Looking for tips on roleplaying a low charisma

[EroGaki]

I'm looking for some advice on a recently created character for a Pathfinder RPG game. This character has a charisma of 7, and I am looking for some tips on roleplaying something that low. The problem is coming up with an effective method of portraying him that doesn't get on the other players nerves.

And ideas?

 

[ShaggySpellsword]

Play him as quiet, sullen, and not outgoing. Also, describe him as moderately ugly, or at least unkempt.

Decide on a couple of hot-button issues for him that will make him speak up. When they come up, speak your mind, be blunt, and couch nothing in soft terms.

When otherwise forced to speak, confuse your words, mumble, stutter, or be hard to engage in conversation with. Alternately, answer in one word replies, or simple nods of the head.

This is how I played my 7 Cha Fighter/Wizard/Spellsword from level 1-16 back in the 3.0 days.

 

[Dioltach]

Have you ever seen Red Dwarf? Rimmer is a low-charisma character if there ever was one. (Not Ace Rimmer, though, obviously -- what a guy!)

 

[Rechan]

Actually, I wouldn't encourage you to play him quiet and sullen.

Think about the most socially awkward guy you can. The one who gets too close for your personal space comfort. Says things inappropriate for conversation/context of the interaction. Isn't aware of other people's reactions (such as continuing to talk after someone has sent signals they want to leave). Talks too loud, and has no internal editor. He likely also interrupt with non-topical questions.

That's low charisma, right there.

To avoid getting on the other players nerves, direct your annoying behavior towards NPCs. For instance, just as you meet your patron, say loudly as she is almost out of earshot, "Wow did you see how fat she was?"

Basically, the comments that everyone makes around the table out of character? Have him make them in character. Have him toss out lame one-liners, instead of good ones, or do them before (or far too long after) the appropriate time to throw them.

Try to do it in a way that's funny to the Players, but annoying in character.

 

[delericho]

There are several ways to play a low Charisma effectively.

The character could simply be quiet, shy, easily brow-beaten, and generally without presence. The kind of guy you might simply forget was even there.

Alternatively, the character could be rude, abrasive, annoying, insulting... He might even think he is the life and soul of the party, but is utterly incapable of realising that he's a laughing stock. Actually, David Brent/Michael Scott from "The Office" is a very good example of such a character.

(It should be noted that a high-Cha character can also be rude. It's all about the way that they go about their business. Basically, the rude high-Cha character somehow comes across as amusing rather than offensive, or has an innate sense of just how far he can push people to get what he wants without ever going too far. It's the fine line between the outstanding drill sergeant and the outright bully.)

Thirdly, the character could just be ugly, have bad body odour, bad hygeine, or any number of off-putting personal habits. (I'm not keen on using this alone to justify a low Charisma, but 7 isn't too low, and it is supported by the RAW.)

Finally, you could simply portray it as "there's something about that guy", such that he's basically just a regular guy, except that people always interpret whatever he says in the worst possible manner, or irrationally dislike him, or... (Again, this probably doesn't work with an extremely low Cha, but 7 isn't too low.)

 

[Kzach]

Charisma comes in all shapes, sizes and flavours.

I roleplay an 8 Charisma Avenger who is pretty jovial and well-meaning. It's just that he always manages to say the wrong thing and usually manages to say it at the wrong time. It's not even that he's a social retard so much as it is, that he tends to speak before thinking.

Despite this, he's friendly enough and tries to do the right thing by his comrades, he just fails more often than not.

On the flip-side I have a 20 Charisma Paladin who is all sweetness, light and politeness, and yet gets on people's nerves because of her rigid adherence to moral values and ethics and the laws of the land (ie. lawful stupid).

I also have a 20 Charisma Warlock who generally keeps quiet. However, when he does speak, although his words may be polite, every syllable drips menace and the promise of dark, writhing agony should you cross him.

Then there's my swordmage with an 8 Charisma who was a genasi slave to eladrin elementalists overlords that ruled a portion of Akunul before it was Akunul. Kept in stasis with the rest of his kin as a private army, the magical bonds of his prison recently broke, setting him free into the world. But without a master, he doesn't understand the world or how to live in it. Despite being exceptionally intelligent (20), I roleplay him as a bit slow. He always refers to the most charismatic person in the party as "Master", and does almost anything they say, because he grew up and was trained to think like that.

In other words, he doesn't have his own personality and that's something which I would develop through roleplaying over the course of the character's life.

So... there's a lot of ways you can roleplay charisma. A haughty, in your face, pompous wind-bag elf could have a 20 Charisma because when it comes right down to it, his demeanour really is commanding and his presence is expectation of being listened to is hard to deny. Or he could be an 8 charisma elf with the same detractions, only with him it's all just hot-air and no substance and nobody listens to him because he just can't carry himself like the 20 Charisma guy does.

 

[Pbartender]

He's perfectly charming and well-spoken, but no one takes him seriously. People hear him talking, but don't listen to him. They smile and nod at whatever he says, and then politely ignore him as they turn to the more interesting and more important conversationalists.

Or...

He's the "everyman". Not ugly or ill mannered by any means, but so average and ordinary in his looks and manner of speaking that he's utterly forgettable to everyone he meets, no matter how hard he tries to the contrary.

 

[ExploderWizard]

I will give the same advice I give my players when asked this question:

Just be yourself

OK couldn't resist the huge opening provided.

As others have pointed out, just figure out why the charisma is as low as it is and go with what fits best from there. Try and choose an aspect that will be recognizable but not too difficult to maintain throughout the game.

 

[Remathilis]

I recall once a dwarf who was unassuming. He wasn't ugly, rude, or tactless, but (the player) only would announce actions and respond to direct inquiry ("What do you think?") so everyone tended to overlook him. The DM even made it a point to have NPCs forget he was there (like guards announcing there were 4 of us instead of 5). That made all the more fun when he'd do something AMAZING (psion) out of the blue that would save our skins.

 

[Festivus]

Actually, I wouldn't encourage you to play him quiet and sullen.

Think about the most socially awkward guy you can. The one who gets too close for your personal space comfort. Says things inappropriate for conversation/context of the interaction. Isn't aware of other people's reactions (such as continuing to talk after someone has sent signals they want to leave). Talks too loud, and has no internal editor. He likely also interrupt with non-topical questions.

That's low charisma, right there.

To avoid getting on the other players nerves, direct your annoying behavior towards NPCs. For instance, just as you meet your patron, say loudly as she is almost out of earshot, "Wow did you see how fat she was?"

Basically, the comments that everyone makes around the table out of character? Have him make them in character. Have him toss out lame one-liners, instead of good ones, or do them before (or far too long after) the appropriate time to throw them.

Try to do it in a way that's funny to the Players, but annoying in character.

This exactly! It can also open a world of roleplay opportunities for the party as the character will no doubt say the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong NPC. Some places you can look for inspiration: Inspector Clouseau, Mr. Bean, Fred "Rerun" Stubbs from "What's Happenin", Ralph Mouth from "Happy Days", Lenny or Squiggy from "Laverne and Shirley", Sheldon from Big Bang Theory