D&D 3E/3.5 Several Questions regarding 3.5e Paladin

[Shin Okada]

1) Special Mount
For decades, I have been thinking that Paladin's mounts are LG. But re-reading the 3.5e PHB, I could not find any mentioning about the mount's alignment. Does that mean Paladin's Horse is True Neutral by default? Does that mean a Paladin's mount is affected by Holy Smite or Holy Word?

2) Deity
Paladin must be LG. But unlike Cleric, there is no mentioning about one's patron deity's alignment. PHB just shows Pelor (NG) and Heironeous (LG). But one of my fried says he saw in some book that there are paladins of Corellon (CG). Are there any text which define the alignment restriction of Paladin's patron deity?

3) Magic Item to improve a mount's fly speed?
Horseshoes of Speed is a great item for it's price. But it only enhances land speed. Are there similar item which improves a mount's fly speed? (Assuming the mount has fly speed, like Drakkensteed.)

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

1. Wow, you're right... Well, the blurb on associates mentions that, "A paladin may accept only henchmen, followers, or cohorts who are lawful good." I'm pretty sure "bonded mount" is of more importance to a Paladin than "a hired butler," so based upon that, it makes sense that the mount would have to be LG.

2. Within one step is probably a safe assumption (so LG, NG, and LN deities), but I have no idea where RAW on that might be. In any case, it's in a paladin's best interest to pick a deity as close to LG as possible lest he get caught between a rock and a hard place w/ his faith and his code of conduct...

3. Pectoral of Maneuverability from Draconomicon will improve flight maneuvering by one step. Don't know off-hand of flight speed boosters, but there probably are some.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Regarding #1:

Can't a Unicorn become a Paladin's mount? They're CG.

Regarding #2:

I heard of a Paladin of Kord once, I forget where but by some official source (I think). If, in upholding "Lawfulness", one adheres to the tenants of the god's beliefs and values, it is my understanding that you can follow a Chaotic deity while still being Lawful.

Since I can't recall a source to reference, however, take this post with a grain of salt.

 

[Dross]

The player's guide to FR had a list of deities for paladins, not all of them were LG. Mystra was one and is NG.

Don't remember Kord being one though.