High Wisdom character, rp suggestions? [Archive] - Wizards Community

High Wisdom character, rp suggestions? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Scion of Coldshard
03-03-08, 02:06 PM I am currently playing a high wisdom character (wis 20) and was wondering if anyone had tips on how to roleplay this type of character.

His full stat block is:
Str 6
Dex 14
Con 12
Int 14
Wis 20
Cha 8

I've been working on playing the gruff halfling who blends into the background when not being focused on directly but notices anything and everything around him.. but that doesnt really demonstrate much about the character very well, especially when my own personal wisdom is not quite so high so I miss things ;)

Any tips/suggestions about how to rp such an incredibly high wisdom? Traits that such a character might have?

The class is basically a druid with the UA varient trading out the wildshape for monk and ranger abilities plus losing the animal companion for the twf feat chain as a ranger. Typically he fights with a quarterstaff with shillelagh cast on it.

Super tracker, incredibly spot and listen, died as a human and was reincarnated as a halfling, eberron setting.

Thanks for the help ;)
RobbyPants
03-03-08, 02:54 PM Mechanically speaking, you'll also have an aptidude for Sense Motive checks and Will saves. This means several things:

He is hard to fool (i.e. Bluff)
He won't be fooled by many illusions.
He will resist many mental effects.

You already mentioned his natural bonuses on Spot, Listen, and Survival. Basically, this guy will have a heightened sense of awareness. He'll be hard to sneak up on, and hard to dupe. He'll spot a lie easily, or failing that, at least have some intuition that something is not right.

Regardless of how you want to play his personality (quiet, talkative, or whatever), just make sure he knows what's going on.

Personally, I tend to picture someone with a naturally high Wisdom as being relatively quiet, listening more than talking. You don't have to play him like this, but it's the first thing that jumps to my mind.
Sinfire Titan
03-03-08, 04:46 PM Wis Scores:

***: Pun-Pun. Nothing but Chuck Norris comes close to this. You know all, see all. And, oddly enough, you can read other people's minds without even trying. Think like the Oracle, from the Matrix Trilogy.

30: You are somewhat all-seeing. Very little can get by you, and only the best of thieves can elude your keen senses.

26: Many spiritualists may turn to you for advice. Listen first, speak last, and say things that will make the others think. You have something far beyond Common Sense. Use it.

24: You are the equal to a pre-Epic Cleric. Most of what you say will be written down by followers. Make sure that it sounds good before you say it. Think like Teddy Roosevelt. Act like Confucius.

20: You are a freaking mind-reader here. You know just what to say, and just what people want to hear. Many people like this are quiet though, and the words they speak have a huge impact on those around them.

16: Standard Cleric. You really have a knack for avoiding sticking your foot in your mouth. Watch what you say.

12: About average.

10: Average.

8: George W. Bush (and this is being generous).

6: You have the insight of a Dingo!

4: How the hell are you not in an asylum? The Joker is about here, arguably.

1: Paris Hilton.
Kapalen
03-03-08, 06:36 PM Wis Scores:

***: Pun-Pun. Nothing but Chuck Norris comes close to this. You know all, see all. And, oddly enough, you can read other people's minds without even trying. Think like the Oracle, from the Matrix Trilogy.

30: You are somewhat all-seeing. Very little can get by you, and only the best of thieves can elude your keen senses.

26: Many spiritualists may turn to you for advice. Listen first, speak last, and say things that will make the others think. You have something far beyond Common Sense. Use it.

24: You are the equal to a pre-Epic Cleric. Most of what you say will be written down by followers. Make sure that it sounds good before you say it. Think like Teddy Roosevelt. Act like Confucius.

20: You are a freaking mind-reader here. You know just what to say, and just what people want to hear. Many people like this are quiet though, and the words they speak have a huge impact on those around them.

16: Standard Cleric. You really have a knack for avoiding sticking your foot in your mouth. Watch what you say.

12: About average.

10: Average.

8: George W. Bush (and this is being generous).

6: You have the insight of a Dingo!

4: How the hell are you not in an asylum? The Joker is about here, arguably.

1: Paris Hilton.

Some of this has to do with charsima and some of it has to do with your personal prejudices.
Sinfire Titan
03-03-08, 07:06 PM Some of this has to do with charsima and some of it has to do with your personal prejudices.

To quote Achmed:

Silence! I kill you!

:P
I_roll_ones
03-03-08, 07:18 PM Political jokes aside, the Joker really does belong down there, as WIS is also sanity.

