Author Topic: DISGUISES (Read 1178 times)

Varnart · « **on:** February 05, 2006, 02:10:25 PM »

BEWARE OF THE RANT
Due to the trouble Taislin has gotten into with the temple of Mist, he as been under disguise. I modified some clothes to look like chainmail, I wear a helmet, I wield a shortsword instead of Taislin's usual hammer, I roleplay he's using a lower voicetone, and yet people see that floaty "Taislin Woolhands" and they say "Hello, Taislin."! Then I send a tell saying "Taislin's under disguise" and then people try to correct and some people reply before they correct themselves, then no one notices the correction, etc.
So, what I'm asking is that people look to see if they recognize the character before saying his/her name. So far it hasn't been any trouble, but I wouldn't want it to happen with a Mistite.

Talan Va'lash · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2006, 03:04:23 PM »

I agree that this is a problem, but it isnt entirely the fault of those who say "Hello Taislin" even though you're disguised. Its contributed to by the fact that clothes in NWN are only so customizable. For example, if I'm wearing a hood, i cant show whether I'm wearing it low so that my face is obscured or whether I have it up so my face shows but it covers my head (i.e. the hooded head where the face shows.) Also, people often change clothing styles and, since they are not "disguised" (trying to change thier voice, hiding their face etc) they expect people to be able to recognize them, so thats kind of the default reaction.

I would suggest, as a way to signify you are diguised with the limitations of hte game mechanics, that you setup a quickslot macro that describes how you are dressed. Face isnt visible, speaks in a low(er) voice, walks stiffly as opposed to his usual loping gait... or something like that. Then just spam that eveytime someone walks up. well, not spam, but you know what I mean. You may have to split it into two quickslots if its too long. I realize spellcasters are short on quickslots

but, two temporarily for this purpose would be worth it I think. The only problem is that people may think "oh, he's describing his appearance, that means I should go over and be suspicious!" heh But hopefully overall it will work out better than not doing it and haveing people recognize you.

-TV

Cp_Winddancer · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2006, 03:10:13 PM »

One thing I would suggest to you is when someone does say "Hello Taislin" like that simply request s spot check against disguise. Have a GM give you a DC for your new outfit. Just an idea.

Lilswanwillow · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2006, 03:20:14 PM »

or, ask them who Taislin is, and say your name is _____ and your new in town.

FlameStrike · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2006, 03:20:48 PM »

Reminds me of a certain drow in full plate being easily recognized as such, hehe.

aragwen · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2006, 09:41:10 PM »

I agree with Talan here. The responsibility is with you to let people know you are in disguise otherwise people who know you will just assume it is you.
And the just because you have a disguise does not mean people wont recognise you. You will have to give people the chance to roll probably spot to see if they can recognise you. As far as the DC goes, that would depend on how well people know you in the first place and how good the disguise it. Even wearing a helmet there is a lot of things that will give you away. Voice and body language being two thatjump into my head straight away. I would say a DC of between 20-30 should probably be sufficient to recognise you.

lonnarin · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2006, 10:03:48 PM »

Quote

FlameStrike - 2/5/2006 3:20 PM

Reminds me of a certain drow in full plate being easily recognized as such, hehe.

You think you had it bad, try being a Dread Pirate for a day. 5 distinctly different disguises, and folk still have X-ray vision.

Acacea · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2006, 10:14:53 PM »

I'm sort of torn between agreement and a "just deal with it, everyone has to at some point." There are a lot of cases where people blow decent disguises because of the floaty name, and also many more where there is perfectly good reason for recognizing a disguised character. Either way, reminding people to think twice before identifying a silent figure cloaked from head to toe across a city crowded with NPCs, is not necessarily a bad thing.

Yes, the disguise itself is not enough, you have to roleplay it and emote it and all that, and may still be recognized. But if you don't type at the speed of light, it's hard to get out a description before half the people in the town blurt out your name.

Just put a little thought and roleplay into it on both sides, is all I'm saying.

(Miss the Jarvis-Dread Pirate diguise. =P)

Edit to point to what Talan said about the quickslotting a "HEY GUYS, GUESS WHO" macro. (Maybe not that one, exactly.)

Weeblie · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2006, 12:29:49 AM »

Bioware's fault for not adding "disable-floating-names-script-functions".

