[RPG] Does Constitution influence Charisma

ability-scoresdnd-3e

I was looking around and notice that low constitution monsters usually are ugly (like skeletons)
after all low constitution make you ugly, right?

So, it's that a case where Charisma can be influenced by Constitution ? Like i say below, "…physical attractiveness, persuasiveness, and personal magnetism. A generally non-beautiful character can have a very high charisma due to strong measures of the other two aspects of charisma."

Considering a PC/NPC with low/normal skills in persuasion and normal personal magnetism PLUS a low constitution (like 8 or 6 or even below that) should i drop his charisma ?

Wikipedia says:

Constitution (CON): Constitution is a term which encompasses the character's physique, toughness, health and resistance to disease and poison. The higher a character's Constitution, the more hit points that character will have. Constitution also is important for Fortitude saves, the Concentration skill, and fatigue-based general checks. Constitution also determines the duration of a barbarian's rage. Unlike the other ability scores, which render the character unconscious or immobile when they hit 0, having 0 Constitution is fatal.

Charisma (CHA): Charisma is the measure of the character's combined physical attractiveness, persuasiveness, and personal magnetism. A generally non-beautiful character can have a very high charisma due to strong measures of the other two aspects of charisma. Charisma influences how many spells spontaneous arcane spellcasters (like sorcerers and bards) can cast per day, and the effectiveness of said spells. It also affects Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Gather Information, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Perform, and Use Magic Device checks, how often and how effectively clerics and paladins can turn undead, the wild empathy of druids and rangers, and a paladin's lay on hands ability."

I'm not looking for a debate about this, just a clear answer if possible.

Best Answer

I wouldn't tie the two together. D&D has a fairly small number of basic stats (like Constitution and Charisma), so it's interesting to see what different combinations of high and low scores mean.

Someone with low constitution might not be able to run for long, or they might be rather frail, or they might just get sick a lot. Someone with high charisma might be very persuasive, or very good looking, or a great leader. These are not mutually exclusive ideas.

Here are some ideas for people with very low constitution and very high charisma:

  • an old and respected stage actor with a commanding presence (think Christopher Lee)
  • a beautiful model who's just too thin (think just about any supermodel)
  • a fun, friendly, fat guy (think Dom DeLuise)
  • a respected leader who's dying of some disease (think Steve Jobs in the last year)

So if you have a PC with low to normal skills in persuasion and personal magnetism, give them a low to normal charisma score. There's no reason to tie it to their constitution.

GMNoob, thanks for suggesting Steve Jobs for this list.

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