AMIA ARCHIVE
https://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/

Wanted: Input on roleplaying a character with an Int. of 8
https://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41259
Page 1 of 1

Author:  Xeo3000 [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 1:21 AM ]
Post subject:  Wanted: Input on roleplaying a character with an Int. of 8

I'm playing a fighter character with an Intelligence score of 8, which means he doesn't talk correctly and (obviously) has a hard time understanding stuff. I thought playing a "dumb" char. would be easy but it's not...I find myself slipping out of character often (being too "smart"). I have some ideas..He can't read, can only count to ten (because thats how many fingers he has), doesn't use complicated weapons or armor (like plate mail...you know how hard it is to maintain and properly dress full plate mail? It ain't wash and wear I tell you that...thats why knights had squires....) etc. but I'm still having a little trouble in keeping character especially around other PCs. Any tips on how you would approach this? I'd really appreciate it

Author:  Galenson [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 2:00 AM ]
Post subject: 

Play an Ogrillion.

Author:  blackvswhite [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 2:18 AM ]
Post subject: 

find a flarg and observe.

find me in game (blackvswhite) and I'll break out my 0 int character and roll up some punches with you

Author:  555444333 [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 9:35 AM ]
Post subject: 

Me think you need ter have come-cohm- funnys in mind. An' atr-atro-atroshush? er... bad way of speakin like me! An.. er whut we talkin abo?

Author:  Gers [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 10:23 AM ]
Post subject: 

A good RP idea might to be take everything people say literally. Like, if someone asks you to give them a hand, freak out and yell that you're not going to cut your hand off. Or, better yet, grab some poor, unsuspecting sod nearby and try to cut their hand off :twisted:

Author:  Paxus [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 11:33 AM ]
Post subject: 

Gers wrote:
A good RP idea might to be take everything people say literally. Like, if someone asks you to give them a hand, freak out and yell that you're not going to cut your hand off. Or, better yet, grab some poor, unsuspecting sod nearby and try to cut their hand off :twisted:

I don't think a PC with an INT of 8 would be THAT stupid. It's only -1 so he would just be slow thinking, if you ask me.

Author:  Herr Delta Houdini [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 11:35 AM ]
Post subject: 

Yeah but, since you can't force your INT lower, unless you go say, a Half-Orc, I think it's okay to RP it dumber than it may represent.

Author:  ZenMonkey47 [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 12:23 PM ]
Post subject: 

Gers wrote:
A good RP idea might to be take everything people say literally. Like, if someone asks you to give them a hand, freak out and yell that you're not going to cut your hand off. Or, better yet, grab some poor, unsuspecting sod nearby and try to cut their hand off :twisted:


I'd say that would be more low wisdom than low intelligence. Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

Low intelligence, but normal wisdom might mean that the character can function normally in society but is illiterate, uses poor grammar, or doesn't have a head for numbers. That's just my opinion though.

Author:  BrainSplitter [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 12:27 PM ]
Post subject: 

ZenMonkey47 wrote:
Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

A tomato is a vegetable, not a fruit.

Guess your own INT score needs some work, hm?


..sorry, but it had to be done

Author:  Galenson [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 12:33 PM ]
Post subject: 

Tomatoes have seeds and are what the plant uses to reproduce itself. It's a fruit Ron. Go back to your Fosters :P

...had to be done.


Intelligence is not a be all and end all on how smart a character is btw. My cleric has 8 INT and 19 base wisdom but you don't see him jumping off bridges.

It's a mix of the three mental attributes that all characters need: Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma.

Low intelligence score means a lack of hypothetical learning.

Low Wisdom score means a lack of hindsight and common sense.

Low Charisma score means the inability to reason with people socially.

To play an idiot, you need to be negative in ALL of the above. You can have high wisdom and charisma but a low intelligence and still be pretty damn smart.

Author:  HellScourge [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 12:59 PM ]
Post subject: 

*snicker*

Got to imagine that dialogue.

