+Cha for a Sorc

[Aran Thule]

If you want to keep things simple you could just make her Draconic (Races of the Dragon)which would make her more durable and charismatic.
As she is an npc it doesnt really matter about the +1LA

 

[Dordledum]

lesser aasimar (+2 Cha), no LA

assuming we're talking D&D 3.x, where's this race from?

normal aasimar is also a pretty sweet race for a sorcerer, but you do have the +1 LA.

 

[LiL KiNG]

assuming we're talking D&D 3.x, where's this race from?

normal aasimar is also a pretty sweet race for a sorcerer, but you do have the +1 LA.

Back of the Player's Guide to Faerun - only change is that instead of native outsiders, they become humanoid outsiders. This makes them susceptible to spells that affect both humanoids and outsiders like charm person and hold monster.

"Lesser" Tiefling follows same mechanic.

Correction; they become humanoid with the planetouched subtype, not outsider. Still works the same mechanically. Overpowered? Probably. I tend to think Tiefling and Aasimar are very good for only a +1LA as they are.

 

[Empirate]

Are you sure that it really makes sense to think that things are 'fair' only if NPCs are statted completely and "legit"? How is an NPC of level N with some off-the-book tweaks (boosts or nerfs) less "fair" than throwing a perfectly legit NPC of higher level against the party?

(somehow I feel like I already had this same discussion in another thread...)

Playing by the same rules, even if an NPC is higher level, goes a long way to secure the psychological effect I was talking about. Also, note that I'm not advertising my own grand fairness; I'm just describing what my players seem to feel like.

 

[LiL KiNG]

While I do agree in principle, that's not every group's playstyle. For example, I totally make up stuff on the fly, but major NPCs and villains are always statted out completely rules-legit. My players aren't great on metagaming, but they do appreciate the feeling that things are 'fair' on them. I.e., I don't make up stuff just to spite them. Knowing I play by the same rules as them helps make them feel comfortable with the game's general fairness and prevents frustration from time to time.

...but I'm not fudging anything or dream up weird stuff, so my group's content.

We play by the same principle. Most of the cannon fodder is straight out of the MM's, just the basic creature to fight - though I usually roll each creatures hit die separately so there is some variance and the party doesn't get in the mindset of "this orc had 8 hps, so we only need to deal 8 damage to them all". Some orc's may have 12 hp, others 6, just depends on the roll.
Typical NPC's follow the NPC classes from the DMG by level when I need them quick or on the fly, but the major villains or NPC's we roll stats and build legit by feats and skills, the whole nine yards. Yes as the DM I could arbitrarily rule she has a 38 Cha as a human, but I couldn't explain it, and that would make the players feel cheated if I'm just going to make stuff up like that. Since average for a human is 10, and a natural 18 would be awe inspiring, to go beyond that I need to be able to show how.
Yes, it's come up where the after a session the player's have asked how did a creature or NPC do "x" ability? And I've always had a legal answer for them, not "just because".

 

[Wyvernhand]

Are you restricting yourself by ECL, though? Cause if you make your NPC the same level as the PCs (or slightly higher, as is befitting for a "mini-boss", and THEN tack on several points of +LA to boost her Cha score, then its not really an ECL+1 or +2 encounter, but more like an ECL +4 or 5. In that case, fairness left the room 15 minutes ago, and you are simply trying to justify throwing an OP NPC at the party.

You can't claim you want to play by the book, and then not play by the book.

 

[LiL KiNG]

I am restricting to an ECL of 3 to match the party for now. When she has to hold her own against the party it will only be a surprise attack and hopefully retreat/escape. I wish I could get the Wall of Fire spell, but its too high level for her to know.
If she dies, so be it, but I'm hoping she'll escape to the lead the party on a chase to a new city I want to get them to, and be a recurring villain at least a couple times even if not in direct conflict, then masterminding encounters the party will face.

You seem very hostile to this idea Wyvernhand - have you never used an NPC to betray a party before and become a nemesis for them? Because I don't think my group will see this coming (playing on the girl thing again) and the reactions and surprise to it will be worth the effort to see. Plus it makes for an interesting adventure.

Correction, I can go to ECL 4, I forgot after the last session everyone leveled and still had level 3 in my mind.

 

[Wyvernhand]

Then keep +LA low and simply take class levels. Higher levels = more spells. If you sit down and REALLY do the math, especially for a Sorcerer, the difference between 18 Cha and 20 Cha, vs the difference between 4th level and 5th level, being higher level has an advantage, and that gap only widens as levels increase. Even disregarding spells, lower LA means more HP, better saves, more feats, more skills (for Concentration ranks to not get owned) when your PCs surround her, etc.

Which leads me back to Dandu's origional statement of "what can we talk you out of?"

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Check this thread for suggestions on how to maximize Charisma.

Check this thread for a list of races, templates, classes, gear etc. that make use of each of the stats, clicky under Charisma. It won't suggest the best ways to boost Charisma, but it will give you sugestions on how to make it effective.

 

[anest1s]

Use a succubus and dress her up as a fighter. It is CR 6, but as fighter she won't overshadow the party and she will be a good encounter when the time comes.

I suggest making half the party love you, and the other half hate you.