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GilfalasElaandrin

06-16-2005, 12:29 AM

The Code: An examination of what it means to be Paladin First allow me to introduce my self, I am Gilfalas Elaandrin of the House Elaandrin, a Koada’Dal or High Elf in the common parlance. I am Paladin and servant to Tunare, The Mother of All goddess of elven kind. I have lived for 189 years and have been dedicated to her service since I was a child of just 17. I practice what many would consider the ‘old ways’ of service and belief which some in this age have eschewed. I still revere the gods as the creators of the races that inhabit our world and for the beings of might they undeniably were and, in my belief and assured knowledge, still are and I still give worship to Tunare as Mother and Goddess of my people and as the power to whom I hold eternal and ultimate allegiance and fealty, superseding all other. As I hold to the old beliefs yet, some may be inclined to discount my words in haste, to them I ask: Let wisdom be your guide. It is only through the broadening of ones mind that one can truly learn wisdom and even those with differing or contrary viewpoints can hold the key to insight. I pen this so that you have some understanding of the person who writes what is to come, an insight into background and belief so that you can understand the context from whence this paper comes. My goal is to discuss the merits of Paladinhood and to try to codify a set of universal standards that apply to all who choose the path of faith and action as their ultimate calling. This is not meant to be a treatise on all that is Paladinly. Far be it, there is as much variance among those in service as in those we serve. Rather this is, I hope, to be a document that will give guidelines on that which all who are Paladin in Norrath find as basic, common tenets, no matter what ethos or allegiance they follow. And so to begin I would say that we first must understand what the Paladin is which is a proposition that may not be as simple as many would think. There are many that would simply say Paladins are ‘holy warriors’ and it is truly undeniable that our faith gives us power which is divine. But holiness in this age of rebuilding has been redefined. The gods that once ruled over our lives have retreated from this realm, to where none know and for what reasons we cannot as yet fathom, in most part. But this is not to be a study on deism or theology and I shall not go in depth into that which defines faith or holiness itself on Norrath today. Instead let us look at what we, Paladins, are. First and foremost we are warriors. Let that sink in. We are men and women of arms, set to a cause and service. That by it’s nature states that we are beings of action. We are trained for battle so that we directly confront our enemies and those who threaten what is good and turn them back or vanquish them from their goals. To eschew this duty is to deny our existence. We exist to confront evil and destroy it if we can. We exist to do what must be done to assure that light does not fade from our world and to protect that which is so precious to us all: Life. But anyone can confront and destroy things. Those who follow the path of the Guardian or Berserker for example can do such as well. What then sets the Paladin on a different path, what differentiates us from the other more earthy warriors? Two things define what we are, beyond the simple classification of warrior: Purpose and Wisdom. As novitiates on the path of the warrior we train to hone our skills and prowess in battle, but being able to kill is, in my opinion, the very LEAST of the powers of the Paladin. It should be the LAST power used as well. To take a life is no small thing and one who reveres it should be loathe to meet out death unless there is no other possible alternative. But one who takes the mantle of Paladin has at some level recognized within themselves a purpose. A purpose greater than themselves firmly entrenched in service to others and the greater good. When graduating from the simple path of the warrior and taking up the mantle of the crusader, the future Paladin affirms this belief, they make manifest in their lives the conscious, aware and informed choice to put the good of all ahead of themselves. To dedicate their existence and very life if need be to the protection of that which is good in this world. This tenet is vitally important. We believe that we are here to safeguard all that is good. We are beings of action that are dedicated to belief. We do not simply say what we believe, we act upon it. Many can simply spout dogma, but crusaders dedicate themselves to belief and ACTION in that belief. Our lives are defined by this and everything we do, no matter how trivial, must reflect this dedication at all times. Thus does the crusader come to know it’s purpose: To be the shield that protects the innocent, the mind that opposes evil and if all other means fail, the sword that sunders the darkness. To act when others cannot or will not, for the good of all. Our purpose is to protect that which is good and destroy that which is evil. But now that we know how (to fight) and for what (to fight) comes the true challenge, the hardest part of being Paladin: knowing why. Having the wisdom to know when to raise the blade is vital and it is in wisdom that the Paladin’s dedication is formed into truly holy service. We are called on not just to fight though we are first and foremost warriors, but we are even more so called on to know for what purpose do we fight and to be sure that our cause is virtuous and just. We must have the wisdom to make sure that our reason is sound and out motives are pure, to know that our actions when unleashed are even necessary before we draw blade from scabbard. It is absolutely essential that as a Paladin we do more than fight. We are a calling tied to service and while our role is warrior our measure in that role is wisdom and the wisest of Paladins know that the most good can often be done without a weapon. In that line are Paladins called on to be of service. Not just to race or deity, for in this day and age while our cultural and spiritual differences still exist, the commonality of our plight after the Shattering far outweigh what were once our differences. But service to our community, to those people of any race who have given allegiance to Qeynos, for what can truly be called the bastion of what is good in the shattered realms but Qeynos? Those who dedicate themselves to the cause have made commitment to our shared ethos. To the advancement of peace, justice, truth, honor, life and community and the opposition of all forces who seek to wipe that from the face of Norrath or to shackle it in slavery or oppresion. While the priest has as much commitment to the community as we do (if not more), their focus is on ministration, comfort and teaching. They are there to safeguard and serve in a supportive role to the community, to be the mortar that bonds the day to day lives of the people and helps to advance their welfare. It is not their calling to directly oppose with arms that which would endanger their charges. Note this is not to lessen their contributions. Often the priest is called upon to mend more than wounds, but hearts and spirits and such deeds