Paladin

Paladin

(Class)

Races

any

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Iconic character

Seelah

Images of paladins

Source: Core Rulebook, pg(s). 60–64

Ⅰ

This article covers a topic relevant to Pathfinder First Edition. For the Pathfinder Second Edition equivalent, see champion.

Where fighters are the pinnacle of martial combat, the paladin blends martial skill with devotion to a righteous deity, cause, or organization. The paladin is held to a much higher standard than members of any other profession, including clerics and monks. If a paladin betrays these standards, they face spiritual penalty as well as the possibility of facing a penance, or even worse being removed from their order.

Goals

A paladin's primary goal is to convert the wicked—the evil and chaotic forces of the world and their servants. A paladin is bound both to do good and to uphold just law, though if forced into a choice a paladin will likely choose the cause of good. They focus most of their efforts on evil souls, and will attempt to convert before they resort to mortal combat.

A paladin channels divine power and often has a patron deity, though one is not required. They are steadfast and determined, and like monks many maintain a life of routine and pure intent. They take good care of themselves physically and mentally, though they spend less time in meditation than monks. Paladins are also not concerned with physical perfection as much as spiritual focus.

Regions

A gnome paladin.

Paladins are rare on Golarion, even beyond the Inner Sea region. They maintain small enclaves similar to monasteries, or even as a part of a monastery. Of note is the Star Keep in Mendev, where evil forces from the Worldwound pour forth in unending number but are held back by stalwart paladins. In Lastwall is the enclave of Vigil, where knights of the Holy Citadel of Light learn the arts of war in preparation to battle orcs of the Belkzen. Andoran trains the Eagle Knights, while Absalom, Brevoy, Osirion, and Taldor all have small enclaves in addition to independent paladins throughout the world.

Deities with paladins

These deities count paladins among their followers:

• Iomedae
• Torag
• Abadar
• Erastil
• Irori
• Sarenrae
• Shelyn
• Alseta
• Apsu
• Kurgess
• Chaldira Zuzaristan
• Gruhastha
• Kazutal
• Magrim
• Shizuru
• Tsukiyo
• Anubis
• Horus
• Maat
• Osiris
• Ra
• Angradd
• Folgrit
• Kols
• Trudd
• Yuelral

Although they are quite rare even among paladins, some also serve the empyreal lords Ragathiel, Arqueros, Dammerich, Olheon, Vildeis, Falayna, and Andoletta.

Fallen paladins

If a paladin stops adhering to the causes of law and good, commits a heinously evil act, or otherwise violates their personal code of conduct, their divine gifts cease to function. A paladin who falls from grace can regain their divine power only by casting an atonement spell, or more rarely by regaining the respect of their chosen cause. Very rarely, a paladin can shift entirely to the cause of evil and gain dark powers by becoming an antipaladin.

Some paladins who stray from their path seek solace from Korada, empyreal lord of forgiveness.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

External links

• Paladin (real-world legend) on Wikipedia
• Paladin (Dungeons & Dragons) (real-world mechanical class) on Wikipedia