Say I wanted to be a devout vanquisher of vampires and anything that is cursed or plagued, therefore something like a paladin. How would I go about creating one, as in, which skill trees should I consider? Sword and board playstyle, or? Also which race?
Thoughts welcome!

There's no real "race", but most people pick Imperials or Nords.

I think the standard paladin build includes:

Heavy Armor
One Handed (your choice, most uses maces)
Block
Restoration
Enchanting
Smithing

Race:redguard
Restoration magic and one handed; possibly block
Heavy armor; steel plate
Do u have DG? If you do, use the spells added, I think one is Stendarr's Aura

Bretons make excellent paladins. Your patron deity provides you both proficiency with and resistance to magic. One Handed, Block, Restoration, Stendarr's Aura, Lightning Bolt. Dawnbreaker. I love my Nordic Carved but yeah Steel Plate is probably the best look for the part.

It's my favorite build. I love tanks.