The Warforged in this particular setting, which I set up because I felt it gave the class more nuance and thematics than just "you are a human in metal form". They have a strange uncanny valley look to them, cannot taste, smell, or feel (the physical sense of feel) anything. My particular character is the first of his kind and has some kinks still needing to be ironed out (in this case a table I have to roll on during social interactions that determines whether or not I experience a weird malfunction that would freak out most people). In this setting, Warforged were created once the Goddess of the Forge implanted the concept and image of a Warforged in the mind of an artificer, making the Warforged a technical children of the gods.
However, what would something that can't experience 3 of the 5 senses want in life? What is his driving force? Thus far all I have is that he wants to eventually make more of his kind as thanks for himself being given life, and to be generous with the gift of life. He's a Zeal domain (more because it suits my style of play than the character concept, this was mostly a mechanical choice). He struggles empathizing others and has trouble communicating what he feels as well, which, if the scary appearance weren't enough, makes it very difficult for people to empathize with him in turn.
We experience the world through our senses. Since your character can only experience things through hearing and seeing, he would make a big deal about seeing things that move him and hearing things that are different and strange. Most of us would not take well to losing our sight or hearing temporarily, and it would be even harder for him, possibly crippling him with fear until the effect passed.
If you have Volo's Guide to Monsters, look up the lizardfolk for some ideas about how his personality my be portrayed. It's not a great fit for what you described, but could give you some ideas. The laughing at everything part was something I immediately thought of, since he has a difficult time expressing his feelings. However, do keep in mind that your description of "He struggles empathizing (with) others and has trouble communicating what he feels" describes many humans, so it doesn't have to be the completely alien mind aspect that lizardfolk suggests. I have trouble communicating my negative feelings, which usually means that I clam up until those feelings boil over into tears or anger. Happier emotions are a little easier to share. Empathy is simply not being able to see things from the other's standpoint. This is often due to a lack of experiences similar to the other's standpoint, but sometimes a lack of desire to consider it as a viable point of view. As a warforged, the first point is clearly going to be the default setting for the lack of empathy, but he'll gain enough experience watching the others in the party to be able to develop some ideas about what it's like, particularly while talking with them about the experience. That is where you'll have to decide if he remains incapable of empathy in the moment or chooses not to feel it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
The Warforged in this particular setting, which I set up because I felt it gave the class more nuance and thematics than just "you are a human in metal form". They have a strange uncanny valley look to them, cannot taste, smell, or feel (the physical sense of feel) anything. My particular character is the first of his kind and has some kinks still needing to be ironed out (in this case a table I have to roll on during social interactions that determines whether or not I experience a weird malfunction that would freak out most people). In this setting, Warforged were created once the Goddess of the Forge implanted the concept and image of a Warforged in the mind of an artificer, making the Warforged a technical children of the gods.
However, what would something that can't experience 3 of the 5 senses want in life? What is his driving force? Thus far all I have is that he wants to eventually make more of his kind as thanks for himself being given life, and to be generous with the gift of life. He's a Zeal domain (more because it suits my style of play than the character concept, this was mostly a mechanical choice). He struggles empathizing others and has trouble communicating what he feels as well, which, if the scary appearance weren't enough, makes it very difficult for people to empathize with him in turn.
We experience the world through our senses. Since your character can only experience things through hearing and seeing, he would make a big deal about seeing things that move him and hearing things that are different and strange. Most of us would not take well to losing our sight or hearing temporarily, and it would be even harder for him, possibly crippling him with fear until the effect passed.
If you have Volo's Guide to Monsters, look up the lizardfolk for some ideas about how his personality my be portrayed. It's not a great fit for what you described, but could give you some ideas. The laughing at everything part was something I immediately thought of, since he has a difficult time expressing his feelings. However, do keep in mind that your description of "He struggles empathizing (with) others and has trouble communicating what he feels" describes many humans, so it doesn't have to be the completely alien mind aspect that lizardfolk suggests. I have trouble communicating my negative feelings, which usually means that I clam up until those feelings boil over into tears or anger. Happier emotions are a little easier to share. Empathy is simply not being able to see things from the other's standpoint. This is often due to a lack of experiences similar to the other's standpoint, but sometimes a lack of desire to consider it as a viable point of view. As a warforged, the first point is clearly going to be the default setting for the lack of empathy, but he'll gain enough experience watching the others in the party to be able to develop some ideas about what it's like, particularly while talking with them about the experience. That is where you'll have to decide if he remains incapable of empathy in the moment or chooses not to feel it.