Attributes #
An Attribute is a broad measurement of your character’s physical, mental, and social core competencies. Attributes determine multiple components for the rest of your character, namely the number of d10 you roll for Action Rolls based on that attribute, the Threshold you need to roll in order to achieve a Hit, and it also serves as the calculation foundation for your Defenses, many of your Pools, and your Statistics.
Because Attributes play a critical roll in Action Checks, and are the sole determinant of all the character’s Pools, Defenses, and Statistics, they have the highest rate of return. Still, it is wise to not spend more than half your CP on Attributes. Avoid the temptation to “tweak” an attribute into the 7 or 8 range at character creation. A spread of attributes in the 4 to 5 range, with one or two at a 6, will create a balanced character that has no real exploitable weaknesses.
There are 8 Attributes for a character that you can buy into: Charisma, Coordination, Endurance, Intellect, Quickness, Sensitivity, Strength, and Willpower.
Charisma #
Charisma is a measure of how likeable a person is. Many factors play into measuring this. Physical appearance is only one component of this. Their ability to communicate, self-confidence, sense of humor, and charm can also factor in to their Charisma. Charisma is important in Social Scenes, and also factors into defenses like Grit. In combat, the ability to inspire and motivate your allies derives from Charisma, and magic that deals with the manipulation of spirits is also grounded in Charisma.
Charisma Based Skills
Command, Bonds Magic, Persuade
Coordination #
Coordination represents both ambulatory grace, body mechanics, as well as manual dexterity. Moving with precision, or fine tune manipulation are dependent on Coordination. Coordination is the most leveraged skill for combat scenes, as many of the more precise weapons rely on it. Coordination is used for both ranged attacks, as well as many melee attacks. It can also be important In Infiltration Scenes, as Coordination governs your ability to stealth
Coordination Based Skills
Agility, Dexterity, Stealth, Handguns, Missile Weapons, Swords, Unarmed Combat
Endurance #
Endurance is a measure of a character’s physical stamina, tolerance, and resilience. Making extended hikes, performing long feats of exertion, and recovering from illness or poison are based dependent on Endurance. Endurance has little application on Skills, but is critical in deriving many statistics.
Endurance Based Skills
Blood Magic
Intellect #
Intellect refers to the character’s capacity to deduce, understand, and think on their feet. Intellect is not be confused with knowledge. It is a measure of the capability of the character to think logically, and to suss out a challenge, seeing potential paths and outcomes. Intellect has broad application in Planning and Social Scenes.
Intellect Based Skills
Cunning, Gunnery, Axiomatic Magic
Quickness #
Quickness is a measure of a character’s speed, and ability to react, as well as their footwork and mobility. Quickness factors into many statistics, including Speed, Body Power, and Reflexes. Quickness is instrumental in many Chase Scenes as well as Combat. Fast attack weapons like knives, or whips, use the Quickness attribute.
Quickness Based Skills
Mobility, Close Weapons, Flexible Weapons
Sensitivity #
Sensitivity measures attentiveness, and your ability to catch details, or find things through one or more senses. Seeing, touching, hearing, smelling, are all measures of Sensitivity. Sensitivity is instrumental to determining defenses like Awareness, and statistics such as Reflexes. Sensitivity can help find dangers in Exploration Scenes, find critical clues in investigations, and is used to use shoulder braced or sighted range attacks (crossbows, rifles, etc.)
Sensitivity Based Skills
Observation, Long Arms
Strength #
Strength is your ability to apply physical pressure and force, generate momentum and power, lift, carry, and physically overpower. Strength informs statistics, such as Body Power, and Stability. Strength is critical in physical combat scenarios.
Strength Based Skills
Athletics, Hafted Weapons
Willpower #
Willpower represents your conviction, and emotional fortitude. It is used in determining factors such as Grit and Spirit Defense, your Reserve and Life Pool, and is useful in determining your Magic Power. Magic that shapes and manipulates raw magical energy use Willpower.
Willpower Based Skills
Focus Magic
Attribute Benchmarks #
What is a good attribute level? Remember, you are generating a character here. They will gain more Character Points as the Saga progresses, and their attributes can improve over time. It is advised to not spend more than 60% of your starting character points on attributes.
Low (Level 1-2)
An Attribute in this range is considered sub-par by Human standards. These attributes are under-utilized, or the character suffers from a deficiency in this area.
Average (Level 3-4)
Most humans that are healthy have attributes in this range.
Above Average (Level 5-6)
These attributes have seen practiced use, and are considered remarkable by human standards.
Peak Human (Level 7-8)
Attributes in this range represent the best a human can obtain. It is the peak of the human condition.
Paragon (Level 9-10)
It is rare for a human to obtain an attribute in this range. It would take special circumstances to be both be born with an aptitude for it, and to have diligently trained a lifetime in improving it.
Level 11+
Attributes in these ranges are the domain of beasts, fae, monsters, and legendary creatures.