Warrior: me smash stuff up good!
Mage *casts intelligence boost*
Warrior: And then we move in in formation, watching our back while the rogue distracts the enemy so we...
*Mage dissolves the spell*
Warrior: Smash stuff up! Great smash! Aaargh. To throne room and smash evil!
Mage *casts intelligence boost*
Warrior: And once we are in there will we barricade the door so no other guards can come in.
Mage: I could do this all day, hehe.

Anycase, the good old 'How to play an attribute' question.
Play as you see it fit.
My SD has 16 int, far far above average of the normal citizens. Does she act like it? Perhaps, perhaps not.
She has 6 charisma though and her being social is.. awkward for other people *snicker* And hilarious for her.

Author:  555444333 [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 13:08 PM ]
Post subject: 

WonWon wrote:
ZenMonkey47 wrote:
Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

A tomato is a vegetable, not a fruit.

Guess your own INT score needs some work, hm?


..sorry, but it had to be done


Fail tomatosauce.

Go do your research, maybe it'll buff your int.

Author:  Galenson [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 13:20 PM ]
Post subject: 

You're getting sloppy in your old age pom, beat ya to the mark :P


As Hellscourge said though, play as you see fit. I just provided an extended line of thought for those who wish to apply it.

Author:  BrainSplitter [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 13:26 PM ]
Post subject: 

555444333 wrote:
WonWon wrote:
ZenMonkey47 wrote:
Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

A tomato is a vegetable, not a fruit.

Guess your own INT score needs some work, hm?


..sorry, but it had to be done


Fail tomatosauce.

Go do your research, maybe it'll buff your int.


....My computer fails. Epically. </3 computers that seem to classify Tomatoes under Vegetables.

Author:  Sylfwe [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 13:31 PM ]
Post subject: 

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/ ... to?view=uk

Edit: For the point of cooking it, it's not a catastrophe to call it a vegetable though.

Author:  Selvec Darkon [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 14:20 PM ]
Post subject: 

The Tomato thing is a long debated subject, however, not the topic, so take your spammage elsewhere damn you!

Just act like it's 3:00 on a friday, and you have two hours left of work, so your all zombied out.

Author:  Vedran the Mad [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 14:31 PM ]
Post subject: 

Or get dumb drunk and you don't have to pretend or anything :)

Author:  Charles1810 [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 14:33 PM ]
Post subject: 

8 INT is average INT of any human I thought... 10 is above average in actual pnp correct me if I'm wrong, but that's the rule of thumb I have always played as 8's are common when 10 is above average or 6 below average.

Example:
A human base is 8dex when a elf is base 10dex clearly showing a higher flexibility and speed.

A human base is 8str and a half-orc base is 10str really strong.

Author:  Yurell [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 14:57 PM ]
Post subject: 

WonWon wrote:
....My computer fails. Epically. </3 computers that seem to classify Tomatoes under Vegetables.


Culinary usage: Tomato = Vegetable
Botanically: Tomato = Fruit

It is classified biologically as a fruit because of its purpose in reproduction. However, in cooking it is used as a vegetable (AFAIK) because of its flavour.

Charles1810 wrote:
8 INT is average INT of any human I thought... 10 is above average in actual pnp correct me if I'm wrong, but that's the rule of thumb I have always played as 8's are common when 10 is above average or 6 below average.

Example:
A human base is 8dex when a elf is base 10dex clearly showing a higher flexibility and speed.

A human base is 8str and a half-orc base is 10str really strong.


According to p. 9 of the 3.5 PHB, 10-11 Int (or any stat) is average for a human. For intelligence, a score of 8-9 outs you on par with the average Troglodyte, Centaur or Gnoll.

Author:  Dwagin [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 16:43 PM ]
Post subject: 

WonWon wrote:
555444333 wrote:
WonWon wrote:
ZenMonkey47 wrote:
Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

A tomato is a vegetable, not a fruit.

Guess your own INT score needs some work, hm?


..sorry, but it had to be done


Fail tomatosauce.

