)
Have a battle-scarred angel visit the paladin and challenge him to answer, on the spot, “What would you do?” when confronted by a law that is being misused, or has overly harsh consequences because of its wording 2)
E.g. the law that some Dragonreach cities had (Mulmaster still has it on the books) that an orc who tries to live in the city, or stay there overnight, must be forcibly put outside the gates—and if they persist, put to death… #Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 12, 2019
3)
…on the spot.
What if a bewildered orc babe is found, alone, with no parents to be found anywhere in the city? But it clings to humans and weeps, and when put outside the gates crawls hurriedly back in again? Should it be put 4)
…to death on the spot?
If the character chooses “no,” then the character should declare for Tyr, who punishes all wrong (and taking the Oath of the Ancients does mean the character is putting themself in the roles of judge, …#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 12, 2019
5)
…jury, and executioner.
If the character chooses “yes,” then they are for Torm, who cleaves to duty and loyalty and would uphold the law. They might petition that the law be altered, but until it is, it must be followed. 6)
Make the choice clear by having the angel ask, “Is it YES…” (and Torm manifests, as a floating, glowing-with-a-white-halo white gauntlet) “…or NO?” (and Tyr manifests, as balanced scales resting atop a head-upright warhammer).#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 12, 2019
That is amazing! My game is in Baldur's Gate, so is there a similar law that would generate a dillema? Also, far be it for me to question your authority on this, but isn't Tyr blind justice? I would have thought their roles to be switched in this situation. Would love to knowmore
— Sanderson Tavares (@Sands_Tavares) October 12, 2019
1)
Tyr WAS blind justice, but recall the history of the two deities (Tyr raising Torm to lesser deity status, abdicating his godhood and portfolios to Torm, then being restored along with all the other gods after the Sundering). Tyr now punishes wrong, above all 2)
So Tyr is the SPIRIT of the law, and Torm is now the LETTER of the law. (Back in the 1300s DR, Tyr was the letter of the law and Torm was the "what the heck, we're adventurers, we can look the other way" leeway.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 12, 2019
3)
So in Baldur’s Gate, there is still a law that says that if a citizen or visitor is given a direct order by a uniformed member of the Flaming Fist (or a requisition of anything from a sword to a potato to their house is demanded of them), they must obey or be 4)
…subject to martial punishment on the spot (loss of an ear, a hand, their tongue, or even their life).
In recent years (as you'll see in DESCENT INTO AVERNUS) the Fist has become a corrupt organization. What if a Fist member clearly abuses this law to seize a…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 12, 2019
5)
…shopkeeper’s supper, takings for the day, and tools? And then the same from the NEXT shopkeeper? (Tossing them in a requistioned cart to go and sell, except for the food that they’ll eat.)
Uphold the law? (Torm) Or stop the Fist member because the law’s 6)
…being misused? (Tyr)#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) October 12, 2019