3.1 Attributes

Each character has six attributes: Strength (Str), Dexterity (Dex), Constitution (Con), Intelligence (Int), Perception (Per), and Willpower (Wil). These attributes have a wide range of effects on a character’s core statistics.

Each attribute represents a character’s raw talent in that area. A 0 in an attribute represents average human capability. That doesn’t mean that every commoner has a 0 in every attribute; not everyone is average, after all. Player characters have an average attribute higher than 0 because they are exceptional individuals. For details about determining your attributes, see Step 4 of Character creation, here.

Your attributes can increase after character creation, such as by reaching level 3 (see Character Advancement and Gaining Levels). Increasing your attributes generally changes all of their effects appropriately.

3.1.1 Strength (Str)

Strength measures your muscle and physical power. Characters with a high Strength tend to have strong offensive capabilities with nonmagical abilities, and prefer wearing heavier armor. It has the following effects:

• Strength determines how much you can carry (see Weight Limits). You generally need a Strength of at least 1 to wear heavy body armor.
• You add your Strength to your mundane power (see Power).
• You add your Strength to your level to determine your accuracy with Brawling attacks (see Brawling Accuracy).
• A very high Strength can allow you to use Heavy weapons in one hand (see Weapon Tags).
• If your Strength is positive, you reduce your encumbrance from armor by an amount equal to your Strength (see Encumbrance).
• You add your Strength to Strength-based skills: Climb, Jump, and Swim (see Skills).

3.1.2 Dexterity (Dex)

Dexterity measures your hand-eye coordination, agility, and reflexes. Characters with a high Dexterity tend to have strong defensive capabilities, and prefer wearing lighter armor. It has the following effects:

• You add your Dexterity to your Armor defense. This bonus is halved if you use medium or heavy armor (see Table 9.10: Armor and Shields).
• You add your Dexterity to your Reflex defense.
• You add your Dexterity to Dexterity-based skills: Balance, Flexibility, Ride, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth (see Skills).

3.1.3 Constitution (Con)

Constitution represents your health and stamina. Characters with a high Constitution tend to have strong defensive capabilities. It has the following effects:

• Your Constitution increases your hit points, as defined by your class (see Classes).
• You add your Constitution to your fatigue tolerance (see Fatigue).
• You add your Constitution to your Fortitude defense.
• You add your Constitution to the Constitution-based skill: Endurance (see Skills).

3.1.4 Intelligence (Int)

Intelligence represents how well you learn and reason. Characters with a high Intelligence tend to have more options and special abilities. It has the following effects:

• If your Intelligence is positive, you gain a number of trained skills equal to your Intelligence (see Trained Skills).
• You add your Intelligence to the number of insight points you gain (see Insight Points).
• You add your Intelligence to Intelligence-based skills: Craft, Deduction, Disguise, Knowledge, and Medicine (see Skills).

Creatures incapable of complex cognition and speech, like animals, have an Intelligence of -6 or lower. Creatures capable of speech have an Intelligence of at least -5.

Changing Intelligence

When your Intelligence permanently increases, you also permanently gain an additional insight point and trained skill. Temporary Intelligence modifiers, such as from magic items, do not affect your insight points or trained skills.

3.1.5 Perception (Per)

Perception describes your ability to observe and be aware of your surroundings. Characters with a high Perception tend to have strong offensive capabilities. It has the following effects:

• You add your Perception to your level to determine your accuracy with almost all attacks (see Accuracy).
• You add your Perception to Perception-based skills: Awareness, Creature Handling, Social Insight, and Survival (see Skills).

3.1.6 Willpower (Wil)

Willpower represents your ability to endure mental hardships. Characters with a high Willpower tend to be better at attacking with and defending against magical abilities. It has the following effects:

• You add your Willpower to your magical power (see Power).
• You add your Willpower to your Mental defense.