Charisma and the Players - Part 1

Mark was kind enough to create some tokens that I can use for the maps (Thanks Mark!). If you have issue with your token then he likes beers, board games, and easy women.

I've doubled the appearance of tokens with a little bit of information on the charisma/personality and how people come off during the game. It should provide role playing opportunities.

For those keeping track at home charisma measures your force of personality, persuasiveness, and leadership. This is a difficult skill to play so part of how I handle it is how the player comes off - not necessarily what the player intended but how others took in the information.

For example, someone might say "My character nicely says, 'I will shower you with gold for helping us out.'" Well that is a nice sentiment. If you have a charisma of 18 it comes out a certain way rather than if you have a charisma of 8.

This also allows players to be as long winded/short winded/whatever winded in how they play. As a Dungeon Master it doesn't matter (to me) though certainly it matters to the world you're in.

This is in order from most charismatic to least. This is the first four because blogger only lets me upload four at a time.

Let us focus on Q'wyn, Inara, Radegast and Alion.

Q'wyn is not your average tiefling, unless all tiefling's possess the most magnetic personality in existence whatever this man says sounds like the best idea ever, immediately soothes and leaves you utterly wanting to help or do whatever he suggests. He could call you an asshole to your face and you would find yourself nodding in agreement.

Inara would be the most charismatic person in any other situation, except she lags behind Q'wyn. By no means is she a slouch as she combines great looks with a penetrating presence. Women would rule the world if they were all had the personality of Inara.

Radegast has the charisma of the world's greatest salesman with a brooding undercurrent of danger. Just a touch behind Inara he has drawn many a person toward him with his strong words and deep convictions.

Alion draws you in with few words but a bold aura that makes you want to love this man. He puts people instantly at ease yet blends into the world at all times until he wants you to know he is there. Then he cannot be denied.

Any four of these men and women are instantly likeable and their words are taken with the best intentions. It isn't fair sometimes but hey, the world isn't exactly full of people like them.