Varnart · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:00:04 AM »

Quote

Acacea - 2/6/2006 6:14 AM But if you don't type at the speed of light, it's hard to get out a description before half the people in the town blurt out your name. Just put a little thought and roleplay into it on both sides, is all I'm saying. (Miss the Jarvis-Dread Pirate diguise. =P) Edit to point to what Talan said about the quickslotting a "HEY GUYS, GUESS WHO" macro. (Maybe not that one, exactly.)

Exactly,this is the problem, I can't type fast enough to warn people. Especially since most of the time I am already typing something else. And, I DO try to say that Taislin is disguised, and I have even made a macro about him using another voice tone. Just hope people read this post.
About the DC, what would it be? Aragwen said between 20 and 30, but what exactly? I'm wearing clothes with that robe type that looks like chainmail, wearing a helmet, speaking in a low baritone voice instead of a halfling's usual high-pitched one, through a helmet that covers his entire face, and I'm not even talking as much as Taislin usually does. I'm wielding a shortsword and a shortbow, sometimes showing a flag of Deliar.
What do you guys suggest for DC?

Harlas Ravelkione · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:16:14 AM »

Do you have any skill points in bluff? If not, Taislin may not be as good at disguising himself as he thinks he is. His attempts at lowering his voice may not fool anyone who knows Taislin fairly well, and the helmet may not fit a halfling, and his fighting style (even though he does his best to change it) is probably much like it always was - especially in pressed situations.

ZeroVega · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:26:43 AM »

I agree with Harlas. That's what the skills are there for. Not just for DM quests, but for PC to PC interaction. I have a question about this as well though. If you roll a Bluff Check, Intimidate, or Persuade, what would the roll Opposing it be? Wisdom, Intelligence, both? Or would a Bluff check be countered by another Bluff check?

Frendh · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:28:23 AM »

Varnart: This would need to be checked with a GM, but how about creating a new
character with a new name. Of course same race etc. And have that be the disguise.
If you have a description, then don't forget to add the same height, eyecolor etc
if you had them in before.

Varnart · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:30:33 AM »

Harlas, the combat style can't be the same because usually Taislin uses a sling for ranged and a two-handed warhammer for melee. Now, he uses a shortbow for ranged, and a one-handed shortsword for melee.
Zero, in PnP they're opposed by a Sense Motive check, but since we don't have that here, I'd guess opposed checks. Also, how much would the DC increase by when Taislin finally talks to the expert in disguises he contacted?
Frendh, a new character wouldn't have the spells of a 9th level wizard, or the fighting prowess of one either. Thanks for the idea though!

Rayenoir · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2006, 09:41:54 AM »

When I ran into Taislin the other day with Yardislan, I had him make a bluff check vs. my listen check when he first spoke to me (Since Yard is, much to his own dismay, rather familiar with Taislin

). I never really understood the Sense Motive check when it seems to me that a visual disguise should be a Spot check, and the changing of voice a Listen check.

Frendh · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2006, 12:22:21 PM »

You don't need the lvls to run around disguised in Hlint.

Varnart · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2006, 01:40:36 PM »

The problem is, I also adventure in disguise.

Varnart · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2006, 01:46:49 PM »

Oh, forgot to add, I am also using the fake name Wilimac Goldblade.

Stephen_Zuckerman · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2006, 01:52:56 PM »

Sense Motive isn't the opposed PnP roll for Disguise; it's Spot, like you figured.

As for on Layo... Opposed to Bluff, I would usually rule, would be either an opposed Bluff check (achieved liars can catch other liars!) or a Will Save (I attempt to disbelieve!); player's choice.

Sure, for the nice disguise set, you could roll Listen, Spot, and Lore [for the fighting style; it's your general Knowledge thingy] individually, but a simple opposed Bluff would work as well.

As for DC...

Base 10, plus helmet and armor 5, plus voice 5, plus weaponry and fighting style 5, plus Bluff modifier for Taislin X. Comes to 25+X.

But that's just my random judgement as a player, and as a PnP DM.

ZeroVega · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2006, 02:12:11 PM »

Stephen,

That looks like a pretty good DC to me, however I would lower the base by 5. 20 + X at Taislin's level could get him about 25-26, which is a pretty large DC for a level 9 character. Also, you won't hear that his voice doesn't really sound like that and instantly thing "Taislin!" It gets complicated, so I like Listen, Spot, and Lore instead. Have 20 be the base DC + Bluff modifier and the opposing would be either Spot, Listen, or Lore. *shrugs* Should get interesting when done right.