Go do your research, maybe it'll buff your int.


....My computer fails. Epically. </3 computers that seem to classify Tomatoes under Vegetables.



Tomatoes actually come from the nightshade family.

I'd classify them as poison. Lucious, addictive poison, meant to go on pasta and pizza. One should not eat poison. But I don't care. There are also potatoes and bell peppers in that same family.

Tomato is a freaking veg, regardless of what is said otherwise. A family of sheep do not make a goat one day.

Author:  Yurell [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 16:48 PM ]
Post subject: 

Dwagin wrote:
I'd classify them as poison.


I'd agree with that *is allergic*.

Dwagin wrote:
Tomato is a freaking veg, regardless of what is said otherwise. A family of sheep do not make a goat one day.


Care to give a definition for vegetable then? One referring to plant biology, not cooking.

Author:  IronAngel [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 16:50 PM ]
Post subject: 

Considering you need 9 Int to speak properly and 8 is as stupid as humans can be, I'd say it's pretty damn stupid.

Author:  555444333 [ Sat, Sep 05 2009, 16:51 PM ]
Post subject: 

8 Int is Homer Simpson and Cletus the Rednecks lovechild.

Author:  Xeo3000 [ Sun, Sep 06 2009, 7:23 AM ]
Post subject:  Thanks for the feedback and You guys are hilarious...

...I think I'm gonna like playing on this server...Tomato tangents and all...ANyway, GALENSON said this which I found pretty helpfull
Quote:
"...Intelligence is not a be all and end all on how smart a character is btw. My cleric has 8 INT and 19 base wisdom but you don't see him jumping off bridges.

It's a mix of the three mental attributes that all characters need: Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma.

Low intelligence score means a lack of hypothetical learning.

Low Wisdom score means a lack of hindsight and common sense.

Low Charisma score means the inability to reason with people socially.

To play an idiot, you need to be negative in ALL of the above. You can have high wisdom and charisma but a low intelligence and still be pretty damn smart."

So, my guy has average Wisdom but low Charisma too, so I'm thinking that he's big, dumb, and ugly but wise enough not to do anything completely foolhardy (like stick his hand in the campfire if he accidently dropped his dinner in it because he knows "FIRE Baddd!!!"). But with a very low int. and char. he's gonna be very socailly inept - someone brought up something good before..they said that my character (because of his low intelligence and lack of social skills/social reasoning) might take everything people say literally(...let the wacky hijinks ensue.), he wouldn't be smart enough nor socially adept enough to catch the facial and voice cues that would indicate someone was joking...or lying...etc. I am gonna play this character "how I want to play him" but really want to have fun with him and I want the other people who come in to contact with him to have fun with it too. Thanks everyone for your feedback.
..on Tomatoes - If tomatoes are fruits then why are they always in the vegetable aisle at the supermarket...It's a conspiracy I tell ya...

Author:  The Incognitos [ Sun, Sep 06 2009, 11:30 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks for the feedback and You guys are hilarious...

Xeo3000 wrote:
...I think I'm gonna like playing on this server...Tomato tangents and all...ANyway, GALENSON said this which I found pretty helpfull
Quote:
"...Intelligence is not a be all and end all on how smart a character is btw. My cleric has 8 INT and 19 base wisdom but you don't see him jumping off bridges.

It's a mix of the three mental attributes that all characters need: Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma.

Low intelligence score means a lack of hypothetical learning.

Low Wisdom score means a lack of hindsight and common sense.

Low Charisma score means the inability to reason with people socially.

To play an idiot, you need to be negative in ALL of the above. You can have high wisdom and charisma but a low intelligence and still be pretty damn smart."

