I always play the embodiment of nobility or, at least, try to be as noble as circumstance allows. I always release farmers and refugee captives without ransom, same goes for captive noble wives/daughters, never raid villages or enemy faction caravans (unless I aid a friendly lord in combating them or they carry any juicy captives in their prisoner train), I do extort money from them however. In my current playthrough (still in 5.1), I re-established the Order of the Griffon (because they are the embodiment of Pendor) and became a member. I won't re-establish the Gauntlets because they do not strike me as noble enough, even though their prowess is terrific. I plan on taking Singal and Valonbray for myself albeit for a little, just enough to dismantle the Dawn and Eventide morons and wait for the day till Oswald re-appears to either chop his head off or put him in a cell to rot. I treated Sir Darlion dishonorably, I admit it, since I took his quest just to have his horse and then ditched him, but, hey, no one is perfect.
Oh, and I never slaughter cattle. Never. Ever.