Religion rp how much is too much?

[Delexos]

As some of you are aware I recently started playing with the polar opposite to my usual character type, I have created a Paladin of Helm who I am attempting to play as a stoic and very focused kind of guy rather than my usual assortment of evil and quite verbose characters this concept is proving quite a challenge for me to get settled with.

As I try and explore more and more layers of this new personality I am crafting I came upon the question of his faith and I was wondering how other religious focused types deal with such things, if you even bother with them at all.

Earlier this evening there was a run in with a foul and hideous vampire at the Second wind inn, my Paladin rushed to aid the couple of dwarves that were trying to push the vamp back and for his trouble found himself knocked out cold rather easily, to be expected when facing a serious vampire threat of course.

I then decided to roleplay the fact that his life had been spared (thanks for that Ruby ) but that his armour had sustained massive damage from the force of the undead blows. Helmites believe in the phrase "Never betray your Trust" which represents their adherence to maintaining their weapons and armour in constant top shape, so I trundle off to Sundren city to visit the Temple of Helm so that his armour might get repaired.

Once I got to the Temple I decided to start roleplaying Ariovistus as though he were going through a ritual for prayer, emoting how he washes himself in the basins inside the temple and then approaches the main altar/podium, taking a knee and then I started making up a prayer that sounded to me like the sort of thing a Helmite might say.

Now this was useful to me because it helps me solidify certain aspects of this new guys character, his connection to his god and as I ad-lib the scene it helps me get clues as to how his personality might develop and become concrete.

However I also found myself wondering if it was a pointless practice, after all what is the point of rping with ones self? it kind of feels a little self indulgent with no real outcome other than to waste time typing text for no one but your self and the blank faces of the npc's to bare witness to it.

So what about you guys? do any of you actually bother with the religion side of your religious characters? if so to what extent? am I just weird for indulging in solo rp?

To me, prayer and moments of religious poignancy should be a deeply personal experience and not a public spectacle, do such moments then have no place on a role play server where the whole idea is to engage in the community and help create an enjoyable experience for the people around you?

Thought I'd share my quandary with you guys and see where general opinion rests.

Cheers guys!

[Starrizer]

I indulge myself in personal things cause I feel it makes me more in-depth with my character. I don't blame you at all ^^!

[OnyxTigress]

(thanks for that Ruby )

Everybody gets one.

But I enjoy religious rp, I don't think too much can be too much. Ruby is a crazy fanatic of her God, so if you want to be into your own religious rp, then I say go for it.

[Torgar]

Moments of prayer and religion help one to immerse into the character they are portraying. Besides, you never know when a DM is watching, and I've heard rumors they reward people for roleplaying. And, also, you never know when someone is going to wander by and walk in on you mid-prayer. it offers a good RP experience.

[wangxiuming]

It's a fine line, I think, between helping to express and develop your character, and becoming overwhelming with it.

As to rp'ing with yourself, I do sometimes too! Mostly because sometimes a DM might happen by and think what you're doing is worth a cookie. Of course, what you're doing probably has to be more interesting than describing every single miniscule action you take...

[Lotus]

However I also found myself wondering if it was a pointless practice, after all what is the point of rping with ones self? it kind of feels a little self indulgent with no real outcome other than to waste time typing text for no one but your self and the blank faces of the npc's to bare witness to it.

Immersion, man.

[Jhickey]

Go for it, as you know I play a religious nut too, and its never enough. Although seeing all these Helmites out make me want to pull Alex out and use him again.

I suppose we will see!

I like to go with the philosophe of whatever fits your RP style go for it, have fun, its a game.