Fighter/Knight of the Crown
Cleric of Kiri-Jolith/Knight of the Sword
White Robed Wizard/Solamnic Auxiliary Mage
If this is to be a well-rounded four-member party, what do you think the fourth member should be? On the one hand, a roguish-type would round it out in terms of providing extra skills. On the other hand, a roguish-type wouldn't quite fit the flavor. Yes, there are many roleplaying-based reasons why a group like this could have a rogue. But I have in mind a roleplaying-based reason that this group has a Solamnic Knights feel. Imagine the Solamic Knights themselves putting this group together. Even the wizard isn't quite standard, but at least there's an official auxiliary that a wizard can be a part of. What do you think would be a good fourth member of this party (whether it's rogue-based or otherwise)?
Cheers,
Cam
You could also opt for the master class. A master craftsman might be a servant (and long-time friend) to one of the other knights. A master performer might focus on Solamnic music and tales of Huma and Sturm. A master sage could be a historian who travels throughout Solamnia to expand on the Solamnic histories. A master professional might be looking to expand Solamnia's business interests.
A paladin would also fit the theme, though it would sort of duplicate your Sword Knight. Still, he'd be LG and would most likely follow one of the Solamnic deities.
I think that you need a full leveled cleric, probably of Mishakel, to give the umpf in healing that any party needs.
It's possible to become a Sword Knight with as a Cleric 7/Crown Knight 1, so it would only be a slightly less full leveled cleric.
Cam--scout does sound like a good choice, especially since the errata gives them Disable Device as a class skill. Fills in that imporant rogue ability without having a rogue.
Dragonhelm--that would be interesting, but if it's gonna be another warrior, it could just as well be another knight. That's still a very viable party, however. In fact, the paladin could him/herself just be a Knight of Solamnia, even without taking levels in any of the prestige classes. Derek Crownguard was a Rose Knight, and he didn't have any of the KoS prestige classes (largely because he was Lawful Neutral, and didn't meet that requirement for the prestige class, even if he was accepted into the order).
As for the purpose of this party, none really. It's not for a campaign, I just thought of it, and since the "standard" party has four members, I was wondering what other various types of classes would fit. So it was more idle intellectual curiosity than anything else, but who knows, I might decide to develop a campaign with a party like this in the future.
...or where you asking what the in game purpose would be? If that was your question, then I haven't thought about that, but different fourth members can be suggested with different purposes in mind.
How would the Orders of High Sorcery react to a Solamnic Auxiliary mage?
Well, here's what AoM says (p. 45):
This may cause some difficulty for the good-aligned wizard, who must swear to put the interests of the knighthood ahead of those of the Orders of High Sorcery.
However, while they may not fully like it, I don't think there would necessarily be forbidden, anymore than were the Black Robes from joining the Dragonarmies during the War of the Lance. So long as it doesn't jeaporidize magic, it should be fine.
If the Knights of Solamnia, say, were to declare war on the Black Robes, however, I would expect most Solamnic Auxiliary Mages to pull out and side with the Orders.
Dragonhelm--that would be interesting, but if it's gonna be another warrior, it could just as well be another knight. That's still a very viable party, however. In fact, the paladin could him/herself just be a Knight of Solamnia, even without taking levels in any of the prestige classes. Derek Crownguard was a Rose Knight, and he didn't have any of the KoS prestige classes (largely because he was Lawful Neutral, and didn't meet that requirement for the prestige class, even if he was accepted into the order).
Ah, but a paladin does not always have to be a knight. A paladin is simply a holy warrior with divine power. True, most people who fit that bill become Sword Knights, but you could just as well have a guy in leather armor from a common background be a paladin. If he follows one of the Solamnic Triumvirate, just in a different way, he might provide a great hook for some good roleplaying.
As for the purpose of this party, none really. It's not for a campaign, I just thought of it, and since the "standard" party has four members, I was wondering what other various types of classes would fit. So it was more idle intellectual curiosity than anything else, but who knows, I might decide to develop a campaign with a party like this in the future.
I like theme games, even as a one-shot. I think that can be a bit more interesting than just a bunch of strangers coming together.
...or where you asking what the in game purpose would be? If that was your question, then I haven't thought about that, but different fourth members can be suggested with different purposes in mind.
The Knights of Solamnia can send the group on any number of adventures. I could easily see them stumbling across some greater mystery that could lead to some larger campaign. Whatever they stumble across is the bond that keeps them together.
Ah, but a paladin does not always have to be a knight.
Oh, of course. I just thought that would be one (but not the only) good way to have a paladin fit into a knight-themed party.
If the Knights of Solamnia, say, were to declare war on the Black Robes, however, I would expect most Solamnic Auxiliary Mages to pull out and side with the Orders.
I am not sure if declaring war against the Black robes per se would be enough in this venture. If the Knights were going after the individual keeps/libraries and Black Robes in public, that by itself I don't think would be enough. If they were to target Red Robes as well, then maybe. If it was like in the age of the KingPriest, where all wizards and their entire support structure was targetted, then yes that would be enough
I'm not so certain a Kender would be a good fit. They do provide great fun and flavor, but I don't think in this instance the knights would tolerate one for long.
I am not sure if declaring war against the Black robes per se would be enough in this venture. If the Knights were going after the individual keeps/libraries and Black Robes in public, that by itself I don't think would be enough. If they were to target Red Robes as well, then maybe. If it was like in the age of the KingPriest, where all wizards and their entire support structure was targetted, then yes that would be enough
By "declaring war", I suppose I meant trying to wipe them out. White Robes would probably feel that that would threaten the Orders, by unbalancing them. But yes, I agree that merely fighting against the Black Robes would not be enough.
I think that I read somewhere, maybe the DLCS, that paladins dont really fit in the DL game, at least human paladins. I could see elven or dwarven ones, but humans, who are worthy, can join the KOS.
Check out Holy Orders of the Stars for more information on paladins in Dragonlance.
Paladins are fine for Dragonlance, despite what's said in the DLCS.
Agreed. Remember that before the new age, Non-solamnics were generally not allowed within the Knights of Solamnia.
I have alwyas believed that being a Paladin should be a prestige class and it should be something bestwoed by Paladine as his chosen champion, similar to how a BlackGaurd serves his alignment.
What rational do you give for stating that a paladin should be a PrC?
This is a common house rule among the D&D community. Many designers have even expressed this, such as James Wyatt. It's such a limited and specific class, both because of alignment, role in the party, and particular abilities, that it seems to have more in common with prestige classes than base classes. Many versions of the paladin as a PrC have been seen, both in print and online as fan submissions.
Cheers,
Cam
I also think paladins fit well into a Dragonlance campaign, but (as I see it) should probably be very rare, to the point that most people probably wouldn't know what they are.
Paladin: I'm a paladin! :fight!:
Random Person: Paladine? I thought he became an elf.
Paladin: Paladin, not Paladine!
Random Person: Huh?
Paladin: Nevermind.
:D