Help building a Sacred Shield Paladin

[Cinxer]

Hello, first time posting here on this forum and was looking for advice and perhaps even some direction on the role play side of things here. Note: I’m using the rpg scribe app, my dm rewarded me for an extra feat to add based on the first draft short bio/concept, I am looking forward to playing this character after level one but am unsure on where to take her beyond level one.

The Sheet

Aya Kammani - Human Paladin lv1

ECL: 1
Alignment: Lawful Good
Size: Medium
Gender: Female
Land Speed: 20 ft. / round (red.)

HP: 13
XP: 3

STR: 18 (+4)
DEX: 13 (+1)
CON: 14 (+2)
INT: 13 (+1)
WIS: 13 (+1)
CHA: 16 (+3)

Fortitude: +4
Reflex : +1
Will : +3

AC Normal : 23
AC Touch : 11
AC Flat-Footed: 22
Armor : Kusari Gusoku (AC +7, max dex +1, pen. -7, 45 lb.)
Shield: Shield, Tower (masterwork) (AC +4, max dex +2, pen. -10, 45 lb.)

BAB: +1
Initiative: 1
CMB: +5
CMD: 16

-- Attacks --
* Broadsword, Nine Ring (+3, 1d8+4, x3)

-- Items in Backpack --
* Broadsword, Nine Ring (x1, 4 lb.)
* Kusari Gusoku (x1, 45 lb.)
* Holy Water (x3, 3 lb.)
* Rations, trail (x7, 7 lb.)
* Rope, hemp (x1, 10 lb.)
* Torch (x5, 5 lb.)
* Waterskin (x2, 8 lb.)
* Tent (x1, 20 lb.)
* Shield, Tower (masterwork) (x1, 45 lb.)

-- Items in Storage --
[no items]

-- Carrying Capacity --
Light Load : 100 lb.
Medium Load: 200 lb.
Heavy Load : 300 lb.

-- Money --
0 pp, 263 gp, 4 sp, 5 cp

-- Magic Items Worn --
Head : -
Headband : -
Eyes : -
Neck : -
Shoulders: -
Chest : -
Wrists : -
Hands : -
Ring #1 : -
Ring #2 : -
Body : -
Belt : -
Feet : -

-- Skills --
Acrobatics : -15 = 0 + +1 + -16
Appraise* : +1 = 0 + +1 + +0
Bluff : +3 = 0 + +3 + +0
Climb : -12 = 0 + +4 + -16
Craft* : +1 = + +1 + +0
Diplomacy* : +8 = 1 + +3 + +4
Disable Device : -15 = 0 + +1 + -16
Disguise : +3 = 0 + +3 + +0
Escape Artist : -15 = 0 + +1 + -16
Fly : -15 = 0 + +1 + -16
Handle Animal* : +3 = 0 + +3 + +0
Heal* : +5 = 1 + +1 + +3
Intimidate : +3 = 0 + +3 + +0
Knowledge : +1 = + +1 + +0
Knowledge (religion)*: +5 = 1 + +1 + +3
Linguistics : +1 = 0 + +1 + +0
Perception : +1 = 0 + +1 + +0
Perform : +3 = + +3 + +0
Profession* : +1 = + +1 + +0
Ride* : -15 = 0 + +1 + -16
Sense Motive* : +5 = 1 + +1 + +3
Sleight of Hand : -15 = 0 + +1 + -16
Spellcraft* : +1 = 0 + +1 + +0
Stealth : -15 = 0 + +1 + -16
Survival : +1 = 0 + +1 + +0
Swim : -12 = 0 + +4 + -16
Use Magic Device : +3 = 0 + +3 + +0
[total mod = ranks + ability + misc.]

-- Class Features / Racial Traits --
* Aura of Good (Ex)
* Bonus Feat
* Detect Evil (Sp)
* Languages
* Martial Weapon Proficiency (all)
* Skilled
* Smite Evil 1/day (Su)

-- Feats --
* Armor Proficiency, Heavy
* Armor Proficiency, Light
* Armor Proficiency, Medium
* Shield Focus
* Shield Proficiency
* Simple Weapon Proficiency
* Tower Shield Proficiency

-- Traits --
* Birthmark
* Desert Child (desert)
* Influence (Diplomacy)
* Kin Guardian
* Magical Talent (Prestidigitation)
* Merchant
* Power-Hungry
* Rich Parents

-- Languages --
Celestial, Common

-- Appearance & Background --
6' 6", 0 lb., Age: 28
Eyes: Hazel, Hair: Black, Skin: Copper
Deity: Iomedae, Homeland: Fomarii Desert

The Backstory Snippet

Backstory

The twentieth lash of many many sessions over the past years since, I was captured during the ride north from the capitol to aid the princess to become the queen by political marriage, serates my skin along my back slicing deeply into my left shoulder leaving a gash to trickle down a stream of blood to pool on the cold limestone floor. This, my punishment, my atonement, my “Agghh!” Finally, the 25th and final one of my transgressions today. My body goes limp as I begin to drift to sleep for tomorrow the real torture and path to redemption begins. Little do “they” know that they have lit a fire with their hellish ways that burns and sears my soul with a burning light to cleanse evil with a holy fire with the blessing of divine protection endowed by the Goddess Iomede herself. My birthmark in the shape of the Sun glows brightly now, blinding the Drow dungeon master whipping me. He falls onto the hot coals that has seared the bottoms of my feet hard. He burns. He smells...purified. My hands begin to burn brightly as the manacles fall to the ground.

