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mental_attributes

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Mental Attributes

Mental Traits cover thinking, reasoning, memory, intelligence, awareness of one’s surroundings, sharp observation, and the ability to think, learn, and react. These Attributes help to determine, among other things, awareness of the world around your character, and their reaction time.

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 overlooked detail, whether physical or otherwise.

  • * Poor: Perhaps you are absurdly self-absorbed, perhaps merely an airhead. In any event, watch out for that car!
  • •• Average: The very subtle evades you, but you’re aware of the bigger picture.
  • ••• Good: You perceive moods, textures, and small changes in your environment.
  • •••• Exceptional: Almost nothing escapes your notice.
  • ••••• Outstanding: You instantly observe things almost imperceptible to human senses.

Specialties: Attentive, Insightful, Careful, Discerning, Tactical

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.

  • * Poor: Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
  • •• Average: Smart enough to realize you’re normal.
  • ••• Good: More enlightened than the masses.
  • •••• Exceptional: You’re not just bright, you’re downright brilliant.
  • ••••• Outstanding: Certified genius.

Specialties: Book Knowledge, Creative, Analytical, Problem Solver, 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.

  • * Poor: Pull my finger.
  • •• Average: You know when to bet or fold in poker.
  • ••• Good: You are seldom surprised or left speechless.
  • •••• Exceptional: You’re one of the people who make others think, “Ooh, I should have said…” the next day.
  • ••••• Outstanding: You think and respond almost more quickly than you can act.

Specialties: Getting the Jump on Others, Witty Bon Mots, Changes in Strategy, Ambushes

mental_attributes.1387765668.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/12/04 00:43 (external edit)