Charisma
-
I tend to think Wisdom is more important than Intelligence to "good leaders", as low Wisdom characters tend to be screw ups, no matter how high their intelligence is.
-
High Intelligence means any plan is well thought out, plans for contingencies, is more complicated and has a higher likelihood of success. High Wisdom is knowing if what the plan is trying to accomplish is a wise course of action. High Charisma makes anything seem possible. People will follow that person out of personal loyalty, love, respect and admiration regardless of the outcome.
E.g.
Plan
- We need to get across this raging river under heavy arrow fire.
Low Int
- Well let's just charge across the bridge. Our numbers will carry the day.
Avg Int
- Well let's get everyone with a shield in front to form a protective wall and then we'll move across in an orderly fashion.
High Int
- Archers to firing range. Focus on the enemy archers. Try to kill as many as you can but the most important thing it to keep them off balance, make them hurry their shot, and force them to choose between shooting at the archers or the men crossing the bridge. Once the column nears the far side, archers shift fire and concentrate on to the enemy at the bridge entrance. At this point unified firing will be needed for massed shock effect and to kill the enemy in great numbers. Shields to the front and overhead to protect the column as we move across. Once near the enemy shield formation to break and a beach head needs to be formed allow more men to gain footing on the other side.
Low Wisdom
- Sounds good. We need to cross this bridge.
Avg Wisdom
- How many men will we lose in this attempt and will we be able to hold our gains? Is it worth it?
High Wisdom
- We need to get to the other side, not cross this bridge. Let's find another way across, one that is less obvious and less defended because of it.
Low Cha
-Who's with me? crickets can be heardAvg Cha
- Alright men, I'll lead the charge. Follow me!
High Cha
- This day will live forever as our deeds echo through eternity! Now see to your duty, for we cannot fail! a great cheer can be heard as the battle is joined by the commander's loyal and loving troop
Olouth has done a good job of explaining it with a real life example, even with the chest thumping and self promoting :wink:
-
Hate to bump this after a month, but I feel it's more prudent to put this here rather than creating another topic.
I feel like it's possible to have a leader without that high of a charisma score provided they're apt in intelligence and wisdom.
My character example is that he has medium INT/WIS with only 10 CHA.
First, let's look at where this charisma (or lack thereof) is coming from. For one, he absolutely hates crowds. If he has to speak in front of a massive audience, he WILL step down and ask someone else to do it. Secondly, he always keeps his helmet on. Persons with anxiety disorders very often seek out either sheltered, tucked away places or large, open spaces to escape their anxiety - hence, the helmet provides an enclosed space of "safety." Thirdly, he has no "high" social skills to speak of. If invited to a court gathering, he'll most likely show up in bloodstained leathers, muddy boots, and probably hasn't bathed in a few days.
However - and this is what separates him from 8 charisma person - he has a quick yet dry wit, a sense of humor that borders on vulgarity very often, and he isn't -that- ugly.
It also helps to define the context in which a person is being a leader. For example, among Garagosian Bloodreavers and berserkers, more often than not the leader is going to be the strongest among them. It really depends on the group dynamics and what the group morals and values are. Using the last example, if some hoidy-toidy Tormite with high charisma, intelligence, and wisdom bumps into the Bloodreaver scene with less than 15 strength and a lack of combat skills, he's probably going to a) have the shit beaten out of him, then b) thrown out as a laughing stock.
Hence, charisma is not the defining point of leadership; rather, it is an effective supplemental force for MOST leadership roles. The quintessential attribute of a leader is defined by the context he/she is in.
-
I think the charisma in terms of leadership that has been discussed here is more on the large-scale faction level, like politicians who has to win the crowd or commanders who has to inspire their troops.
In tribal communities (as with barbarians) and some mercenary companies, combat prowess and ability will most often decide who is the leader (as with most animals). In a more civilized community with a political system and people fighting over power (verbally), the charisma (as well as intelligence and wisdom) will play a much larger part.
Tribes or other martial-focused groups will often have a leader/chieftain who is chosen by strength and skill as well as a shamam/wise woman/advisor that is chosen by cunning, diplomacy and wit. While the people will follow their leader in sheer awe/fear/respect/admiration for his incredible power, the wise woman/shaman will be the one making the plans and advising the leader on what moves to make next. In this context there is no problem to have an oaf as a chief as long as he has someone to support him in mental/spiritual challenges. -
6 Cha - A lump of burnt something. Can not be described as edible, It stinks, it's charred, and has adhered to the pan. More work than it's worth, and nothing is ever going to make it better.
8 Cha - an over-cooked pancake with too much baking soda. Sure it's edible and nutritious, but it'll give you a belly ache and won't taste good going down.
10 Cha - your normal, run of the mill pancake. meh.
12 Cha - Light, fluffy, tasty. Maybe it has a few chocolate chips in the batter. mmmm. yummy.
18 Cha - You think you are getting a pancake, but Bill Cosby comes out and hands you a Chocolate Cake. Yes, chocolate cake has 18 Cha. Moist, delicious - everyone loves it.
Now that you have all been enlightened in what Cha really is, GTFIG.
-
I dont like chocolate caek. I like pancakes though.