How to roleplay this...? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How to roleplay this...? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Adamaro23
08-24-07, 04:58 AM My next character is a Slitheren (ratmen) from Scarred Lands (sword & sorcery) playing in a Scarred Lands game.

these "ratmen" are generaly hated/distrusted by all, get blamed for everything, and are thought to be nothing more than disease carrying abominations (even if not all of them are).

Anyway I have a Chaotic Good "ratman" Rogue/Swashbuckler. He was born and raised at sea and until recent has never seen a town before. And doesn't know how the people on shore treat his kind.

Here's the fun part: in addition to him naturally being hated by all, he has a Cha of 4 :D.

now, he's never communicated with anyone other than his own kind on stolen boats at sea before, and like I mentioned above, he's never been in a town before. He doesn't know what a shop, or tavern, or house even is.

So how would you roleplay him? He has Int 18, Wis 16, Cha 2.
Adamaro23
08-24-07, 04:17 PM Anyone?
ArgulFraster
08-24-07, 04:27 PM This is sad-he has -3 to all Charisma-based checks. He is going to be exceedingly lonely and will be lucky if he's not chased down and slaughtered.
Orville_Oaksong
08-24-07, 04:28 PM There are few ways to roleplay a character with 4 or 2 Cha (you listed two different charisma scores). Basically, roleplay him by trying to avoid verbal confrontation as effectively as possible. He would probably be quite forward and extremly blunt when forced to speak. He could either lack humor and sarcasm, or use so much it makes him unappealing. So is he annoying, or just shy?
Adamaro23
08-25-07, 05:20 PM Sorry about two different numbers, it's 2. :)
Radijs
08-25-07, 05:36 PM Cha 2? He's closer to being catatonic then he is to being an adventurer.
Free1983
08-29-07, 02:45 AM Dude, your character has the charisma of a spider and that is worse than the charisma of an octopus. Perhaps you should reconsider. I don't know which ability score generation method you guys use, but if you're going to roleplay as in "interact with people", I should warn you that you just won't.

I don't think that anyone would want to start a conversation with you. I don't think that anyone will do you any favor ever and that includes getting you a beer in a pub or selling you an item from their shop. I see almost no reasons why other adventurers would take you with them. Sure you might be extremely smart and wise, but hell, you just can't go near that guy. I think they would gladly take someone with them that isn't as smart as you, but who has an acceptable way of dealing with people.

But, if you want to play the outcast and if you enjoy to steal everything you need... Go ahead and have a ball :D. I would think that he's shunned by everybody and that he has learned to cope with it (although I find it hard to believe that someone with an INT of 18 can't figure something out to so something about it). Perhaps that's one of his motivations to go out adventuring.

Cheers
Daniel _the_Zodiac
09-04-07, 12:51 AM It seems he might have a social or mental disorder if he's only CHA 2. That could be something to look into. Hopefull with such high Int and Wis he'll know not to speak unless it's to an enemy.
Paradox_of_Life
09-04-07, 01:33 AM Play anything with lower than 6 CHA along this example:

GUY walks into a sleepy hamlet
2 seconds later...
Mob forms

GUY: Hi everyone!
Mob: .....KILL IT!!!!
GUY: WTF!?!?
GUY runs while being chased into the horizon
CrimsonDeath
09-04-07, 02:10 AM Note that Charisma 0 indicates that you are no longer able to tell the difference between yourself and things that are not yourself. A low Charisma, then, could represent a diminished capacity to empathize with people. What does that mean for you? Act on your emotions; shout when you're angry or excited, laugh whenever you find something funny (even if it's inappropriate), and cry when something makes you sad (even if it's inappropriate). Assume that other people feel the same way you do. Assume that other people know the same things you do (so, if you make a successful Knowledge check to discern a creature's weaknesses, simply act on that knowledge yourself and, if someone else uses an ineffective tactic, act like he's intentionally making a bad decision-- "Why are you using a longsword against that skeleton when a club is so much more effective?"). Don't speak often, but when you do, be as blunt as possible. Always think in terms of what you want, how you feel, and what you know; never consider what someone else wants, knows, or feels. (You've probably learned by now how shops work, though, so you will probably at least offer to pay for things you want from them-- usually.)

This doesn't necessarily mean that angry mobs will spontaneously form in your wake. The vast majority of people will probably ignore you, if you're quiet enough. As for why an adventuring party would bring you along-- If your'e good enough at something, they'll bring you for that. ("Him? He's a little touched, but he's one of the best trapspringers I've ever seen, and he fights like a demon.")
CrimsonDeath
09-06-07, 06:49 PM Alternatively, if he has an extremely low Charisma but high Wisdom, he could take all his cues from the people around him. Rather than forming his own opinions and acting on his own emotions, he could adopt the opinions and moods of the people around him (preferably his adventuring companions, but not necessarily if his crew is vastly outnumbered).
Sixam
09-06-07, 11:41 PM Clearly, you have rolled up an autistic ratling.

