How to play a PC dumb and wise...

[thud13x]

So, I have a PC in an Eberron Campaign who happens to a 4th level dwarven monk. We used a point buy system in creation and I happened to have the following stats: Str: 16, Dex: 14, Con: 16, Wis: 16, Int: 8, Cha: 6.

Now I can play low charisma (some say because it is not much of a stretch for me ), however I am a wee bit unsure of how to roleplay a wise, not so bright kinda of character.

So, my query to you, how would you play it? Silent and strong or unintelligent gruff wise ass (if even possible)?

Thanks in advance,

Thud

 

[Faerl'Elghinn]

Just play the opposite of me...

 

[Zappo]

A not-quite-as-likable Forrest Gump?

 

[Psionicist]

A rude Forrest Gump?

Edit: Nuts, Zappo beat me by 1 minute.

 

[jester47]

In D&D int seems closely related to memorization. Wis seems to be associated with processing your senses. So you notice a lot of things. But you don't remember them later on. So the best way i have found to play this is you forget names all the time. Never refer to an NPC by name, and be sure to ask every NPC in roleplay "what was your name again..." several times. Then if there is more than one, get the names mixed up. When you spot somthing no one else sees, keep it to yourself. Then later, when its really important for them to know say somthing like "Oh.... hey, there was this thing back there... do you think it might be important? It seemed important, but I thought you guys saw it and so I didn't say anything..."

Stuff like that.

Aaron.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

Think of a really good dog. A good dog knows folks' moods, knows when something is wrong, knows when to offer comfort or play and when to just lie there and sigh ... but he has no clue why anything is wrong.

 

[Henry]

So, I have a PC in an Eberron Campaign who happens to a 4th level dwarven monk. We used a point buy system in creation and I happened to have the following stats: Str: 16, Dex: 14, Con: 16, Wis: 16, Int: 8, Cha: 6....So, my query to you, how would you play it? Silent and strong or unintelligent gruff wise ass (if even possible)?

I would play him as a "wise back-woods folksy" type - except that no one will listen to him. He's not the one who comes up with brilliant plans or witty repartée - but he WILL poke holes in your brilliant plans in a matter-of-fact way. He may not even be ugly or gruff - just very unassuming. You'd have to include him in a conversation to know he's there, otherwise he just sits around tight-lipped. However, the other characters should quickly come to make an effort to include him, because he's a good man to bounce ideas off of.

 

[grimslade]

Dumb, crass, and wise

I don't think low charisma translates as a wise-arse. I think of charisma as strength of personality so a low CHA could be a wallflower character or someone whose jokes always flop. Being a constant wise-acre requires a certain strength of personality.
An INT of 8 is just below average. He is slow but not an idiot. He probably favors physical or contest of wills (staring contest) over riddles. In a maze he would not follow a set pattern but choose by which way feels right.
I would see your dwarf monk as someone with amazing will power, intuitive instead of logical, reserved or taciturn. He don't have no book learnin'. He would be gruff, but without malice. He is focused inward so much he rarely has time for the outside world. People are constantly interrupting the flow of his chi. This unsettles his calm and he lashes out or stubbornly ignores the interrupter (ie the silent treatment).

Grim

 

[Henry]

I'll give you a made up example of Aleph, a smart and diplomatic but unwise elf; Bet, a handsome human fighter of unexceptional intelligence and wisdom; and Thud, the Dwarven Monk.

Aleph: What a beautiful lady! And all she wants is for us to help her recover her valuables from those thugs, and we get a reward!

Thud: She's lying.

Bet: True. She was very purtty. I think we should help her.

Thud: She's lying.

Aleph: I know just the plan. I can set myself up as couriers to get them to open the door, and then once inside I can sneak and pick the back door lock.

Aleph: And just think how much the reward-

Thud: SHE'S LYING. I SMELL SETUP.

Aleph: Eh?

Thud: First of all, she gave us no proof she owned the junk. Second, she had a twinkle in her eye the entire time she was talking to you - she was working you like a music box. And third, Why does a lady with "all that money" need to hire us? She don't have no bodyguards?!

Aleph and Bet: Hmmmm.

And Fourth, if those guys are ex-Cyran troops from the last war, they MIGHT be tougher than she lets on. And finally, WHEN are you gonna get free outta sight of TWELVE guys to pick a lock? *derisively* Sheesh. Genius.


Aleph: And what do you suggest?

Thud: I dunno - you're the talker. You go talk to the girl again, or something. Ask her why she's lying.

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[kengar]

High WIS could = High willpower (add in low CHA, he might just be real stubborn )