It's Not Just Bards

We've all heard the stories, and a few of us have seen the stereotype in action. The bard is the member of the party who attempts to seduce the queen, to hit on the bar wench, and in some circumstances who attempts to become the dragon's pet, suggestive tone of voice very much implied. They're also the faceman who does the talking when the party needs to enter a social challenge, the one who haggles with the shopkeepers, and the one who works the room to gather rumors and find a lead on the latest gossip. However, while the bard is famed for their potent use of Charisma, I think that we often forget they're far from the only class whose raw force of personality can be a powerful weapon in and of itself.

So I thought I'd just throw out a handful of character classes that we often overlook that can be just as socially dangerous, but which don't get the same time in the spotlight...

... likely because the bard is still standing in it, but that's neither here nor there.

The following suggestions are from the Pathfinder RPG, so these options may not exist in different fantasy games. Just a disclaimer to keep in mind going forward. And if you get a chuckle out of this, I would also recommend checking out Partners and Polycules: Polyamorous Designations Based Off Dungeons & Dragons Dice, along with the rest of my Vocal archive.

#1: The Paladin

Holy warriors, paladins are dedicated to righteous causes, and they put themselves between the wicked and the helpless. They give heart to fellow warriors on the battlefield, and their sword arms are driven by the grace and power of ironclad vows, and divine grace.

They also become immune to disease, and many of their class features are based off their Charisma score... which makes them an ideal candidate for this little comparison. Because at the end of the day, paladins tend to be genuine heroes... and that selflessness, dedication, and conviction, when paired alongside a charming smile and a noble spirit, can set anyone's heart (or other organs) aflutter. And, you know, they could probably negotiate a ceasefire or a treaty if that was necessary.

#2: The Sorcerer

Sorcerers are those with the ability to warp reality through the sheer, raw will. A gesture and a word, and they force spells into being. Power is attractive in its own right, but when power is combined with powerful aura, and the potency of their Bloodline, sorcerers can easily be one of the most magnetic people in the party, if not any room they find themselves in.

The particular flavor of the sorcerer's social persona varies with both the character's personality, as well as with their particular bloodline powers. For example, an Undead bloodline sorcerer might have the sort of commanding presence one associates with vampires, while a Draconic bloodline sorcerer might combine the regal and the savage into a singular whole. An Aberrant bloodline sorcerer might have a bizarre and compelling nature to them, while a Fey bloodline sorcerer could lend a dreamlike air of unreality to those who meet them, making catching their eye feel like something out of a storybook, or a campfire legend.

If the paladin is a genuine Good Guy, then the sorcerer has the potential to play the Bad Boy... and only the gods above can stop them if your party has one of each, and they decide to go bar hopping.

#3: The Swashbuckler

Not everyone goes for the dashing swordsman, but you know the type. The way they casually rest their wrist on the pommel of their weapon, completely comfortable and confident in their ability to draw and run someone through in the blink of an eye. The rakish tilt of their hat. The swagger in their step that's almost like a dance. It's enough to make anyone's heart beat a little faster... though whether it's out of fear, attraction, or a combination of both, differs from one person to another.

The swashbuckler combines martial prowess with Charisma to accomplish unlikely (and sometimes seemingly impossible) feats. But while their deeds in the dueling circle are all well and good, that same style and Panache that serves them so well with steel in their hands can be wielded in more... elegant circumstances. Whether it's down in a dock front bar, or making small talk among the nobles at the duke's ball, swashbucklers are not to be underestimated in feats of clever wordplay, flirtation, and diplomacy.

#4: The Mesmerist

While the occult classes were all strange and unusual in their own rights, very few of them are as slippery as the mesmerist. Able to look into someone's eyes and twist their very perceptions, mesmerists wield their potent Charisma and psychic magic the way a duelist might fight with a case of daggers. And while some mesmerists may rely primarily on their charm, knowing that their strange powers will sow paranoia and distrust, others... well, others are capable of getting whatever they want with their silver tongues.

Mesmerists can straddle a line between heroes and villains in a way only understood by enchanters. Because while their skillful speech and persuasive minds may not harm the body, one must ask whether the person they focused their attentions on was truly a willing participant, or if they were merely a puppet on a string, unable to truly say no until the mesmerist turned their back, and walked away. A dark side of the discussion, certainly, but heroes are not the only ones who wield a cult of personality.

#5: The Oracle

The gods have many servants, and one of the most misunderstood are the oracles. Cursed beings whose magic comes from a divine font, but who avoid the prayers of clerics and the oaths of paladins, oracles are strange and mysterious... and few things can peak the interest of others like a mystery, pun very much intended.

Oracles are a swirl of different paints that makes a fresh, new color. Like the sorcerer, they are a wellspring of power, but divine like the paladin instead of arcane. Their Curse and Mystery create a unique whole that can often enhance their natural Charisma. Even oracles that present as dangerous or disturbing may have a primordial appeal to onlookers, who are uncertain exactly where the line between fear and desire should be drawn. While some may be able to blend in more with society, slipping into conversations and subtly manipulating those around them, others will wield their willpower and Charisma like hammers. Either way, though, oracles are just as likely as any bard to leave admirers in their wake, and for people to whisper about what they're truly like behind closed doors.

Like, Share, and Follow For More!

That's all for this week's Unusual Character Concept! For more of my work, check out my Vocal archive, and stop by the YouTube channels for Azukail Games as well as the audio drama channel The A.L.I.C.E. Files! Or if you'd like to read some of my books, like my sword and sorcery novel Crier's Knife or my latest short story collection The Rejects, head over to My Amazon Author Page!

To stay on top of all my latest releases, follow me on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and now on Pinterest as well! And if you'd like to help support me and my work, consider Buying Me A Ko-Fi or heading over to The Literary Mercenary's Patreon page to become a regular, monthly patron! Even a little bit of help can go a long way, trust me on that one.