Note that Charisma 0 indicates that you are no longer able to tell the difference between yourself and things that are not yourself.
Or perhaps a test rat who's mind was destroyed in an arcane LSD experiment.
CrimsonDeath
09-07-07, 12:32 AM Clearly, you have rolled up an autistic ratling.
I didn't want to say it in so many words...
ArgulFraster
09-13-07, 09:56 PM Alternatively, look for videos of Peter Griffin drunk on Youtube. THAT'S a charisma of 2. Just make the references slightly smarter and don't have him collapse all over the place. He'll likely end up streaking at least once.
The_Shaman
09-17-07, 06:46 PM No, imo that's low wisdom. Low charisma is not willing to/ able to cooperate with people. Say, a skulk who never gets out of the shadows and practically never talks - that could be a character with abysmal charisma.
NewBlood808
09-18-07, 03:20 AM thats an autistic ratman!
Ell
09-18-07, 08:58 AM You actually can't have any ability score below 3, you know it, right? ---- fixed, not true, I proclaim myself rules-incompetent)))
Well, anyway... Make your ratling have some annoying habits or gross appearance (he has very thin fur, or runny nose, or he's an albino)
Because of high wis and int you know you're not liked and figure out the city pretty fast, and usually can tell when the trouble is coming.
You know people skills are your weak point and simply avoid any social situations whenever possible.

Talk to your DM and ask him how he understands charisma.
CrimsonDeath
09-18-07, 12:01 PM You actually can't have any ability score below 3, you know it, right?

That's not true at all. The only ability score that can't go below 3 for a PC is Intelligence.
Radijs
09-18-07, 04:44 PM I'd be willing to add Cha to that list as well.
Ell
09-20-07, 03:07 AM Whoops, my bad))) I usually let my players reroll numbers lower than 10, so the "low stat issue" has never come up)
Shame on me :rolleyes:
rastlin_of_the_tomes
09-27-07, 09:04 AM lets see here, hes rude, impressonable, blunt, and not good at talking with other people in most any way right?.

