My group is made up of my best friends and I play the most overly-honourable paladin imaginable. And in my head he talks all cool and archaic like the blurb of a fantasy novel (not always, he knows how to relax). But when in-game he needs to talk to a king or inspire courage into the other players, I sort of freeze up and think what I'm about to say is stupid. For example, when Aura of Courage kicks in, so I don't have to metagame I'd like to say:
"Do not be afeared, comrades. Through me the Inheritor stands with us and the dark shall tremble at her feet." Or something to that effect. But you can bet your +4 Wounding Corrosive Double-axe that when it comes to it I'll just be like "You all get +4 against fear because of my aura of courage."
Any advice for, you know, role-playing in a voice pretty much alien to me?
Practice.
Both are great ideas. I too have a freeze up when it comes to long verbal role playing. I am a much better writer than speaker. But practice has helped considerably. I'm still not great, but getting better. My group has been patient and understanding of this which helps.
I remember playing a gnome illusionist who was an expert at witty comebacks; I had an entire notebook full of witty comeback I made up and pulled off the web. Too much? Maybe, but he was hilarious and always had new material. My friends even photo-copied the comebacks and insults to use them in real life because some were so funny.
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Ok, I know you want epic, but what about funny? I learned to talk in character as a player in part by playing Marvel Super Heroes and naming my powers like video game moves.
You see, the character was a never-was pro wrestler who owned a gym called Zero Gravity Gym. Ironically, it was in his 20's that he discovered latent mutant powers centered on gravity control. In order to muster the concentration needed for his "Power Moves" he'd have to call them out.
GM: Mark, it's your turn; what's Gravitun doing?
Me: "BLACK HOLE BEAR HUG!!!" *in best Randy Macho Man Savage voice*
So yeah, it was silly and childish, but it really gave me a feel for the character. Maybe instead of "Fear Aura" you have "The Choir of a Thousand Seraphim" or instead of turning on your "Smite" you are calling out "Iomedae; Iomedae; IOMEDAE; HOOOOOOO!!!"
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It also might help to talk slowly, and in relatively short bursts. If you play a relatively calm character, you can pretty easily get away with a slower cadence of speech.
One small thing I do when I'm about to speak in-character is to adjust my body in some way. For example, when I roleplay my know-it-all Lore Oracle, I typically lean back in my chair, thrust up my chin, and spread a giant smirk across my face. It really helps me say things in-character without getting caught up in the "oh gosh geez did I really just say that it sounded so stupid" mindset.
Thanks everyone, it's reassuring to know it's a common problem!
I've started to make sayings for events that might happen, when an effect of mine is activated (not the right word) and for when I have to talk us out of a sticky situation.
Perseverence.
Reading this, I've realised that I'm a lot more confident voicing characters now (I'm the GM) than I was a year ago. Although I find the hardest is running a conversation on the spur of the moment, when I don't know the character well enough, or even at all, sometimes.
I have that same problem as a GM as Chief Cook mentioned. Spur of the moment conversations, particularly when a PC throws a curve ball really throw me. But it is getting easier with time.
Some characters really jump into my head and I can play well, others take more work. Sometimes music helps me get into character. This happened with Rhakis in the Carrion Crown AP. I even slipped into an accent when listening to the music and didn't notice until my players pointed it out.
Keep it short. An in character "Fear Not." is great. You don't need a lengthy spiel.
As others have said, write it down and then read it.
If you can write it down, surely you can read it afterwards!
I really love all the suggestions, guys, thanks a lot! I love Jaelithe's suggestion of the character make fun of himself a bit. :D
Cheers, Nymian. Aye, he's a bit of a Billy Badass, is Celddrig Deathbane, Sworn of the King, Servant of Iomedae, Protector of the Realm. Celly to his friends. ;D
I'm having a lot of fun writing down his lines. I'm going to cut then down a bit like S'mon said, but soon we're going to have to cross a river guarded by orcs with flaming arrows, and:
"Orcs! I ask thee, hark at my words. By the kin divinity of mine god Iomedae and thine god Rovagug, I request parley for safe passage across these waters into the plains of Matot. What say you?"
Fingers crossed the +11 to Diplomacy will work, haha.