Attributes

Every human being has innate capabilities and talents. Some people learn up musical instruments quickly. Some are natural at sports. Some have no problem working through math problems in their heads.

In the No-Mans Land Game System, attributes represent these natural abilities. Attributes are the most useful and powerful of the three character qualities you can increase by spending experience points (the other two are  skills and Edges). There are ten attributes, fitting into two general categories, with five sub-categories.

Toughness

 * Strength
 * Vitality

Finesse

 * Dexterity
 * Reflexes

Attention and Cognition

 * Focus
 * Perception

Knowledge, Comprehension, and Decision

 * Intellect
 * Wits

Communication and Confidence

 * Charisma
 * Willpower

Behind the scenes: Attributes further pair up into active and reactive/passive sets. For example, Strength and Vitality are active and passive sides of the same quality. Strength projects physical toughness, Vitality receives it. Charisma projects social energy to influence others, Willpower resists the same in turn. The fact that attributes can be paired up has no actual game effect, but it does offer clues to the rationale behind the selection of these ten attributes.

Effects of Attributes
This section details exactly what attributes do. For specifics for each attribute, see their individual articles.

Attributes and Skills
Each skill is associated with one or two attributes.
 * Whenever you make a skill roll, add the current value of that attribute to the skill roll.
 * For skills that can use either of two attributes, add the current value of the higher attribute to the skill roll.

Furthermore, when purchasing training in a skill, reduce the experience point cost of the new skill by an amount equal to the value of the associated attribute.

Other Effects of Attributes
Attributes affect characters in other important ways.


 * Other character qualities can be derived from attributes. For example, Strength increases how much a character can carry.  Willpower improves your Psyche.  Vitality improves your Health.


 * A high rating in Strength, Dexterity, and Reflexes grants bonus Actions in combat.

See individual attributes for complete information.


 * Characters can exert attributes, receiving a powerful temporary or immediate benefit in exchange for a temporary reduction in that attribute.