yeah that is known even to me across the sea from it, I do know continental Europe had tails of witches shape-shifting with the skins of beasts maybe that would be a better lead.
all proper half-casters who do well can be described in three parts, the spellcaster part, the fighting bit(normally the fighter itself) and the part that makes it something more than either of those basic components.
should the paladin just be a fighter cleric multi-class?
well, what do magic...