So, my guy has average Wisdom but low Charisma too, so I'm thinking that he's big, dumb, and ugly but wise enough not to do anything completely foolhardy (like stick his hand in the campfire if he accidently dropped his dinner in it because he knows "FIRE Baddd!!!"). But with a very low int. and char. he's gonna be very socailly inept - someone brought up something good before..they said that my character (because of his low intelligence and lack of social skills/social reasoning) might take everything people say literally(...let the wacky hijinks ensue.), he wouldn't be smart enough nor socially adept enough to catch the facial and voice cues that would indicate someone was joking...or lying...etc. I am gonna play this character "how I want to play him" but really want to have fun with him and I want the other people who come in to contact with him to have fun with it too. Thanks everyone for your feedback.
..on Tomatoes - If tomatoes are fruits then why are they always in the vegetable aisle at the supermarket...It's a conspiracy I tell ya...


Low intelligence doesn't mean social ineptitude or general morass; George W. Bush was popular after all and was a confimed half-wit.

I had a great bit of RP with someone playing a low intelligence fighter where I managed to convince them that the value of gold was measured in the weight of feathers on a chicken(a la Monty Pythons "She's a witch if she weighs the same as a duck").

He then traded my 8 chickens worth of gold(8000) for an amazing magic ball(1 use polymorph self) that would make wizards scared of him. He rubbed it covetously and it turned him into a troll. He panicked and ran around screeching until someone dispelled it. He was in awe of the magic ball then and promised to keep it to pass to his powerful sons when he had them.

Very funny and very convincing. Be gullible but not foolish. Unlearned but still canny. things like that.

Author:  BlackDahlya [ Sun, Sep 06 2009, 11:56 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks for the feedback and You guys are hilarious...

The Incognitos wrote:
Low intelligence doesn't mean social ineptitude or general morass; George W. Bush was popular after all and was a confimed half-wit. <snip>


I think he meant it concerning the fact his CHA is also low. Unless if I misinterpreted what he said.

Author:  Sylfwe [ Sun, Sep 06 2009, 12:07 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks for the feedback and You guys are hilarious...

BlackDahlya wrote:
The Incognitos wrote:
Low intelligence doesn't mean social ineptitude or general morass; George W. Bush was popular after all and was a confimed half-wit. <snip>


I think he meant it concerning the fact his CHA is also low. Unless if I misinterpreted what he said.


Xeo3000 wrote:
So, my guy has average Wisdom but low Charisma too


Don't think you're misinterpreting.

And whatever hints people will give you, Xeo, you should just role-play it however you believe is best considering that his scores on figuring complex things out and understanding more vague and abstract speech and ideas are pretty non-exiestent. To add to that, if his Cha is low too, you can add social awkwardness for extra flavour.

It all comes down to how well you're able to portray said faults and how you envision this character given the mechanical guidelines.

Author:  The Incognitos [ Mon, Sep 07 2009, 4:44 AM ]
Post subject: 

Also remember that 10 is PnP average(accounting for fat, thin, strong, weak, etc, etc, across the general populous)

Author:  Jan Busta [ Mon, Sep 07 2009, 13:16 PM ]
Post subject: 

HellScourge wrote:
*snicker*

Got to imagine that dialogue.

Warrior: me smash stuff up good!
Mage *casts intelligence boost*
Warrior: And then we move in in formation, watching our back while the rogue distracts the enemy so we...
*Mage dissolves the spell*
Warrior: Smash stuff up! Great smash! Aaargh. To throne room and smash evil!
Mage *casts intelligence boost*
Warrior: And once we are in there will we barricade the door so no other guards can come in.
Mage: I could do this all day, hehe.


Love this!

Author:  Yurell [ Mon, Sep 07 2009, 13:22 PM ]
Post subject: 

Jan Busta wrote:
HellScourge wrote:
*snicker*

Got to imagine that dialogue.

Warrior: me smash stuff up good!
Mage *casts intelligence boost*
Warrior: And then we move in in formation, watching our back while the rogue distracts the enemy so we...
*Mage dissolves the spell*
Warrior: Smash stuff up! Great smash! Aaargh. To throne room and smash evil!
Mage *casts intelligence boost*
Warrior: And once we are in there will we barricade the door so no other guards can come in.
Mage: I could do this all day, hehe.


