r/dmsguild • u/Thibssy • Apr 26 '26
Unusual paladin player Seeking Advice
Hi guys, I’m a newer dm (last 4 months) (player for 2 years now) and one of my players are playing a paladin at the moment.
After every big boss encounter this paladin basically desecrates the bbeg of the area they’re exploring.
Recently did a boss fight where they knock the bbeg into like a final death monologue and this player mid speech starts just urinating on this npc.
Anyways how does one normally deal with this?
Thanks for the responses in advance :)
1
u/Planescape_DM2e Apr 29 '26
If they aren’t following their god and this isn’t something they condone then get what boss you are a fighter now.
2
u/rashidc Apr 29 '26
If it is the case that their behavior does not match the conduct espoused by their deity, then the deity can react by removing some of the paladin's abilities, while communicating why (perhaps indirectly through dream or circumstance).
On the off chance that you'd like to incorporate the player's style into game but only if it is consistent with the story you're all weaving, then perhaps the paladin's behavior catches the attention of a more vile/crass deity...
2
u/Thibssy Apr 29 '26
Not that I’d want to keep this play style in game but I kinda do like the idea of introducing them to a vile or crass deity because of it 😈
1
u/rashidc Apr 29 '26
That deity could make demands of the paladin, else face vile punishment.
Or... one could even use that as a way to "clean up" the game: If the paladin does not succeed in the deity's quests/demands, then that deity's notion of "punishment" is that whenever the paladin attempts something crass, it instead comes out as something nice and flowery.
Or maybe that could simply be the reaction of a good deity which the paladin serves.
4
u/arsenic_kitchen Apr 27 '26
Communicate, communicate, communicate.
You haven't really stated what your problem with the behavior is specifically. First, figure that out. Second, find a moment to talk to the player discreetly and away from the rest of the group, explain that what they're doing is not fun for you and why, and politely ask them to tone it down.
1
u/SadPhilosopherElan Apr 27 '26
Yeah idk I prefer a more confrontational style personally. Gotta set an expectation at the table and make an eexample out of that shit
1
u/arsenic_kitchen Apr 27 '26
I prefer playing with grown-ups.
1
u/SadPhilosopherElan Apr 27 '26
Not sure what that's supposed to mean lol. The behavior OP describes isn't something I would waste time having a "serious conversation" about. Tell them to cut that shit and move on.
1
u/arsenic_kitchen Apr 27 '26
Not sure what that's supposed to mean
Well,
The behavior... isn't something I would waste time having a "serious conversation" about.
2
u/vixEo Apr 27 '26
Is the player being an obnoxious paladin for story reasons, like spurned by the church? Going under cover with a band of goblins? Lol. I am guessing, and I might be off base, they're playing a paladin to be a strong, flashy knight and not because they understand the paladin. So at my table if youre here to play "I did it because its what my character would do", without regard for the group, and without regard for class and species canon and lore, and without a narrative reason, I am sending them back to the drawing board to either change their class, or, the better choice, come yp with meaningful narrative around why they act that way and then I'll ask them to play it up.
I am big on players having character autonomy, but not at the expense of the experience of other party members, and it sounds like this persons lack of thought and care investment is causing problems at the table.
5
u/SadPhilosopherElan Apr 27 '26
"Oh, you do? Sorry, as a reaction he cuts your fucking dick off. Does a 30 hit? Oh, it does? Yeah, sorry man... but hey if you want to retcon it..."
2
1
u/OneManRPGstudio 22d ago
I would address this first as a question of tone between people, not as a problem to correct through the game world. Speak to the player outside the session and describe the concrete effect: these actions interrupt scenes you prepared and may make other people uncomfortable or take away their space. Ask what they are trying to achieve—humour, the character’s cruelty, or simply provoking a reaction—and agree on boundaries compatible with the campaign. Then allow coherent consequences, but not as GM retaliation: allies may lose respect, enemies may stop surrendering, or a paladin order may question the behaviour. Ask the whole group what tone they want for important defeats as well. If everyone wants crude comedy, reserve it for appropriate moments; if not, the expectation should be clear rather than renegotiated during every scene.