So think of things from both sides of the argument, and keep a cool head. You wouldn't succumb to anger or pride as easily as others might, through many will frequently try to push you that way, given that you don't seem like much at a first glance.
Demetri_Knighthawk
03-29-08, 05:56 PM Yoda, your a short man with a glimmerstick, you dont fight for 4/6 movies, your emphasis is on paitence and personal awareness. I'm not saying play him like a jedi, but its not a bad idea either. remember to can use sense motive to estimate an opponents relative skills. (yes he is wearing wizard robes, but that medalion around his neck is to we jass, he might be a theurge more than an archmage.) if you watch avatar: the last air bender, the firebender unlcle was verry wise.
Etarnon
03-29-08, 11:09 PM Hey, read some philosophy, like Zen wisdom and such. Most anything in print by Shambala publications.

Say stuff like:

"A wise person keeps his friends close, and his enemies closer."

"To know your enemy and yourself is to know victory."

"Running into battle, you arrive tired."

"The Wise person does not fight with sword, nor spell. The wise one sees the coming battle, and positions himself to win without fighting."

"You stand there and mock me, my gods, my way of life, but let me say this to you. Go in peace."

"You offer me combat. I offer you peace, and life beyond the next few minutes."

Good luck with it.
Drackthor
03-30-08, 03:06 AM Go to Wikiquote. Any quotes made by a person with the last name "Einstein" "Pratchett" or "Tzu" will sound really, really wise.

(50/50 chance with the last one being either incredibly wise or blatantly obvious)
DrWorm
03-30-08, 02:33 PM I think yoda is a good example, or even Kain from Kung-Fu. Play the quiet philosopher who tells things like they are regardless of whether they insult people or not. Tends to not make himself known in a group and is easily overlooked, which sometimes causes his wisdom to be disregarded. Probably does not put himself forward in group decision making unless asked. When he does his advice sees to the heart of the problem and can lead to the best resolution.

To be honest High mental stats are realy hard to play, as they really outstrip yourown abbility to play them almost all of the time.
turalisj
03-30-08, 02:36 PM Edited. It seems some people like to be hypocritcal in their views.
MrWildman
03-30-08, 05:48 PM With the low Charisma and Strength scores, your halfling should stand quietly in the background as much as possible. :) Seriously, it's safer there (and a wise man would know this), and grants the opportunity to observe and prepare a wise response.

Like many others here, I also see the quiet, zen-like philosopher archetype. Yoda or Kung-Fu's Cain.
Sometimes when playing high mental-stat characters I'll write down a "cheat sheet" of sayings and metaphors and the like, a quick reference guide of "Wisdom". Some notes from my Druid character Gaullin Donnir include: "The grass bends to your footstep, but in time can crack the flagstones", ""The mouse can study what the hawk only witnesses" and -for lighter moments- "The wise leader heeds the braying of his asses". :cool:
Also I write down fragments; phrases and words he's likely to say: such as using "blight and rot!" as a swear word, calling the party thief "Little Magpie", referring to the sun as the "Wellspring", things like that. Just some thematically-appropriate bits tossed into casual conversation can really "sell" your concept at the table.

"Appear Wise! Impress Your Friends! Influence Your DM! Order Today!"

Peace.
turalisj
03-30-08, 07:26 PM Or ask your DM if you can play a blind halfling with blindsense out to about 120ft, get exotic weapon prof(greatbow) and grab zen archery. Then stock up on archery feats from Complete Warrior (I personally like the ranged disarm and ranged sunder feats..). Oh, and make sure to wear a blindfold where ever you go.. :D
MrWildman
03-31-08, 09:02 AM Or ask your DM if you can play a blind halfling with blindsense out to about 120ft, get exotic weapon prof(greatbow) and grab zen archery. Then stock up on archery feats from Complete Warrior (I personally like the ranged disarm and ranged sunder feats..). Oh, and make sure to wear a blindfold where ever you go..

Now, the blindfolded swordsman was Zatoichi, right?

Who is this archer fellow?
The_Black_Hand
03-31-08, 12:03 PM Political jokes aside, the Joker really does belong down there, as WIS is also sanity.

So think of things from both sides of the argument, and keep a cool head. You wouldn't succumb to anger or pride as easily as others might, through many will frequently try to push you that way, given that you don't seem like much at a first glance.