are among the most true and noble one can do. Also their calling to wisdom is even greather than our own and they should be sought as guides whenever doubt or indecision may enter into a Paladin’s mind. Such is where we come to be. We are the martial priest. Those of belief, dedication and faith who focus on putting ourselves in harms way so that no others come to harm. But we also must know why we fight and we must know that our reasons are just and right. We must have the wisdom to know when it is the open hand or the closed fist which is best to solve the situation. It is also wisdom that is our ultimate shield against the insidious dark powers who would seek to twist us or corrupt us from the Truth of our callings for the darkness always will seek to tempt and twist the minds of the Paladin to it’s own black purposes. Wisdom is the only way to know truth from lies and right from wrong. As a special note, nothing among the ranks of the legions of darkness is more an affront to the light, or more a threat to the living, than the undead. Never should the paladin allow the abomination of unlife to exist should he/she have the ability to purge it from the face of Norrath. It is a blight which desecrates our tombs, perverts the sacred remains of our forebears and our fallen, and threatens the fundamental power and fabric of life itself. It a paramount task that we cleanse this rot from the fabric of our world, lest it's eternal and infinate hunger consume all that is blessed. So, the Paladin is defined by Action, Purpose and Wisdom. But what guides these three crucial tenets? Each Paladin who takes upon themselves the mantle will be a product of their life. Each will have their faith and beliefs to draw from, their knowledge and experience. These things guide us and it has been my experience that these things breed common traits among those who choose this path. I will attempt to quantify these traits and list them as guidelines for the Paladin. I use them in my life and have adopted them from many sources in my time. Special note must be made to the trainers of my youth in old Faydwer (may it’s glory be renewed again) both from Fewithe and Kaladim. General Jyleel and Lord Tynkale of the Defenders of Felwithe and King Kazon Stormhammer of Kaladim, Lord of the Stormguard were those who first taught me the truest meaning of duty, sacrifice and vigilance. Their influence on The Code is perhaps more than any others. May their spirits rest in the ages and may their legacy never be forgotten. The Code Valor 1) The Paladin is called to battle to oppose the darkness. Let them never shirk from just battle or show cowardice. 2) The Paladin is called to lead by example. They are to be the first to engage and the last to leave when battle calls. 3) The Paladin is called to service, even unto their death. Never fail to protect those in your charge even should it cost your life. 4) Suffer not the undead to exist, for they are an abomination of the natural order and an offense to life itself. Annihilate the restless dead wherever they can be found if it is at all within your power or ability. Duty 1) The Paladin is dedicated to service. Let them never fail to aid those in need or to protect those who are in danger. 2) The Paladin is dedicated to community. Let them be leaders in all that they say and do so that those in their charge are uplifted and filled with hope and trust by our example. 3) The Paladin recognizes the need of the many over the need of one’s self. Never forget that what you fight to defend is the most precious thing in existence, the lives of those in your community. Give all that you are to safeguard it. 4) The Paladin is charged with the cleansing and opposition of evil in all of Norrath. Only by destroying utterly the blight of darkness and corruption can Qeynos and the races of light be held safe. The price of safety is eternal vigilance, never let yours be found lacking. Wisdom 1) The Paladin’s honor is his bond. The trust and belief of those we protect is contingent upon our actions and our words. Never let your actions fail to fulfill your oaths. 2) The Paladin wields great power in the name of good. Let him never fail to realize that with great power comes great responsibility. 3) The Paladin confronts evil always. Be sure that your cause is just and that your reasons are true and pure in every action you take. 4) The Paladin is charged with truth in word and deed. Know when the power of the spoken word is greater than the power of the sword and remember that the truth of the blade should always be the last resort. Speak not that which is false for it lessons your honor and mocks the gravity of the commitment we have to those we serve. 5) Let compassion be your guide in all things, but remember too that the forces of darkness will attempt to use that compassion to twist it to their own ends. Let wisdom guide you in such times and remember your ultimate purpose. Valor. Duty. Wisdom. These tenets are what it means to be a Paladin. In ages past, there were orders of Paladins across norrath, holy sects dedicated to regional area and patron deities. Noble orders all, with just leaders and holy pupose. But the world has since shattered and those noble men and woman have perished long since. But we can look back to the past and learn from their example, to take that which was best from those brethren of long ago and bring that back to this age. I recommend that any Paladin who reads these words seek out the wisdom passed down from these anient and noble orders, if they can be found any more, and learn what you can from them. And perhaps give a thought to the legions of men and woman in ages past who have given all they are in service, much as we do today. Some are our ancestors. Remember them and revere them for their blood paves the road from despair to hope. The Knights of Truth in service to Mithanial Marr The Sentries of Passion in Service to Erollisi Marr The Knights of Thunder in service to Karana the Stormlord The Lightbringers in service to Rodcet Nife the Prime Healer The Peacekeepers of Quellious in service to Quellious the Tranquil The Deepwater Knights in service to Prexus the Oceanlord The Koada’Vie in service to Tunare, the Mother of All Miners Guild 249 in service to Brell Serilis the Lord of Underfoot In ages past, Paladins were often divided by nationality and race but today, in this new day, we are one land, one people and one purpose. Never forget who you are and where you come from for in our diversity are we enriched. But, also, never forget who we are now for in our new unity are we strengthened. It is not an easy path we choose when we take up the mantle of Paladin. It is full of hard choices and strict ethics. But it is a path of honor and fulfillment. One that will most likely claim our lives. But given what we fight for, our families, our friends our neighbors and the very heart of life itself, what could be more important? What purpose more valuable? What cause more worth sacrifice should it be necessary? I thank you for your time. May Tunare smile upon you and your families always. <UL> <LI>Gilfalas Elaandrin of the House Elaandrin</LI> <LI>Paladin in eternal Service to Tunare the Mother of All</LI> <LI>Castelview Hamlet, Qeynos</LI> <LI>Guild of the Eternal Solstice</LI></UL>