Well, Riftmaker, I have to disagree that the Order and the Lathanderites would refuse to help because they are "Lawful" and the C.W.'s are the "lawful representatives".
I agree it would take exceptional circumstances for them to go against the Cowled Wizards...but the PC brings these circumstances in abundance. First of all, it is no secret that the Cowled Wizards are corrupt. The demand a "license fee" that is nothing more than a transparant bribe. One of their members sends the PC after a Ranger - supposedly for crimes against the C.W.'s. However, once you actually meet Valygar, he explains that his actions were self-defense and that the C.W.'s attacked HIM in an attempt to FORCE him to grant them entry into the Planar Sphere. The C.W.'s make no secret of the fact that they are perfectly happy for the PC to kill Valygar if necessary. So the PC is basically being contracted for a sanctioned murder against a good-aligned character.
Finally, there is the wrongful imprisonment of Imoen herself.
Not to mention the fact that if the PC casts even the most basic and non-threatening spell (such as Stoneskin - which doesn't endanger ANY innocent bystanders), a whole GROUP of C.W.'s will show up and attack the PC and his/her group with full magical force - and they have no concern for any innocents that may get caught in the crossfire.
Upon returning from Umar Hills, the PC could take Valygar to the Order to present his side of the case to them. The PC could then point out that they aren't asking the Order to confront the C.W.'s directly - all they are asking is that the Order provide a way for the PC and his group to travel to Spellhold so that they can investigate the situation and rescue Imoen on their own.
While it IS "unlawful" to support helping a prisoner escape from prison, there is ample cause to believe Imoen was wrongfully imprisoned to begin with...and the C.W.'s don't have any "parole board" for her or the PC to appeal to. In this case, the Order would almost be "honor bound" to help if they could - without violating the laws of Athkatla.
But even so, it is quite evident that they would be serving the "greater good" by aiding the PC in this particular instance.
Note that I'm not saying the Paladins will automatically believe the PC. They would have to meet several requirements. For starters, the PC (and most of the group) would HAVE to be of good alignment. Second, they would have to take Valygar to present his evidence of the C.W.'s corrupt and malicous nature. And it would be stressed that any "aid" they give will be strictly "behind the scenes".
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Cerek the Calmth
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