I am really new to D&D, as well as the hobby in general. While I have yet to participate in a proper game, I am thinking about some character concepts I might like to play if given the chance. One such concept is an investigative type character: A researcher of ancient mysteries who is horribly uncomfortable in social situations.
My primary concern with such a character is how to effectively roleplay their poor social skills without coming across as confrontational or anti-social. The idea behind the character is that they like other people, but maybe don't know how to actually interact with them. I'm also a bit concerned with effectively portraying the researcher in the character.
I fully admit that I may be jumping the gun just a bit, seeing as I'm not in an actual game yet. Even so, I appreciate whatever advice I can get.
It's doable to Mr. Magoo your way through a RPG social situation if you as the player have social skills.
Just be careful not to detail the situation. There are few things I hate more then a player spiking a perfectly good interaction and and saying "It's what my character would do."
Possibly things to do is
Mix up turns off phrases for comedic purposes, the idea being you don't use them a lot.
If you do something to cause offense intentionally have your character not realized and try to make it up. (See above about not just ending conversations unnecessarily)
I guess if the character is a arcane researcher Google "bumbling professor" or other tropes.
Sheldon Cooper is also a Social Awkward scientific type, not necessarily a detective or investigator, but definitely pulls off some great non anti social, love able tropes. Or you could go with Sherlock Holmes, there is a great newer series called Sherlock, the character is a genius but has horrible interpersonal skills. At times people do want to kill him, but they can't because they are so in awe of his skills.
Giles from Buffy would be a good model. Bookish but generally nice and caring, says rude things because he's distracted researching the monster of the week without paying attention to the social goings on in a conversation then immediately apologizes or tries to come up with a more correct response.
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I am really new to D&D, as well as the hobby in general. While I have yet to participate in a proper game, I am thinking about some character concepts I might like to play if given the chance. One such concept is an investigative type character: A researcher of ancient mysteries who is horribly uncomfortable in social situations.
My primary concern with such a character is how to effectively roleplay their poor social skills without coming across as confrontational or anti-social. The idea behind the character is that they like other people, but maybe don't know how to actually interact with them. I'm also a bit concerned with effectively portraying the researcher in the character.
I fully admit that I may be jumping the gun just a bit, seeing as I'm not in an actual game yet. Even so, I appreciate whatever advice I can get.
It's doable to Mr. Magoo your way through a RPG social situation if you as the player have social skills.
Just be careful not to detail the situation. There are few things I hate more then a player spiking a perfectly good interaction and and saying "It's what my character would do."
Possibly things to do is
Mix up turns off phrases for comedic purposes, the idea being you don't use them a lot.
If you do something to cause offense intentionally have your character not realized and try to make it up. (See above about not just ending conversations unnecessarily)
I guess if the character is a arcane researcher Google "bumbling professor" or other tropes.
Check out an episode of Monk!
--
DM -- Elanon -- Homebrew world
Gronn -- Tiefling Warlock -- Amarath
Slim -- Halfling Cleric -- CoS (future Lord of Waterdeep 😁)
Bran -- Human Wizard - RoT
Making D&D mistakes and having fun since 1977!
Sheldon Cooper is also a Social Awkward scientific type, not necessarily a detective or investigator, but definitely pulls off some great non anti social, love able tropes. Or you could go with Sherlock Holmes, there is a great newer series called Sherlock, the character is a genius but has horrible interpersonal skills. At times people do want to kill him, but they can't because they are so in awe of his skills.
Clouseau / pink panther.
Giles from Buffy would be a good model. Bookish but generally nice and caring, says rude things because he's distracted researching the monster of the week without paying attention to the social goings on in a conversation then immediately apologizes or tries to come up with a more correct response.