Tweet
This has been brought up many times by people. They point out that the Veritas are rebelling against Sundren's forces and aren't inherently evil, simply a difference of opinion. This is worth discussing.
First, let's get one point out of the way.
The Veritas faction itself is set hostile to players by default. People often use this attack as justification for actions. To a degree I can sympathize, but a true RP'er won't use simple mechanics of the engine to justify moral standing. Yes, if someone attacks you, it's not an evil act to defend yourself, I'm not debating that, but veritas can't decide on their own who to attack and who not to, so they are defaulted to attack. So any discussion should probably just ignore this point all together.
Paladins
It's been brought up that paladins shouldn't be fighting veritas as they aren't evil and just a rogue group. For generic D&D paladins, I would agree, however, people have to realize that FR Paladins are NOT the same as generic D&D paladins. They can even kill a good aligned person and retain paladin hood depending on the circumstances.
I'm going to outline some paladin orders and a guideline of how they may view the Veritas. Any paladin order not listed here, I have no idea how they'd react.
NOTE: I SAID GUIDELINES, NOT ABSOLUTE RULES. It's up to you to decide your character's thoughts and actions.
Tyr
Paladins of Tyr are justice itself. Tyr's dogma states that those who break established law should be punished. A Tyr paladin may see the Veritas as completely unlawful and their attacks on the Soldiers of sundren as unwarranted. They may feel the need to stand against what the Veritas represent. While every veritas member may not be evil, the organization as a whole may be viewed as an evil act by the Tyrran paladins.
However, a Tyrran paladin would likely try to seek true justice through actual courts of law, capturing the veritas and seeing that they find judgement under the law and not simply go about in a massive slaughter. Of course, the Veritas may resist this
Ilmater
Ilmaterite Paladins will not likely take any action against the Veritas unless it could directly harm citizens and people. Ilmater doesn't condone bloodshed, especially needless bloodshed, but an Ilmaterite paladin isn't foolish and realizes that in times of war bloodshed will happen. Veritas and Sundren would likely be viewed as two warring factions, and the Paladin of Ilmater should be searching for means to end the bloodshed, not encourage it.
Azuth/Mystra
These paladins tend to be defenders of magic and the churches of these gods. I can't see these paladin orders doing much against the Veritas considering they aren't a threat to magic endeavors.
Lathander/Chauntea
I lump these two together mainly because they both have a similar viewpoint on matters as these. Being Neutral/Good deities they have little concern with law and chaos, only the parts that matter to them. Some paladins of these may sympathize with Veritas, others may think them cruel. They will likely take action based on what they witness personally. Both deities hold life in high regard, so if Veritas or Sundren are taking needless lives they may find themselves at odds with these paladins.
Helm
Helm is the guardian and protector. I imagine helm would likely favor Sundren in this conflict, considering the Veritas are more chaotic in action. Where they are fighting with terrorist types of tactics, Sundren is the defender of the people. These Veritas would likely be enemies of his church as they are destroying sundren's defenders.
Jergal
A paladin of Jergal would be forbidden to attack the Veritas. Jergal paladins pretty much only hunt down undead, creators of undead, or those who seek to extend their lives unnaturally. Jergal does not condone killing people before their time (Too much paperwork).
Kelemvor
Kelemvor would likely have a similar view as Jergal on this matter. ALthough, more than Jergal, I could see a Kelemvorite paladin working to stop massive bloodshed. Jergal is more apathetic than Kelemvor.
Red Knight
I have a feeling the Red Knight's paladins would be all over the Veritas for breaking the rules of war. Terrorism? Not on my watch!
Sune
I doubt a Sune paladin would fight the Veritas. They'd probably do their best to stay out of the conflict all together, likely trying to convince both sides "Hey, these ugly orcs are the real evil here!"
Ubtao
Generally paladins of ubtao are limited to Chult, however, in Chult they tend to act as mediators during conflicts, so I imagine a paladin of Ubtao who somehow took an interest in this battle would likely try to mediate and bring peace without bloodshed.
Conclusion
As you can see various viewpoints come into play for different paladin orders. A paladin stands for good, yes, but they stand for law and order as well. They are L/G, not C/G or N/G. Veritas are indeed chaotic, so it's only natural some of their acts are going to go against paladin code. However, keep in mind, paladins take on viewpoints derived from their orders they ally themselves with. And for some of those orders, being a veritas doesn't make you their enemy.
