Elemental affinities for attributes */

1. Elemental affinities for attributes */

   #1

   Elemental Affinities
   As a way of defining your character better
   
   Note: any bonuses mentioned should apply only if the attribute in question grants at least a +1 bonus.
   
   Strength:
   Earth: a character who chooses an earth affinity for Strength will be broadly built and bulky, with strong bones. He will deal +1 damage with close combat weapons.
   Fire: as if consumed by a flame from within, a fiery character will be tall, and wiry, with hardly any fat whatsoever. In combat, he will fight with ferocity and fury. When he rolls a critical hit, use dice one category higher, e.g. D4 becomes D6 etc.
   Air: rather slim of build, with light bones and long limbs, characters with air affinity in their Strength field will be athletic and able to use their strength to its best effect. Thus, they jump farther and higher, can throw better and more accurately. This might also grant a +1 bonus to Tumble.
   Water: the character’s body will be well proportioned and well rounded, and generally healthy-looking. He will be vital and his strength will not fade quickly. His muscles will tire slower, grip be stronger (+1 against disarm?) and he will be able resist spells, circumstances and abilities that would reduce his strength better (e.g. receiving +1 to the saving throw in question if a spell or ability like Ray of Enfeeblement allows one)
   
   Dexterity:
   Earth: the character is very precise of movement, stable and hardly wasting even a twitch in his eye corner. Thus, while not a particularly elegant dancer, he might place his steps perfectly, his handwriting would be balanced and legible and items he crafts symmetric and hardly flawed. Thus, he might ignore a point of negative circumstance modifiers like slippery ground, and receive a +1 bonus against being tripped.
   Fire: hot-blooded, with a temper to match his affinity, the character will always be in motion, with heart rates high above normal, always fidgeting with something, restless and active. Yes, he would make the perfect metal drummer. The benefit is an increase in initiative, one or two points…
   Air: used to travel, long trekking or running for his life, the character might actually have learnt to enjoy it – with the wind as a companion, combing his hair and whistling a swift song. He simply enjoys the chase. Thus, add 5 ft. to his base speed.
   Water: of serene appearance, fluid and elegant in his movements, the character would make a great dancer, for his is the grace of a cat strolling at night. While ones with earth affinity stomp along, the fiery stride, and the children of the wind seem like leaves swept by a sudden gust, a person with water affinity will seem to float by, and are the ones most likely to receive slow motion entrances. They receive a synergy bonus of +1 when using skills like Perform to dance, and can use their dexterity instead of charisma when the motion is the most important factor. As well as that, their body language is more difficult to read, and they will appear to have a very pleasant ‘tone’ when using sign language. As well as that, you are a better swimmer, thus add +1 to your Swim skill.
   
   
   Constitution:
   Earth: like with Strength, a person with earth affinity in this field will be large and bulky (this makes for truly huge fellows if both STR and CON have the earth affinity and high ability scores). Seeming rather slow, still the amount of punishment he can take is unmatched. This might either count as having an armor bonus of +1, or grant the Toughness feat free at character creation.
   Fire: when a flame is roaring in your heart, you care little about whether a blizzard is whipping chilling ice needles in your face, or the sun tries to fry you crispy. Either you were bred in the extreme north or south, or you are plain stubborn or just crazy. If you are a northerner, you’ll be hairy and well padded, if a southerner, then darker of complexion, and if just crazy, let your imagination run wild. Northerners gain a damage reduction of 2/- against cold, southerners against heat. Crazies gain a 1/- damage reduction against both heat and cold.
   Air: you are lively and active, though smaller of build (or tall and slim), you are filled with vitae and vigor. The one to stay awake longest, get up first and complain after a football match whining ‘one more? Please?’. If a kid, you are impossible to baby-sit, as your caretaker will tire long before you do. The same is true for adults, but for different circumstances. The character will have to sleep one hour less in general, and can exert himself longer. If a barbarian, his rage will last one round longer.
   Water: you are vital and healthy, and simply don’t have the little problems with acne, indigestion or a common cold. Your smile flashes a blinding white, and dandruff stays miles from your hair. Likewise, spoilt food will not send you running for the bathroom, and the assassin will use a double dose of venom on you, just for sure. This translates into a +1 bonus to fortitude against poison or disease.
   
