Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Packrat 04-01-04, 08:54 PM	OK, I'm aware from the FRCS description that the Tieflings generally are not well liked because of their demon blood. The character that I'm working with has the following stats. Str: 15 Dex: 22 (+2 for level up stats) Con: 10 Int: 18 Wis: 12 Cha: 5 I was thinking of playing him as a really withdrawn character due to the many years of abuse in the hands of humans because of his background. He is extremely intelligent with reasonably good wisdom (enough to know better than to fight back?) so I think that he'd just keep his head down. Any other ideas with a charisma of 5? How do you think I should play him?
Puskara 04-01-04, 09:04 PM	Well... Saying that you are widrawn with 5 charisma is like saying Hannibal Lecter is a meat & potatoes sort of guy. =) With a 5 charisma I would recommend some physical features that most people would find unpleasant. Purple forked tongue Reptilian eyes with membranes that close the "wrong" way Pointed teeth etc... I would also recommend some sort of creepy obsession that only your character understands but others assume to be unnatutal or simply disturbing. Obsession with farm or household pets Passing out candy to young children drooling on maidens as they sleep at night You get the idea. =P Puskara
Lanoitakude 04-01-04, 10:50 PM	I'll have to agree with the above, 5 charisma = more than just withdrawn. I once played a 3 charisma character, and he was absolutely creepy. People would be carrying on conversations with him, and he'd abruptly stop and start touching their eyes, and stuff like that. Think of some really creepy quirks for your character (if you have it, look in GURPS for some great character drawbacks).
Packrat 04-01-04, 11:53 PM	Creepy quirks...hmmm... OK...thanks for the input...now I just need to find some quirk that I think I could work in and role play well enough.
Sisyfos 04-02-04, 02:49 AM	That charisma 5 is as important a character trait as your str 15 is. Do not overplay it no matter what these people here tell you. Sisyfos PS. If you decide to get a few points in diplomacy (or a cloak of charisma) eventually as the character career progresses and you'll be as able in social circles as the "normal people".
Henry Hankovich 04-05-04, 04:27 AM	I had a teacher in high school who, when he was in the middle of his lecture, would frequently stop ... ... ... ...in the middle of a sentence, as though he had just spaced out. Sometimes he would even write something on the board, or walk out of the room, in the middle of one of these pauses, and then eventually pick up where he left off. We all thought it was ... ... ...really creepy.
JohnSnow 04-06-04, 07:25 PM	I had a college professor who stuttered. Not meaning to be un-PC or anything, but that is one example of a low charisma trait. Charisma is more than just unattractiveness. Remember that according to the PHB, "Charisma measures a character's force of personality, persuasiveness, personal magnetism, ability to lead, and physical attractiveness." This character is just not very likeable, pure and simple. People probably find him "creepy." He won't be terribly sophisticated. He's not the guy anybody would turn to in a pinch. As a matter of fact, people probably scream "MONSTER!" a lot around him. That said, let's look at your character. He's highly intelligent, slightly wiser than average, and totally uncharismatic. So he's smarter than most people and more alert than many of them. He's aware enough to realize when people don't like him (that's a wisdom trait). He's probably something of a know-it-all, but generally speaking knows enough to speak carefully (most of the time). He lacks tact though. Low charisma generally means "reserved, gruff, rude, fawning or simply nondescript." One as low as yours means more than that. Think creepy, oily, slimy. People suspect him of being duplicitous even when he's not. Something about him just makes people think he's scummy. Wormtongue from The Lord of the Rings might be a good model. Just try to think of things that make you dislike people. As many as you can. And combine those with things that make you distrust someone. Also, the character generally lacks confidence, and tends to go along with what others say. He's not likely to be much of a leader. However, a smart leader will listen to what he has to say. The character probably makes all of his arguments on the basis of "the facts." But he won't present them terribly tactfully. And, if he has to make a decision, he probably second guesses himself. Your character might be in the following situation. NPC Commoner - "That orc hoard is going to come here and wipe us out!" Your character - "Probably. They outnumber us, they have better weapons, and you're all just a bunch of untrained peasants. If we're lucky, some of you will live. But this is the best plan there is." (Not terribly inspiring, wot?) Commoner - "Is that true? Are we lost?..." Group Leader - "Don't listen to him. There is always hope. During the Battle of Shadowdale, 400 Dalesmen held off an army of 10,000 Zhentilar soldiers for an entire WEEK!" Your Charcter - "Yeah, like that could happen again..."
Aluroon 04-18-04, 04:12 PM	JohnSnow, just out of curiosity is your name in any way related to George R.R. Martins Character John Snow, Aka Lord Snow a man of the Night Watch in the “A Song of Fire and Ice Series”? Great post btw, regardless. Your points are well supported, and I am forced to agree with most of what you said. The characters might also have his words misconceived even when he is making a valid point. If he says something and receives no response he might cut himself off, I know what I just said was confusing so if you can understand what I meant I applauded you.. Remember the character does not have to be ugly, because although it says that characters with a high charisma are usually good looking, those with a low one could just have very little force of personality.