Attributes

Strength
Strength is the raw, brute power of a character. It governs how much weight a character can lift, how much he can physically push, and how hard he can hit another character or object. The Strength Trait is added to a character’s damage dice pool when he hits his opponent in hand-to-hand combat. It is also used when a character wishes to break, lift, or carry something, as well as when a character tries to jump a distance. Specialties:  Never Lets Go, Powerful Arms, Reserves of Strength, Vicious, Fists Like Anvils, Lower Body, Lifting, Long Jumping, Sustained Carrying

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. Specialties:  Precise, Swift, Feline Grace, Lightning Reflexes, Sure-Footed, Nimble Fingers, Steady Hand, Flexible, Light Touch

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. Specialties:  Tireless, Determined, Tough as Nails, Vigorous, Resolute, Unbreakable, Resilient, Enduring, High Pain Threshold

Presence
Presence is a character’s ability to entice and please others through her personality and good looks. Presence comes into question when a character tries to win another character’s sympathies or encourage others to trust her. Presence 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.) Specialties:  Graceful, Smooth Talker, Forceful, Urbane, Witty, Eloquent, Hustler, Genteel, Witty, Air of Confidence, Captivating, Commanding Voice, Infectious Humor, Amusing, Confidant, Diplomatic, Persuasive, Trustworthy

Manipulation
Manipulation measures a character’s ability for self expression in the interests of getting others to share her outlook or follow her whims. In short, it’s getting others to do what she wants. Manipulation comes into play when a character tries to influence or subtly guide another’s behavior. Manipulation is used to trick, bluff, fast-talk, and railroad other characters. Whether or not the characters in question actually like the manipulator is irrelevant (this is why Manipulation differs from Charisma). After all, a skilled motivator can even employ the talents of people who hate her.

Manipulation is a dangerous affair, though it is way many characters primarily affect the world around them. Failed attempts at manipulation often earn the ire of the would-be patsy. Botching a Manipulation roll may add a name to the character’s list of enemies. People are manipulated every day, and typically ignore it. (“Would you run to the store for me?”) If the fact is brought to their attention, however, many people become quite defensive.

Manipulation can be the most powerful tool in a character’s repertoire, but failure can be disastrous. Characters with high Manipulation ratings are often distrusted by those around them. Specialties:  Persuasive, Seductive, Well-Reasoned, Misdirection, Conjurer of “Facts”, Forked Tongue, Unswerving Logic, Double-talk, Cunning, Deceitful, Glib, Patient, Subtle, Underhanded

Composure
The composure attribute is a measure of how well a character can keep a level head in times of great stress. A well composed character is more resistant to social situations. They have ability to stay focused and calm under emotional pressure, and to resist emotional manipulation. This greatly enhances the characters ability to understand 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 overlook-able detail, whether physical or otherwise. Specialties:  Attentive, Insightful, Careful, Discerning, Tactical, Experienced, Eyes in the Back of Your Head, Farsighted, Uncanny Instincts, Detail-Oriented, Intuitive, Empathetic, Keen-Eyed, Paranoid, Sharp Hearing

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. Specialties:  Book Knowledge, Creative, Analytical, Problem Solver, Subject Authority, Probability Calculation, Trivia, Discerning, Logical, Pragmatic, Scholarly

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. Specialties:  Getting the Jump on Others, Witty Bon Mots, Changes in Strategy, Ambushes, Snappy Patter, Snappy Retorts, Cool-Headed, Cunning, Clever, Insults, One Step Ahead, Survival

Resolve
Resolve is not to be confused with Willpower. Resolve is your character’s ongoing focus. Think of it as his long-term purpose, like a career plan. Willpower reflects your character’s short-term highs and lows, his ability to dedicate himself in brief efforts to overcome challenges. Resolve does contribute to your character’s Willpower dots, though.