Expansion of Ability descriptions.

When I made the Ability descriptions, I tried to keep them short and concise so as not to distract too much of the player's attention during character creation. Well, the descriptions seem to be concise. But probably not quite comprehensive enough. Right now I'm thinking about expanding the Ability descriptions a little bit on the not-so-obvious aspects.

It should look something like this:

Vigor

[Old description, hereafter they will remain unchanged]

Vigor is a combination of strength, toughness, endurance, and health. The physical capabilities of vigorous people are far superior to those of the same sex and age. When it comes to pure physical challenges, they are like fish in water - it's their native element.

[Additional points we're talking about]

Also:

• Overall physical condition and fitness, not muscle mass.

• Health and immunity. Resistance to disease, environmental substances, drugs, and alcohol.

As you can see, there's a clarification here that Vigor doesn't count for muscle mass, so the players don't have to worry about creating a bodybuilder-chick if they put a lot of points into Vigor.

Here's a preliminary list of expansions for the rest of the Abilities:

Agility

Agility is coordination, plasticity, and flexibility, a general measure of body control and fluidity of movement. An agile person is like a cat that always lands on four paws. Can easily perform an outstanding acrobatic feat or bend with such flexibility that even looking at it would be painful.

Also:

• Act physically fast and impetuous in dangerous or stressful situations.

• Overall possibility to act and react quickly in all situations, like catching an object on the fly, keeping balance, and the like.

Perception

Perception is a general observation, a keen eye, and accuracy. Perceptive people have unusually keen senses, often noticing things that escape others, such as quiet movement behind them or fleeting changes in facial expression during a conversation. They are difficult to deceive or take by surprise.

Also:

• Noticing hidden things, both in surroundings and people, but only what can be noticed with the senses.

Mind

Mind is a combination of intelligence, logic, memory, and erudition. Smart people tend to think things through and often find clues where others will just pass by. Besides, they are particularly good at speaking abilities based on reasoning, such as persuasion, negotiation, and bargaining.

Also:

• Analyze situations, people, and experiences. Notice the hidden, but only what can be deduced with the help of logic, erudition, or common sense.

Willpower

Willpower is self-control and discipline, resistance to fear, pain, disgust, carnal desires, or other people's influence. Another side of willpower is the capability to project own personality onto people around: motivating, inspiring, suppressing, or intimidating them. Willpower gives control over both oneself and others, and few will be able to resist.

Also:

• Strength of personality and resistance to other people's influence, like seduction, intimidation, or imposition of one's opinion.

• Act fearlessly in fearful situations.

• Possibility, but not necessarily an inclination, for dominant behavior.

Intrigue

Intrigue is the general capability to manipulate others with cunning, deception, or charm. Intriguers are natural actors with excellent control over their facial expressions and tone of voice. They can charm or fool someone without much effort.

Also:

• Possibility for stealth and mental tricks in stressful or dangerous situations.

Why?

So that players choose character abilities more deliberately. The purpose of the expansions is to shed light on non-obvious points, without over-extending the descriptions themselves. Only the most important (and not the most obvious).

For example, the description expansion to Willpower has a direct reference to seduction resistance. Considering how many complaints I've read about Cadonis and his (possible) seduction of Selene... I think this is a reasonable addition.

What'd I miss?

Did you have a feeling during the game, like, “Oh, this Ability is responsible for that too?!” Please remember where exactly and why you had that feeling of... non-obviousness. I'll try to put it into a new paragraph for the target Ability.

Is it even needed?

The vote will last two weeks. If you cancel these changes, so be it, all descriptions will remain as before. After all, I'm doing this for you and also for new players.

Once patron voting is complete (13.05.2024), this post will be open to all.