Alternate Charisma Uses

[MadBlue]

I hadn't thought about it at the time of writing, but yes, it would be relative to the one with the lowest Charisma modifier. So, a character with a Charisma modifier of +3 dealing with a character with a Charisma modifier +4 would have a general attitude of Deferent toward the that character.

However, that does raise the issue of dealing with Charisma penalties, and your implied question about hostile vs. friendly interactions do raise an intriguing possibility. Looking over it, I think I didn't communicate the attitudes very well. It should be something like the following:

I like this. A lot, actually. It functions outside the NPC attitude table used by Diplomacy, and the descriptions are generic enough that they allow NPCs to react according to their nature, but modified by the character's Charisma score.

For example, a noticibly high Charisma might get you captured and interrogated by a lawful enemy group, but a chaotic enemy group might just say "that guy looks like a leader, take him out first". In any case, the NPCs will notice you and act accordingly to their nature and the situation.

MadBlue

 

[med stud]

Many of my players dont use Cha as a dump stat because of the implications that a low-Cha character will be a loser with a big sword. A low Cha- fighter will be a slouching figure with attitude problems. Even if not played like that, NPCs will treat them that way. If the NPC has the upper hand he/she will ignore the PC, treat him with contempt or with forced politeness. If the PC has the upper hand the NPC will treat the PC politely due to fear. NPCs can be really grateful towards the saver of village etc but they dont really like to hang around him. The opposite is also true; a high-Cha character will have a forceful personality that makes it easier for him to make the impressions he wants to make. Considering that the game is about playing heroes/anti-heroes/villains it's not very fun to play the guy that noone really likes, that rubs you the wrong way. So far it has been good enough, but I like the initiative idea and the action point idea.

 

[MadBlue]

Many of my players dont use Cha as a dump stat because of the implications that a low-Cha character will be a loser with a big sword. A low Cha- fighter will be a slouching figure with attitude problems.

I take it you alter the Charisma scores of most of the NPCs in WotC's books (and all of the 1st level warriors of pretty much any race in MM).

"Sir, scouts report that the enemy army is approaching... and they're all slouching and cussing".
"Orcs?"
"No sir, Elves!"


MadBlue