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edge represented by that number may vary). We'll solve
this dilemma through 'Scaling'. Scaling is the method by
which the same Range of numbers ('0.0' to '10.0') may be
applied, with roughly the same meanings, to any Setting.
AND MORE ...
By using Traits, quantifications, and Scaling, you'll
be able to create a complete Theatrix persona, and get
precisely the character you want, for any genre you can
imagine. The rest of this chapter will now take you through
this process in much greater detail, step-by-step. We'll
start with a talk about how a Trait's description and
quantifier interact, and then move on to Scaling, to give
you a feel for how we juggle those numbers, and what they
mean. Next, we'll look at each Trait separately, and detail
how each one is used within the game. Lastly, we'll
discuss how to use all of this information to actuallycreate
a character, although we'll save any hard rules and limits
on this process for you to come up with (of course each of
our Setting Books will fully detail a character creation
'system' appropriate to its genre). So lets begin at the
beginning.
TO QUANTIFY OR NOT TO
QUANTIFY ...
The basic form of every Trait in Theatrix is a
description of that Trait, in language, from a few words to
a few sentences in length. What you describe is basically
what you get (we'll talk about the best methods for
describing each Trait under its specific section later in this
chapter). Some Traits, as we've said, are also assigned
a number, or quantifier. Traits can then be classified as
either Quantified Traits, Descriptive Traits, or Unquantified
Traits, depending upon whether they're assigned a quan­
tifier or not, and how that quantifier (if any) is used.
QUANTIFIED TRAITS
Skills, Abilities, and Personality Traits are all Quan­
tified Traits. Although all Traits in Theatrix have some
form of description associated with them, these Traits will
rely heavily upon a simple numerical tag to simplify the
decision making process. Although the Director should
always attempt to make good use of a Quantified Trait's
description, emphasis is often placed upon the numerical
quantifier.
DESCRIPTIVE TRAITS
The Physical and Mental Attributes are Descriptive
Traits. These Traits exist primarily in descriptive form, but
will still lend themselves to quantification when neces-
30 Theatrix- The Core Rules
sary. In this way, these Traits are both quantified and
unquantified at the same time, although the emphasis is
placed upon their descriptions. For example, even though
Attributes may be easily quantified, the Director still uses
their descriptions to help decide the basic Success and
Failure of actions, to adjudicate their Difficulties, and to
help determine the Results of those actions (for more
information on these topics, see the next chapter, titled
'Lights ... Camera ... Action!'). All this demands that each
description be complete. Using an example ofthe Physical
Attribute of Strength, we offer the following two choices ...
¢ A big, strong, tough dude.
¢ Or, this character is very strong, but in a
Sumo wrestler, anchored sort of way. He
stands only 5'8, but is very heavy. To someone
who has never seen hlm in action, he would
seem simply overweight. He doesn't have
great flexibility, nor maximum lifting power,
but he can be impossible to move. His forte
would be the lunge. Over a short distance his
opponent would be horrified at how much
speed he can pick up. His size, speed, and
strength can then combine for a ferocious
attack.
The first example is not satisfactory. It gives us no
sense of the role's advantages and deficits, and no sense
of what this role might accomplish. This is a storytelling
game. Tell a story when you describe your character's
Traits (Attributes or otherwise). This is essential not only
to your own roleplay, but also to your basic ability to
Succeed at tasks involving those Traits.
The second description, on the other hand, tells us
much. We get a sense of the persona's advantages, and
some of the persona's deficits. We can see what kinds of
actions will be easier for this character, and also what
actions might be more difficult. With a description this
complete, the Director should rarely need to rely upon this
Trait's quantifier. This is why the quantifier for a Descrip­
tive Trait is considered an optional tool for the Director's
use, when needed.
Quantifiers for Descriptive Traits
Our suggestion for Descriptive Traits is that the
Director jot quantifications down, but keep these numbers
from the Actors. A good description should be more than
enough for roleplay, and an actual value will only inter­
fere with this process. Due to the nature of Descriptive
Traits, the Director may be required to alter the value of
their quantifiers on the fly, depending upon how each Trait
is used, so it's helpful to have thought out the Scaling for
your Chronicle in a fairly detailed manner (see 'Scaling',