Attributes, Traits, & Abilities

[Jae]

NRP has undergone many changes throughout the years, and we've used several systems to explain our characters to one another.

Now, our approach is simpler.

We understand the quality of our stories depends on our collective writing skills. We also understand the need for structure.

Our goal is to give players the freedom to create the characters they want, with respect to everyone contributing to this world we're building.

With the collaborative spirit in mind, we're happy to present our latest system.

Here are the pieces you need to build your character on NRP.

[Jae]

◀ Character Attributes

Strength, Speed, Stamina, and Intelligence. These are the main stats that determine your character's potential.

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{Strength}The strength attribute represents physical power. It determines a character's might and toughness, and adds weight to situations involving brute force or bodily vigor.

Most things under the melee umbrella, from hand to hand combat, to weapons use, or resisting injury, call for a measure of strength as a necessity.

Recommended Abilities: Taijutsu, Bukijutsu, Kenjutsu

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{Speed}The speed attribute represents physical finesse. It determines a character's agility, and influences their ability to dodge and remain elusive.

A character's speed signifies their quickness, reflexes, and acrobatic skill. It also gauges manual dexterity and the skillful use of tools.

Recommended Abilities: Bukijutsu, Shurikenjutsu, Kugutsu

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{Stamina}The stamina attribute represents mental power. It determines a character's strength of will, and measures their capacity for sustaining effort and showing resilience.

Stamina is passive, defensive, and something a character cannot directly influence in general. It's use case arises in scenarios that require characters to overcome or uphold a certain effect that has already taken place.

Recommended Abilities: Genjutsu, Barrier Ninjutsu, Medical Ninjutsu

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{Intelligence}The intelligence attribute represents mental finesse. It determines a character's intellect, and expresses quick-wittedness, sharpness of perception, and depth of knowledge.

Intelligence is an important part of learning and understanding jutsu. In general, a character with more intelligence is more versatile.

Recommended Abilities: Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Fūinjutsu

Every created character begins with one Primary Attribute, and may select an additional attribute as they increase in Rank.

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{Attributes by Rank}Genin*: Primary Attribute.
Chuunin*: Primary & Secondary Attribute.
Jonin*: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Attribute.

* or equivalent

Attributes are great for conveying very basic information about characters. They make apparent how characters should be positioned in battle and what they generally excel at during roleplay.

[Jae]

◀ Character Traits

A character's Traits reveal more about them than their attributes. They show us who a character is, both in and outside of combat, by influencing the narrative surrounding them.

Traits are a good way to give substance to the benign aspects of a character's identity. This could be their expertise with a certain weapon, their grasp of a certain field of study, or how well they tell a lie.

Traits on NRP are divided into two categories: Major and Minor.

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Major traits represent core properties about the character. These can be outright applications of their selected attributes, genetic anomalies, or powers that transcend the paradigm set for most ninja.

It costs 2 Trait Points to purchase one Major Trait.

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Minor traits depict character facets that exist outside their attributes. These flesh out who the character is, and specify what they can do because of that.

It costs 1 Trait Point to purchase one Minor Trait.

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Some traits have Requirements that must be met before they're chosen, and some traits can be learned multiple times to illustrate a character's depth of proficiency.

[Jae]

◀ Character Abilities

Your character's Abilities are their jutsu— simple. This includes the 3 main types of jutsu (Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu) and the various subtype jutsu (including kekkei genkai).

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In summary, Attributes, Traits, and Abilities are the three building blocks of character creation. Every character is some combination of those three things (plus flavor-text and equipment).

- Attributes are the broad characteristics of a character, covering multiple facets of their activities.

- Traits are more specific applications of attributes, or features that differentiate them from other characters.

- Abilities are techniques used in battle.

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As a rule of thumb, something that uses chakra is considered an Ability, and something that enhances an Ability is considered a Trait.