Hated Heroes?

[Hand of Evil]

The easy way: have every NPC always defer to the other PCs (at least the ones with higher CHR), you could also have him mis-quoted all the time, get his name wrong...

 

[StupidSmurf]

Maybe a hero has low Charisma because he simply can't deal with people? Take, for instance, Sir Blathermouth the Unfortunate, who's just single-handedly defeated a dragon, at great personal risk, and saved a town. There's a gathering on the town green, a rally of sorts, to honor the man.

Mayor Phineas T. Bluster: "We thank the gods for you, brave Sir Blathermouth, for your unselfish deeds of heroism, and saving our town from flame and fang of FnehFneh the red dragon! I'm sure this gathered assembly would appreciate a few words."

Grateful Crowd: "Huzzah! Long live Sir Blathermouth the Brave! Our hero!"

Sir Blathermouth: "Thank you, thank you. Yes, it is true I single-handedly defeated the wicked dragon. You may ask why I've done this. And well you may ask! It is because I've taken it upon myself to defned the innocent, and save those who clearly can't save themselves. I mean, I look around at this sea of jovial, friendly faces, and see a simple, happy hard-working folk that can barely stand up to a strong breeze, let alone a roaring red engine of destruction. I mean, really now...you folks need to lose a few pounds, and put together a militia. After all, when I go my merry way, who will defend you from further attacks? What if brigands plague your roads? What if you're attacked by a rabid badger? Or even an especially cross sparrow? So, anyways, I thank you once again for this lovely gathering, and wish you all the best. In closing, I'd like to point out to Mayor Bluster that his daughter has an absolutely fantastic rack, and I'd be pleased beyond words to sheath my sword in her scabbard, if you catch my meaning. And by all means let's not forget the mayor's wife, who's not so bad looking either. I wouldn't say no to a little of THAT action!! The Mayor is a lucky lucky man, and he must have some absolutely fantastic qualities that can keep such a voluptuous woman loyal to himself, despite the fact that his body funk could knock an otyugh off a dung wagon at 100 yards. Thank you, and good day!"

 

[Rel]

Right now the group I'm running has postured themselves as mercenaries. Half of the group are regarded as borderline monsters (a Bugbear, a Hobgoblin and a Shifter) and a couple of them are actually Evil. With the exception of one bar in which they command a rather notorious respect, folks around town don't much care for them despite the fact that they've done some things that help the town (for money). They are killers and dangerous men and you cross the street when you see them coming.

Why that loveable, affable Gnome Sorcerer hangs out with the rest of those thugs is a good question. But if you need them to handle something for you, that's the guy you want to talk to.

 

[Psychic Warrior]

How would you treat a hero with low Charisma?
I've seen poeple claim that low-Cha characters are hated by NPCs in their games. I don't see how that can work.
In my games, the party usually does some heroic things and as they grow in power become rich and famous for doing good and daring deeds. It usually has someone with high Cha in it, and someone(s) with low Cha. So what you end up with is a company of heroes, but some of which are low Cha.

The way I treat it is like being some famous rock-and-roll band. Everyone knows that band's songs, name, and the lead singer's name. No one knows who the guy sitting at the back working the drums is. For the party, more and more people know of them and their exploits, but most will identify them with the "face" character or the martial characters (who are at the front), and while all members may be respected the charismatic ones will tend to be approached by both the nobility and commoners.
No one will hate the characters with low cha, though. I just don't see how that would work.

You can do great and wonderful things for the 'people' and still be hated. Bill Gates gives millions to charity each year and I don't think he's all that loved.

As far as the rock band idea goes - I could see that but I would have the low CHA characters be the butt of jokes around the community and still generally regarded as rifing on the coats tails of the 'pretty' PCs.

 

[WayneLigon]

For the party, more and more people know of them and their exploits, but most will identify them with the "face" character or the martial characters (who are at the front), and while all members may be respected the charismatic ones will tend to be approached by both the nobility and commoners.

Same here. "Yeah! I know them! They're great! There's the bard, the priest, the warrior and.... those other guys, and that girl.. I think. Isn't there a dog or something, too?"

 

[Jdvn1]

Well, I suppose it could depend. They can respect the low-Cha hero but dislike him. Kind of a grudging, "Oh, yeah, he's good at what he does, but..."

John McEnroe is a really good tennis player, but a lot of people don't like him because of his attitude on and off the court.

 

[diaglo]

with this thread title i keep having an image of Sir Charles Barclay flashing in my head.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812966287/103-2594582-5874214?v=glance&n=283155&s=books&v=glance

 

[The Shaman]

Same here. "Yeah! I know them! They're great! There's the bard, the priest, the warrior and.... those other guys, and that girl.. I think. Isn't there a dog or something, too?"

Well, I suppose it could depend. They can respect the low-Cha hero but dislike him. Kind of a grudging, "Oh, yeah, he's good at what he does, but..."

I don't know how many of you have been following the miniseries Rome on HBO, but I see a bit of this in Lucious Vorenus - respected for his considerable abilities as a soldier, but a gruff and often unlikeable character and a stiff public speaker.

 

[el-remmen]

Seems to me that heroes can easily be hated, high charisma or not. . . I mean, most people are never gonna get to meet the heroes - but know them by reputation - so maybe if they met them face to face their opinions might change (or maybe not, pre-determined impressions can be hard to get over) - but even the most good-intentioned epic hero is going to have people detracting them, resenting them, making jokes at their expense.

Look at sports "heroes" who are often torn down, or at comic book superheroes. . .

 

[billd91]

There are various ways a character can have low charisma. It could be because he's quiet and retiring. He wouldn't be hated, but he wouldn't exactly inspire much confidence when you did interact with him. He may even generate a bit of hostility through his blatant incompetence at trying to gain support.
There's also being a total ass. I'd say that this one is more likely to generate hostility based on hatred.

I'd also say that the difference between these two types of low charisma easily justify the different results you might get from a hostile reaction on the NPC attitude table. Someone hostile to the quiet and retiring guy might just interfere or berate. Someone hostile to the ass might attack.