Overview

Roleplaying in Ultima online is not hard, all it takes is a little patience, imagination and creativity, the world is open to all kinds of characters, evil/good, human/orc/elf/slime, imagination is the only limit.

Taking on the role as one of the good

guys is not always easy, a Templar is a representative of good, unfortunately whats "good" varies from person to person (or orc to orc).

Presumably most have seen at least 1 Starwars movie, and much of the Jedi Knight stuff (if You remove the Sci Fi bits) can be good inspiration to roleplay a Paladin, as well as the real-life Knights Templar Myths and Legends.
 
One issue where RL Knights Templar and Paladins clashes, is on the fact that real-life Knights Templar was formed to war against the Saracens, and much like an Army, their members where expected to follow orders from their leaders. They where even expected never to flee from battle, some say they would flee if outnumbered 3 to 1.
 
Being a Paladin is very much about each individual Paladin having high morale and ethical standards. So if someone orders You to kill an innocent or commit other crimes, remember that the goal does not justify the means. Your personal integrity, what You truly believe is right and wrong is what should govern Your decisions and actions.
 
And after all, would You rather be in a "cool" guild or something like that, even if it meant You had to do things which where against Your beliefs in what was right and wrong ?
 
We are not trying to brainwash people into thinking the same way or even roleplay the same way. Our strength comes from each individual member who will stand up for his beliefs.
 
If You need inspiration on how to roleplay Your Paladin character, the best thing I can suggest is to look at other roleplaying games, and look to classic myths, tales and movies/novels for more general issues regarding right and wrong. We learn every day, we meet new people almost every day, we are faced with many difficult decisions in our lives, likewise with Your Paladin character in UO, and perhaps this is why we log on to UO.
 
Don't be afraid to do something wrong, but on the other hand don't do things You know is wrong. We all make mistakes and those who think they don't will have a hard time. Our mistakes is what we learn from, some says going uphill is what builds character.

 
Respect others, both when they roleplay with You, and when they go OOC, even if You believe that OOC is heresy, respect that others don't share Your point of view.

Respect the Player behind the character.

Most in character confrontations between roleplayers, will of course involve threats and discussions to prepare for the actual swordplay, the other player is not trying to upset You - the player behind Your character, and You should not try and upset him.
 
Calling other characters names like Nubee, freak, shithead, jerk etc is not helping anyone, and using profound language, even when Your upset is not going to help You at all, in many cases this will actually get you in trouble.
 
If You have a problem with another roleplayer, that You cant solve with this person in the game, You should take it to Your guildmaster.
 
Any problem with other players, roleplayers or not, that falls under the UO harassment, should be dealt with by the UO game masters.
 
Emotes are great for roleplaying
 
- instead of the smilies that are used in "netspeak"
 
type *smiles*, *nervous smile*, *Big Grin*, *rolls the floor laughing* etc.
 
Your imagination is the limit
- *looks out the window*, *leans against wall*, *writes a letter*, *slumbers*, *scratches neck* etc.
 
"Power emotes" are defined as emotes, that forces or limits another character, like *takes the prisoners weapons* or *crushes kneecap with mace*, they really don't leave options for continued roleplaying for the victim, and should be avoided.
 
Speaking Britannian "Ye Ole English style" is not necessary when roleplaying, and don't worry about spelling mistakes, or about Your English not being perfect. It should not prevent You from having fun role playing with others in Ultima Online.
 
One of the best way to learn a language is to live in a country where its spoken, and living in Britannia, is a little like that.
 
Try to let people know if Your not at the keyboard
 
Take some time and study the different guilds homepages, it should make it easier for You to understand what the Drows, Orcs and other role players are talking about, and why they act in a specific way.
 
Nobody expects You to be a perfect role player, and if anyone claims they are, chances are they have a serious problem. Role playing is not about how You "must" roleplay, most find its about having fun, and that roleplaying in a game like UO can provide more of it.
 
I know there is a ton of information and text to read, but nobody says You have to read it all, and not in 1 week. Most of the role players have been in the game for months or years, and most of the text is there to help You and other roleplayers, it should save You time and prevent frustration.