Examining Archetypes: The Charmer

I figured I'd continue the archetype discussion with a closer look at a new proposed class mentioned in the Thief post, especially in contrast to the Faithful Lover variant of the Cleric: the Charmer. First, here's the basic classic abilities (slightly different from the way I first presented it:

• can reroll the reaction of any intelligent being at any time, limited only by awareness and communication ability;
• gets a level-based bonus on reaction rolls and maximum number of followers.

The important things to note are:

First, that since the bonus applies to a reaction roll instead of to more generally useful actions, the Charmer's bonus also applies to the related factor of followers. Charmers get more followers than normal, since their whole schtick is that they get things done through friends, allies, or henchmen instead of through direct action. I was a little slow to add this bonus, because I'm toying with the idea that "max followers" should be dropped, but this really fits the archetype of the inspiring leader or the schemer with a web of spies.

Second, that the reaction reroll allows the Charmer to do uncanny things, like sooth angry savages in the middle of combat or befriend assassins who have been hired to kill the character; however, it doesn't allow the Charmer to do supernatural things, like order new-found followers to perform complex tasks without the benefit of knowing their language, or communicating with friends telepathically; there would be supernatural equivalents with powers like this, but they would not be considered Charmer variants.

For comparison, here's my proposed Cleric (faithful lover) variant:

• can sense the urgent need of the True Love over any distance;
• can perform limited miracles in the quest to save the True Love, with a level-based bonus (treat as Cleric miracle.)

The Faithful Lover is the romantic hero who has a sudden flash that his True Love needs him, who has a sudden burst of strength as he rushes to her side; he's the prince who can awaken the princess from a magical slumber, or the woman who can bring her True Love back from the brink of death, with just a kiss. I mentioned Lancelot and Romeo, although perhaps Romeo is a bit of stretch (as some have complained.) It's never made explicit, mainly because Shakespeare was sticking to a more realistic approach for that play, but one could interpret or at the very least imagine Romeo's ride to be at Juliet's side as being boosted by his love for her and fear for her safety. Later romantic heroes, even those in supposedly realistic stories, have sudden bursts of speed and strength or escape certain death just because their love drives them on. This is why I contrasted the Lover to the Charmer: the distinction is that the Lovers affect themselves, boosting their abilities, while Charmers affect others, persuading many people to do what they want.

But it gets tricky to distinguish the two, because the Charmer and the Lover are very prone to "multiclassing" or hybridization. Consider the example of Orpheus raised previously: he loves Eurydice and storms the gates of Hades to reclaim her, which certainly smacks of supernatural elements; but even before he meets her, and after he loses her forever, he has the ability to persuade and inspire others. He's a Charmer/Lover hybrid. John Carter, the Warlord of Mars, is also a Charmer/Lover or possibly Charmer/Lover/Fighter, able to win friends at the drop of a hat, recover from situations that would kill another man because of his need to save Dejah Thoris, and also able to fight three or four opponents simultaneously.

The Charmer has some variants, such as the Charmer (beasts) or Beast-Friend mentioned in the Thief post, which might fit either the innocent soul who's always surrounded by squirrels and birds, or the woodsy animal tamer; combine the latter into a Thief/Charmer (beasts) hybrid and you get a Tarzan clone. If the setting includes artificial intelligence, Charmer (robots) might be a viable option as well, and if you use a mildly supernatural version of the class with increased experience requirements, you can have Supernatural Charmer (plants) or (element) as further variants.

Any of the Charmer variants has a wide choice on how to interpret or use the ability. Followers might be dedicated because they are impressed by the Charmer's kindness, or they might follow because of the Charmer's aura of fear. The Charmer can focus on acquiring followers, or just on inspiring peace without worrying over making friends. The ability to stop combat might actually be a trick so that the Charmer can make a surprise attack, and might be portrayed as a clever lie or a hypnotic stare. The Charmer might only use the ability for con games and fast-talking his way past authorities, in a sense becoming another derivative of the Thief.

What I have to think about some more is what other options could replace the reaction reroll ability; that could provide a few more class variants and make this a richer archetype.