[RPG] Should a paladin’s alignment align with the alignment of their deity

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I gave one of my players a handout of the major Gods in Faerûn as I am running Storm King's Thunder pretty soon. My player wants to be a Chaotic good paladin and is not interested in any of the chaotic good Gods. He asked me if his alignment had to follow the alignment of his God and I said that it likely should.

He picked Sune, the God of Beauty, and I think he feels like he was forced to pick her. I think it is holding him back from role playing his character.

Does a paladin's alignment have to match their patron deity's?

Best Answer

Paladins are not tied to their deity (or lack of a deity) any more than anyone else

In previous editions, paladins gained their power from there dedication to their deity or alignment and could even lose their power if they failed to uphold it. Instead, in fifth edition, paladins get their power from their oath, which may or may not be made to a good deity. From the Player's Handbook (pg. 82):

Different paladins focus on different aspects of the cause of righteousness but all are bound by the oaths that grant them power to do their sacred work. Although many paladins are devoted to gods of good, a paladin's power comes as much from a commitment to justice as it does from a god.

Since this makes the paladin a class without any specification when it comes to deities we can use the general rules for deities for any adventurer. (pg. 293)

From among the gods available, you can choose a single deity for you character to serve, worship, or pay lip service to. Or you can pick a few that your character prays to most often.

The rules make no mention of having to choose a deity in accordance to your alignment. Only clerics and those with the Acolyte background even have to choose a deity.

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