Post/Author/DateTime	Post
LostMage 05-25-07, 05:33 PM	Alright, I don't think I've posted here yet, so if there is already a thread with a question like this, please let me know. Anyways, here it is: I've got a lvl. 1 wizard, he's about 16 or so, and he has the following stats: Str 7 , Dex 12 , Con 8 , Int 16 , Wis 9, Cha 15. So, I'm wondering how to interpret his personality based on his mental stats. I sort of see him as very naive due to low wisdom, but with a strong personality from the charisma. I'm wondering how to give his personality some more depth. Thanks in advance!
Apupunchau 05-25-07, 05:42 PM	You can play off the charisma as just a look if you like or you can use it as a force of personality. I might play him as sort of an absent minded professor who has a tendency to remember obscure arcane facts but forget people's names. When he does talk he speaks with a commanding voice and watching him cast spells is like watching a force of nature. You could emphasize this by having him specialize or at least focus on evocation spells. Actually if you are going to be a specialist wizard or if you know you're going to have a certain theme through out your spells that may also help with choosing a personality.
LostMage 05-25-07, 05:55 PM	I like that a lot, the whole "force of nature" thing right there. I suppose when he quotes arcane facts (he has at least once or twice at this point) people seem to be interested in what he has to say. Maybe like something of a celebrity, where he can become well known and popular, but doesn't remember who's who, or just thinks that everyone is treated like he is, the world just works like that. As for specialization, I always liked conjuration.
Apupunchau 05-25-07, 06:16 PM	Ah then his charisma plays into that it takes a certain force of will to summon creatures from beyond. If you really like the "Force of Nature" thing you can try and make sure he summons elemental creatures. When ever he speaks on a subject he is sure he is absolutely right, even if he's wrong, and people tend to believe him just because he says things with authority. He never lies but sometimes what he's saying isn't true he just doesn't know it. The only time he won't say anything is if he himself isn't sure he's right he'd rather be quiet then be wrong. Have him wear some type of bright ropes maybe red or flame colored.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 05-26-07, 12:38 AM	One of my favorites for playing a character like your describing is to make everything a speech. He doesn't so much hold conversations as he speaks, others listen, others reply. I have a tendency to focus attention on myself with my manner of speech so that its hard for others to ignore me or to respond until I set them up for a response. I find that if you start off a conversation as a speech and don't try to interject yourself into others conversations (respond as appropriate but wait your turn) this is the inevitable effect. It plays well to a force of nature style of character.
CrimsonDeath 05-26-07, 02:16 AM	Notice that Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate are all based on Charisma, but Sense Motive is based on Wisdom. So, one way to portray a high Charisma and low Wisdom would be to disregard the feelings of others-- not because you don't care, but because you don't notice. Of course, you're Intelligent, so if someone sets forth a reasonable argument, listen to him. But don't be afraid to overlook hints and disregard others' unsupported opinions.
Apupunchau 05-26-07, 11:49 AM	I know this isn't my character but that's a really good observation on skills and character Crimson. Definately something I'll bank for a future character.
Gingerbread Guy 05-26-07, 12:10 PM	I really wouln't call Wis 9 "low". Its barely below average. I would portray his wisdom by having him be perhaps a little more trusting or gullible than someone of his intellect should be. Perhaps he comes across as a bit impulsive at times because he has much better analytical hindsight (a factor of intelligence) than foresight (wisdom). As for his Charisma, though he may indeed make the occasional blunder such as forgetting a name, misinterpreting someone's feelings or failing to read between the lines (as everyone does from time to time) it should usually be apparent through his demeanor that he only means well. Likewise, he may feel more comfortable approaching people and situations using his best scores (int and charisma): He probably does best when he has time to stop and think of a good plan of action to most tasks, big or small, and he probably feels that honesty and dialogue are the best answers to conflict. I find that some roleplayers tend to over-act scores that are low for a heroic character, but are actually still well within the norm. You don't need to play an 8 or a 9 as some kind of mental handicap.. all you need to do is show a little humanity, a little imperfection as compared to the rest of your stats. ~Ginger
LostMage 05-26-07, 09:07 PM	Thanks for your input, guys. I'll certainly use the suggested ideas to play this character. I'm seeing him as an intelligent and memorable young man, who occasionally forgets what he's promised people or what names are. (You're right, now that I think about it Gingerbread Guy, Wis 9 isn't terribly low). I'm thinking that with his intellect and charisma, he has a knack for explaining complicated arcane theories to people in ways that are easy to understand. He'll probably be very serious in his magic, though, and watching him work spells can be an incredible sight. However, he's only a level 1 wizard, I am wondering how I'd describe his spells dramatically. It's for a PbP game, so there isn't any time constraint on the descriptions of these.
CrimsonDeath 05-27-07, 12:46 AM	For me, that would depend largely on what spells he knows.