Why does Dorn Il-Khan have high charisma?
Sivar
Member Posts: 53
Charisma is based on a combination of charming personality and appearance.
Dorn Il-Khan tells you from your very first conversation that people don't respond well to his "interrogation". When you respond that interrogation may not be the way to go, he says that he isn't so good with "investigation."
His personality is blunt and confrontational, e.g. "BE DIRECT!" He's an asshole when you first meet him in Friendly Arm In.
On top of all that, he's a half-orc, and not one that resembles a human by his portrait.
Based on this information, I'd peg him at 5-7 charisma, 9 tops. How is it that he has 16 charisma, which is close to as high as one can get (with great looks and a magnificent personality)?
I post it in the BGEE bugs forum because his character is written as the antithesis of a charming, alluring, friendly, handsome person.
Dorn Il-Khan tells you from your very first conversation that people don't respond well to his "interrogation". When you respond that interrogation may not be the way to go, he says that he isn't so good with "investigation."
His personality is blunt and confrontational, e.g. "BE DIRECT!" He's an asshole when you first meet him in Friendly Arm In.
On top of all that, he's a half-orc, and not one that resembles a human by his portrait.
Based on this information, I'd peg him at 5-7 charisma, 9 tops. How is it that he has 16 charisma, which is close to as high as one can get (with great looks and a magnificent personality)?
I post it in the BGEE bugs forum because his character is written as the antithesis of a charming, alluring, friendly, handsome person.
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Comments
For example think about it that way: You sit in an inn. Suddendly you see a mountain of a man walk in straight to your neighbors table, wearing a heavy armor like it's nothing but a mere shirt and then you see that it's not a man, but a half-orc who has a very very big sword strapped onto his back, and these eyes. Now he begins to speak with a commanders voice and this stunted half sentences: Outside NOW!!! while drawing his sword to show them the way.
Would the people in there laugh or would they be impressed by his presence, his charisma? The reaction to his rather limited speech might vary and I'm quite sure that people in there will only see two options: flight or fight. Dead people usually don't tell tales, and running people don't talk much either, so how exactly can his quest for information be successful even though that his mere presence did a fine job of stiring the whole inn within a few heartbeats?
Another example:
Would you rather follow the old geezer of a mayor, who can chew your ear off in 3 languages, into battle, or someone who moves with the ease of a seasoned Veteran, even though he can barely speak your language?
I look at Charisma like a stat that makes people listen to you. Paladins usually do this because they are--by default--the epitome of righteousness. They are the knights that everyone looks up to, the leaders of nearly all adventuring groups, the agents of faith endowed with special powers by the gods themselves... There's a reason paladins have to have a 17 or 18 in Charisma, because otherwise, they wouldn't make very good leaders or holy agents.
A character like Dorn doesn't use the fluffy honest, "Oh madam, please, there is no need to reward me, it is my honor to rescue children from a burning orphanage," but that doesn't mean people won't listen to him. That doesn't mean his personality is weak. Dorn just grabs everyone's attention in a different way.
For example... The LG paladin would politely ask the guards at the castle if he may see the king, and usually, the guards would comply. Dorn would walk up and threaten to slaughter the guards if he doesn't get an audience, in a dark scary voice. Whether or not he succeeds... Well, that's more determined by the courage of the guards, but he's definitely not laughed at or ignored.
Charisma's not about how many people like you. It's about whether or not you will be noticed by the general public. It's what determines whether you're an average-joe citizen or so much more. And Dorn, well... He's definitely not average.
Charisma is more about being able to affect the attitudes of others. A guy who really pisses you off actually has high, not low Charisma. Low Charisma characters would be those who are awkward, easily ignored, or put others to sleep with how boring they are. Charisma is self-confidence and the power to incite others more than being charming and good-looking. Though, people who are charming and/or good-looking usually ALSO have good Charisma. Of course, a mousy librarian who happens to be gorgeous but can't work up the nerve to tell people to be quiet (or, if she does, they don't listen) might have an 8 or lower Charisma.
With that said, it can be argued that Charisma isn't at all about being "charming, alluring, friendly, handsome", but rather about leadership and getting your way with others. And it can be argued that Dorn has indeed a way to get what he wants from anyone, the shortest way possible
A better question is, how on earth do Xan and Faldorn have high charisma?
Charisma is used for talky-talky skills like Diplomacy, Bluff, and Intimidate in 3E and beyond, and that makes perfect sense.
Innate casting makes perfect sense for Charisma, as part of being Charismatic is self-actualization. It's one thing to have the innate ability to use magic, but quite another to actually do it and bend the raw forces of the universe to your will.
Your right for spell sorry. But I forgot one thing too : Its affect the prices of stores too (Correct me if im wrong again on that one)
Personally I'd rather like to see Int/Wis/Dex/Con/Str checks used in dialogs much more instead of all that cruft. Meh, I question the concept as a whole. As much as the idea of a dimwit spellcaster may appeal to some people, I think Intelligence should still be the primary stat for any kind of arcane magic use, whether it comes from hard studies or natural talent.
And Dorn does that last one pretty well.
But honestly... you guys don't find Dorn physically appealing? I find him RAVASHING!!!
Glad to be of service!