Identifying a high-level character

[Kilmore]

Let us not forget the "Poseur Factor". After Drizzt has been spotted in a town about forty miles away, rumors will spread as to where he will go next. Soon, you may find dark elves (in various shades of blue, black or indigo) carrying dual scimitars of differing quality in taverns for miles around who may be persuaded to tell stories of their adventures for a little money.

In fact, that's not a bad bard character concept.

 

[Gadodel]

Old System: Each level earned=One person that has heard of the character. Statistically, the higher the level; the greater number of folks that have heard of the character. Of course, this sytem relies upon the character revealing their name et al in the first place. I was a firm believer that folks will hear the rumors of who someone really is...eventually.

New System: I use the Reputation system from Modern.

 

[S'mon]

It's pretty obvious in the real world who is an experienced warrior (or academic, for that matter!) and who just has a big attitude. It should be pretty easy to distinguish between 1st level and 4th+, I'd say. Distisguishing between 10th & 20th would probably require observation of magic items & such, although 20th level characters may tend to have a more overpowering presence, especially when combined with high Charisma.

 

[S'mon]

Anyway, I think this is a good question if the 15th level guy isn't ostentatiously displaying power. I know a Navy SEAL guy who has a habit of wearing sweatshirts and baggy pants. He looks surprisingly scrawny, yet he probably knows fourteen different ways to kill me with a marshmallow.

What do his eyes look like, though? "The eyes have it!" (IME)

 

[Thresher]

Starwars D20 has a pretty good "Reputation" stat that increases as you go up in levels, and the Famous/Infamous feats to go with it as well are pretty cool in my opinion.
Could easily be applied to some Knowledge skills as a modifier and add a few other modifiers as well for some really epic adventures.
Plus if they drag around an xp sponge... aka as a 'bard' then their reputation would become even higher.

As for Mr 2nd level lowbie looking like he has the tools from a high level character then he's probably just going to cop a beating from some 6th levels and soon loose it.
No one likes a poser