   Intelligence:
   Earth: pondering and analytic, you will approach problems with tenacity and resolve. The puzzle that would beat you was not yet made. You’d be a good mathematician, or stone circle programmer (if not for that heroism thing). You are stubborn, a person of fact and principles. And yes, you are (almost) immune to boredom. This might add +1 to Concentrate, and solving puzzles.
   Fire: chaotic to the extreme and inquisitive, you are a swift learner, but tend to suffer from impulsiveness and a great curiosity that might be your undoing. You tend to jump from theme to theme in conversation, make leaps with your insight, but also lose yourself in trivialities, displace your notes (or spare underwear) and get detracted from your goal. You love entertainment in all its forms, and lots of the things you do are just for fun. You receive a free skill point at character creation and another one every three levels thereafter, and learn new spells faster.
   Air: a visionary and friend of the muses, you see far beyond the horizon. Almost like a psychic, you can see way the future might be, or the flaws in a piece of art that was proclaimed flawless. While your imagination might create works of art and lead men to greatness, or create new philosophies, you will never be content, always searching, and this will gnaw at your sanity. Actually, it would gnaw if there was any. You will be prone to mood swings, depression or manias. You will gain a +1 bonus to artistic endeavors, and the GM might be a little less skimpy with the info.
   Water: you are calm and understanding, a truly balanced person. Knowing what is important, you can concentrate on what is necessary. While you are able to see things realistically, you know the value of fantasies. You are hard to unnerve and there is little that scares you, for you see things as they are. You receive a +1 bonus to saves against fear, and, if a mind control spell’s demands are particularly unreasonable, also +1 to saves against that. If you are a spellcaster yourself, you may still use 1st- and zero-level spells when controlling a spell that requires full concentration otherwise.
   
   Wisdom:
   Earth: the only true understanding stems from rigorous learning and repetition, at least that is what you think. You have read the masters’ works and understood, and memorized them by heart. The wisdom of the ancestors and mentors guides you today. Certainly, you will not repeat errors done by those before you! You may be a little too set in your ways though, and sometimes lack imagination. The character has excessive access to book smarts, and a great memory.
   Fire: why listen to mantras chanted by old men too self-absorbed to see the world for themselves? You are innovative, a pathfinder of thought, quick of wit and never caught unaware. You sense trouble when it’s about to hit you hard.
   Air: why learn from books when the world is there plain to see? Not yesterday, but here and now is most important for knowing what to do. You are very perceptive and alert. This grants you a +1 bonus to Spot, Listen and Search.
   Water: you have felt many emotions yourself and know what stuff they are made of. With deep understanding of the human (elf, goblin, little purple thing) psyche, you can discern the emotions of others and act accordingly as to avoid angering them, or hurting them even more. Likewise, you know what levers to pull when the need arises, but still you are careful not to hurt the feelings of others. This grants +1 to the use of Diplomacy, Sense Motive or Bluff.
   
   Charisma:
   Earth: a strong individual, full of character and imposing, few dare to argue with you. Your word is trusted, and others flock to your side seeing the leader you are. You are likely to be a (wo)man of principles. While you may be excellent at leading, take care as not to smother others with your presence.
   Fire: you are truly charming and erotic to the core, with the looks to match this. Given a high charisma, others will either pant or be green with envy. Young knights will fall to their knees, mistaking a hormone rush to their head for the love true, and old cackling priests of death-reeking gods will remember their youth when there was something else as well. The drawbacks are numerous as well, though – you will attract lots of attention, sometimes unwanted, and will find it hard not to be judged by looks, but for your inner values. Also, envy can be dangerous in many ways.
   Air: you are charming and witty, and can raise low spirits, brighten a sour face or cheer up a band of kids. Your humor and puns are both loved and feared. While you will be a welcome sight at most parties and children will genuinely love you, you might be seen as immature, irreverent and unable to be serious (who would want to, anyway?)
   Water: you are very pleasant, and seem trustworthy. Crying kids will tell you who stole their teddy, your roommate will spill her guts about her lost love, and generally people will come to you to seek comfort. You are to spirit as a balm is to the wounded body – you soothe and help cuts heal. Children will fall asleep when placed in your lap and stray dogs will come and lick your hand. Rarely will anyone find you annoying, and rarely will you be the target of aggression.

2. Elemental affinities for attributes

   #2

   Nice way to describe a personality. We don't care for the system, the idea is perfectly usable in pretty much anything, and for inspiring new NPCs. That's what counts for me.
   
