|
Post by Laurk on Nov 10, 2005 11:47:19 GMT -5
I thought I would jot down my thoughts on the intelligence score. Ive noticed a lot of players do dumb things or hold back ideas because they have a low intelligence score. Low intelligence doesnt neccesarily mean you cant think. It refers more to your memory retention and ability to quickly grasp complex ideas. A person with an extremely high intelligence might be able to memorize a page out of a book at a glance, but that doesnt mean he is or is not a good puzzle solver. Likewise, a person who has very little intellect, may not be able to remember names or keep up with coversations, but that doesnt exclude him from being a gifted soldier who seems briliant when manuvering his way aroud a battlefield. That kind of cunning can only be supplied by the player, and you cant put a score on it. To the heart of the issue; when I am running an event for players, if they come to something that requires a bit of knowledge, like about a demon or monster, I have them do an int based lore check. However, players who are stumped by a puzzle or riddle always roll int checks, expecting a hint, and I dont give them one. If they roll high, I tell them that their memory retention skills are working fine, but they are still clueless about the current problem.
|
|
|
Post by Quadhund/Greenhouse on Nov 10, 2005 11:57:41 GMT -5
Somehow I feel like this is pointed at me
|
|
|
Post by Talus on Nov 10, 2005 12:08:47 GMT -5
Or perhaps me. I seem to recal comments similar to this in refrence to a certain, large colorful character of mine
|
|
|
Post by kenny26 on Nov 10, 2005 13:57:20 GMT -5
intelligence represents a quick learning curve, the ability to memorize writings, book smarts and general short term memory.
however, long term memory rests on wisdom in my opinion. the wizard might learn from his mistakes, but his inquisitive nature and thirst for knowledge might cause him to forget it in his urge to perform his next experiment, where as the monk with low intelligence, but high wisdom remembers every one of his most basic lessons from years ago.
that being said, i know i'm going slightly off-topic.
i don't believe characters with 8 in intelligence are necessarily dumb in the same way crom is (no pon intended, crom is great ;D ). chars with low intelligence might look sharp and act like they know everything they're doing, but when confronted with new things and quick thinking is required, they suddenly don't know how to act or think. an example:
the warrior with low intelligence is being invited to dinner with some nobles in return for saving one of their high standing friends. the warrior shows up, and as he stands before the nobles, a few long moments pass and he looks puzzled, until he reminds himself to bow courtiously. he otherwise mannages to act appropriately, but when the time comes to eat, he looks at the 12 sets of forks and knives and looks bewildered, even though it was explained to him dozens of times which set he should use first.
bottom line: dumb people don't look and act dumb 24/7. they mostly only look confused when they have to get acustomed to new things.
|
|
|
Post by Talus on Nov 10, 2005 14:05:36 GMT -5
the warrior with low intelligence is being invited to dinner with some nobles in return for saving one of their high standing friends. the warrior shows up, and as he stands before the nobles, a few long moments pass and he looks puzzled, until he reminds himself to bow courtiously. he otherwise mannages to act appropriately, but when the time comes to eat, he looks at the 12 sets of forks and knives and looks bewildered, even though it was explained to him dozens of times which set he should use first. bottom line: dumb people don't look and act dumb 24/7. they mostly only look confused when they have to get acustomed to new things. Hmm...I would have put that under Charisma, *shrugs*what do I know
|
|
|
Post by DM Justicar - Creator of FRC on Nov 22, 2005 1:08:10 GMT -5
I think what might be forgotten in this discussion is that certain traits combine to comprise larger characteristics. A few examples... 1) 13 intelligence/15 charisma = probably a socially witty character... though coupled with their 8 wisdom and 9 constitution probably means they have some real short-comings both physically, and where it really matters as a "normal" person... maybe they are a liar and have a weak personality/physiology... what we get from this combination of ability scores is someone who "would be socially witty" but really couldn't back it up with much and therefore may try hard but never really bring it to the table. Combine it with "evil" and you have a truly interesting character! 2) 18 strength/18 charisma = a person who is probably extremely good looking but when you add their 8 intelligence and 9 dexterity we get -- Fabio ;D.As a side note, to be fair I have heard that people who have met Fabio say he is really nice... but I really can't see Fabio actually getting into armor and slaying a dragon! ;D Now, some women (or men) *might* be very attracted to a person who has it all in looks and seeming force of personality but can barely get themselves ready for anything in the morning, and others, well... they might not. 3) 17 dexterity/9 wisdom = a person who could actually do something if they had the where-with-all to figure it out! Alot of dexterity does you no good what-so-ever if you really can't even figure out where the trap is! What I am trying to say is that there is no perfect formula, and I don't think any one character was meant to be perfect or we wouldn't have classes and abilities that all compliment one another. D&D was a "team sport" right from the get. I say this every now and again, and here I go again: EMBRACE YOUR CHARACTERS FLAWS!!! They are indeed what makes the game interesting. I don't know exactly when it happened, but it was pretty close to the time most of us figured out the NWN mechanics that everyone seemingly wanted to play the character that could do it all... The game was never ever supposed to be that way. At least on PnP. Examining your characters ability scores and how they interact with one another; formulating your character based upon that will pay dividends... try it, you will love it!
|
|