Game Effects of Dragon Eyes?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

What would be the negative game effects of a character having his eyes replaced with dragon eyes? Specifically, I'm thinking in terms of the reactions of other people. Seeing someone with reptilian eyes can be quite disconcerting (remember how freaky it looked to see Michael Jackson with cat/werewolf eyes in Thriller!).

Should there be a decrease to Charisma? Or a Cha check penalty?

 

[DragonSword]

A cha check penalty? Well, a penalty to charisma IS a charisma check penalty. That's what I thought to start off at least, but then I saw that the Half-Dragon template actually gives +2 Cha. Most of this, I presume, is due to a dragon's charm, rather than their good looks.

My thoughts are: -2 Cha, but that depends on a) how common dragons looks are, and b) how open minded other characters are.

One thought I had was maybe to have a "first impression" check, where if it is failed, the dragon-eyed character receives a penalty to all checks on skills involving interaction with the character who failed.

Hope this helps.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

No change, to my mind.

Otherwise, you get into all kinds of silly similar-case ruling - "What's the penalty for having strange hair color?" etc.

Instead, if you must, decide whether or not a particular NPC would even care. If they do, assign the DM's friend, +2 / -2 circumstance penalty (some will think it's cool, others will think its creepy, etc.).

 

[Kemrain]

I don't see how having your eyes replaced would suddenly give you less force of personality. I could see the argument for dragon eyes increasing said force of personality.

Give a circumstance penalty where appropriate. -2 seems fine. I wouldn't overly penalize the character too much for it, just come up with roleplaying consequences. Being thrown out of public places for being a freak is a better solution than -2 Charisma, in my opinion.

- Kemrain the Freak.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Remember, Charisma also includes appearance...

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

So what?

Do you make a sorceror's spells less powerful because he got scarred in a barroom brawl?

 

[Abstraction]

No change, or possibly +1 Intimidate. There are all kinds of freaky looking people in a D&D universe. Having dragon eyes couldn't be THAT out of place. Maybe a penalty to disguise, and some pretty hefty penalties if in an area where the locals don't tolerate weirdos (but of course the dwarf would have those penalties too).

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

So what?

Do you make a sorceror's spells less powerful because he got scarred in a barroom brawl?

So the rules state that part of Charisma is physical attractiveness. If someone is hideously scarred then, yes, the rules support a reduction in Charisma. The rules don't state that it must happen (as Charisma is made up of other things as well) but the rules equally support a reduction - especially if the character was exceptionally beautiful to begin with.

I realize a lot of people don't like the fact that physical appearance is rolled into Charisma, but that doesn't mean the rules should be ignored...

 

[Hypersmurf]

Better make it a really little dragon.

It's always tough trying to replace your eyes when the new ones are bigger than your head.

-Hyp.

 

[LogicsFate]

Ugn

This is exactly why having a psudo seventh stat comliness is a goo idea
Charima should just be your force of personality and comlinees should be your looks
Theres to much variety in the races to lump looks and personality together