“Your will be done, Iomede. My shield shall be yours.”

I turn to face the Drow torturer and notice the set of armor lying on the table from the former Paladin of Iomede now rotting with maggots writhing in his eyes. He may not see, but I will make sure that the goddess will not have a vacancy within her ranks. The armor fits perfectly...as if…

I kneel in prayer.

My Goddess has heard me. I shall leave this prison.

7 days later

From the basin of holy water I drink upon entering the nearest Temple of Iomede. The priestess Anna wipes my sun burned skin clean. Then her soft hands begin to rub lightly a layer of aloe onto my face.

“How did you get here child?”

She asks. I answer.

“The Light.”

Her expression turns to one of acceptance, the first in … a good long while.

“Ah, I see. She brought you to us.”

She looks me over and finds the many lashes scared into my body. Runs her palms over them and massages me with comfort.

“You still have quite the potential. A bit starved but I feel much potential within you.”

That was three years ago when my path began. Now, I can call myself…

“Paladin! Paladin, Kammani, here! A mission for you.”

I read the letter of writ from Captain Aren.

“Ready my horse!”

[avr]

You might like to head for the mobile bulwark style feat line, or for saving shield. Shield mastery feats may appeal too. Alternately word of healing and sunblade could give you ranged options which you might find useful given a lack of mobility. Iomedae's deific obedience would appeal if you feel like being exceptionally good at diplomacy.

If you are ever going to ride a horse you may want to take a level dip in cavalier. -16 ACP is pretty much a no to riding otherwise.

[BadBird]

Note that using a weapon and tower shield will make it impossible to casts spells or use Lay on Hands without dropping or sheathing the weapon, which is a major issue for a Paladin.

A very thematic option for a Sacred Shield could be to use Upsetting Shield Style, where you shield-bash targets with a buckler to weaken their attacks. The complete style lets you counterattack against attacks that badly miss you or your allies, which meshes perfectly with using Holy Shield to raise everyone's AC. Throw in Cornugon Smash and you've got a very aggressive shield defense.

[Cinxer]

BadBird wrote:

Note that using a weapon and tower shield will make it impossible to casts spells or use Lay on Hands without dropping or sheathing the weapon, which is a major issue for a Paladin.

A very thematic option for a Sacred Shield could be to use Upsetting Shield Style, where you shield-bash targets with a buckler to weaken their attacks. The complete style lets you counterattack against attacks that badly miss you or your allies, which meshes perfectly with using Holy Shield to raise everyone's AC. Throw in Cornugon Smash and you've got a very aggressive shield defense.

Ty

I am interested in this style for sure. However, I am wondering if it’s possible for the trait—

Birthmark
You were born with a strange birthmark that looks very similar to the holy symbol of the god you chose to worship later in life.

Benefits: This birthmark can serve you as a divine focus for casting spells, and as a physical manifestation of your faith, and it increases your devotion to your god. You gain a +2 trait bonus on all saving throws against charm and compulsion effects.

—to work as a divine focus for spell casting enabling the tower shield.

[Cinxer]

avr wrote:

You might like to head for the mobile bulwark style feat line, or for saving shield. Shield mastery feats may appeal too. Alternately word of healing and sunblade could give you ranged options which you might find useful given a lack of mobility. Iomedae's deific obedience would appeal if you feel like being exceptionally good at diplomacy.

If you are ever going to ride a horse you may want to take a level dip in cavalier. -16 ACP is pretty much a no to riding otherwise.

Ty

Yes, a cavalier dip is going to be the part where the whole role play portion about the horse will come in...albeit I’d like it to be a summoned horse/mount. Direction on a pocket spellmount desired.

I’ll take note of these ranged options even though I’m wanting to sort of make a light(black) hole of protection even from ranged/spells as possible. Less so on the healing, no reason to heal if never injured?

[BadBird]

Cinxer wrote:

I am interested in this style for sure. However, I am wondering if it’s possible for the trait—

Birthmark
You were born with a strange birthmark that looks very similar to the holy symbol of the god you chose to worship later in life.

Benefits: This birthmark can serve you as a divine focus for casting spells, and as a physical manifestation of your faith, and it increases your devotion to your god. You gain a +2 trait bonus on all saving throws against charm and compulsion effects.

—to work as a divine focus for spell casting enabling the tower shield.

The problem isn't really the Divine Focus, it's having a hand free for somatic components in spells or to touch with Lay on Hands. Using a shield that leaves the shield-hand free to hold something means you can hold your weapon in the shield-hand while you do something else; swapping your weapon like this only uses free actions, so it's no problem for a Paladin with a light shield or buckler to free-up a hand for a moment.

The feat Shielded Mage solves the spellcasting problem, but spellcasting isn't the real issue anyways - Paladin's aren't usually throwing spells in combat. What a Paladin really wants to be able to do is heal and cure conditions on themselves (and I guess others too) with swift actions using Lay on Hands and Mercy.

It's not the end of the world if you can't use Lay on Hands, but it's a big drawback if you consider what it means for a front-line warrior to heal/cure themselves with swift actions.