Newbie here, with a simple enough question.

I was planning on creating a Paladin of Bahamut, but I wasn't sure if it was an acceptable deity or not. I'm not a D&D bookworm, but as far as I know, he hasn't been mentioned much in any 3E material until recently. My friend (who IS a D&D bookworm) told me that he was confirmed in the new "Dragons of Faerun" book.

I love the ethos - straddling the grandeur and glory of a Lathanderite, and the focus on protecting the innocent like Ilmaterans (yet without the extreme asceticism).

Any chance of me being allowed to play this character?

Thanks, Rhaegar

I don't believe he has paladins (or if he's even valid here). I'm sure another DM can correct me if I'm wrong!

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I could be crazy, but I think Bahamut -does- have paladins...

-Cross

Again, I'm hardly a D&D expert, but I researched this character concept as best I could.

I'm certain that he does have paladins. In fact, I'd be surprised if he didn't have paladin levels himself. Not only is he Lawful Good, his actual personality (even from the earlier editions of D&D) is far more paladin-like in the style of Tyr and Torm, than the likes of Azuth, Chauntea, or Hoar.

In the new book, he's confirmed as the new patron deity of Damara - you can read an excerpt here - http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20060802b . The section on the Rise of the Dragon King is especially important, because it mentions how elite followers of Bahamut beccome Platinum Knights (a PrC mentioned in Draconomicon).

"The Platinum Knight protects good aligned dragonkind from their natural enemies, the chromatic dragons, as well as any others who would prey upon these noble creatures. Bahamut, Lord of Good Dragons, is his patron, while the minions of Tiamat are his mortal foes.

Paladins, clerics, and fighters are the most common platinum knights..."

- Draconomicon, p. 133

Does this now mean that I can play a Pally of Bahamut, or would you need to alter whatever deity system you have here? If so, are you guys willing to do that, and how long would that take?

Thanks, Rhaegar

Rhaegar Does this now mean that I can play a Pally of Bahamut, or would you need to alter whatever deity system you have here? If so, are you guys willing to do that, and how long would that take?

He's not currently in our deity system. It would be pretty easy to add him, if we decide to do that.

Well, if you do decide to, here is p151 of Races of the Dragon. The Draconomicon (p.33) has an almost identical description, but it leaves out all information after sections about clergy, and states nothing about the existence of dragonborn.

BAHAMUT The Platinum Dragon, King of the Good Dragons, Lord of the North Wind Lesser Deity

Symbol: Star above a milky nebula Home Plane: Celestia Alignment: Lawful good Portfolio: Good dragons, wind, wisdom Worshipers: Good dragons, anyone seeking protection from evil dragons Cleric Alignments: LG, NG Domains: Air, Dragon*, Good, Luck, Protection [Nobility, Storm] F avored Weapon: Heavy pick (bite)

Bahamut is revered in many locales. Though all good-aligned dragons pay homage to Bahamut, gold, silver, and brass dragons hold him in particularly high regard. Other dragons, even evil ones (except perhaps his archrival Tiamat), respect Bahamut for his wisdom and power.

In his natural form, Bahamut is a long, sinuous dragon covered in silver white scales that sparkle and gleam even in the dimmest light. Bahamut’s catlike eyes are deep blue, as azure as a midsummer sky, some say. Others insist that Bahamut’s eyes are a frosty indigo, like the heart of a glacier. Perhaps the colors merely reflect the Platinum Dragon’s shifting mood.

Dogma

Bahamut is stern and very disapproving of evil. He brooks no excuses for evil acts. In spite of this stance, he is among the most compassionate beings in the multiverse. He has limitless empathy for the downtrodden, the dispossessed, and the helpless. He urges his followers to promote the cause of good, but prefers to let beings fi ght their own battles when they can. To Bahamut, it is better to offer information, healing, or a (temporary) safe refuge rather than to take others’ burdens upon oneself.

An equally important aspect to Bahamut is his constant conflict with Tiamat. He continually stands in opposition to her world-dominating schemes. Most recently, she has begun a campaign to heavily populate the world with her spawn. Bahamut has answered this outbreak of evil by recruiting stalwart heroes to his side—the dragonborn.

In addition to the dragonborn, Bahamut is served by seven great gold wyrms that often accompany him when he visits the Material Plane.

Clergy

Bahamut accepts only good clerics. Clerics of Bahamut, whether they are dragons, half-dragons, or other beings attracted to Bahamut’s philosophy, strive to take constant but subtle action on behalf of good, intervening wherever they are needed but striving to do as little harm in the process as possible.

Bahamut’s chief foe is Tiamat, and this enmity is reflected in the attitude of each deity’s worshipers. Followers of Bahamut respect Heironeous, Moradin, Yondalla, and other lawful good deities.

Quests

Bahamut’s worshipers are most apt to go on a quest to destroy or stop one of Tiamat’s spawn. Whenever they have a reasonable opportunity to do so, followers of Bahamut act to thwart Tiamat or her minions.

Prayers

Worshipers follow the philosophy that one should “pray with one’s deeds, not one’s mouth.” Each act that promotes the welfare of good dragonkind or thwarts the depravity of evil dragonkind is a prayer of action.

