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Ken Andrews wrote:

I am Tolomeo Amadeus Eulogio el Sinverguenza, known by some as Hijo del Diablo.

You do not need Indigo Montoya to make your character interesting. You could have Ian of Iomedae and still have a compelling character without pages of cliches.

Okay, please be so kind as to draw up a quick description, *with name* of a hidalgo swordsman. I think you'll have to work hard to make him not sound similar to Inigo Montoya.

Similarities to Inigo Montoya:
Spanish.
Swordsman.
Always polite.
Umm, male.

Differences from Inigo Montoya:
Hidalgo.
Two-weapon combat, rapier and sap.
Decent guitar player.
Excellent dancer. (Yes, 6 ranks in Perform (Dance).)
Believes strongly in the benefits of hidden armour.

Paladins, as seen most often, seem to be the embodiment of Lawful Stupid. I don't understand this. We're looking at a character who's supposed to be a walking, talking exemplar of all that's good and lawful (good first, lawful second). He's supposed to be the best and brightest (not, however, smartest) champion of his God. It used to be that they required a 17 or better in Charisma, the only class that had that high a requirement. (4 in 216.) And yet the way most Paladins have been portrayed, I wouldn't follow one across the street, let alone into a dungeon.

When I build a character, or an NPC, I try to write down a bit of a description, a couple of objectives, and a few statements that demonstrate what he stands for. Every few levels I rewrite them in view of how the character's progressing. Here's a Paladin that I used to play in 3.0/3.5:

I am Tolomeo Amadeus Eulogio el Sinverguenza, known by some as Hijo del Diablo.

Tolomeo – Powerful in Battle
Amadeus – Beloved of God
Eulogio – The Eloquent One
el Sinverguenza – The Wastrel

Hijo del Diablo – Son of the Devil

Parents have such high hopes for their children. I was a terrible disappointment to mine.

My family name? I have forgotten it. I brought such shame upon it in my youth that I abandoned it. Or it abandoned me.

el Sinverguenza? A title that was, sadly, solidly earned in my former life. Now, I carry it with me as a reminder that God can take even the most dissolute life and turn it around.

I swear on my sainted mother’s grave (thwack)... err, were she dead, I would swear on my sainted mother’s grave that we shall succeed at our noble task or die bravely in the attempt.

Good afternoon. I am el Sinverguenza. And might I enquire as to what name you wish carved upon your tombstone?

Appearance: Slender, height 5’9, black hair cut short with a widow’s peak, black eyes, a thin waxed moustache, a small neat goatee. Dresses entirely in black, except for a blood-red silk sash. Preferred weapon is, of course, the rapier backed up with a sap.

Most valued possessions: Masterwork Thieve's Tools, Masterwork guitar.

Has a +10 in Perform (Guitar) and in Perform (Dance).

Level 4 Rogue, Level 5 Paladin. He was built with an assortment of sources. The last thing he picked up was Knight's Training, which allows him to continue some of his roguish ways while still leveling as a Paladin.

Is it going to be an urban campaign? A wilderness campaign? A dungeon campaign?

LG Rogue in an urban campaign:

1) Internal Affairs. Working (or on retainer) to keep an eye on tax collectors to ensure they're not stealing too much.
2) Political intrigue. Attending balls, spying, keeping an eye on foreign diplomats, that sort of thing.
3) Hunter. Seeking out assassins and bringing them in to face justice.

LG Rogue in a wilderness campaign:

1) The "face" for a group, talking with villagers, town guards, and assorted minor officials. (Can also be done by a bard, of course.)
2) Scouting, gathering information about local problems.

LG Rogue in a dungeon campaign:

1) The traditional, scouting ahead, shutting down traps, unlocking doors, and generally making life easier for the rest of the group.

Basically a LG rogue can do anything any other alignment of rogue can do; she's just required to find a better reason than "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

All of a rogue's skills can be used just as well while going after brigands, a thieves' guild, or corrupt rules as they can going after town guards, an adventurers guild, or a king's treasury. The pay's not always as good, though.