Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Nugs2073 Sep 07, 2015 23:10:39	So I had an ealier thread about this half elf Sorcerer I was creating. I have had a few sessions now and they have gone well ,but i feel like I am not Rpinh right. He is self doubting but honestly I have not portrayed that all because i am not sure how too. He has high charisma too and I am having touble justify that too because of his self doubting. any help would be nice
#2 spanglemaker Sep 07, 2015 23:47:09	Just an idea take a look at real life.   Just because someone is beautiful or funny or charming, doesn't mean they are secure within themselves. Often people with high charisma (appearance or bearing) have low self esteem, confidence and self doubt. You may just need to find a hook for your half elf sorcerers doubts.    Maybe they were bullied as a child, had to charm their way out of trouble. Maybe they have guilt from an incident in their past, that guilt doesn't have to be rational. There are many reasons people can self doubt. I would suggest that Wisdom be a weaker trait, as that can cover the sense of Self and worthiness. If I was creating a Cleric with self doubt, then I would use a low Charisma, to cover self doubt. Again the noble Paladin with her high Charisma, but low Wisdom could be fine.   What are his self doubts about? Am I worthy? This power scares me and I have heard horror stories about foul sorcerers ( note, all told by Lore Bards and Wizards).   Is it really necessary for your character to have self doubts? Have you spoken with your DM and any experienced role players within your party about this?   It may also be possible, that the self doubts were insecurity or only come on when you are in a really dire situation, there may be mechanical effects like Disadvantage or a penalty.
#3 Strill Sep 08, 2015 1:02:03	Nugs2073 wrote:
#4 Chaosmancer Sep 08, 2015 3:56:10	Depending on your group and what you want out of the character, you could also have your actions be indicators. Doubt and Fear can come in many shapes, if for example it is their magic they fear or their ability to fight they doubt have them focus on avoiding the need for those things, almost obsessively. Also, characters change. I wanted my sorcerer to be a very humble type of guy. He's turning out to be very devout and a little arrogant, since he controls the power of storms and can blast people to bits in combat. So in a social situation he's polite and non-assuming, but swords are drawn and he switches, because now he can unleash.
#5 Nugs2073 Sep 08, 2015 18:04:14	These are all really good ideas. his backstroy was he is a half bastard born into an elven noble family and he is doubting because his step-siblings tomoented him and constatly put him down. I would also have it that he does fear his magic because it is sorcerer magic so it is cheotic by nature   Any other suggestions would be great I really want to do this charater justice
#6 Slagger_the_Chuul Sep 08, 2015 19:54:37	Related to what Chaosmancer and Strill have said, the sorcerer presumably has some way he overcomes his self-doubt, reassuring himself that it's okay to act.  For example, he might double-check things or otherwise be extra-careful, with the actions that he takes to reassure himself being what shows his underlying self-doubt.  It's a bit like having a "metaphorical" security blanket that he hugs when he needs to feel comforted.  Most of the time, you'll see the "blanket" actions, and it's only if he is somehow unable to use the blanket that you'll see his self-doubt directly (being Charismatic, he can probably get away with treating the blanket action as legitimate in its own right, and most people won't notice his real worries).   Or the "blanket" could even be a physical item in which he places his trust, so he's alright as long as he has lucky rabbit's foot or his magic feather, and if he feels in doubt, he'll check that he's still got it with him.
#7 spanglemaker Sep 09, 2015 6:47:38	Some great ideas here, I would suggest speaking with the DM about the chaotic nature of your Sorcery. Maybe in the past some seriously dire effects have happened, as a result of his power, this could also show a wariness to use the power and to a fear.   With experiences of being a victim to step siblings, maybe he has a real chip on his shoulder or is easily wound up. His sorcery may have manifested whilst under torment from them. Maybe his high muckety muck step siblings are intolerant of magic ( think Dursleys from Harry Potter).   Possibly his environment is opposed to magic, yet he is a magical source. So there is room for self hatred, if the family are opposed to magic for moral, philosophical or religious reasons.
#8 Nugs2073 Sep 09, 2015 13:46:11	Good ideas. I already have an idea about his powers I was going to make it he loses control when he is very angry or sad. Also i don't want his family to be anti magic but the reason they tormented him because he represent a mastake his mother made thus he himself is a mastake.
#9 Leugren Sep 10, 2015 3:49:30	Perhaps he is cursed such that, whenever he looks in a mirror, he sees a hideously scarred beast staring back out at him, and he believes that this is how other people perceive him as well.  This, of course, makes him extremely self-conscious (e.g. "Stop staring! Haven't you ever seen a freak before?").  Lots of good story and RP potential there.
#10 spanglemaker Sep 10, 2015 0:58:39	Maybe his mothers mistake cursed him with Sorcery, she may have been the black sheep of the family. Or how about, she was a fallen woman, who ended up eloping with her lover ( who may or may not be a Sorcerer). Her disgrace and the fact that the cur didn't even marry her meant that you were born out of wedlock and therefore legally didn't know your father.
#11 Nugs2073 Sep 10, 2015 17:16:30	This is his backstory Half-Elf Bastard Born between the Union of a Human Sorcerer and Elf Noblewoman. Legitimized by his Step-father out of mercy. Spent his early Years living a normal life though constantly tormented by the twins. When he was 6 he had a explosive episode of magic. His stepfather was about to give him up ,but they called an teacher. Spent his remaining years getting intellectually educated and educated on how to control his inner power.However he doubts himself because of the abuses he received from his siblings and has a fear that he cannot control his magic.
#12 Danny_Montanny Sep 10, 2015 17:25:59	For the love of all that is holy, this guy better be a Wild Magic Sorcerer!   Convince your DM that you should roll on the Surge table when going through an especially strong episode of self doubt. That'll get you RPing.
(Reply to #12) Nugs2073	Danny_Montanny wrote:
#14 spanglemaker Sep 11, 2015 0:56:35	Maybe speak with the DM about allowing Advantage or a bonus to either the roll to get a Wild Surge or on the Wild Surge Roll and disadvantage when you get angry or sad. When you use Sorcery Points or cast a spell (level 1+), then a wild surge is a strong possibility.   This looks fun, The Tiefling Sorcerer Fizz Bang (Alchemist and Entertainer), casts burning hands. Rolls a d20 with disadvantage (to increase the likelihood of a Wild Surge), rolls a 15 and a 1. Rolls normally then on the Wild Surge Table.   Now if Fizz was Angry or Sad, then he would have Disadvantage on both the roll to see if a Wild Surge occurred and the roll on the Wild Surge Table.   ( Off Topic. Thanks I think I will create Fizz Bang, he will be my first Sorcerer in 5e, I'll hopefully do him as an AL character and offer him to the depository.)
#15 Strill Sep 11, 2015 0:50:15	Nugs2073 wrote:
#16 Nugs2073 Sep 12, 2015 9:08:20	I made him a storm sorcerer but I was still thinking of useing the wild surge table when he was angry or sad