Can I use my race to shaken my enemies, or cause them fear/terror? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can I use my race to shaken my enemies, or cause them fear/terror? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
celestialkin
05-05-07, 10:27 PM Hey guys. I'm currently playing a sentient undeath skeleton psion, and I want to know if I can use my terrifying appearance to scare my enemies, or to cause them some sort of effect like shaken. I believe that I remember seeing rules about this sort of thing in one of the D&D books, but I'm not sure where to find them, or if they even really exist.

http://wizards.com/dnd/images/BW_Gallery/58.jpg

In case anyone is wondering, my character looks exactly like this miniature from the D&D minis game. Besides being a skeleton, he has a black Shadow Veil cloak (from Libris Mortis), which makes him seem somewhat shadowy and hard to make out, and he carries around a Scythe for self-defense in case he gets into melee combat.

Thanks in advance.
Cala, Legend Reborn
05-05-07, 10:33 PM Physical appearance has no effect on game rules, as far as I'm aware.
Ozzymandias
05-05-07, 10:37 PM Technically, that is correct: appearance has no effect. However, as this is a role-playing game, it's logical and reasonable for a GM to assign an impromptu modifier to any check required for a role-playing situation (such as an Intimidate check made when revealing your true nature to beings who are offended and/or frightened by dead things). The DMG has guidelines concerning this sort of thing.
Captain_Kobold
05-06-07, 12:13 AM Generally, if a race is innately disturbing/frightening, it would have a bonus to Intimidate checks as part of its racial abilities. This would make it easier to use the demoralise option in combat.

If you're actually talking about Frightful prescence, or other active effect, that is also possible, but it is likely to hurt your LA a lot more.
Vharuck
05-06-07, 12:51 AM Circumstance bonuses are a DM's best friend.
Illithid_Tentacles
05-10-07, 05:56 PM If you're playing a race that is known for being dangerous or violent, or a race that other races have disturbing rumors or superstitions about or the like (I'm reminded of Pervects from Robert Asprin's MYTH series), I'd say it would be entirely reasonable to get a bonus to Intimidate and a penalty to Diplomacy when dealing with individuals who are aware of such reputations and rumors.
Nom
05-10-07, 07:52 PM Why? Initimidate is psychological warfare, not mere threats. When someone intimidates you in combat, you already know that he's intending you violence. What he's doing is make you doubt yourself more than an examination of the situation would warrant. Simply being violent doesn't grant bonuses to Intimidate.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
celestialkin 05-05-07, 10:27 PM	Hey guys. I'm currently playing a sentient undeath skeleton psion, and I want to know if I can use my terrifying appearance to scare my enemies, or to cause them some sort of effect like shaken. I believe that I remember seeing rules about this sort of thing in one of the D&D books, but I'm not sure where to find them, or if they even really exist. http://wizards.com/dnd/images/BW_Gallery/58.jpg In case anyone is wondering, my character looks exactly like this miniature from the D&D minis game. Besides being a skeleton, he has a black Shadow Veil cloak (from Libris Mortis), which makes him seem somewhat shadowy and hard to make out, and he carries around a Scythe for self-defense in case he gets into melee combat. Thanks in advance.
Cala, Legend Reborn 05-05-07, 10:33 PM	Physical appearance has no effect on game rules, as far as I'm aware.
Ozzymandias 05-05-07, 10:37 PM	Technically, that is correct: appearance has no effect. However, as this is a role-playing game, it's logical and reasonable for a GM to assign an impromptu modifier to any check required for a role-playing situation (such as an Intimidate check made when revealing your true nature to beings who are offended and/or frightened by dead things). The DMG has guidelines concerning this sort of thing.
Captain_Kobold 05-06-07, 12:13 AM	Generally, if a race is innately disturbing/frightening, it would have a bonus to Intimidate checks as part of its racial abilities. This would make it easier to use the demoralise option in combat. If you're actually talking about Frightful prescence, or other active effect, that is also possible, but it is likely to hurt your LA a lot more.
Vharuck 05-06-07, 12:51 AM	Circumstance bonuses are a DM's best friend.
Illithid_Tentacles 05-10-07, 05:56 PM	If you're playing a race that is known for being dangerous or violent, or a race that other races have disturbing rumors or superstitions about or the like (I'm reminded of Pervects from Robert Asprin's MYTH series), I'd say it would be entirely reasonable to get a bonus to Intimidate and a penalty to Diplomacy when dealing with individuals who are aware of such reputations and rumors.
Nom 05-10-07, 07:52 PM	Why? Initimidate is psychological warfare, not mere threats. When someone intimidates you in combat, you already know that he's intending you violence. What he's doing is make you doubt yourself more than an examination of the situation would warrant. Simply being violent doesn't grant bonuses to Intimidate.