Linking CHA and Beauty

[I'm A Banana]

If CON has anything to do with attractiveness, then why do so many guys go for anorexic model-types?


EEEeeeech!

'cuz they're made o' metal?

(the thin models, not the guys....altho...)

 

[billd91]

If CON has anything to do with attractiveness, then why do so many guys go for anorexic model-types?

While not getting down to the level of anorexic, studies are suggesting that thin is healthier than anything stockier. At least as far as longevity goes.
So don't knock them non-anorexic but skinny-as-a-rail girls. Her lipids and blood sugars are probably well under control.

 

[phindar]

I think people go for whatever there are fewer of. Nowadays, its anorexic model types. In the 1700's, it was bigger girls. (Of course, to judge by the rack of magazines at my local Kwiki Mart, I'd say that everything is attractive to someone.) But I don't think that your casting stat should change if you're an anorexic model who goes back in time to the days of Rubinesque women.

And that's the subjective nature of beauty. My old GM loved Kathy Ireland, he would describe her as an example of an 18 Comeliness. I always put her at a 14 (her eyebrows remind me of Groucho Marx).

 

[delericho]

If CON has anything to do with attractiveness, then why do so many guys go for anorexic model-types?

Do we? I'd assumed that that was just an oddity of the fashion industry and Hollywood. Certainly, I find the current crop of 'beauties' rather unappealing - in particular, Cameron Diaz looked a whole lot better in "The Mask" than in "Charlies Angels: Full Throttle".

But perhaps that's just me.

 

[Monstrosity]

I link CHA and Beauty, but the bigger part of CHA should always have to do with confidence and force of personality. Being pretty might help you be more charismatic but it won't do if you're pretty and have the personality of a otyugh.

I wouldn't associate beauty with CON and CHA because I really don't want to ever have to ask a player to roll to see if they fall in love with the Tarrasque. Plus, it opens the door to a lot of what-ifs. What if my character has 16 CON, 16 CHA and 4 Str?

 

[Lorgrom]

However, once you start hitting 16-18, you need to have both. That's a person who is the cream of the crop, they have both good looks and a good personality.

Really? Wouldn't Hitler have had a CHR well above 18 to seduce an entire country (and his ideas still having active groups in several countries around the world still). Even though he is pretty much universaly regarded as being at best average in looks?

 

[dcas]

Really? Wouldn't Hitler have had a CHR well above 18 to seduce an entire country (and his ideas still having active groups in several countries around the world still). Even though he is pretty much universaly regarded as being at best average in looks?

Hitler is specifically cited in the 1e DMG as someone whose Charisma would have exceeded 18 if he were better-looking.

 

[phindar]

Still seems like a poorly thought out correlation. Was the 1e book implying that if Hitler were prettier, he would have taken over the world? Even back in 1e, when CHA didn't do anything, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Now look at 3e, where CHA actually does something. If Person A and Person B are equally forceful of personality and ability to lead, but B is attractive enough to get a higher CHA, B then has more Sorcerer bonus spells, or Turn Attempts, or lay on hands points. For being prettier.

 

[S'mon]

I too have divorced Charisma from appearance entirely. I do not have any stat of appearance at all; players can describe their characters any way they want, regardless of Charisma.

Pretty much how I do it. I would say though that many charismatic people are often _perceived_ as attractive, ie the causality is CHA --> HOT, not HOT --> CHA. And many good-looking people may have low CHA, especially if they have poor INT and/or WIS.

 

[dcas]

Still seems like a poorly thought out correlation. Was the 1e book implying that if Hitler were prettier, he would have taken over the world? Even back in 1e, when CHA didn't do anything, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

Now look at 3e, where CHA actually does something. If Person A and Person B are equally forceful of personality and ability to lead, but B is attractive enough to get a higher CHA, B then has more Sorcerer bonus spells, or Turn Attempts, or lay on hands points. For being prettier.

It would be better to say that in 1e, Charisma did different things. No, it wasn't linked to spells, turning, or laying on of hands; but it was linked to hirelings, followers, and henchmen.