Temples

Temples to Bahamut are rare in the extreme. Those that exist are beautiful, elegant structures with clean, simple lines. The furnishings of a temple are simple, without embellishment or adornment. The building includes meeting rooms where followers can gather to worship or to plan their next campaign against Tiamat’s spawn, as well as smaller, private rooms where individuals can pray, meditate, or rest and recuperate in privacy.

Many gold, silver, and brass dragons maintain simple shrines to Bahamut in their lairs, usually nothing more elaborate than Bahamut’s symbol scribed on a wall. Bahamut is not appreciative of being honored by objects, emphasizing deeds instead.

Rites

Bahamut’s worshipers and clergy don’t have formal rituals or ceremonies. The only activity that one would call a rite is the Rite of Rebirth (see page 8 ), by which a humanoid becomes a dragonborn.

Heralds and Allies

Bahamut uses a mature adult celestial gold dragon as his herald. His allies include good dragons, half-dragons, draconic creatures, and dragonborn.

If a dragonborn strays from her holy duties, Bahamut sends one of his aspects to visit her. The aspect endeavors to talk with the transgressor, and uses reason and diplomacy to remind her of the commitment she accepted when she became a dragonborn.

Aspect of Bahamut --- CR 12 LG Huge dragon (extraplanar) Init +4; Senses blindsense 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., low-light vision; Listen +24, Spot +24 Aura frightful presence Languages Celestial, Common, Draconic --------------------------------------------------------- AC 25, touch 8, flat-footed 25 hp 179 (12 HD); DR 5/epic Immune cold, sleep, paralysis Fort +16, Ref +7, Will +14 --------------------------------------------------------- Speed 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 100 ft. (good) Melee bite + 22 (3d6+12) and 2 claws +17 (2d6+6) Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. Base Atk +12; Grp +32 Atk Options Cleave, Power Attack Special Actions breath weapon, Tempest Breath (DC 18 ) --------------------------------------------------------- Abilities Str 34, Dex 9, Con 26, Int 23, Wis 24, Cha 23 Feats Alertness, Cleave, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Tempest Breath* *Described in Draconomicon, page 74 Skills Diplomacy +23, Handle Animal +21, Intimidate +21, Knowledge (arcane) +21, Knowledge (history) +21, Knowledge (nature) +21, Knowledge (the planes) +21, Knowledge (religion) +21, Listen +24, Ride +2, Search +19, Sense Motive +22, Spot +24, Survival +9 --------------------------------------------------------- Breath Weapon (Su) 1/day, 40-ft. cone, 12d6 cold, Reflex DC 24 half --------------------------------------------------------- Hook This long, sinuous dragon is covered in silver-white scales that sparkle and gleam with a light all their own. Its catlike eyes shift between the blue of an azure sky and the chill of a frozen glacier, as its mood determines. ---------------------------------------------------------

An aspect of Bahamut is an embodiment of a small portion of the deity’s life force. Unlike the much more powerful avatars of Bahamut, an aspect of Bahamut is not an extension of the original deity. Rather than extending the deity’s personal self, an aspect is a short-lived echo of the deity’s will, a temporary biological expression of divine power.

Occasionally an aspect of Bahamut arises spontaneously on the deity’s home plane or a closely related plane. More often, aspects are called forth on other planes by magic of some kind, including the planar ally and planar binding spells or the summon aspect of Bahamut spell (see page 118). In any case, they are short-lived, usually fading back into nonexistence within a day.

Aspects of Bahamut are more willing than most divine aspects to converse with mortals. Their diplomatic skills are legendary, though they only speak from the position of superiority due them as representatives of the Master of the North Wind.

Combat An aspect of Bahamut is a fantastically intelligent combatant. It is fearless, caring nothing for its continued existence unless its existence is strategically more important than the tactical damage it can inflict by fighting ingeniously to the death. Its coldly calculated rage, its capacity for flight, and its penchant for well-timed counterattacks make it far more dangerous than a normal dragon, whose anger and strength in combat are derived in part from its awareness of its own mortality.

Unless it suits its purposes to be surrounded, an aspect of Bahamut is quite cagey about picking off its enemies one by one. Whenever possible, it chooses the battlefield to prevent its foes from using their strengths and their prepared spells. Although an aspect cannot cast spells of its own, it is willing to team up with spellcasting allies who can provide it with powers that increase its opportunities for surprise.

Also, here's Eric L. Boyd, one of the authors of the aforementioned 'Dragons of Faerun' commenting on this very topic: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=726519

If you do decide to add Bahamut, when is this likely to be?

With no DM objections, it looks like we'll go with the canon info here and add him in.

If you're anxious to start the PC soon, you can just grab a DM IG and explain that you need to be wanded for spells for your paladin and any DM should be able to do that no problem. Otherwise the deity will be scripted in as allowed by paladins whenever Arkov gets some time.

That is a 3.5 sourcebook.

Yup, sorry -- you're right, I should have made that clear. I figured it didn't matter so much, as this was was not about rule changes from 3E to 3.5E, but rather, lore which is largely the same across these two versions.

Still okay to do what Howland suggested?