I have an idea of a my next character, and would like to hear some opinions on it in terms of feat choice, stat allocation (rolled 12, 12, 12, 14, 16, 16) and such.
The short version of the story is this: my character, who is a rakshasa-born tiefling, has been the victim of a partial lobotomy in an effort to curb his evil base desires. Years later, his infernal blood has manifested in a different way, granting him the powers of a summoner, and an eidolon that is the physical embodiment of the parts of his brain that he no longer has access to.
So how would the effects of a partial lobotomy be represented in the context of the Pathfinder game? Can the victim of a lobotomy still be a player character, and if so, can it still be built to be effective?
Wikipedia had this to say about lobotomies:
“anxiety feelings and introspective activities; and feelings of inadequacy and self-consciousness are thereby lessened. Lobotomy reduces the emotional tension associated with hallucinations and does away with the catatonic state. Because nearly all psychosurgical procedures have undesirable side effects, they are ordinarily resorted to only after all other methods have failed. The less disorganized the personality of the patient, the more obvious are post-operative side effects. ...’
Convulsive seizures are reported as sequelae of prefrontal lobotomy in 5 to 10 percent of all cases. Such seizures are ordinarily well controlled with the usual anti-convulsive drugs. Post-operative blunting of the personality, apathy, and irresponsibility are the rule rather than the exception. Other side effects include distractibility, childishness, facetiousness, lack of tact or discipline, and post operative incontinence.”
I would argue that his Charisma and Wisdom would be drained/damaged permanently, since those abilities are associated with self-awareness and self-control.
"Post-operative blunting of the personality, apathy, and irresponsibility are the rule rather than the exception. Other side effects include distractibility, childishness, facetiousness, lack of tact or discipline, and post operative incontinence.”
I would play his personality up using this as a guideline. Honestly, this is such a strange way to take a character, I can't really say for sure.
Also, be aware that there are a number of spells that might restore his brain function. So, I'm not sure how well this would work if that's the only thing keeping your evil nature in check...
It would depend on which parts of the brain were removed. There are spells that can fix it at higher level. I would rather say some powerful outsider is the cause of your condition, and nothing short of deific intervention can change it.
Lobotomy in the classic sense is wholly unable to surpress "evil behavior".
Better to go with a powerful high level GEAS than that because heal will likely fix him up again as the campaign unfolds causing all sorts of problems (or opportunities - as you take it).
I think it would, realistically, depend on when he was lobotomized. There have been cases where a person has been the subject of a lobotomy, but their brain was still developing and it managed to completely compensate for the damaged area.
Thanks of the advice. I wanted to stay away from an outsider influence because it seems a little too deus ex, but perhaps he went to the outsider willingly? I suppose it could work.
I've heard of the cases where the brain can adapt to the effects of a lobotomy, and I felt that that's what would still make this a viable concept, as I would still be able to portray bits of his character, and perhaps add more and more as he receives more magical healing.
I don't think the idea that magic healing would eventually repair the damage would effect the way it is played, as his brain had already adapted to the new method in which it processed things. In other words, the eidolon and summoner mojo is there to stay. And in terms of his evil nature: I never felt that the character would be evil, I want to kill everyone and everything, evil. But the nature of his blood is at odds with his own physiology, making him...unstable at times. As I understand it, that's the kind of thing a lobotomy could "fix." I'm not a doctor though.
Again, thanks for the input. I'm looking forward to playing this character. Now to decide...powerful outsider or the powers of psychosurgery...?
1d6 points of ability drain to Int, Wis, and Con, possibly to Dex and even Con. Or 1d6-2 points of Dex drain and 1d6-4 points of Con drain.
Maybe look at Dr. Walter Bishop on "Fringe." His "Walternate" does not have any brain excisions and is much more sinister.