Posted by Tracker of the Wicked(VIP) on August 6, 2000 at 17:15:30:
In Reply to: an evil immortal's comments posted by SphereMaker(IMM) on August 6, 2000 at 10:09:01:
Who monitors whether the Scarabites are living up to the expectations of the Scarab religion? You? Cyradia? Or the entire Pantheon? DOes the entire Pantheon regulate how Scarabites live up to your expectations of them? Not likely.
If most Paladins are like mine, they see their religion as their life. Our cabal, like the Scarab cabal, if you will. They are roleplaying to please their God, not to please Raisa, or Scarabaeus, or any Immortal that happens to be watching. They have an unique relationship with their god, as stated in the helpfile for Paladin. Thus, it would follow logic that the person to best judge whether the Paladin is living up to the Code is their God. If some other Immortal sees the evil gear, then the best course of action would be for that Immortal to report this to the Paladin's god, and allow him/her to deal with it as s/he sees fit. That would be keeping in line with the helpfiles on roleplaying Paladins and spheres, no?
As for interpreting the Code, "do not assocate with evil.." we see that there is often a great deal of latitude given to the God for interpretation of it. (eg. Nicolette granting heals and sanctuaries to Imperials in the Inn). I'm sure Nicolette wrote this in her role, as well, but in the end, it does seem like a judgement best reserved between her and her god, given the latitude is so great that granting heals to an evil person still manages to fit under the Paladin Code. Doesn't it?
Of course, I don't agree with the pissed player's actions. (If you need to find excuses for more than three things you did wrong, mr pissed player, it means you should start correcting your behavoir). But, I would like to suggest that only an Immortal of the Paladin's sphere be the one that can disempower him (except in cases of grievous error). Any Immortal being able to strip any hero paladin of empowerment is no different that any Immortal anathematizing any imperial, or kicking out any rager from the village, or, well, etc.