I just played a game as a paladin.
Temple + ton of clerics. + Alfiya + equipment.
bassically it was a buddy paladin with alfiya and clerics in the back. The clerics kept praying and paladin used his sword. I could kill a big guy every turn. The dragon is absurdly powerful! I chose the strongest creature (level 2 or 3) and by killing it I gained around 4 valor per turn. The problem is that I wasn't able to use any of the valor.
It was my second game as a paladin and both times I didn't use any of the valor and didn't activate the aura's. I just never wanted to spend an action to activate it.