Role-playing certain stats

[epicspire]

in the following thread there was a pictured that seemed to bring up a small discussion on what people should look like based off of their stats

frc.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gallery&action=post&thread=8507"e=166645&page=7

I'd like to read other people's opinions on this, in a thread more dedicated to the topic, so i make this one. (sorry if thread already exists)

My thoughts are as follows.

1) The DnD multiverse is held together by strands of energy, The six stats that make up a person are only six forms of that energy. That is how the energy can be drained from you by certain effects. It is up to the player to decide what his/her character looks like, it is requested that the appearance reflect the stats, but is not required, because the energy that is in a person does not have to manifest itself physically.

2) If you want to be more realistic about it, then check out this video clip:

the man in this video does not train with weights and pound per pound is said to be the Strongest man in the world. others may be stronger than he is but they are also much bigger and heavier,.. but given his weight/mass he is stronger than he should be.

but even without the realistic side to this discussion, the DnD Multiverse, as i mentioned, is based on the energies. Those energies are natural not just magical.. they can be enhanced magically and naturally and flow and manifest themselves as they see fit.

i'd like to read other opinions on this however.

[anerwyn]

Well if we're just considering strength there are two types of "strong" in the real world. I do mean simple brute force strength of course. You have your "work" strength and your "workout" strength.

Now what i mean by "work" strength is a power that one builds by working all day. THis type of strength comes from working a ranch or warehousing or various other labor intensive jobs. Most of the people who gain this kind of strength tend to be somewhat small and skinny compared to the other type of strength. These people work day in and day out moving hay bales, sprinkler pipe, wood and any number of other materials. When you see someone like this they appear fit but generally don't look like some huge individual.

Then you have your "workout" strength and this one is what we tend to associate with "strong". These people are the body builders and weight lifters (hence "workout"). These people tend to be big and muscly. When you see these people most automatically think "wow I bet they're strong". It is generally the case that these people are indeed strong.

When you compare the two the work strength people tend to be thinner and more lean than the workout ones. This is because, from what I have researched, lean muscle mass comes with working while a more "puffy" muscle comes from working out. Both types of strength can be incredible but how they are acquired is very different.

Generally, though, work strength is associated with more endurance and not power lifting. While a power lifter can lift a lot of weight the worker can carry, maybe not as much, weight longer.

[epicspire]

Mar 16, 2011 0:41:19 GMT -5 anerwyn said:

Well if we're just considering strength ...

yeah, i did not make myself clear. I would like this to be on Strength,.. you also made good points and i thank you for your input.

anyone have any thoughts on what they believe a Strength of 24 should look like when compared to a strength of 14? Should the appearance be obvious, would it be based off of the other stats? Would a Str 24, Dex 14, Con 8 look completely different in build than a Str 24 Dex 8 Con 14, or would you agree with the above statements and say Stats have no bearing on appearance at all (i've heard that Charisama is more personality than Appearance).

[Charon's Claw]

IMO it depends on where the strength comes from. Base str is what I would judge appearance on. Magical strength is just that, magic from items. I don't view it as bulking a PC up visually. Other stats could play into it as well. A 20 str 8 cha character would probably be all scarred, grizzled, but huge like a bear.

Although a 20 str 18 cha character may be more visually appealing. Although charisma is not the only determining factor of appearance of course. It could go toward personality and the strength thereof. Then there's dexterity to consider, as a huge workout muscle builder is not often dexterous. A moderate dexterity score with huge strength would remind me of an olympic gymnast over Mr. Strongman.

[Carpe]

Charisma, in a nutshell, describes strength of personality, an ability to influence others, and sheer force of will (as opposed to Will Power, which is wisdom). It can perhaps be described as offense if Wisdom is defense, or as Strength if Intelligence is Dex and Wisdom is Con. Ultimately it boils down to influence through dominating presence of personality.

Marilyn Monroe standing on a vent is indeed one way to achieve this.

But do not forget that Intimidate is a Charisma skill, and Charisma is a prime boost for Blackguards and evil priests alike. Darth Vader has huge Charisma, as did some other famously ugly mugs like Hitler, etc. They did not garner the obedience of the masses through love or lust, and yet their ability to "find new ways to motivate" people is undeniable.