Traits

Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. (James the Just 4:17, Letter of James)

It is a natural right to satisfy one’ **s soul with revenge. (Attila)

Est Sularus Oth Mithas. (“My honor is my life”, Oath of the Knights of Solamnia)

In OBSS there is no clear distinction between good and evil, law and chaos, between what is right and what is wrong.

In OBSS there are Traits, aspects and characterial nuances that contribute to the character’ **s background, help the player to roleplay better, and can provide those guidelines to interpret the character they wanted to create more correctly.

A Trait is a detail that helps to better frame the character, outlines the main characteristics giving it different nuances.

Each player chooses 5 Traits for their character at character creation. These will suggest the character’ **s actions and choices.

Choosing Traits: Traits are not the character, they don’ **t block or fix it eternal in time. A character is always constantly evolving and so is its character, morals, behavior, and desires. Don’ **t be rigid but use Traits to give you suggestions from which to draw inspiration.

Traits have no positive or negative connotation, they only serve to frame the character and understand which Patron is more interested in the character. They don’ **t want to define whether you are good or bad, everyone has their own morals regardless of the Traits possessed.

At the first level, choose a Trait that is more characteristic for the character, this will have value 1, the other 4 Traits will have value 0.

With the passing of time and adventures, Traits will increase in value or may be replaced, in concert between Narrator and player based on how it’ **s played, by other Traits. The higher a Trait value, the more present and permeating it is in the character’ **s choices.

During the adventures, the Narrator, following particular scenes and recitation, may increase by one point, or a fraction of a point, a character’ **s Trait.

For example, following a particular situation and adventure climax, the Narrator might grant everyone or someone the Courage Trait or give a +1 to Courage to someone who already has this Trait. For Traits not taken, the base value in points is considered -1, i.e., the first point serves to take the Trait and the subsequent ones to emphasize them.

While it is relatively easy to acquire new Traits, it is difficult to change those already present. Talk to the Narrator, they will know how to prepare situations and adventures that will help you understand how to evolve the character and possibly change the chosen Traits.

In the character sheet, you will find checks to put next to the Traits, these are marked following actions suitable to increase the value of the Trait; once 10 checks are reached, the Trait will increase by 1 point and you will start marking a new set of ten.

It will be the Narrator during the adventure to tell you when to mark, or delete, partial points. As a rule of thumb, it is assumed that a character acquires at least one Trait point per level.

Every particularly important action where the character has followed a Trait brings the character closer to the Patron competent for that Trait.

As the value of the sum of common Traits with the Patron increases, the character may acquire powers, regardless of whether they are a believer (Follower or Devotee) or not of that Patron.

At ’ **5’ ** points, one can begin to feel the presence of a Patron
At ’ **10’ ** points, one feels the closeness of a Patron
At ’ **15’ ** points, one is bound to a Patron
At ’ **20’ ** points, one is a champion of the Patron

It is not necessary to believe in a Patron to feel their closeness, be bound to them or be their champion; simply, it is one’ **s nature (one’ **s Traits) that is akin to the Patron, whether one wants it or not. Powers are only taken from the Patron who has the highest trait sum compared to others.

Since the purpose of a Patron is to make their Traits dominant over others, having high-level and powerful people who are so akin to them will be useful in the judgment of the 100 years. Use the Traits and the bond that the Patron will establish with you to your advantage.

To identify the most similar Patron, the one’ **s that will give you power, check your Trait with the highest value on the Table Patron - Trait Connection (page ) and identify the Patron that most characterizes that Trait; if the Trait is shared among multiple Patrons, check the other Traits and choose the Patron based on similarity. Then check in Cosmology (page ) the powers granted by the Patron. It is advisable to do this check each time a Trait value increases.

One is a Devotee with at least 2 Traits and a Follower with at least 1 Trait in common with the Patron. One cannot be simultaneously a Follower or Devotee of multiple Patrons.

The Narrator is free to insert new Traits at their pleasure or requested by the players; it is suggested to attribute these new Traits to the Patrons as well.

Traits List

Each Trait is briefly described in its general meaning. The character is free to interpret the Trait as they feel it.

Altruistic: A person who puts others first, even sacrificing their own needs.
Ambitious: Thinks only of their own interests and needs, without considering those of others.
Arrogant: Has an exaggerated opinion of themselves and tends to belittle others.
Greedy: Excessively attached to their material possessions and reluctant to share.
Cynical: Tends to see the worst in people and situations, often with a contemptuous attitude.
Cowardly: Lacking in courage and tends to avoid dangerous situations.
Compassionate: Shows empathy and understanding towards the suffering of others.
Courageous: Faces fears and challenges with determination.
Cruel: Without mercy and compassion, intentionally causes suffering.
Curious: Has a strong desire to know and learn new things.
Dishonest: Does not tell the truth and deceives others for their own advantage.
Dissolute: Lives in an unruly manner and without considering the moral consequences of their actions.
Enthusiastic: Shows great energy and passion for what they do.
Extroverted: Sociable and at ease in social situations.
Kind: Treats others with respect and consideration.
Impulsive: Tends to act and react without thinking too much about the consequences.
Indecisive: Cannot quickly make decisions, dwelling too much on weighing choices.
Uncompromising: Not willing to compromise or consider different points of view.
Envious: Feels resentment towards those who possess something they desire.
Loyal: Faithful and reliable towards friends and loved ones.
Patient: Able to wait without getting irritated or losing calm.
Cautious: Carefully considers difficult or dangerous situations.
Suspicious: You are convinced that everyone has an interest in harming you.
Stubborn: Determined and persistent in achieving your goals, despite difficulties.
Vain: You are certain of your exceptional qualities, abilities, and appearance.
Vindictive: Seeks to punish those who have wronged them, often disproportionately.

If the character is completely different from their Traits, they will not gain experience points.

If a traveler doesn’ **t bring back something to share, he’ **s not a Hero but an impostor, a selfish person lacking wisdom. (The Hero’ **s Journey, Christopher Vogler)