so stay quiet:) and there will be only mobs when you actualy do something bad.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Adamaro23 08-24-07, 04:58 AM	My next character is a Slitheren (ratmen) from Scarred Lands (sword & sorcery) playing in a Scarred Lands game. these "ratmen" are generaly hated/distrusted by all, get blamed for everything, and are thought to be nothing more than disease carrying abominations (even if not all of them are). Anyway I have a Chaotic Good "ratman" Rogue/Swashbuckler. He was born and raised at sea and until recent has never seen a town before. And doesn't know how the people on shore treat his kind. Here's the fun part: in addition to him naturally being hated by all, he has a Cha of 4 :D. now, he's never communicated with anyone other than his own kind on stolen boats at sea before, and like I mentioned above, he's never been in a town before. He doesn't know what a shop, or tavern, or house even is. So how would you roleplay him? He has Int 18, Wis 16, Cha 2.
Adamaro23 08-24-07, 04:17 PM	Anyone?
ArgulFraster 08-24-07, 04:27 PM	This is sad-he has -3 to all Charisma-based checks. He is going to be exceedingly lonely and will be lucky if he's not chased down and slaughtered.
Orville_Oaksong 08-24-07, 04:28 PM	There are few ways to roleplay a character with 4 or 2 Cha (you listed two different charisma scores). Basically, roleplay him by trying to avoid verbal confrontation as effectively as possible. He would probably be quite forward and extremly blunt when forced to speak. He could either lack humor and sarcasm, or use so much it makes him unappealing. So is he annoying, or just shy?
Adamaro23 08-25-07, 05:20 PM	Sorry about two different numbers, it's 2. :)
Radijs 08-25-07, 05:36 PM	Cha 2? He's closer to being catatonic then he is to being an adventurer.
Free1983 08-29-07, 02:45 AM	Dude, your character has the charisma of a spider and that is worse than the charisma of an octopus. Perhaps you should reconsider. I don't know which ability score generation method you guys use, but if you're going to roleplay as in "interact with people", I should warn you that you just won't. I don't think that anyone would want to start a conversation with you. I don't think that anyone will do you any favor ever and that includes getting you a beer in a pub or selling you an item from their shop. I see almost no reasons why other adventurers would take you with them. Sure you might be extremely smart and wise, but hell, you just can't go near that guy. I think they would gladly take someone with them that isn't as smart as you, but who has an acceptable way of dealing with people. But, if you want to play the outcast and if you enjoy to steal everything you need... Go ahead and have a ball :D. I would think that he's shunned by everybody and that he has learned to cope with it (although I find it hard to believe that someone with an INT of 18 can't figure something out to so something about it). Perhaps that's one of his motivations to go out adventuring. Cheers
Daniel _the_Zodiac 09-04-07, 12:51 AM	It seems he might have a social or mental disorder if he's only CHA 2. That could be something to look into. Hopefull with such high Int and Wis he'll know not to speak unless it's to an enemy.
Paradox_of_Life 09-04-07, 01:33 AM	Play anything with lower than 6 CHA along this example: GUY walks into a sleepy hamlet 2 seconds later... Mob forms GUY: Hi everyone! Mob: .....KILL IT!!!! GUY: WTF!?!? GUY runs while being chased into the horizon
CrimsonDeath 09-04-07, 02:10 AM	Note that Charisma 0 indicates that you are no longer able to tell the difference between yourself and things that are not yourself. A low Charisma, then, could represent a diminished capacity to empathize with people. What does that mean for you? Act on your emotions; shout when you're angry or excited, laugh whenever you find something funny (even if it's inappropriate), and cry when something makes you sad (even if it's inappropriate). Assume that other people feel the same way you do. Assume that other people know the same things you do (so, if you make a successful Knowledge check to discern a creature's weaknesses, simply act on that knowledge yourself and, if someone else uses an ineffective tactic, act like he's intentionally making a bad decision-- "Why are you using a longsword against that skeleton when a club is so much more effective?"). Don't speak often, but when you do, be as blunt as possible. Always think in terms of what you want, how you feel, and what you know; never consider what someone else wants, knows, or feels. (You've probably learned by now how shops work, though, so you will probably at least offer to pay for things you want from them-- usually.) This doesn't necessarily mean that angry mobs will spontaneously form in your wake. The vast majority of people will probably ignore you, if you're quiet enough. As for why an adventuring party would bring you along-- If your'e good enough at something, they'll bring you for that. ("Him? He's a little touched, but he's one of the best trapspringers I've ever seen, and he fights like a demon.")
CrimsonDeath 09-06-07, 06:49 PM	Alternatively, if he has an extremely low Charisma but high Wisdom, he could take all his cues from the people around him. Rather than forming his own opinions and acting on his own emotions, he could adopt the opinions and moods of the people around him (preferably his adventuring companions, but not necessarily if his crew is vastly outnumbered).
Sixam 09-06-07, 11:41 PM	Clearly, you have rolled up an autistic ratling. Note that Charisma 0 indicates that you are no longer able to tell the difference between yourself and things that are not yourself. Or perhaps a test rat who's mind was destroyed in an arcane LSD experiment.
CrimsonDeath 09-07-07, 12:32 AM	Clearly, you have rolled up an autistic ratling. I didn't want to say it in so many words...
ArgulFraster 09-13-07, 09:56 PM	Alternatively, look for videos of Peter Griffin drunk on Youtube. THAT'S a charisma of 2. Just make the references slightly smarter and don't have him collapse all over the place. He'll likely end up streaking at least once.
The_Shaman 09-17-07, 06:46 PM	No, imo that's low wisdom. Low charisma is not willing to/ able to cooperate with people. Say, a skulk who never gets out of the shadows and practically never talks - that could be a character with abysmal charisma.
NewBlood808 09-18-07, 03:20 AM	thats an autistic ratman!
Ell 09-18-07, 08:58 AM	You actually can't have any ability score below 3, you know it, right? ---- fixed, not true, I proclaim myself rules-incompetent))) Well, anyway... Make your ratling have some annoying habits or gross appearance (he has very thin fur, or runny nose, or he's an albino) Because of high wis and int you know you're not liked and figure out the city pretty fast, and usually can tell when the trouble is coming. You know people skills are your weak point and simply avoid any social situations whenever possible. Talk to your DM and ask him how he understands charisma.
CrimsonDeath 09-18-07, 12:01 PM	You actually can't have any ability score below 3, you know it, right? That's not true at all. The only ability score that can't go below 3 for a PC is Intelligence.
Radijs 09-18-07, 04:44 PM	I'd be willing to add Cha to that list as well.
Ell 09-20-07, 03:07 AM	Whoops, my bad))) I usually let my players reroll numbers lower than 10, so the "low stat issue" has never come up) Shame on me :rolleyes:
rastlin_of_the_tomes 09-27-07, 09:04 AM	lets see here, hes rude, impressonable, blunt, and not good at talking with other people in most any way right?. so stay quiet:) and there will be only mobs when you actualy do something bad.