Paladin

Paladins in Tanaria are more than just knights—they are warriors bound by sacred oaths, wielding divine power through sheer conviction and unwavering will. Unlike clerics, who serve their deities through prayer and magic, paladins embody their oaths through action, turning their devotion into a living force that shapes the world around them. Some serve the gods, while others pledge themselves to ideals, causes, or even ancient, forgotten powers.
The path of a paladin is one of duty, sacrifice, and unbreakable resolve. In the holy city of Halebrink, paladins of Solarius act as divine enforcers, purging heresy and protecting the faithful. In Kalros, some clans revere warriors who take sacred oaths, believing them to be chosen champions of the old gods. In the wild frontiers of Necai, paladins serve as lone wanderers, protecting villages from monstrous threats, bound to their oaths rather than any temple or kingdom.
Not all paladins are paragons of virtue. Some follow twisted or self-serving codes, using their powers to impose their will on the world. Oathbreakers—those who have abandoned their sworn vows—often walk a path of redemption or damnation, their divine gifts tainted by their choices. Others serve dark masters, wielding corrupted divine energy in the name of vengeance, conquest, or forbidden gods.
Regardless of alignment or creed, paladins in Tanaria shape the world through sheer force of belief. Their oaths are not mere words—they are binding forces of magic, destiny, and unyielding purpose. Whether they fight for justice, vengeance, or something more mysterious, paladins stand as the unshakable champions of their cause, wielding both sword and faith to carve their mark into history.

Career

Other Benefits

Within Tanaria, Paladins hold a revered position as champions of divine will, justice, and protection. Their divine connection and martial prowess grant them tangible advantages in the world, both in terms of their role in society and their influence over others.
Paladins are widely respected across Tanaria, regardless of their specific deity. Their divine oath sets them apart as moral and spiritual leaders, often granting them the following:

• Divine Authority and Respect: Paladins hold great influence, especially among religious communities and rulers. Temples revere them as agents of their deity, while rulers often seek their counsel in matters of justice and morality.
• Embodiments of Justice: Seen as impartial enforcers of divine law, Paladins are trusted to mediate disputes, oversee trials, and uphold fairness in even the most complex conflicts.
• Protection from Corruption: Immune to disease and resistant to magical influences, Paladins are uniquely suited to combat supernatural threats and lead in times of plague or unrest.
• Roles in Society: Whether as temple guardians, knights of the realm, or wandering protectors, Paladins are integral to the spiritual and martial strength of their communities.
• Fear and Respect from Evil Forces: Undead, fiends, and those who deal in dark arts fear Paladins, avoiding their wrath or attempting to appease them.
• Divine Blessings and Connections: Paladins receive holy relics, sanctuary in temples, and divine intervention in times of need. Many are granted enchanted steeds or other divine boons.
• Companions and Followers: Paladins often attract squires, allies, and faithful companions eager to aid their cause, inspired by their divine mission.
• Favor of the Gods: The gods often bestow blessings upon their chosen Paladins, aiding them in their quests and honoring their deeds with eternal recognition.

Perception

Social Status

The perception of the Paladin profession in Tanaria largely depends on the cultural, religious, and societal norms of the region. In most cases, Paladins are highly respected and revered, seen as embodiments of divine will and justice. However, in certain regions or among specific groups, their rigid adherence to oaths and divine authority may create friction, leading to more nuanced or even negative perceptions.
In most of Tanaria, Paladins are considered noble figures, often revered as protectors, spiritual warriors, and enforcers of justice. Their divine connection elevates them to a near-mythical status, making the profession sought after and admired by common folk and rulers alike.
Key societal views:

• Common Folk: Paladins are seen as heroes, protectors of the weak, and champions of fairness. Their presence inspires hope and a sense of safety.
• Nobility and Leaders: Many rulers value Paladins as advisors, guardians, or enforcers of divine and moral law. Their loyalty to their oaths makes them trustworthy allies.
• Religious Institutions: Temples and clergy often view Paladins as the ultimate expression of faith, holding them in the highest regard.

In most of Tanaria, Paladins are highly sought after and considered prestigious, representing the highest ideals of martial and spiritual discipline. However, in regions or societies where their values clash with the local culture (e.g., Dhuma), they may be viewed with distrust or relegated to the role of inconvenient outsiders. Overall, their profession is largely seen as noble, with their presence signaling hope, justice, and divine favor.

Demographics

The percentage of the population in Tanaria that is employed or otherwise engaged as Paladins is exceptionally small, as it is a specialized and demanding profession requiring both martial skill and divine connection. Paladins are rare, even among those who serve the gods, due to the intense dedication and training required to take and uphold an oath.
Across the entirety of Tanaria, the population engaged in this profession is likely less than 0.1%

Alternative Names

Holy Knight , Oathsworn, Godsworn, Justicar, Shield of [Deity's Name], Divine Warden

Type

Religious

Demand

Staple in Religious Societies, Luxury in Secular or Isolated Regions

Legality

Paladins, as divine warriors bound by sacred oaths, are generally respected and legally recognized across most of Tanaria. However, their profession is not universally accepted in all regions, as their divine authority and rigid sense of justice can sometimes clash with political, cultural, or legal systems. The degree of legal recognition varies by kingdom and government type—some regions revere Paladins as protectors of the law, while others see them as potential threats to their rule.

