Hey, everyone!
So, recently I have made a ranger for D&D AL. However, since this is more of a roleplaying advice thread, I'll post it here, where there is a better community (at least in my opinion).
Rather than dumpstatting Intelligence and Charisma in favor of a higher Wisdom bonus, I instead took Intelligence up to 12 and left my Charisma at 8. My stat array looks somewhat like this:
STR: 10
DEX: 16
CON: 14
INT: 12
WIS: 14
CHA: 8
Rather than playing a typical, country-bumpkin abrasive murderhobo due to her low charisma, I decided to play my Ranger as rather shy and timid. However, I ran into a problem:
How do you get involved in group roleplay discussions if your character is inherently shy?
So far, I've just played her as looking like she wants to say something, or taking a look at a clue inquisitively, or holding [insert McGuffin here] and scrutinizing it, but I feel like I could do more.
Anybody have ideas?
Try a verbal tic like a slight stutter. It doesn't have to be every time you speak but it can add a layer to any visual cues you use.
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Shyness means you tend to agree with what others think when asked for your opinion, because otherwise you would draw attention. You never interrupt, and fall silent if interrupted yourself. You don't make jokes, argue or try to take the lead. It is more difficult with people you just know a little, those you know well and those you don't know at all are relatively safe. If asked about something, you give a short, noncommittal answer. If criticized, you doubt your value as a human being. If praised, you nod give a stiff smile and try to flee. You say sorry a lot, and you go out of your way to avoid making people feel you're tryingto pressure them, leading to many, many unneeded words. Above all, if there is someone you are interested in around, you are supremely uncertain and uncomfortable. All these things get easier as you get to know people well. Now, I know much of this is exaggerated, but still.
this seems to be for organized play, but OP, will you be often playing with folks you know and who know you, or for the most part will this character be often played around strangers?
Shy doesn't mean submissive (not that they don't often go hand-in-hand). Shy means, to me, that you are quiet around new experiences and people. Once you are comfortable with a group (and there's no one else around), you wouldn't necessarily have a problem stating an opinion. I'd treat this as you don't like to use Diplomacy or Intimidate, because that is usually with new people. You might even have the skills, but if it's a "first contact", i'd always insist someone go with you or be the first one to attempt a diplomacy check.
I like the idea of speaking out at awkward moments. Personally, shy sounds awesome, but you're inherently adventurous, as you are a professional adventurer. So perhaps you're brave and courageous in going out of your comfort zone, but awkwardly say the wrong things or the like.
I myself am a very shy, introverted person, but have a very strong-willed, argumentative personality when I'm with those I've become accustomed to or am discussing things I feel confident in. It's only at times where there's more than one or two people I don't know around, or someone I'm sexually attracted to, or discussing something I don't know anything about that I become "shy" again.
Hope this helps to put ideas out there...
When developing a personality for a character I find it helpful to use the Meyers-Briggs type indicator. I think it can help to guide a sort of prototype for behavior. Since you want to be able to interact with this shy character it might be interesting to see the different possibilities.
This is going to completely be an opinion that may have no basis for your character but: Introvert (for the lack of social participation), Sensing (seems more in line with a ranger- you want tangibles not hunches?), Feeling (vs. thinking which is based solely on your WIS being higher than your INT), and finally I might guess than a ranger would favor Perception over Judgment.
This gives us the: ISFJ type:
Temperment of the Guardian-Protector (see if this sounds right): You are observant and cooperative, concerned with others wellbeing. Good at maintaining routines. When placed in a position of authority you may have trouble delegating tasks.
Now the part you are interested in: Protectors talk about daily concerns, but are not terribly sociable. Shyness with strangers may make them seem cold even though they are warm and sympathetic.
So if this is an accurate assessment of how you want your character to behave I might try to defer to others (assuming the group is not completely familiar with you yet) on matters that don't concern safety. If you have a wand of healing use that on yourself before asking the cleric for assistance. Perhaps contribute to conversations when the topic is related to survival/defense tactics OR and when something demands your attention: lack of supplies, need to scout, etc.
I think the default of "Shy" that people have is what might be described as "meek" but you could deviate from this with shy being the "strong silent type."
Any help?
Penny and Bradely, that's some amazing ideas there. One of my characters personality traits are "When I set out to do something, I follow through, no matter what," so she's very determined, in a kind of quiet way.
The best allegory I can think of is Tiffany Aching, except waaay more timid. There's hard iron under that chalk, as it were.
And yes, this character is part of Adventurers League, so I'll be playing with strangers a lot (with the exception of my friend, who I'm bringing to the next game.)
ADDENDUM: And this is the character that I was talking about in my previous thread: 5th Edition Ranger: Am I doing it right? If anybody needs clarification.