1/24    How does one learn to get charisma?     -engineer
        \_ My theory on charisma:  You have a genetic glass ceiling for how
                                              \_ meaning, physical characteristics
           much charisma you can obtain.  Most people function below this
           ceiling (either because it's too much work to be charismatic, or
           they haven't developed the knack).  I think the best way is spend
           a lot of time around people and learn them, like you would learn
           a machine or a programming language.  Learn what makes them tick,
           and what makes them happy.  The way of charisma is the way of
           manipulating a complicated human machine.  A lot of this knowledge
           will be subconscious and difficult to articulate, but that's how it
           is with lots of complex skills.
           \_ you're assuming he knows anything about computers or machines.
        \_ learning to spell first helps. nobody likes a dummy.
           \_ Nothing like a wise-ass comment about someone's typo that
              instantaneously kills charisma. If you want to
              attain charisma, learn how to speak in public. -williamc
              \_ i'm not the one trying to attain it. also, speaking well
                 in public is only one of many parts that contribute
                 to the overall effect.
                 \_ In order to speak well in public one must be able
                    to obviously communicate well. In order to communciate
                    well one must be engaging (people are willing to
                    listen to you in the first place). In order to
                    be engaging one has to have charisma. Charisma
                    is the most important factor in public speaking.
                    Notice how charismatic individuals are elected to
                    public office over less charismatic ones, often
                    to the detriment of public policy. Note, I have
                    said nothing about content, because content is very
                    much secondary to the hoi polloi. Anyway, if you do not
                    have it and you do not seek it, you are probably not
                    qualified to comment on it. -williamc
                    \_ no. it really depends on what kind of charisma you're
                       talking about. a movie star might be described as being
                       charismatic on screen; this means only that he's likeable
                       and you can empathize with him. i wouldn't follow him
                       into war though. there are other kinds of charisma for
                       that; these usually involve conveying an aura of authority,
                       which is often linked to physical and intellectual prowess.
                       \_ we call that "other" form of charisma, "leadership"
        \_ Quaff random potions until you find the Gain Charisma one.
           \_ and there's that magic cloak, too!
           \_ ask your DM.