Paladin

Paladin
Class:	Paladin

"The way of the Paladin:

To Learn

To Seek

To Do"

"The way of the Paladin is to seek to know that which truly is. The Paladin strives to learn his own inner nature and that of others. The Paladin does whatever needs to be done to bring light to the world. Not for glory, not for gain, the Paladin becomes a Paladin because it is his will." (Rakeesh)

A Paladin is a person of Honor. The more good deeds one accomplishes, the more abilities they have at their command - the most noticeable being a blue flame surrounding the blade of their weapon (which is traditionally a sword).

Background

The Paladin is the Goody-Two-Shoes of champions and the Dudley-Do-Right of defenders. This job is clearly not for everyone. If one is willing to be bold for no gold, risk their name without acclaim and campaign without gain, this could be the occupation for their emulation. A Paladin is a hero's hero (and he can have him). Frankly, Paladins constantly become involved in extremely dangerous quests like slaying Dragons, and rarely survive long enough (or earn enough) to purchase the all-important F.A.C.S. pamphlets.

Some call them "Do-Gooders", some call them "Knights of Nobility" and some call them "Cavaliers of Courtesy". Others just call them "Confounded Nuisances". There are many names for these unsung heroes who try to prevent injustices in the world and encourage harmony between living things. However, since modesty is an important quality for Paladins, they seldom become famous Explorers.  

Paladins uphold the virtues of goodness and are at one with the essential rightness of the universe. Paladins are not followers but leaders of their own destinies. Where the laws of the land and the rights of the individual are in conflict, the Paladin promotes what is "Good" rather than what is "Lawful". Paladins are seldom welcome in totalitarian countries.  

To become a Paladin you must be trustworthy, helpful, pure, and brave. (So most of you can bloody well forget it.) A potential Paladin is often watched by those who are already Paladins and is rewarded for his good actions by a formal presentation of a Paladin Sword. Through the acts of kindness, charity and heroism, the Paladin gains in his knowledge and understanding.  

Because the Paladin is in harmony with the peaceful power which pervades all, he gains certain abilities as he continues to do "Good".

Paladins definitions by ingame characters

"A Paladin is one who lives with honor and courage throughout life" Aziza

"To be real hero here, you need to become Paladin." Uhura

Basic rules

1. Do good deeds. 

2. Don't do bad deeds. (Kicking cats is bad Karma.)

Abilities

The Paladin has special abilities and spells. Some of these are automatic; they occur from the natural radiant goodness of the Paladin. Thus, the Paladin can Sense Danger (the third ability a Paladin gains) whenever it is present in the area.

Other abilities are more like spells, and must be consciously summoned from within by the Paladin's wishes.

As a Paladin attains Honor, he gains new abilities by his good nature. Paladin spells do not draw upon magical ability. Instead they use the Paladin's natural energy, thus drawing upon to charge the spell.

Also, if a Paladin gains the Heal ability (at 50 Paladin points) in Quest for Glory 3, he also gets 5 to his magic score and becomes able to learn spells, like Lightning Ball in Quest for Glory 3 and Glide, Frost Bite, and Aura in Quest for Glory 4.

Awe

The Awe spell lowers the attacker's morale, causing most opponents to flee or retreat. Only the fiercest of foes can resist this charm. This is the most powerful ability a Paladin can gain, and only the most honorable will ever attain it.

Destroy Undead

The Destroy Undead spell emits a sphere of light, directly damaging undead creatures.

Heal

This Paladin spell can be used on your Hero or an ally during combat. It draws upon Stamina, with the amount of healing proportional to the current Stamina value. This is the second ability a Paladin gains. In Quest for Glory III, gaining this ability as a Paladin comes with 5 in your magic score, if you don't have one already, allowing you to learn spells--Ball Lightning in Wages of War, but getting a wider variety in IV and V.

Holy Strength

Holy Strength augments the Paladin's , increasing it proportionally to the current amount of Stamina points. This can greatly increase the Paladin's combat skill. Only a very honorable Paladin will achieve this ability.

Honor Shield

The Honor Shield creates a magical field which protects the Paladin from damage by the opponent's weapon. When invoked, it adds directly to your Hero's skill. This is the fourth ability a Paladin gains.

Magic Ward

The Magic Ward creates a barrier preventing magical offensive spells from affecting the Paladin. This spell must be invoked by the Paladin when in the presence of a Spellcaster or a magical trap. Each magical attack will lower the Paladin's Stamina while the Magic Ward is active.

Paladin Sword

This flaming sword is an automatic ability for Paladins. When a Paladin Sword is wielded in battle by a character with this skill, it is surrounded by a field of magical flame that increases the damage inflicted by the sword. This is the first ability a Paladin gains.

Peace

The Paladin Peace spell relaxes everyone in the area. This effect prevents most opponents from attacking unless they are attacked or once the effect wears off. This ability is gained by a Paladin with high Honor. However, attacking beings under the influence of this spell is a dishonorable act.

Sense Aura

When a Paladin invokes Sense Aura on a person, he will receive a general impression of that person's feelings and thoughts. Though this ability requires very high Honor, it allows the Paladin to determine the trustworthiness of others.

Other Definitions of a Paladin

"The way of the Paladin is very difficult and lonely at times, for you must trust your own heart to know what is right, and not the judgment of others".  (Rakeesh)

"A Paladin must always listen not to others, but to his heart. Only by listening to his heart can the Paladin know what is right".  (Rakeesh)

"A Paladin travels where his consciense leads,

quietly helping others with their needs.

Not for glory, neither then for gain, good alone shall be the judge he heeds." (Omar)

"A Paladin goes whereever there is need, and obeys only true justice and goodnesss (JaA'far)

"A Paladin is one who lives with honor and courage throughout life". (Aziza )

Behind the scenes

The Hero can become a Paladin at the end of QFG2 (all classes) and QFG3 (fighter only)

In QFG2 the hero is judged by his choices during the game. For this to happen, there are three factors determined by the end of the game:

1. 75 Honor Points or more
2. Gain Paladin Points out of 34 possible.
3. Not doing one of the following dishonorable acts

• Break into rooms in Shapeir or Khaveen's chamber
• Take money from Omar's purse before returning it or not returning it
• Be reminded by Uhura to return Soulforge
• Kill Walid at the Eternal Order of Fighters test
• Kill the disarmed Khaveen
• Disturb or kill Merv the Griffin (not counted as a dishonorable act but costs 10 Paladin Points making thus impossible to complete the required score)

Despite the common misbelief, using the X-Ray Glassess to peep at Zayishah changing clothes does not prevent the Hero from becoming a Paladin.

In QFG3, the rules for becoming a Paladin appear to be much less strict than in QFG2: once the fighter manages to arrange the peace conference between the Simbani and the Leopardmen, he automatically becomes a Paladin, even if he made any dishonorable deeds which do not result in death, like flirting with Jana or not helping Yesufu during the competition (in the latter case, the fighter must win the competition in order to continue the game). On the other hand, committing dishonorable deeds for any type of character may result in instant death, for instance: killing Manu, not helping Yesufu plus losing the competition, attempting to kill the Laibon or the chief of the Leopardmen while breaking into their huts.

Notable Paladins

• Rasha Rakeesh SahTarna
• Devon Aidendale (depending on ceremonies in QFG2 or QFG3 or class switching)
• Piotyr
• Magnifico Mannerly
• Persifal

Trivia

• Paladins were first mentioned in QFG1 in the Famous Adventurer's Correspondence School: How to Be a Hero.
• Apparently there was originally plans for the possibility of a paladin ceremony in QFGV. However this was replaced in the released game with the ability to switch classes upon import.