How to Play TriadCity

The TriadCity Players' Guide

Attributes

"Attributes" are basic qualities possessed by each TriadCity character. There are ten of these: Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma, Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Armor, Hitroll, Damage Roll Minimum, and Damage Roll Maximum. You MUD aficionados may notice that most of these are similar to attributes found in other games. However, in TriadCity they don't necessarily mean the same things they did in those earlier traditions:

Intelligence is the ability to learn quickly and well. Impacts use of skills, and use of game items. Will affect ability to solve puzzles, interact with automata, and in many respects see the world clearly. Important to all characters, but especially key for teachers, healers, and "brain workers" generally.

Wisdom represents accumulated knowledge gained from experience, insight, and plain sense. Impacts ability to sense danger, discover secrets, and make sense of the superficially senseless. Particularly important to magic users, for whom it represents psychic abilities, strength of will, and depth of vision. Important to all in sizing-up potential opponents.

Charisma is the quality of attraction a character exerts over other beings. Impacts interactions with automata, interactions with potential followers, and success in certain kinds of ventures, particularly those visible to the public. Valued most highly by entertainers, politicians, certain kinds of criminals, traders, and all who aspire to leadership roles.

Strength represents sheer physical power. Determines ability to carry weight, move obstacles, overpower enemies. Naturally prized most highly by soldiers, athletes, and all who rely on brawn over brain; but also sought by those who prize balance and harmonious development.

Constitution represents general state of physical health, with significant bearing on stamina, resistance to illness, and ability to heal. Contributes to the rate at which strength increases with exercise; to the ability to endure long journeys or other extended exertion; to resist addiction; and generally remain in healthy condition.

Dexterity is the ability to move quickly, gracefully, and precisely. Contributes to ability to maneuver around obstacles, dance well, manipulate objects, hide, and steal without being caught. Especially prized by artisans, artists, thieves, athletes, fighters, and many types of performer.

Armor is the likelihood of absorbing a blow which an opponent succeeds in landing on you during a fight. The higher your armor, the harder you are to hurt.

Hitroll is the likelihood of making contact with an opponent during a fight. The higher your hitroll, the more likely you are to land a blow.

Damage Roll Minimum is the smallest possible damage you'll do to an opponent if you do succeed in landing a blow. But, you should note that, like nearly everything else in TriadCity, this isn't an absolute value. Rather, it'll be compared with your opponent's Armor value, and some other mystery stuff, to determine an outcome each time you take a swing at somebody.

Damage Roll Maximum is the largest possible damage you'll do to an opponent if you do succeed in landing a blow. But, just like Damage Roll Minimum, this isn't an absolute value. Rather, it'll be compared with your opponent's Armor value, and some other mystery stuff, to determine an outcome each time you take a swing at somebody.

It's important to note that each of these values is calculated dynamically at the moment it's used. All sorts of things will impact the final values: what you're wearing; whether you're tired; the temperature of the room you're in; whether you're standing or sitting or asleep; the day of the week; the time of day; whether the room you're in is a Good or an Evil place to be; your Skills; your other attributes. If you keep an eye on your Attributes tab you'll see them changing all the time. Watch carefully and you'll develop a sense for the specific conditions which cause changes.

Players' Guide TOC

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