Even if we disregard the fact that the majority of quests are more or less evil, the main problem with playing a Paladin is that Paladins don't loot corpses, they don't rob tombs or take any treasures for themselves. This presents a problem since its damn near impossible to build speechcraft in this game without buying and selling items which a real Paladin would never do. So, if I want to make a Paladin I essentially have to loot or buy and sell items which goes against my virtues, unless I want to chop wood and sell it to max out my speech which is a very futile task considering I play dead is dead then I have no other options.

Whats the best way for a Paladin to build speech in this game that wouldn't go against his virtue?

Dude, roleplaying is dead in this game, other than your usual viking warrior, you can't really think anything else could be the "Dragonborn"...

You have no imagination. That is all.

I chose not to do the main quest.

Collect plants and sell them. Shouldn't be anything wrong with that as the ingredients go to help people. Nothing wrong with leveling up alchemy to make potions for cash.

That, and what a paladin is is mostly up to you--I know my paladin would loot the hell out of undead corpses.

Also, Dawnbreaker.

If you don't find a particular way of playing the game enjoyable, try different ways that you can. Or be looser about your RP.

Collecting bounties gives about 100 gold per job.

Not that I think it's impossible to be a "looser" about one's RP--I'm sure someone can find a way--but here's a new thought:

We do not insult people on these forums.

Productive posts or no posts. That was nonsense.

Yeah, I suppose I could do this as well as mine stuff and sell it off. Though, my Paladin has taken an oath of poverty so it doesn't make much sense for him to sell things when he should be giving them to people.

I can hunt for food on my own, catch fish for myself, etc. I just need the bare necessities to survive on. Thats how I RP this character.

I do have, just can't see my Argonian be the effin Dovakin that is all.

Lol

I think that's actually a great workaround to OP's problem There are a bunch of radiant quests you can for money, many of which won't earn you a whole lot. Now I know that sounds bad, but it's better to be working (and therefore playing the game) for some honest money than having tens of thousands of gold coins you have nothing to do with. That, and I personally would like to make a character someday who works harder than just opening chests and looting corpses for Glass Swords of Valuable Enchantments.

Also, any bounties that call for fighting a dragon are worth 500 gold, I think. Are you against looting them? And don't forget the Companions (you can always deny radiant quests, like the brawl ones, if your character finds them unethical).

Edit: Oh crap, read over your original post and saw that you're looking to build Speech, not make money.

Well...in that case, I can't help you. Buy training?

Im a Paladin, not a bounty hunter. Even though I do seek to rid the lands of evil, even if I accepted these tasks I wouldn't keep the money for myself.

well there is that one companion guy that gives you quests to go rescue people, if you can justify doing the companions questline

In a dirty world like Skyrim, where everyone looks out for his or her neck only, I'd imagine a Paladin coming off as ... very templar, or begrudgingly cynical.

Nope, I roleplay just fine and I'm not a nord warrior dragonborn.

OP: I agree that it is rather hard to roleplay a Paladin, but I find playing the Crusader a bit easier. It is very similar to the Paladin in abilities and moral, but it isn't a divine fighter.
Any heavily armored warrior with spellcasting powers and a good cause may call himself a Crusader. Crusaders do well by doing good. They hunt monsters and villains, making themselves rich by plunder as they rid the world of evil. Morrowind class-description.

Based on the rp details you have provided I don't see how you could level speech without exploiting three guy in Riften you can persuade over and over. If you can't loot corpses or build wealth through buying and selling then you kind of SOL.

Did you consider modifying your Rp so you can build wealth and then just give it away? Sell a bunch of items you get in an acceptable way and then drop the money so others can take it?

This is the best idea so far, I will probably go with this. Thanks.

Now you're trying to hard to do your thing. Skyrim is a game not a fantasy life simulator. Paladins beyond the DnD discription are christian knights that uphold the rules of Knighthood and slay 'evil' enemies of the Christian world. So let's say they're knights of the Eight Divines. Knighthood had nothing to do with poverty, taken a vow of poverty is a monk's business.

Playing a Paladin is hard but there plenty of quests to slay evil, according to the real meaning of Paladins the Foresworn are fair game as well. I would accept the reward money but donate all you don't need for gear to the churges. Sadly speechcraft is a broken skill in this game and relying on it is a painful task if you're not a natural merchant.

My mage doesn't steal, search urns, or kill those who don't attack him. He will take from many of the items he finds in chests and such. He will also search those unfortunate enough to attack him as well. You can limit yourself a bit and still be a good guy

This^^

In Morrowind, there were "divine" fighters but they were not of the paladin class. When I RP the good guy, I usually take the weapons of my dead enemies, not to keep, but to prevent them from being used to do more evil. That's a way of getting an income/raising speechcraft I suppose. There are trainers as well.

Good advice, good post. Funny you should mention monks, I use to play monks all the time in Morrowind/Oblivion. Maybe I need to loosen up a bit for Paladins.

I've posted many times that there's really no "Good" role to play. You can go after the Dark Brotherhood... but the way to start that quest is not exactly Good. The only way I could see playing a palidin is to play him over-the-top delusional. I'd really like to see a DLC adress this problem, perhaps with a questline to restore Talos' church or to rid the world of some evil.

Personally I find a grey character more interesting. My good guy was an Imperial legionnaire, he knew that despite being broke crossing the border illegal was a crime and he deserved punishment. Right after his escape he decided the Imperial Army could use his help and he signed up. He's a good guy but he loots everything he finds (I really forgot to roleplay there ) He's not perfect and he makes mistakes but his personal ruleset is to uphold imperial law, making sure the Empire survives because it's Men's best chance and slay all evil you see.

I say play a Paladin but not a perfect one, give him a vice. Give him a darker side, pull him into the grey and try to let him fight to get back into the white. Maybe he loves what the Eight Divines stand for but in secret he really worships Talos. My barbarian is a Nord that hates elves and will try not to help a single one if he can. He dislikes the Empire for giving up Talos but he doesn't hate it. Religion is a thing for the civilized men anyway. He's a barbarian with an honorable code but tombs are fair game