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General Tabletop Discussion
D&D Older Editions
Are there any role-play differences between Paladin and Cleric?
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<blockquote data-quote="GreyLord" data-source="post: 8994514" data-attributes="member: 4348"><p>It used to be (though, I suppose with some changes and how the game defines it, it could be more difficult to see now) that the Paladin was a Holy Knight. </p><p></p><p>This means that they were like other Knights, but dedicated to a Higher Purpose.</p><p></p><p>It was done in the same vein as the idea of Knights being ordained by the Church as Protectors of the Faith. They were still knights, they had their lands and titles, but they were also given special purvue by the Church. </p><p></p><p>One main inspiration behind the Paladin name was the 12 Paladins of Charlemagne from legend. All Noble Lords of Charlemagne, but also given special authority by the Church and the Lord to fulfill their callings as protectors of the faith, the people, justice, and truth.</p><p></p><p>In a similar vein, many of the Knights of the Round Table were considered Paladins in Legends and Lord and other D&D books of the past. </p><p></p><p>In essence, a Paladin is a Knight, but is called by the deities to also be a special protector that shows the ideals of that deity, as well as one who protects others, the faith, and truth. In D&D, that gives the Paladin special powers as well.</p><p></p><p>A Cleric on the other hand is not nobility, is not a special fighter exhibiting the ideals of a deity, nor representing the idealistic portrayal of one who is a defender of the Faith.</p><p></p><p>They could be part of the Clergy (hence the name...Cleric) and were more focused on the Religious part rather than the Nobility part. In the Medieval times Clerics were still involved with fighting in many cases. Many were the second sons of Nobility, sent to be retained in the Church unless they were needed (aka...older brother gets killed). At times, they got involved with wars and armies and dressed and fought accordingly. Brothers fought side by side, one the Knight, one the Priest or Bishop, in battles against enemies to their lands or kingdom. Clerics were focused more on the Church, however (At least in theory), than on defending the people and the land.</p><p></p><p>Thus, the big difference could be seen as their focuses. Paladins were Warriors and focused on defending the people and their lands. Clerics were Priests and were focused on the Faith.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="GreyLord, post: 8994514, member: 4348"] It used to be (though, I suppose with some changes and how the game defines it, it could be more difficult to see now) that the Paladin was a Holy Knight. This means that they were like other Knights, but dedicated to a Higher Purpose. It was done in the same vein as the idea of Knights being ordained by the Church as Protectors of the Faith. They were still knights, they had their lands and titles, but they were also given special purvue by the Church. One main inspiration behind the Paladin name was the 12 Paladins of Charlemagne from legend. All Noble Lords of Charlemagne, but also given special authority by the Church and the Lord to fulfill their callings as protectors of the faith, the people, justice, and truth. In a similar vein, many of the Knights of the Round Table were considered Paladins in Legends and Lord and other D&D books of the past. In essence, a Paladin is a Knight, but is called by the deities to also be a special protector that shows the ideals of that deity, as well as one who protects others, the faith, and truth. In D&D, that gives the Paladin special powers as well. A Cleric on the other hand is not nobility, is not a special fighter exhibiting the ideals of a deity, nor representing the idealistic portrayal of one who is a defender of the Faith. They could be part of the Clergy (hence the name...Cleric) and were more focused on the Religious part rather than the Nobility part. In the Medieval times Clerics were still involved with fighting in many cases. Many were the second sons of Nobility, sent to be retained in the Church unless they were needed (aka...older brother gets killed). At times, they got involved with wars and armies and dressed and fought accordingly. Brothers fought side by side, one the Knight, one the Priest or Bishop, in battles against enemies to their lands or kingdom. Clerics were focused more on the Church, however (At least in theory), than on defending the people and the land. Thus, the big difference could be seen as their focuses. Paladins were Warriors and focused on defending the people and their lands. Clerics were Priests and were focused on the Faith. [/QUOTE]
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Are there any role-play differences between Paladin and Cleric?
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