The most charismatic character

[stonemaybe]

Most captivating....

Mhoram
Vain
Croyel (so CUTE!)
Caeriol(?) Wildwood

[Rocksister]

Hail, Chuchi, I'm glad I'm not alone here as a Giant. As is most likely obvious, I'm a female Giant, so that's why the stories surrounding Pitchwife and the First are so attractive to me. Theirs is a love story that blossomed from tragedy. You know how us girls are suckers for love stories! Matter of fact, the Giants' definining central characteristic is love itself. Love of life, love of stories, love of each other, love of stone and sea, love of work, love of communion, etc., on and on. They make you feel impoverished because there aren't beings like them in existence that you can meet and be friends with. Kind of makes me think of the Hobbits in the LOTR books. Hmmm, interesting parallel.........

[rusmeister]

I find it interesting that Mhoram comes up for the prime reason that he is the most moral character. There is nothing, not even his own personal goals, that are as strong as his beliefs - in letting Covenant go in TPTP he typifies the ultimate of faith trumping dependence on this world, so very much a hallmark of (true) Christianity - a realization that if you destroy who you are, it doesn't really matter what you save (the American gov't should take lessons on what they think they will accomplish in Iraq).
That was echoed in the 2nd series, esp. by Covenant and Linden, for whom such choices regularly stood out, but none as stark as Mhoram's.

But favorite character..? That's not fair. Pitchwife is the closest thing to Mhoram in the 2nd series. And Hyrim does deserve a special mention for being Giant-like, while fully recognizing his weaknesses. (I'm re-reading WGW) at the moment)

[paradox]

I do believe Thomas Covenant has the highest charisma of all... although everyone he touches is destroyed, it seems that everyone is willing to forgive him. Heck, even The ghosts of Atiaran, Trell, and Lena were willing to help him. and they are the ones that hate him most of all.

I mean, charisma is not just getting people to like you. Look at Hitler: he may have been a monster but he was one charismatic sonofabitch.

[Borillar26]

Are you kidding me.
Thomas Convenant. Thomas Convenant.
The ramen love him. The ranyhyn rear to him. The bloodguard serve him. The giants name him Giantfriend. Songs are written about him. People in his "real world" admire his books (bestsellers.) He resembles Berek Halfhand the Lord Fatherer, instant charisma baby. The lomillialor accepts him, well sort of. Linden Avery falls for him. Sunder and Hollian forsaked all they knew for him. The sandgorgons bowed to him. The creator picked him. And on and on and on....That's charisma. And for those of you who say, well it's only because he has the white gold I say: "The deed was done by your hand. No one in the Land could do such a thing. Will you accept it?"

[A Gunslinger]

Are you kidding me.
Thomas Convenant. Thomas Convenant.
The ramen love him. The ranyhyn rear to him. The bloodguard serve him. The giants name him Giantfriend. Songs are written about him. People in his "real world" admire his books (bestsellers.) He resembles Berek Halfhand the Lord Fatherer, instant charisma baby. The lomillialor accepts him, well sort of. Linden Avery falls for him. Sunder and Hollian forsaked all they knew for him. The sandgorgons bowed to him. The creator picked him. And on and on and on....That's charisma. And for those of you who say, well it's only because he has the white gold I say: "The deed was done was done by your hand. No one in the Land could do such a thing. Will you accept it?"

I don't knopw that you can say the Ramen LOVE him. A number of the responses you list have to do with FEAR of him, and out of respect/fear of the power of the white gold. However, since Mhoram figured out the paradox (you ARE the white gold)...you are correct in a sense. For HUMAN charisma...pound for pound I say Mhoram is the most purely charismatic!

[Borillar26]

Fear and respect is a part of charisma. Don't get me wrong Mhoram is my favorite character next to Borillar of course. It just goes to show you that you don't need pages and pages of description to show the many depths of one character. Borillar for High Lord.

[iQuestor]

Paradox said:

although everyone he touches is destroyed, it seems that everyone is willing to forgive him.

How can anyone argue with that?

[Alsem]

I kinda agree with Borillar26 about Covenant. But I think there is a big difference between Mhoram and Covenant, although they are both charismatic, The Lord have perfection in charisma, he knows his strength and his weaknesses and cope with that and he always face challenge when it arise. Doing all he can and leave the rest to fate. The Ur-lord on the other hand is as everybody knows a paradox, capable of the worst as of good. He is lost and found, wise and fool. He is the white gold wielder, lol

[SleeplessOne]

There are plenty of characters with magnetic, compelling personalities in TCTC; equally there are many with more subtle, complex plights that make there actions a matter of great interest ...

for sheer charisma;

Foul !! - when he speaks all else is rendered irrelevant; Foul's pronouncements are as compelling as a word from God

Mhoram - when Ravers touch him, *they* are daunted

Elena - she captured my imagination instantly; the Lords of LFB had seemed frail and impotent despite their dignity and commitment; Prothall, Osondrea and the unfullfilled potential of Mhoram relied on their wisdom and a few tricks garnered from Kevin's 1st Ward to help them on their quest for the Staff of Law - in the end Prothall attempted to physically restle the Staff from Drool Rockworms hands with sheer determination - but the introduction of Elena in TIW seemed to usher in a new age for the Lords of the Land; Lord's Fire spouted from her staff at every given opportunity and she seemed potent, fatal and forged to combat Despite ... her downfall was therefore all the more bitter

Samadhi Sheol Raver - struts about his army of a gazillion Cavewights, Ur-Viles and Stone-wrought creatures like he's Elvis during TIW. At times appears to be genuinely amused at the Lord's efforts to thwart him. The dude was a nutter.

Covenant - 5th !? You can't do this to me !! - charasmatic in an unsettling way, particularly during the 1st chrons; like getting stuck next to a drunk on public transport ... 'What do you do for an encore Foul, rape children !?' - see what I mean !? Expostulations like that certainly get ya noticed, but it's not always good attention

Amok - I love that Ward-y guy ! It's kinda hard to enjoy the maddening nature of his riddling-ways upon re-reading TIW, with the foreknowledge of his secret already in my mind, but he's a lotta fun nonetheless - his reaction to his fate was poignant too. Unlike Vain, who was all purpose, Amok had been made with a degree of autonomy, and developed a persona within his purpose.

Caerroil Wildwood - ooh, now he's gotta kinda quiet, ominous charisma - anyone that can garrote a Raver-Giant and squish a fragment of the Illearth Stone whilst singing all the while is gonna make you sit up and take notice - his uncompromising nature makes him a fascinating character

[Ur Dead]

Most charismatic?

Saltheart and Pitchwife.

[iQuestor]

I gotta say that Covenant isn't charismatic:

www.m-w.com/dictionary/charisma

Main Entry: cha·ris·ma
Pronunciation: k&-'riz-m&
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek, favor, gift, from charizesthai to favor, from charis grace; akin to Greek chairein to rejoice -- more at YEARN
1 : a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader)
2 : a special magnetic charm or appeal <the charisma of a popular actor>

The ranyhyn didnt rear to Covenant because of his personal magnetism and charm, they were scared to death of him but realized that , despite his sickly appearance and less-than-sunny disposition, he was the prophecy who held salvation or doom for the Land.

Atarian didn't sacrifice her need for vengeance because Covenant's smile and charm and rosy words won her over, she hated him, but the Oath of Peace and her service to the lands need were above her personal urges.

Even Mhoram, Covenant's Best friend in the Land didnt always understand or agree with him, especially around what he did to Lena, but he trusted the prophecy and the Lands need.

Call the forces that caused the peoples of the Land to serve Covenant whatever you want, but it definately wasn't charisma.