RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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If I recall correctly, in second edition there was a table for determining an NPC's reaction to a character based on their Charisma score. I also believe that, at a certain point, characters with high Charisma received a discount on items purchased from merchants. Could anyone reproduce that chart for me here or at least let me know that I'm crazy and no such thing exists? It's a mechanic I'm thinking about re-introducing in an upcoming campaign. Thanks!
NPCs reactions were influenced by the Charisma score, indeed.
From 8-12, it made no difference. Generally, it is linear from then on with 13 being +1 and 7 being -1, but the +4 adjustment is left out (odd, but that´s the way it is).
We never used this in actual gameplay. I guess many others did not as well, thats probably why it was left out in 3.x
Stefan
And if you're really old school like me, you remember that an elusive seventh attribute, comeliness, was introduced in First Edition's Unearthed Arcana. If you had a high enough comeliness you could really turn some heads...
Anyway, they had a chart that specified how people would react to you based on your comeliness score. I thought it was cool back in the day. *shrug*
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32
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And if you're really old school like me, you remember that an elusive seventh attribute, comeliness, was introduced in First Edition's Unearthed Arcana. If you had a high enough comeliness you could really turn some heads...
Anyway, they had a chart that specified how people would react to you based on your comeliness score. I thought it was cool back in the day. *shrug*
They actually reincarnated 'Comeliness' in the form of 'Appearance' in the Book of Erotic Fantasy (an OGL book). They even have a couple of classes in there that operate off of it as a primary stat. :D
I don't recall Charisma giving a discount for purchasing items, but like Stebehil said, that rule was disregarded by everyone except the designers of kits.Maybe it was just a Baldur's Gate thing, then. Hmmm.
I do remember that rule too... but then again, I also played a lot of BG & BG II, so its quite possible that I'm not remembering properly.
Plus back then, my characters tended to be bad-asses with 18/00 strength. Or wizards with 18 Intelligence, etc.
Who cares how much people like you? I didn't play D&D to have a popular character, I played it to slay dragons and loot dungeons. ;-)
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And if you're really old school like me, you remember that an elusive seventh attribute, comeliness, was introduced in First Edition's Unearthed Arcana. If you had a high enough comeliness you could really turn some heads...
Anyway, they had a chart that specified how people would react to you based on your comeliness score. I thought it was cool back in the day. *shrug*
I've been thinking of a 'split ability' system that goes as follows:
Strength = Strength / Speed
Dexterity = Dexterity / Agility
Constitution = Endurance / Vitality
Intelligence = Computation / Memory
Wisdom = Common Sense / Craftiness
Charisma = Charisma / Comeliness
In other words, you'd have to roll for 12 abilities in 6 categories, rahter than 6 abilities.
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I've been thinking of a 'split ability' system that goes as follows:Strength = Strength / Speed
Dexterity = Dexterity / Agility
Constitution = Endurance / Vitality
Intelligence = Computation / Memory
Wisdom = Common Sense / Craftiness
Charisma = Charisma / ComelinessIn other words, you'd have to roll for 12 abilities in 6 categories, rahter than 6 abilities.
They did something like that in the Players Options / Skills and Powers stuff towards the end of 2E. Can’t recall the exact details though … I think your primary ability score (eg Dexterity) was used as the basis for your sub-ability scores (eg Speed and Coordination, or whatever it was they called them), but then you could vary each sub-ability by one or two points… something like that.
I don’t recall high charisma giving a discount on items, but like most here I never used the NPC reaction tables either … maybe it was all part of that.
Ah, yes, comeliness. And IIRC you could get obscenely high comeliness scores too (as it was adjusted by charisma, race, possibly a couple of other factors).
Since I happen to have the Skills and Powers book close by...
Strength
* Muscle - Attack, Damage, Open Doors, Bend Bar/Lift Gates (Basically your Str Modifier).
* Stamina - Weight allowance (encumberance).
Dexterity
* Aim - Attack mod, Pick Pockets, Open Locks
* Balance - Reaction Adj (initiative), AC mod, Move Silent, Climb Walls
Constitution
* Health - System Shock (early massive damage rules), Poison Save bonus
* Fitness - HP mod, Resurrection chance
Intelligence
* Reason - Max Spell Level, Max # Spells, Spell Immunity
* Knowledge - Bonus Proficiencies (skills), Chance to learn a spell.
Wisdom
* Intuition - Bonus Spells, Chance of spell failure
* Willpower - Magic defense adj, Spell immunity
Charisma
* Leadership - Loyalty base, # Henchmen
* Appearance - NPC Reaction Adj.
How it worked is you rolled your base stat (or use point buy, whatever) and then you could add up to 2 points to one aspect of the stat by subtracting from the other. IE, Str 15 could be Muscle 17/Stamina 13.
The postings above are generally correct; especially Xellan’s chart. After having done my own additional research as well, I cannot find a thing that specifically mandates an NPC’s action(s) – like give a discount – or the amount of such a discount – specifically; 10%. A high score in general Charisma or in “Appearance” (if using the optional breakdown) only specifies a positive reaction on the first meeting with an NPC or an intelligent creature. There are no specificities regarding that reaction. That’s purely up to the DM, decided situationally.
Well, as far as BG went, there was a reputation mechanic that affected price as well. So if you have a paladin with an 18 charisma and a reputation 20 you would get stuff mega cheap. Fun for a video game, more of a hassle outside of one.
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In Neverwinter Nights 2(I don't remember if they did it in 1 also) I know they use your appraise check rather then diplomacy or the like to determine prices at merchants.
They don't explain the actual mechanic, and I assume they just have you each take 10 on it since prices are stable at the same shops until you up your skill, but I suspect its something along the lines of just 1% increase for each point you beat the opponent by. That would be a fairly simple system to work into a game, just have the players name whoever is doing the shopping in that particular shop and just roll opposed appraise checks, giving a sway in prices in favor of whoever wins.(Naturally this could be altered to cover diplomacy or bluff or anything else you might wish too.)