So, I'm about to start a Wrath of the Righteous campaign, and I came up with a concept that I think is both full of flavor and a potential interesting challenge for me as a player to play.
The character is a half-orc Paladin of Sarenrae, with the Redeemer and Chosen One archetypes (GM is allowing them to stack, as Chosen One just delays Smite rather than actually changes it).
The basic idea is that he was a half-orc from a nomadic tribe in Numeria, and as a youth was set upon by a demon who'd escaped the Worldwound. The demon nearly killed him, but somehow he miraculously recovered. When he awoke, he discovered that during his recovery he'd been accompanied by a small, fiery-colored bird. The bird began speaking to him, sending him thoughts of healing and redemption, and encouraging him to travel to the temple of Sarenrae in Kenabres. (This ties everything together with the campaign trait Touched By Awfulness).
So, onto the mechanics. Given the nature of the archetype and the deity, I'm trying to come up with a build that's focused more heavily on diplomacy and conflict resolution rather than outright damage. To that end, this is the basic framework I've come up with. Open to official Paizo sources, 20 point buy.
Half-orc Paladin of Sarenrae (Redeemer, Chosen One)
Str 18 (16+2 racial)
Dex 12
Con 13
Int 10
Wis 10
Cha 14
Alternate racial traits: Sacred Tattoo, Burning Assurance
Character traits: Touched by Awfulness, Illuminator
Class abilities: Divine Emissary (Thrush Familiar), Religious Mentor, Monstrous Rapport
Now this is where I'm having problems deciding. As it stands, at first level I have a solid +13 Diplomacy, going up to +15 vs monstrous foes. This has tons of RP potential, though primarily limited to out of combat usefulness. I want a fluffy paladin for the fun roleplaying, but I don't want to be a complete drag in combat.
My thoughts on how to make this character more effective:
Rearrange my racial/character traits to lower my Diplomacy a bit but boost my Intimidate, then take Enforcer to let me demoralize when I do nonlethal (like when I smite enemies that aren't evil outsiders/dragons/undead)
Drop Illuminator for Blade of Mercy, so that I can always opt for nonlethal, combining it with Enforcer.
Build towards Hurtful, letting me get a swift action attack against a foe I've demoralized.
Pick up Antagonize to use either Diplomacy or Intimidate to pull enemies towards me.
Get Cornugon Smash so I can still demoralize enemies that I'm dealing lethal to.
Get the Shatter Defenses line.
I know that paladins get a super shiny magic sword in this AP, which will turn into a scimitar in my hand (though I'm going to try and see if my GM will let me make it a falchion and just say that a falchion is essentially an oversized scimitar). Since my damage output in and of itself with the weapon won't be that great, I'm probably going to lean towards some more support/utility abilities. To that end, the Marshal Mythic Path has a bunch of strong abilities that key off of Diplomacy and Intimidate, like Commanding Entrance, Menacing Presence, Persuasive Countenance, and Castigate. (I know I took the Guardian campaign trait, but it was a lot easier to tie into the concept).
I also have a familiar that can deliver my Lay On Hands to other people, and at 7th level gets the ability to shift into an Improved Familiar form. Unfortunately, my options for familiar is a bit limited for being LG. Cassissian, Silvanshee, Harbinger, Pseudodragon, or just adding the Celestial template to my thrush seem like my best options.
Thoughts and advice are welcome. :)
This is my half orc redeemer for WOTR.
The DM allowed the combination, as Chosen One simply delays access to Smite and Divine Grace by a level, rather than actually alters it. So Chosen One essentially just trades out Divine Bond and delays access to two class abilities by a level in exchange for a familiar that upgrades itself and gets some neat abilities.