CHARISMA

Charisma is the measure of the character’s combined physical attractiveness, persuasiveness, and personal magnetism. A generally non-beautiful character can have very high Charisma due to strong measures of the other two aspects of Charisma. It is important to all characters, as it has an effect on dealings with others, principally non-player characters, mercenary hirelings, prospective retainers, and monsters. It absolutely dictates the total number of henchmen a character is able to retain. It affects loyalty of all hirelings and retainers. It is the key to leadership. The following table expresses the facts regarding Charisma scores.

NOTES REGARDING THE CHARISMA TABLE

Maximum Number of Henchmen states the number of non-player characters who will serve as permanent retainers of the player character. 

It does not affect the number of mercenary soldiers, men-at-arms, servitors, and similar persons in the pay of the character. 

Loyalty Base simply shows the subtraction from or addition to the henchman’s and other servitors’ loyalty scores.

Reaction Adjustment indicates the penalty or bonus due to the character because of Charisma in meeting and dealing with persons and creatures encountered. 

For example, the character might encounter a basically neutral intelligent creature and seek to converse in order to gain some advantage. If the Charisma of the character is low, he or she will be working under a handicap which will have to be overcome by generous offers and gifts if a chance of success is hoped for. On the other hand, if the character’s Charisma score is high, he or she will begin negotiations from a strong starting position due to charm and magnetism.