The Kaldorite Code
In response to Valkrage’s corruption of the Archurionite Church, and an increasing distrust as to the nature of the gods themselves, Kaldor founded a new paladin order based on a system of philosophy rather than fealty to spiritual beings. The core of the philosophy is summarized into the Ten Values of the Light.
Humility Before the Universe - Kaldorites, above all, strive to cultivate a sense of awe towards the wonders of the universe. This is beyond simple faith in gods, or optimism. It is a constant reminder that the universe is vast, and the paladin is simply a small participant in its unfolding glory. They don’t believe that the universe owes anything to anyone, and that it is the duty of the individual to aspire to the glory of the universe.
Life - Kaldorites see life as the fruit of the universe in action. Consciousness is something to be preserved and protected, and forces that seek to destroy life are to be opposed.
Joy as Life’s Purpose - Kaldorites see joy as life’s purpose. The universe’s existence is inherently positive, and joy is the expression of this truth. The value of joy provides a foundation for the remaining values. Paladins seek to create and achieve joy and do not expect it to be given to them.
Compassion - Kaldorites work for the cessation of suffering, which is seen as the opposite of joy. Kaldorites do not believe that one who suffers has a moral claim on the joy of another, but they value generosity and strive for the betterment of all and seek to bring comfort to those who suffer. They seek to help the helpless but discern between the truly helpless and those consumed by envy. They reject the notion that suffering holds any moral value and discern between suffering and struggling. Learning and growth is accompanied by struggle, sometimes painful, but experiences that temper the soul are seen as different from suffering, which serves no purpose.
Liberty - Kaldorites believe the pursuit of joy requires liberty both of the individual and of the community. Thus, they oppose tyranny in all its forms. Kaldorites pursue truth and joy by opposing all teachings and forces that seek to stifle the freedom to enrich the self.
Individuality - Kaldorites value the personal freedom to define and discover one’s own path in life. This is tempered with consideration for others and a duty to the community in which one chooses to partake. Kaldorites do not see community taboos or cultural restrictions as absolutes. They acknowledge that perception of the universe has a degree of subjectivity based on perspective.
Community - Kaldorites value community as a means to cultivate families that preserve and continue life. Kaldorites see cultures that value community, family, and children as morally superior to those that seek only to subjugate family life to arbitrary ideals. The fruits of community are bounty and generosity, which foster joy.
Truth - Kaldorites value truth and believe the universe’s reality is objective. Perspectives can be different, and paladins seeks to widen their perspective as they seek to uncover truth. Kaldorites value the pursuit of knowledge as a means to valuing truth.
Art - Kaldorites value art and music as subjective expressions of joy, both for the happiness they bring the individual and the sense of community they engender. Art is an expression of values.
Industry - Kaldorites strive to enact their philosophy in the world through deeds. They value work and creativity over sloth.