traits

name: traits description: Schema and rules for creating traits context: fork agent: traits

Edit tabs/traits.json.

Trait Categories

Traits must be organized into categories in tabs/traits.json under traitCategories.

Field	Description
`name`	Display name for the category
`maxSelections`	How many traits player can pick (0 = unlimited)
`traits`	Array of trait keys in this category

Category patterns:

Single selection (class/background): maxSelections: 1
Single selection (species): maxSelections: 1
Multiple selection (miscellaneous): maxSelections: 3

Required Fields

Field	Requirement
`name`	Must match object key exactly
`description`	What the trait is — shown to players at character creation (full paragraph)
`quirk`	The narrator's reference for portraying the trait. Usually the same as `description`; elaborate further or add hidden aspects the player shouldn't see
`attributes`	Array of attribute modifiers (can be empty `[]`)
`skills`	Array of skill modifiers (can be empty `[]`)
`resources`	Array of resource modifiers (can be empty `[]`)
`startingItems`	Array of items granted (can be empty `[]`)
`abilities`	Array of ability names granted (can be empty `[]`)
`unlockedBy`	Leave empty `[]` - NOT YET IMPLEMENTED IN UI
`excludedBy`	Leave empty `[]` - NOT YET IMPLEMENTED IN UI

description and quirk

For non-species traits:

By default, description and quirk carry the same content — write both as full paragraphs.
description is shown to players at character creation. quirk is the narrator's reference during play.
Let them diverge only when: (a) the quirk holds hidden aspects the player shouldn't know, or (b) the description is a shorter summary and the quirk is the elaborated, fuller version.

For species traits, see the Species Traits section below.

Conditional Fields

Field	When to Include
`attributes` (non-empty)	Class/background traits that affect core stats
`skills` (non-empty)	Traits that grant expertise or training
`resources` (non-empty)	Traits that affect resource pools
`startingItems` (non-empty)	Class/background traits with signature equipment
`abilities` (non-empty)	Traits that unlock special perks or powers

TraitModifier Format

All modifiers use the same structure:

{ attribute: string, modifier: number }  // For attributes
{ skill: string, modifier: number }      // For skills
{ resource: string, modifier: number }   // For resources

The modifier is an additive value (positive or negative). Multiple traits stack.

Point Cost Guidelines

Traits should be balanced around a point budget. Use these guidelines:

Modifier Type	Point Cost
Attribute	1 point
Skill at modifier 0	1 point
Resource per 10	1 point
Starting item	1 point
Ability	1 points

Every trait within a single traitCategory should be roughly equal.

Target values:

The isHealth resource should be set at roughly 100.
Attributes should be at an average of 12, ranging from 0-20.

startingItems Format

{ item: string, quantity: number }

The item must reference a valid item key from tabs/items.json.

Schema

interface TraitCategory {
  name: string
  maxSelections: number
  traits: string[]
}

interface Trait {
  name: string
  description: string
  quirk: string
  attributes: Array<{attribute: string, modifier: number}>
  skills: Array<{skill: string, modifier: number}>
  resources: Array<{resource: string, modifier: number}>
  startingItems: Array<{item: string, quantity: number}>
  abilities: string[]
  unlockedBy: string[]
  excludedBy: string[]
}

Species Traits

When creating a trait that represents a species (playable race):

Must have corresponding NPC Type and World Lore entries
The description contains lore paragraphs + skill blocks separated by \n\n
The quirk contains lore paragraphs only (no skills)
Lore paragraphs are identical across NPC Type description, Trait description, and Trait quirk
Must include exactly 3 skills that work as both player skills AND NPC abilities
Skills should reflect innate species abilities or cultural training

See Species Consistency Rules for the full requirements.

Reference

For detailed documentation, see traits-reference.md.