PHYSICAL
Strength
A measure of sheer physical might, this Trait reflects your ability to move obstacles, lift things, and deal out damage with your fists and feet alone. High-Strength characters tend to be muscular and massive; that said, wiry folks can be surprisingly, even deceptively, strong.
Suggested Specialties: Calves of Steel, Powerful Arms, Diamond Grip, Strength Reserves, Strong Back, Unmovable.
Dexterity
The Dexterity Attribute measures a character’s general physical prowess. It encompasses the character’s speed, agility, and overall quickness, as well as indicating the character’s ability to manipulate objects with control and precision. Also included under Dexterity’s heading are hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and bodily grace.
Suggested Specialties: Deft, Feline Grace, Lightning Reflexes, Lithe, Nimble Fingers, Precise, Swift, Surgeon's Hands.
Stamina
The Stamina Trait reflects a character’s health, toughness, and resilience. It indicates how long a character can exert herself and how much punishment she can withstand before suffering physical trauma. Stamina also includes a bit of psychic fortitude, indicating a character’s grit and tenacity.
Suggested Specialties: Determined, Resilient, Tireless, Tough as Hell, Unbreakable, Vigorous, Unmindful of Pain, Unyielding.
SOCIAL
Charisma
Charisma is a character’s ability to entice and please others through her personality. Charisma comes into question when a character tries to win another character’s sympathies or encourage others to trust her. Charisma reflects the power of a character’s charm and influence. It governs a character’s ability to convince others to see her point of view. This Attribute doesn’t necessarily indicate how the character is charismatic, whether she’s a silver-tongued charmer or a grinning bully. (These should come across through roleplaying and specialties.)
Suggested Specialties: Air of Confidence, Captivating, Charming, Commanding, Eloquent, Forceful, Graceful, Hustler, Infectious Humor, Smooth Talker, Trustworthy, Witty.
Manipulation
Life’s filled with players and pawns. A high-Manipulation character knows how to work her end of that spectrum for maximum effect. Whereas Charisma measures presence and Appearance reflects looks, Manipulation describes social cunning and innate psychology. We manipulate each other all the time, but no one likes to actually see the strings attached. As a result, a blown roll with this Trait can be disastrous.
Suggested Specialties: Calculating, Doubletalk, Evocative, Forked Tongue, Misdirection, Persuasive, Tempting, Seductive, Silver-Tongued, Well-Reasoned.
Appearance
Never underestimate the power of a pretty face! This Trait captures the appeal of sheer physical beauty… or the painful lack of it. Appearances can be deceiving, of course, especially among mages. Still, we’re hard-wired to respond well to a cute butt or a captivating grin.
Suggested Specialties: Specialties: Alluring, Aristocratic, Exotic, Fashion Sense, Gorgeous, Noble Bearing, Photogenic, Sexy, Unconventional Looks, Unforgettable Face.
MENTAL
Perception
Perception measures a character’s ability to observe his environment. This may involve a conscious effort, such as searching an area, but it is more often intuitive, as the character’s keen senses notice something out of the ordinary. Perception is a sensitivity to one’s surroundings, and is seldom present in the cynical or jaded (who have seen it all before). Perception is used to determine whether or not a character understands a given situation or detects an environmental stimulus. It can warn a character of ambushes, distinguish a clue from a pile of refuse, or uncover any other hidden or overlookable detail, whether physical or otherwise.
Suggested Specialties: Acute, Attentive, Careful, Detail-Oriented, Discerning, Farsighted, Insightful, Tactical, Uncanny Instincts.
Intelligence
The Intelligence Attribute refers to a character’s grasp of facts and knowledge. It also governs a character’s ability to reason, solve problems, and evaluate situations. Intelligence also includes critical thinking and flexibility of thought. Intelligence does not include savvy, wisdom, or common sense, as those are properties of the character’s personality, not Traits. Even the smartest character may be too foolish to realize the thugs who want to “borrow” her car keys are up to no good. Characters with low Intelligence aren’t necessarily stupid (though they might be); they are just uneducated or simple thinkers. Likewise, characters with high Intelligence aren’t all Einsteins; they may be better at rote memorization or have particularly keen judgment.
Suggested Specialties: Analytical, Astute, Book-Smart, Calculating, Creative, Elephant-like Memory, Problem Solver, Puzzle Fiend, Subject Authority.
Wits
The Wits Trait measures the character’s ability to think on her feet and react quickly to a certain situation. It also reflects a character’s general cleverness. Characters with low Wits ratings are thick and mentally lethargic, or maybe gullible and unsophisticated. By contrast, characters with high Wits Traits almost always have a plan immediately and adapt to their surroundings with striking expedience. Characters with high Wits also manage to keep their cool in stressful situations.
Suggested Specialties: Adaptable, Ambushes, Cool-Headed, Cunning, Level-Headed, Sharp-Tongued, Snappy Retorts, Strategy Change, Unsurprisable.