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A Look at the Ancient Paladin-Lords
By Genoclysm

(OOC note real quick: this is not a bash on Hollow's artwork. I love the look but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to mock the Paladin-Lords.)

Almost everyone on Lore has heard of the Paladin-Lords by now. Their legends are famous; however, what is really known about them? The modern Paladin Order is known for their highly specialized equipment and skills, but were the Paladin-Lords the same?

Their equipment suggests otherwise. Many are familiar with the golden plate-mail, axes, and shields that were their trademark. The gold alloy they're made from hints heavily that the lords had extravagant taste, unlike the more economical modern paladins. The equipment was also very much heavier. Considering the weight alone, their fighting styles must have been much different. The armor is very durable and preserves the wearer quite well, but one cannot move very fast while encased in such weighty metal. This suggests that the old paladins were very much focused on defending positions rather than slicing paths through darkness and undeath. It is very curious that the Paladins have changed so much. In fact, when considering the armor's design, it seems almost as if they preferred to just not get hurt than being able to actually hurt an enemy. I suppose the lion theme is meant to try and ward off that image... (and brings to mind the cowardly-lion oxymoron.) To further protect them from the grip of darkness and the spells of those who command the undead, they carried specialized shields that complimented their armor nicely, including the defensive lion theme. (A turtle would be much more appropriate.) The axe is another story. When they had to fight, they hefted one of the mightiest varieties of axes known on Lore. Finally something is shared between the old and new groups as this axe is blessed with enormous power when facing undead.

So with all that equipment they... well, they stood there waiting for the enemy to come to them, maybe channeled some healing power through the axe, and they probably let more common soldiers do the offensive work for them. (I say stand because I highly doubt any kind of riding animal could hold them up.) Some of them may have studied a little magic and cast some spells to assist, but with heavy armor and an axe like that, you aren't going to get very far. Come to think of it, I would guess only the leaders would be allowed to hide behind such shiny metal, thus the Lords in "Paladin-Lords". Reminds me a little of medieval Terrans commanding and hacking at serfs... Of course, there's always the chance I'm horribly wrong.

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ORIGINAL: Genoclysm

Necromancers aren't any better... In fact, they are worse. Instead of the higher class hiding behind underlings, they nearly all hide behind undead slaves. I don't see how that is any braver. :P

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Considering the weight alone, their fighting styles must have been much different. The armor is very durable and preserves the wearer quite well, but one cannot move very fast while encased in such weighty metal.

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Combining pure gold with the fragments of a rare magical artifact,