Characteristic

All characters in Ars Magica are governed by eight characteristics that reflect their innate ae aptitude and competence:

• Intelligence (abbr. Int)
• Perception (abbr. Per)
• Strength (abbr. Str)
• Stamina (abbr. Sta)
• Presence (abbr. Pre)
• Communication (abbr. Com)
• Dexterity (abbr. Dex)
• Quickness (abbr. Qik)

Quantification

Score 0 represents the human standard for all characteristics. Higher values stand for higher aptitude. -5 (abysmally bad) and +5 (exceptionally good) are considered the bounds for mortal humans.

Due to incremental costs, different scores are not equally probable. For example, score +4 is not as likely as a mere +2, because +2 costs 3 points, while +4 costs 10 points in total.

Differentiation

While Strength is usually treated as an active attribute, Stamina applies to active as well as reactive actions.

While Presence reigns appearance and leadership, Communication governs the finer nuances of human interaction as well as the ability to express oneself through words, both spoken and written. Manipulating a person might be based on either characteristic, depending on how it is done.

While manipulating someone would be based on Presence or Communication, detecting deception, lies, and falsehood would be based on Perception.

While Dexterity determines the accuracy and grace of a movement, Quickness determines its speed.

While manipulating someone would be based on Presence or Communication, detecting deception, lies, and falsehood would be based on Perception.

As far as reflexes (reactive actions) are concerned, Perception, Quickness, or even both might be called for, depending on the actual circumstances.

Relevance

In theory, all characteristics are equally important, and will be relied on sooner or later. Compared to former editions, Fifth Edition emphasizes the importance of Stamina due to all spell casting being based on that characteristic.

Variation

All mundane characters have a score in all eight characteristics, whereas creatures that are aligned with one of the Realms of Power may lack some of them. For example, an incorporeal creature, such as a ghost, may not have a Strength score because it is unable to exert physical power -- at least by physical means.

For animals that do not belong to one of the Realms, Intelligence is usually replaced by Cunning to reflect their animalistic nature.

References

• ArM5, p. 18.
• Book of Mundane Beasts

Legacy Page

The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at Legacy:characteristics