Playing a Paladin in Tanaria: Pros & Cons

Paladins are divine warriors, combining martial skill, divine magic, and unwavering conviction to serve their cause. Whether as holy knights, oathbound champions, or relentless enforcers of justice, paladins bring a mix of combat prowess, magical abilities, and leadership that makes them a formidable force. However, they also come with responsibilities, expectations, and limitations, making them a high-impact but roleplay-intensive class.

Pros (Why Play a Paladin?)

1. Unmatched Survivability
   • Paladins are tanky as hell, with heavy armor, shields, and self-healing to stay in the fight.
   • They can mitigate damage, resist conditions, and heal themselves and allies, making them one of the hardest classes to kill.
   • Lay on Hands gives them a pool of healing that never requires spell slots, meaning they’re always ready to sustain themselves or others.


2. Divine Smite = Insane Damage
   • Paladins can burn spell slots to add radiant damage to melee attacks, dealing huge burst damage in a single hit.
   • Unlike other casters, they don’t need to prepare damage spells—they can just smite on demand, making them incredibly reliable in combat.
   • Against undead and fiends, smites are even stronger, making paladins the bane of supernatural evil.


3. Hybrid Playstyle (Fighter + Magic + Support)
   • You get martial weapons, armor, and divine magic, making you good at everything.
   • Healing, buffs, damage, and tanking—paladins can fill multiple roles in a party without feeling weak in any of them.
   • You don’t have to rely on ranged or spellcasting—you’re at your strongest in melee combat, while still having useful spells for support.


4. Auras = Huge Party Buffs
   • Paladins passively buff allies just by existing, making them exceptional leaders and frontline supports.
   • Aura of Protection adds the paladin’s Charisma to all nearby saving throws, making your whole party resilient to magic and conditions.
   • Higher-level auras grant resistance to damage, immunity to fear, and other benefits, making paladins walking fortresses for their team.


5. Strong Roleplaying & Story Impact
   • Every paladin has an oath that defines their purpose, making them easy to integrate into the story.
   • They command respect, fear, or reverence, depending on their actions and the society they serve.
   • Paladins make strong leaders and moral centers for a party, driving the story forward with conviction, duty, or vengeance.

Cons (Challenges of Playing a Paladin)

1. Oath Restrictions Can Be Limiting
   • Paladins must follow their oath, meaning they can’t just do whatever they want without consequences.
   • If a paladin betrays their oath, they may lose their powers or be forced to redeem themselves.
   • Some oaths are stricter than others—an Oath of Devotion paladin has a clear moral code, while an Oath of Vengeance paladin has more flexibility but still must pursue justice relentlessly.


2. No Strong Ranged Combat Options
   • Paladins struggle with ranged attacks, since most of their damage and abilities require melee combat.
   • While they can use bows or spells, they’re nowhere near as effective at long range as a ranger, sorcerer, or fighter.
   • If forced into a ranged fight, a paladin may feel less impactful compared to other frontliners.


3. Limited Spellcasting Compared to Clerics
   • Paladins only get spell slots up to level 5, meaning they can’t cast high-level spells like Resurrection, Holy Aura, or Mass Heal.
   • Their spell list is mostly buffs and utility, so they lack strong offensive magic outside of Divine Smite.
   • Their spell slots are limited, and many paladins use them for smites instead of actual spells, meaning they often feel like a half-caster rather than a true spellcaster.


4. Heavy Armor = Slow Movement
   • Most paladins wear heavy armor, which reduces mobility and makes them slower than many other classes.
   • In open-world exploration or pursuit situations, they can struggle to keep up with faster enemies or allies.
   • Dexterity-based paladins (with lighter armor) exist, but they’re rare and generally weaker than Strength-based builds.


5. Social & Roleplaying Expectations
   • People expect paladins to be heroic, which can feel restrictive if you want to play a more morally flexible character.
   • Some players and DMs may assume paladins are self-righteous or preachy, making them harder to fit into some party dynamics.
   • If a paladin’s oath conflicts with the party’s actions, it can create in-character conflict that leads to party tension.

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Final Verdict: Should You Play a Paladin?
Play a Paladin if:

• You want to be a frontline warrior who can tank, heal, and deal massive burst damage.
• You enjoy having a strong moral or personal code that guides your character’s decisions.
• You want to buff and protect your allies while being hard to kill yourself.
• You like smashing enemies with divine power while radiating pure badass energy.

Avoid Paladin if:

• You don’t want to manage oath restrictions or roleplay a character with a code.
• You prefer ranged combat over melee combat.
• You want a full caster with more spell options and flexibility (play a Cleric instead).
• You don’t like being a leader or having moral responsibility in a party.

Playing a paladin in Tanaria is a powerful and rewarding experience, but it requires commitment to your role, strategic spell selection, and understanding your oath. If you like being a divine champion with the power to heal, smite, and inspire, paladins are one of the strongest and most respected classes you can play.

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Paladins in Tanaria are unstoppable champions of faith, justice, and divine wrath. Their mix of martial skill, divine magic, and strong roleplay hooks makes them one of the most powerful and respected classes in the world. However, their oath restrictions, reliance on melee combat, and party expectations mean they aren’t for everyone. If you like being a tanky warrior with divine magic and a clear purpose, paladins are one of the best choices you can make. We play D&D 5e rules. So, to learn more about paladins go here