Love this!


Like casting Awaken on an animal just so it will know you intend to end the spell.

Author:  Nekhy [ Mon, Sep 07 2009, 13:33 PM ]
Post subject: 

To continue on the tomatoes a bit (because tangents are fun)... I guess vegetables are any and all plant foods suitable for consumption, but excluding the very starchy ones like grains. I don't count potatoes into the "vegetable" group for that reason. They're pure starch and low in fibre, very unlike other "vegetables". Some folks exclude sea vegetables and mushrooms, too. But the term "vegetable" is purely culinary, whereas "fruit" is a biological term. A lot of the "fruits" we eat are not fruits at all biologically, either.

So, both right. It's both a vegetable and a fruit, depending on the context. Don't call it a vegetable when talking with a plant biologist, and don't call it a fruit when talking with a chef.

Author:  Yurell [ Mon, Sep 07 2009, 13:36 PM ]
Post subject: 

Nekhy wrote:
So, both right. It's both a vegetable and a fruit, depending on the context. Don't call it a vegetable when talking with a plant biologist, and don't call it a fruit when talking with a chef.


Reminds me of reading somewhere how rosemary is not botanically a herb (something about woody stems) but potato is.

Author:  Selvec Darkon [ Mon, Sep 07 2009, 21:31 PM ]
Post subject: 

I remember my old fey-touched bard who used to get bullied by an orc with low INT into buying potions, armor and weapons for him. He'd always give me the gold, but he'd still physically bully and intimediate him. That ended of course the day he learnt invisability :twisted:

Author:  Xavier [ Mon, Sep 07 2009, 22:04 PM ]
Post subject: 

Watch Forrest Gump and Rain Man and do and say things the wa they do.

But never go full retard, that never ends well.

Author:  colanah [ Tue, Sep 08 2009, 1:23 AM ]
Post subject: 

Tomato...the only plant product with an identity crisis?

If seeds make something a fruit...then pineapples are vegetables. No seeds!! To grow a new pineapple tree, you have to cut about 1/3 off the top of it and plant that. Neat huh?

Low cha scores are intresting. Especially since so many link it to -only- looks not just personality and appeal from such.

Low int...hmm....the only movie I can think of would be The Barbarians. The two twin body builders? Yeah...yeah....just follow their brand of genius. It's at least worth the laugh.

Author:  Yurell [ Tue, Sep 08 2009, 2:20 AM ]
Post subject: 

colanah wrote:
Tomato...the only plant product with an identity crisis?

If seeds make something a fruit...then pineapples are vegetables. No seeds!! To grow a new pineapple tree, you have to cut about 1/3 off the top of it and plant that. Neat huh?

Low cha scores are intresting. Especially since so many link it to -only- looks not just personality and appeal from such.

Low int...hmm....the only movie I can think of would be The Barbarians. The two twin body builders? Yeah...yeah....just follow their brand of genius. It's at least worth the laugh.


I just checked, and apparently pineapple is a fruit - it's an example of multiple fruit in one - afaik seeds aren't the distinguisher for fruit, it's based on the reproductive purpose.

Author:  Selvec Darkon [ Tue, Sep 08 2009, 5:32 AM ]
Post subject: 

Stop spamming you gits.

Author:  TormakSaber [ Tue, Sep 08 2009, 5:45 AM ]
Post subject: 

Topic seems to have served its purpose.

Author:  ZenMonkey47 [ Tue, Sep 08 2009, 5:45 AM ]
Post subject: 

Nekhy wrote:
So, both right. It's both a vegetable and a fruit, depending on the context. Don't call it a vegetable when talking with a plant biologist, and don't call it a fruit when talking with a chef.


If I could bring it back to the main point, this is why I think the discussion whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable is a good analogy for the difference between intelligence and wisdom.

An intelligent person would call it a fruit.
A wise person would call it a vegetable.
(A charismatic person calls it both, depending on who he's talking to)

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/