I understand this was hashed out a bit a while back but I firmly believe that the rule about paladins and gearing from neutral mobs is well up to each paladin to decide. I bring this up cause I had a paladin get an echo warning him about killing neutrals for gear. Now I wonder if imms and players would give their perspectives on this.

My opinion is simple, paladins are warriors for the light depending on how each individual one views neutrality should determine if its ok to gear form neutrals. A maran paladin I think it would be iffy with, an acolyte paladin a no no, and a tribunal paladin should generally have no qualms with killing neutrals unless it is in the city. What are other peoples thoughts and comments?

From imm to imm, and as far as I'm concerned, from neutral to neutral. When this discussion comes up, it's often clumped together as if all neutrals are created equal. There's a big difference, IMO, between a neutral thug, and a neutral pacifistic monk. My opinion is that each paladin should approach the matter from a roleplaying perspective, and pretend he isn't capable of even objectifying a mob's alignment. Just, conceptually speaking, is this NPC someone his character would kill for items, or not? I remember once going ape on one of my followers who I found running around killing neutral farmers for experience. That said, I also recognize there's a game aspect and some things don't occur to people - she appropriately roleplayed with remorse, I did give her the opportunity to redeem herself and went on to become a very good paladin. So if this happens do you, don't pout and have a fit either.

But yes, we definatley hear you on the gearing issue, and it is something that has been discussed amongst the imms as far as creating viable alternatives to, such as considering alternatives to use 'request' with certain NPCs, and such. I'm all for this diolgue and for changes in this direction, but I also think between NPCs (both neutral and evil) that can rp-wise be viably slain for items, good NPCs that can be requested from, found items, and items that can be purchased from our rapidly improving shops, there is no desperate shortage of gear for paladins or other strictly good characters.