About the Sultansworn:
Standards and attitudes have changed within the Sultansworn because of the loss of Oathkeeper, one of the three legendary swords. It is also possible for those within the ranks to be corrupted and manipulated by higher-powers, as evidenced by the attacks on you and Jenlyn during the story quests by other paladins at the whims of the Syndicate.Â
In the current age, the Sultansworn are more akin to royal guards of semi-questionable loyalty. Which is a big step above most organizations in Ul'dah, mind you.Â
You should also note that the Sultansworn probably have extensive training in other fields of combat beside swordsmanship, since there are a few archer and mage Sultansworn NPCs that attack you during the quest line.
Another observation is that some Sultansworn do not always wear their traditional white and blue armor, hinting that they are given other, shadier tasks that cannot be accomplished while in uniform.
About Free Paladins:
The closest thing to a real life comparison are probably knight errants, wandering knights that go on adventurers for some reason or another. Free Paladins maintain a code of honor and ethic to themselves rather than to a lord or organization. Stereotypically, this code of honor would be Lawful Good, but it doesn't have to be. There are stories of knight errants seeking bloody revenge, betraying their lord and oaths, etc.
Standards and attitudes have changed within the Sultansworn because of the loss of Oathkeeper, one of the three legendary swords. It is also possible for those within the ranks to be corrupted and manipulated by higher-powers, as evidenced by the attacks on you and Jenlyn during the story quests by other paladins at the whims of the Syndicate.Â
In the current age, the Sultansworn are more akin to royal guards of semi-questionable loyalty. Which is a big step above most organizations in Ul'dah, mind you.Â
You should also note that the Sultansworn probably have extensive training in other fields of combat beside swordsmanship, since there are a few archer and mage Sultansworn NPCs that attack you during the quest line.
Another observation is that some Sultansworn do not always wear their traditional white and blue armor, hinting that they are given other, shadier tasks that cannot be accomplished while in uniform.
About Free Paladins:
The closest thing to a real life comparison are probably knight errants, wandering knights that go on adventurers for some reason or another. Free Paladins maintain a code of honor and ethic to themselves rather than to a lord or organization. Stereotypically, this code of honor would be Lawful Good, but it doesn't have to be. There are stories of knight errants seeking bloody revenge, betraying their lord and oaths, etc.