Are you kidding, the joker notices almost everything around him, He may be paranoid but he just knows something is happening around him. I would say his Wisdom is closer to 20 than what you gave him.
Demetri_Knighthawk
03-31-08, 12:15 PM Are you kidding, the joker notices almost everything around him, He may be paranoid but he just knows something is happening around him. I would say his Wisdom is closer to 20 than what you gave him.
I dont think they mean wisdom for spot and sense motive ranks and all that, those he can just have lots of ranks in. but I think they mean by his 'general' lack of forsight to a plan when batman shows up. 9/10 times he acts like: "BATMAN! how did he dissarm all my bombs?... what do you mean he had time to plant the bombs on my own hideout?"
I always counted joker as high INT, mid to lower WIS. Great plans, lack of any real back-up plans most of the time.
The_Black_Hand
03-31-08, 12:34 PM I dont think they mean wisdom for spot and sense motive ranks and all that, those he can just have lots of ranks in. but I think they mean by his 'general' lack of forsight to a plan when batman shows up. 9/10 times he acts like: "BATMAN! how did he dissarm all my bombs?... what do you mean he had time to plant the bombs on my own hideout?"
I always counted joker as high INT, mid to lower WIS. Great plans, lack of any real back-up plans most of the time.

What are you basing stats of the Joker on? Comics or the Cartoons?
Demetri_Knighthawk
03-31-08, 12:43 PM What are you basing stats of the Joker on? Comics or the Cartoons?

cartoons. yes, I know the cartoon joker is nothing compared to the comics joker.
turalisj
03-31-08, 05:16 PM That's like comparing Dnd the board game to Dnd the movie.. (1st movie, second was a bit more true to the game)
The_Black_Hand
04-01-08, 07:42 AM That's like comparing Dnd the board game to Dnd the movie.. (1st movie, second was a bit more true to the game)

Both sucked though. Yes, sadly I wasted about 3.5 hours of life watching both of them.
turalisj
04-01-08, 10:59 PM Meh, second one wasn't THAT bad. True, it was a b-movie. However, it was a b-movie that stayed true to the game.
arizonahotrock
04-03-08, 02:10 AM Think: Silent Bob!
arizonahotrock
04-03-08, 02:17 AM Both sucked though. Yes, sadly I wasted about 3.5 hours of life watching both of them.

Wait...what was the first one? and what was the second one?

