual truly too dangerous to allow to live, or something equally salacious. The truth of the matter is that those who break their Oath are the only ones who will truly know why they have done so.
Oaths, as said, are not forged idly – they are pledges reinforced with action. To break an Oath and to reforge it with another may seem idle, even disrespectful. And perhaps it is. But to be a Paladin is to have an Oath, and to break one’s Oath is something that even the most devout of Paladins are capable of. Perhaps we shouldn’t pass judgement so quickly.
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