Hated Heroes?

[Yair]

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.

 

[Herobizkit]

If you ask me, you're absolutely right.

In addition to the OP's comments, I believe that having a low charisma can also make you just as memorable as having a high charisma. Saying the wrong things to the wrong people, having distinct disfigurements, being a notorious thug... all examples of how people can be remembered for being sub-average. Fame and infamy are two sides of the same coin.

 

[jdrakeh]

How would you treat a hero with low Charisma?

Like Mad Martigan in Willow. Or Snake Pliskin in Escape From New York. The guy who all of the other protagonists don't get along with, but who is ultimately a good guy deep down and manages to redeem himself often enough that he isn't hated.

 

[Li Shenron]

Like Chesterton's Father Brown. People barely notice him, and when they do they don't give him the smallest credit. But he's the hero who solves every crime.

 

[tetsujin28]

Like Chesterton's Father Brown. People barely notice him, and when they do they don't give him the smallest credit. But he's the hero who solves every crime.

I wouldn't say Father Brown has low charisma. He has no charisma, either way. Having a low CHA has specific mechanical effects, viz. that NPC reaction rolls are adversely affected. It is in fact entirely possible for someone with low CHA to be hated by the populace at large, and still be a hero.

 

[tetsujin28]

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.

Because that's the rule. Characters with low CHA suffer a penalty to their reaction rolls. It's pretty simple, really.

 

[Imret]

It really depends on the origins of that low Charisma; is he socially awkward? Arrogant? Disfigured from birth? Socially timid?

Mind you, not everybody asks that kind of imformation about low-Cha characters, so YMMV obviously. I find once I know that, I can tweak an NPC's reaction to a low Charisma hero. They won't get invited to celebratory banquets, won't be accorded military or other public honors, won't recieve marriage proposals from noble men with young daughters (adventurers can bring a lot of wealth into a family that's emptied its coffers)...unless they single-handedly - and publicly - did something heroic. Fame is hard on those with no compelling qualities.

 

[The Curious D1]

I kind of agree with all of you.

I think high charisma can mean someone that is stand-offish, just in that loveable way.

Oscar the Grouch, for example, it could be said, is a character, to most, with a high charisma.

If the math doesn't seem to add up, try adjusting your perception of the math.

No PnP will ever be perfect, no matter how complex it is made.

But it will always, in part, be relatively reflective of basic human nature, because natural humans basically invented it.

I kind of view someone with a -5 mod to charisma rolls as being the type of person that is awkward to be around because they add an uncomfortable weird aura to the atmosphere, or the person that looks like they are mad all the time or like they have a disgusted look on their face but are actually happy most of the time, or the person that expresses themselves in a watered down version of their true thoughts (so the concept of their company seems to be less than appealing)

Everyone knows people like this, I've got a -7 mod to my charisma myself IRL, and it isn't hard to see that we aren't necessarily hated, but certain social perks to life are often spared us.

But now, if you've got an overly agitated sociopath-in-the-making that normally doesn't attack people, but REALLY feels like doing it all the time, and they meet up with someone that stutters in a very annoying high-pitched tone and accidentaly pushes the wrong buttons, after an extended amount of time, person A is likely to attack person B.

It makes perfect sense to me how the scores are pretty close to real life.

Just don't try to make your imagination work, that scares it off.

 

[diaglo]

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.

Don Henley.

that's the way i treat it too.

but some people do hate low CHA heroes. partly due to their bad manners, ugly appearance, maybe poor hygiene. there are reasons they have a low CHA. they stick out for their low CHA. if they didn't stick out they would have a Normal CHA.

 

[Baramay]

I would like to add that the character's wisdom should come into account as well. A character with a high wisdom might be aware that his comment will be taken poorly and clam up at the last second. I would not detect thoughts on him. lol Often those in need will groan when finding they need his help but find he is the only one with the ability to succeed. Think Shrek.