04 Traits

#rules #traits #merits #flaws

Traits are permanent markers on a character's mind and soul. Some are prerequisites for specialised Shaping Skills, while others provide unique benefits or drawbacks that carry throughout their career.

Positive Traits (Merits)

Merit	Points	Description
Mana Sensitivity	1	+1 die to Divination or Abjuration when detecting magic.
Natural Shaper	2	Choose one School; -1 success required for Base Effects (min 1).
Eidetic Memory	2	+2 dice to Memory checks to resist Sanity Erosion.
Inner Peace	2	Start each adventure with +2 bonus Sanity or Soul Integrity.
Social Chameleon	1	No -1 penalty from "Detachment" (Sanity 7).
Efficiency Matrix	2	Spend 1 less HP for Mana Burn (minimum 0).
Fast Caster	2	Ignore the +2 success penalty for Snap casting once per combat.
Soul Anchor	3	Once per loop, ignore 1 point of Soul Damage.
Academic Prodigy	1	+2 dice to Calculation rolls for theoretical tasks.
Versatile Mind	3	Once per adventure, swap one dot between two Shaping Skills for a day.
Mana Battery	3	+10 to maximum Mana Capacity.
Iron Will	3	+2 to passive Mind Defense.
Danger Sense	3	Cannot be surprised in combat; act in the first round of an ambush.
Wealthy Patron	2	Substantial cash stipend at the start of every month/loop.
Beast Speaker	1	+2 dice to Survival or Charm when dealing with mundane animals.
Soul Sight	4	Prerequisite for Soul Magic/Spirit Calling. Can see ghosts and the souls of the living.
Empath	2	Prerequisite for Mind Magic. Sensitive to psychic noise (-1 to Calculation in high-trauma areas).
Forbidden Knowledge	3	Prerequisite for Necromancy/Soul Carving. Costs 1 permanent Sanity. Use risks "True Death" deletion by authorities.

Negative Traits (Flaws)

Flaw	Points	Description
Soul Bleed	-3	When you take Soul Damage, take +1 extra point.
Fragile Mind	-2	-2 dice to resist Sanity Erosion.
Mana Blind	-1	Cannot detect magic without a Divination spell.
Social Outcast	-1	Permanent -1 penalty to social rolls (stacks with Sanity).
Academic Struggle	-1	-2 dice to Calculation for theoretical/academic tests.
Magical Static	-1	Your magic is noisy; +1 success required for Silent casting.
Arcane Echoes	-2	Distracted by magical debris from previous castings; occasional -1 penalty.
Weak Will	-2	-2 to passive Mind Defense.
Physical Frailty	-2	Start with 5 Physical Health boxes instead of 7 (skipping Bruised/Hurt).
Nightmares	-1	Start the first day of an adventure with -1 to all mental pools.
Soul Tether	-2	If another Student dies, you take 1 point of Sanity Erosion.
Mana Wasting	-3	All spells cost +1 Mana to cast (cancels out the discount from Mastered Spells).
Open Book	-2	-2 to Mind Defense against telepathic reading or emotional sensing.
Bad Mana Channels	-2	Maximum Ongoing Spell Limit (Calculation) is permanently reduced by 1.
Notorious Family	-1	-1 to Charm and Society rolls when dealing with law-abiding citizens/Academy staff.
Magical Signature Anomaly	-1	Your personal mana signature is highly distinct and lingers for days; Warders/Diviners gain +2 dice to track you.
Severe Phobia	-1 / -2	-2 dice to all actions when confronted with a specific phobia (-1 for uncommon, -2 for common fears).