The abomination with Marlon Wayans should never be spoken of...but the sci-fi channel one (if that's what we are talking about) was pretty good for a made for tv movie. Sure, the special effects were kinda lame, but it could have been mcuh, much worse. Also, it was entertaining (not to mention the barbarian lady was rather pleasing to the eyes =P).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Scion of Coldshard 03-03-08, 02:06 PM	I am currently playing a high wisdom character (wis 20) and was wondering if anyone had tips on how to roleplay this type of character. His full stat block is: Str 6 Dex 14 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 20 Cha 8 I've been working on playing the gruff halfling who blends into the background when not being focused on directly but notices anything and everything around him.. but that doesnt really demonstrate much about the character very well, especially when my own personal wisdom is not quite so high so I miss things ;) Any tips/suggestions about how to rp such an incredibly high wisdom? Traits that such a character might have? The class is basically a druid with the UA varient trading out the wildshape for monk and ranger abilities plus losing the animal companion for the twf feat chain as a ranger. Typically he fights with a quarterstaff with shillelagh cast on it. Super tracker, incredibly spot and listen, died as a human and was reincarnated as a halfling, eberron setting. Thanks for the help ;)
RobbyPants 03-03-08, 02:54 PM	Mechanically speaking, you'll also have an aptidude for Sense Motive checks and Will saves. This means several things: He is hard to fool (i.e. Bluff) He won't be fooled by many illusions. He will resist many mental effects. You already mentioned his natural bonuses on Spot, Listen, and Survival. Basically, this guy will have a heightened sense of awareness. He'll be hard to sneak up on, and hard to dupe. He'll spot a lie easily, or failing that, at least have some intuition that something is not right. Regardless of how you want to play his personality (quiet, talkative, or whatever), just make sure he knows what's going on. Personally, I tend to picture someone with a naturally high Wisdom as being relatively quiet, listening more than talking. You don't have to play him like this, but it's the first thing that jumps to my mind.
Sinfire Titan 03-03-08, 04:46 PM	Wis Scores: ***: Pun-Pun. Nothing but Chuck Norris comes close to this. You know all, see all. And, oddly enough, you can read other people's minds without even trying. Think like the Oracle, from the Matrix Trilogy. 30: You are somewhat all-seeing. Very little can get by you, and only the best of thieves can elude your keen senses. 26: Many spiritualists may turn to you for advice. Listen first, speak last, and say things that will make the others think. You have something far beyond Common Sense. Use it. 24: You are the equal to a pre-Epic Cleric. Most of what you say will be written down by followers. Make sure that it sounds good before you say it. Think like Teddy Roosevelt. Act like Confucius. 20: You are a freaking mind-reader here. You know just what to say, and just what people want to hear. Many people like this are quiet though, and the words they speak have a huge impact on those around them. 16: Standard Cleric. You really have a knack for avoiding sticking your foot in your mouth. Watch what you say. 12: About average. 10: Average. 8: George W. Bush (and this is being generous). 6: You have the insight of a Dingo! 4: How the hell are you not in an asylum? The Joker is about here, arguably. 1: Paris Hilton.
Kapalen 03-03-08, 06:36 PM	Wis Scores: ***: Pun-Pun. Nothing but Chuck Norris comes close to this. You know all, see all. And, oddly enough, you can read other people's minds without even trying. Think like the Oracle, from the Matrix Trilogy. 30: You are somewhat all-seeing. Very little can get by you, and only the best of thieves can elude your keen senses. 26: Many spiritualists may turn to you for advice. Listen first, speak last, and say things that will make the others think. You have something far beyond Common Sense. Use it. 24: You are the equal to a pre-Epic Cleric. Most of what you say will be written down by followers. Make sure that it sounds good before you say it. Think like Teddy Roosevelt. Act like Confucius. 20: You are a freaking mind-reader here. You know just what to say, and just what people want to hear. Many people like this are quiet though, and the words they speak have a huge impact on those around them. 16: Standard Cleric. You really have a knack for avoiding sticking your foot in your mouth. Watch what you say. 12: About average. 10: Average. 8: George W. Bush (and this is being generous). 6: You have the insight of a Dingo! 4: How the hell are you not in an asylum? The Joker is about here, arguably. 1: Paris Hilton. Some of this has to do with charsima and some of it has to do with your personal prejudices.
Sinfire Titan 03-03-08, 07:06 PM	Some of this has to do with charsima and some of it has to do with your personal prejudices. To quote Achmed: Silence! I kill you! :P
I_roll_ones 03-03-08, 07:18 PM	Political jokes aside, the Joker really does belong down there, as WIS is also sanity. So think of things from both sides of the argument, and keep a cool head. You wouldn't succumb to anger or pride as easily as others might, through many will frequently try to push you that way, given that you don't seem like much at a first glance.
Demetri_Knighthawk 03-29-08, 05:56 PM	Yoda, your a short man with a glimmerstick, you dont fight for 4/6 movies, your emphasis is on paitence and personal awareness. I'm not saying play him like a jedi, but its not a bad idea either. remember to can use sense motive to estimate an opponents relative skills. (yes he is wearing wizard robes, but that medalion around his neck is to we jass, he might be a theurge more than an archmage.) if you watch avatar: the last air bender, the firebender unlcle was verry wise.
Etarnon 03-29-08, 11:09 PM	Hey, read some philosophy, like Zen wisdom and such. Most anything in print by Shambala publications. Say stuff like: "A wise person keeps his friends close, and his enemies closer." "To know your enemy and yourself is to know victory." "Running into battle, you arrive tired." "The Wise person does not fight with sword, nor spell. The wise one sees the coming battle, and positions himself to win without fighting." "You stand there and mock me, my gods, my way of life, but let me say this to you. Go in peace." "You offer me combat. I offer you peace, and life beyond the next few minutes." Good luck with it.