   BTW, could you (or someone) turn it around, ie present the elements with low characteristics? So low dexterity and earth, for example, means the character reacts actually slower. Fire in turn would mean problems with control of own movements, such is the impatience inside, etc.

3. Elemental affinities for attributes

   #3

   yes, i thought of that as well... care for a few more suggestions? ;D

4. I give it two thumbs and a tail up

   #4

   To quote CP
   5/5
   
   The rating of threads is eventually going to be a feature on Strolen's site. This is a great idea that will eventually filter towards the bottom of the section because nobody is going to feel the need to comment upon it.
   
   A pity that. We have some really great ideas at the bottom (actually more towards the lower middle) of this forum. There are gems that need to be harvested every now and again.
   
   Of course, I almost always have an opinion
   
   I like the elemental association with each aspect of the character. You could assign them to "ethnic groups" or "regions", saying that anyone from this area could have 3 Earth traits or two Earth Traits and an Earth Trait in CON.
   
   You might be only able to take these gifts IF you take a gift/ advantage/ feat for being that element. This would be much like having a strong zodiac sign, receiving the classic bonuses (and disadvantages) of your sign.
   
   If the magic system in the world is elementally based, then this could be more important. You might get bonuses to cast or some resistance if casting the same spell or are on the receiving end of an opposite allignment spell.
   
   If your game differs, you can easily adapt this concept to it. If your statistics are PHYsical, DEXterital, MENtal, EMOtional, MetaPhYsical, and CHArismatic, all you need to do is fold together the physical (STR/ CON) aspects and create some for Emotional and Metaphysical. STR, DEX, CON, INT, POW, CHA, same things. STR, DEX, IQ, HTH is even easier. Game system does not matter, just spend some time and apply the ideas.
   
   The concept could be easily altered to accept different elemental associations. ( http://www.friesian.com/elements.htm ) Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, could be used, if you want a more Asian Flair. Or choose a fantasy piece of Spirit (light/heat/feeling), Shadow (Darkness/Cold/thought), Gea (Green/ Soil/ Nature).

5. Onnnne more thing Jackieeeeeeee!

   #5

   I can't believe I just posted all of that and forgot what I do for every character.
   
   Every attribute on every character has a "trait". This trait defines the "why" and "how" of the character's score. It is a piece of innate description associated with the character that occasionally effects game mechanics. Think of it as a term or phrase a friend of the character might use to describe the character.
   
   There are people who are IQ (Intelligence) 13 who are quick witted, there are those who are rational and logical, then their are others who are zen like in their knowing of things. Mechanically, they are all IQ 13. However, with a trait, one describes how they achieve that score.
   
   ST 16 could be that the character is Athletic, or built like a Sumo Wrestler, or is a Swimmer, or is a BodyBuilder, or is Petite with hidden strength. Do you see how these all expand upon a character's basic description?
   
   The use of elemental traits is nice because it limits the choices to four.

6. Elemental affinities for attributes

   #6

   This is one of the big reasons why Midian features a system of Traits that can modify an attribute. These can have system mechanics, or be purely descriptive. For example:
   

   
   Elegant (Grace): Many people define grace by this trait. You are at +3 for any attempt to positively impress someone.
   
   Executive Hair (Appearance): You have the hair that CEO's have. You are more likely to be selected for rapid promotions (helps if you are also tall). As you grow older, your hair will turn silver rather than just thin out.
   
   Endurance (Stamina): Your Stamina is effectively 3 higher for purposes of figuring out cardiovascular endurance. In other words, you can run further, work longer, etc.
   

   
   
   This is also similar to the Elemental Attunements of Witchdoctors, which unfortunately, are currently still undone by that class's creator.
   
   Would it be possible for me to convert this idea to Midian for Traits &/or Attunements? You would of course receive full credit as the idea's originator.

7. Elemental affinities for attributes

   #7

   :shock: never heard of Midian. sorry. But the rules are not what matters, but rather the idea... the implementation is upon you.
   Some GM might not like the 'earth' entry under strength ... he may change it.

8. Elemental affinities for attributes

   #8

   Thanks. The game mechanics are secondary; it's the idea itself that's useful.

9. To BUMP the thread

   #9

   Article by Gamegreene: Intelligence Versus Wisdom: Roleplaying The Difference, speculating on the differences between two often confused attributes. There are things to be used there.

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