Attributes
Attributes are qualities that every human being possesses to some degree. A person who lacks any rating at all in an Attribute is most likely dead. A single dot represents the low end of human potential. A rating of 2 is average for humanity taken as a whole, and 3 represents distinctly above-average capability. Four dots make the character one of the best in the region in the quality that Attribute represents, and a character with five dots is one of the best in the world, or at least one of the best likely to ever appear in the chronicle.
Contents
Mental
This class of attributes are made up of Intelligence, Perception and Wits. They define a character's cerebral capacities, including such aspects as memory, intelligence, awareness of one's surroundings and the ability to think, learn and react.
Intelligence This Attribute refers to a PC's grasp of facts and knowledge. More importantly, however, it governs a PC's ability to reason, solve problems and evaluate situations. It is almost a misnomer, as the Attribute also includes critical thinking and flexibility of thought. It does not include savvy, wisdom or common sense, as those are other properties of the PC's personality, not Traits. Even the smartest PC may be too foolish to keep her mouth shut or too daft to assume the thugs who want her coin purse are up to no good. PCs with low Intelligence aren't necessarily stupid (though they might be), they are just uneducated or simple thinkers. Likewise, PCs with high Intelligence aren't all Einsteins; they may be better at rote memorization or have particularly keen judgment.
- Specialties: Book Knowledge, Creative, Analytical, Problem Solver, Subject Authority, Lateral Problem Solver, Creative Logic, Probability Calculation, Trivia, Discerning, Logical, Pragmatic, Scholarly
Dots | Attribute Level | Example |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | Not the sharpest knife in the drawer (IQ 80) |
OO | Average | Smart enough to realize you're normal (IQ 100) |
OOO | Good | More enlightened than the masses (IQ 120) |
OOOO | Accomplished | You're not just bright, you're downright brilliant (IQ 140) |
OOOOO | Phenomenal | Certified genius (IQ 160+) |
Perception: Measures a PC's ability to observe its environment. This may involve a conscious effort, such as searching an area, or it could be intuitive, as the PC's keen senses notice something out of the ordinary. It is a sensitivity to the PC's surroundings, and is seldom present in the cynical or jaded (who have seen it all before). It is used to determine whether or not a PC understands a given situation or detects an environmental stimulus. It can warn a PC of ambushes, help a PC identify a metaphor, distinguish a clue from a pile of refuse or uncover any other hidden of overlookable detail, whether physical or otherwise.
- Specialties: Attentive, Insightful, Careful, Discerning, Experienced, Eyes in the Back of Your Head, Farsighted, Uncanny Instincts, Detail-Oriented, Intuitive, Empathetic, Keen-Eyed, Paranoid, Sharp Hearing
Dots | Attribute Level | |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | Perhaps you are absurdly self-absorbed, perhaps merely an airhead; in any event, even the most obvious details elude you. |
OO | Average | You are oblivious to the very subtle, but aware of the bigger picture. |
OOO | Good | You perceive moods, textures and minuscule changes in your environment. |
OOOO | Accomplished | Almost nothing evades your notice. |
OOOOO | Phenomenal | You instantly observe things almost imperceptible to human senses. |
Wits This trait measures the PC's ability to think on her feet and react quickly to a certain situation. It also reflects a PC's general cleverness. PCs with low Wits scores are thick and mentally lethargic, or maybe gullible and unsophisticated. By contrast, PCs with high Wits almost always have a plan immediately and adapt to their surroundings with striking expedience. PCs with high Wits also manage to keep their cool in stressful situations
- Specialties: Getting the Jump on Others, Snappy Patter, Changes in Strategy, Ambushes, Snappy Retorts, Ambushes, Cool-Headed, Cunning, Clear-Headed, Clever, Insults, One Step Ahead, Survival
Dots | Attribute Level | Example |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | |
OO | Average | |
OOO | Good | |
OOOO | Accomplished | |
OOOOO | Phenomenal |
Physical
Physical Attributes define how the condition of a character's body. They indicate how strong, agile and resilient a character is. Physical Attributes should be taken as the primary category for an action-oriented character. There are outside factors that could at times augment ones level, such as merits, flaws and items.
Strength
Dots | Attribute Level | Example |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | |
OO | Average | |
OOO | Good | |
OOOO | Accomplished | |
OOOOO | Phenomenal |
Dexterity
Dots | Attribute Level | Example |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | |
OO | Average | |
OOO | Good | |
OOOO | Accomplished | |
OOOOO | Phenomenal |
Stamana
Dots | Attribute Level | Example |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | |
OO | Average | |
OOO | Good | |
OOOO | Accomplished | |
OOOOO | Phenomenal |
Social
Charisma
Dots | Attribute Level | Example |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | |
OO | Average | |
OOO | Good | |
OOOO | Accomplished | |
OOOOO | Phenomenal |
Manipulation
Dots | Attribute Level | Example |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | |
OO | Average | |
OOO | Good | |
OOOO | Accomplished | |
OOOOO | Phenomenal |
Appearance
Dots | Attribute Level | Example |
---|---|---|
O | Poor | |
OO | Average | |
OOO | Good | |
OOOO | Accomplished | |
OOOOO | Phenomenal |