Drackthor 03-30-08, 03:06 AM	Go to Wikiquote. Any quotes made by a person with the last name "Einstein" "Pratchett" or "Tzu" will sound really, really wise. (50/50 chance with the last one being either incredibly wise or blatantly obvious)
DrWorm 03-30-08, 02:33 PM	I think yoda is a good example, or even Kain from Kung-Fu. Play the quiet philosopher who tells things like they are regardless of whether they insult people or not. Tends to not make himself known in a group and is easily overlooked, which sometimes causes his wisdom to be disregarded. Probably does not put himself forward in group decision making unless asked. When he does his advice sees to the heart of the problem and can lead to the best resolution. To be honest High mental stats are realy hard to play, as they really outstrip yourown abbility to play them almost all of the time.
turalisj 03-30-08, 02:36 PM	Edited. It seems some people like to be hypocritcal in their views.
MrWildman 03-30-08, 05:48 PM	With the low Charisma and Strength scores, your halfling should stand quietly in the background as much as possible. :) Seriously, it's safer there (and a wise man would know this), and grants the opportunity to observe and prepare a wise response. Like many others here, I also see the quiet, zen-like philosopher archetype. Yoda or Kung-Fu's Cain. Sometimes when playing high mental-stat characters I'll write down a "cheat sheet" of sayings and metaphors and the like, a quick reference guide of "Wisdom". Some notes from my Druid character Gaullin Donnir include: "The grass bends to your footstep, but in time can crack the flagstones", ""The mouse can study what the hawk only witnesses" and -for lighter moments- "The wise leader heeds the braying of his asses". :cool: Also I write down fragments; phrases and words he's likely to say: such as using "blight and rot!" as a swear word, calling the party thief "Little Magpie", referring to the sun as the "Wellspring", things like that. Just some thematically-appropriate bits tossed into casual conversation can really "sell" your concept at the table. "Appear Wise! Impress Your Friends! Influence Your DM! Order Today!" Peace.
turalisj 03-30-08, 07:26 PM	Or ask your DM if you can play a blind halfling with blindsense out to about 120ft, get exotic weapon prof(greatbow) and grab zen archery. Then stock up on archery feats from Complete Warrior (I personally like the ranged disarm and ranged sunder feats..). Oh, and make sure to wear a blindfold where ever you go.. :D
MrWildman 03-31-08, 09:02 AM	Or ask your DM if you can play a blind halfling with blindsense out to about 120ft, get exotic weapon prof(greatbow) and grab zen archery. Then stock up on archery feats from Complete Warrior (I personally like the ranged disarm and ranged sunder feats..). Oh, and make sure to wear a blindfold where ever you go.. Now, the blindfolded swordsman was Zatoichi, right? Who is this archer fellow?
The_Black_Hand 03-31-08, 12:03 PM	Political jokes aside, the Joker really does belong down there, as WIS is also sanity. So think of things from both sides of the argument, and keep a cool head. You wouldn't succumb to anger or pride as easily as others might, through many will frequently try to push you that way, given that you don't seem like much at a first glance. Are you kidding, the joker notices almost everything around him, He may be paranoid but he just knows something is happening around him. I would say his Wisdom is closer to 20 than what you gave him.
Demetri_Knighthawk 03-31-08, 12:15 PM	Are you kidding, the joker notices almost everything around him, He may be paranoid but he just knows something is happening around him. I would say his Wisdom is closer to 20 than what you gave him. I dont think they mean wisdom for spot and sense motive ranks and all that, those he can just have lots of ranks in. but I think they mean by his 'general' lack of forsight to a plan when batman shows up. 9/10 times he acts like: "BATMAN! how did he dissarm all my bombs?... what do you mean he had time to plant the bombs on my own hideout?" I always counted joker as high INT, mid to lower WIS. Great plans, lack of any real back-up plans most of the time.
The_Black_Hand 03-31-08, 12:34 PM	I dont think they mean wisdom for spot and sense motive ranks and all that, those he can just have lots of ranks in. but I think they mean by his 'general' lack of forsight to a plan when batman shows up. 9/10 times he acts like: "BATMAN! how did he dissarm all my bombs?... what do you mean he had time to plant the bombs on my own hideout?" I always counted joker as high INT, mid to lower WIS. Great plans, lack of any real back-up plans most of the time. What are you basing stats of the Joker on? Comics or the Cartoons?
Demetri_Knighthawk 03-31-08, 12:43 PM	What are you basing stats of the Joker on? Comics or the Cartoons? cartoons. yes, I know the cartoon joker is nothing compared to the comics joker.
turalisj 03-31-08, 05:16 PM	That's like comparing Dnd the board game to Dnd the movie.. (1st movie, second was a bit more true to the game)
The_Black_Hand 04-01-08, 07:42 AM	That's like comparing Dnd the board game to Dnd the movie.. (1st movie, second was a bit more true to the game) Both sucked though. Yes, sadly I wasted about 3.5 hours of life watching both of them.
turalisj 04-01-08, 10:59 PM	Meh, second one wasn't THAT bad. True, it was a b-movie. However, it was a b-movie that stayed true to the game.
arizonahotrock 04-03-08, 02:10 AM	Think: Silent Bob!
arizonahotrock 04-03-08, 02:17 AM	Both sucked though. Yes, sadly I wasted about 3.5 hours of life watching both of them. Wait...what was the first one? and what was the second one? The abomination with Marlon Wayans should never be spoken of...but the sci-fi channel one (if that's what we are talking about) was pretty good for a made for tv movie. Sure, the special effects were kinda lame, but it could have been mcuh, much worse. Also, it was entertaining (not to mention the barbarian lady was rather pleasing to the eyes =P).