First, let's get one point out of the way.
The Veritas faction itself is set hostile to players by default. People often use this attack as justification for actions. To a degree I can sympathize, but a true RP'er won't use simple mechanics of the engine to justify moral standing. Yes, if someone attacks you, it's not an evil act to defend yourself, I'm not debating that, but veritas can't decide on their own who to attack and who not to, so they are defaulted to attack. So any discussion should probably just ignore this point all together.
Paladins
It's been brought up that paladins shouldn't be fighting veritas as they aren't evil and just a rogue group. For generic D&D paladins, I would agree, however, people have to realize that FR Paladins are NOT the same as generic D&D paladins. They can even kill a good aligned person and retain paladin hood depending on the circumstances.
I'm going to outline some paladin orders and a guideline of how they may view the Veritas. Any paladin order not listed here, I have no idea how they'd react.
NOTE: I SAID GUIDELINES, NOT ABSOLUTE RULES. It's up to you to decide your character's thoughts and actions.
Tyr
Paladins of Tyr are justice itself. Tyr's dogma states that those who break established law should be punished. A Tyr paladin may see the Veritas as completely unlawful and their attacks on the Soldiers of sundren as unwarranted. They may feel the need to stand against what the Veritas represent. While every veritas member may not be evil, the organization as a whole may be viewed as an evil act by the Tyrran paladins.
However, a Tyrran paladin would likely try to seek true justice through actual courts of law, capturing the veritas and seeing that they find judgement under the law and not simply go about in a massive slaughter. Of course, the Veritas may resist this
Ilmater
Ilmaterite Paladins will not likely take any action against the Veritas unless it could directly harm citizens and people. Ilmater doesn't condone bloodshed, especially needless bloodshed, but an Ilmaterite paladin isn't foolish and realizes that in times of war bloodshed will happen. Veritas and Sundren would likely be viewed as two warring factions, and the Paladin of Ilmater should be searching for means to end the bloodshed, not encourage it.
Azuth/Mystra
These paladins tend to be defenders of magic and the churches of these gods. I can't see these paladin orders doing much against the Veritas considering they aren't a threat to magic endeavors.
Lathander/Chauntea
I lump these two together mainly because they both have a similar viewpoint on matters as these. Being Neutral/Good deities they have little concern with law and chaos, only the parts that matter to them. Some paladins of these may sympathize with Veritas, others may think them cruel. They will likely take action based on what they witness personally. Both deities hold life in high regard, so if Veritas or Sundren are taking needless lives they may find themselves at odds with these paladins.
Helm
Helm is the guardian and protector. I imagine helm would likely favor Sundren in this conflict, considering the Veritas are more chaotic in action. Where they are fighting with terrorist types of tactics, Sundren is the defender of the people. These Veritas would likely be enemies of his church as they are destroying sundren's defenders.
Jergal
A paladin of Jergal would be forbidden to attack the Veritas. Jergal paladins pretty much only hunt down undead, creators of undead, or those who seek to extend their lives unnaturally. Jergal does not condone killing people before their time (Too much paperwork).
Kelemvor
Kelemvor would likely have a similar view as Jergal on this matter. ALthough, more than Jergal, I could see a Kelemvorite paladin working to stop massive bloodshed. Jergal is more apathetic than Kelemvor.
Red Knight
I have a feeling the Red Knight's paladins would be all over the Veritas for breaking the rules of war. Terrorism? Not on my watch!
Sune
I doubt a Sune paladin would fight the Veritas. They'd probably do their best to stay out of the conflict all together, likely trying to convince both sides "Hey, these ugly orcs are the real evil here!"
Ubtao
Generally paladins of ubtao are limited to Chult, however, in Chult they tend to act as mediators during conflicts, so I imagine a paladin of Ubtao who somehow took an interest in this battle would likely try to mediate and bring peace without bloodshed.
Conclusion
As you can see various viewpoints come into play for different paladin orders. A paladin stands for good, yes, but they stand for law and order as well. They are L/G, not C/G or N/G. Veritas are indeed chaotic, so it's only natural some of their acts are going to go against paladin code. However, keep in mind, paladins take on viewpoints derived from their orders they ally themselves with. And for some of those orders, being a veritas doesn't make you their enemy.
Comment