Core Vitals

Instinct breathes before skill takes hold.

Before you act with purpose, you survive by reflex. Core Vitals are the raw foundation of who you are—etched into nerve, muscle, and will. They are not learned talents, but primal forces: what you notice, how you endure, when you act, and how far you push. Every decision, every risk, and every effort you commit rests on what lives here first.

Let your instincts speak before your tactics catch up.

What Are Core Vitals?

Every legend starts with raw possibility.

Core Vitals measure your character’s natural capacity—mental, physical, and reactive. They determine what you can withstand, perceive, control, or overcome before training is applied. Every skill-based action in Narateer is shaped by Vitals: they limit how far a Skill can grow and how naturally prepared you are before mastery enters the moment.

Ask yourself:

• What am I naturally gifted at?
• Which part of me gets tested most?
• Where does my character break—and where do they never bend?

How Core Vitals Shape Play

Core Vitals define your character’s natural capacity.

A Core Vital determines:

• the maximum Skill Level of Skills linked to that Vital;
• your Readiness Score when combined with a linked Skill;
• your total Vitality when added with your other Core Vitals;
• derived traits such as movement, damage, defence, recovery, or resistance where relevant.

Your Vital shows what your character can sustain. Your Skill shows what they have mastered. Your Action Dice show what they are willing to spend in the moment.

The Five Core Vitals

Tip: Each Vital connects to different gameplay pillars—Exploration, Skills, Combat, Spellcasting, Defence, Movement, Recovery, and Social Interaction.

Assigning Your Vitals

At character creation:

• All Core Vitals start at 1.
• You gain 3 bonus points to assign freely.
• No Vital may start above 3.
• You must assign all 3 points.
• Write your Vital scores to your character sheet.

Tip: Begin with your character concept—the fiction or story—not just the stats. Let the numbers reflect who they are, not only what they can do.

Examples: Core Vital Builds

The Cunning Thief

A cunning fast-talking infiltrator.

• COG 2 — always reading, always scheming
• PSC 2 — charm and fast talk
• RES 1 — escapes, doesn’t endure
• AGI 2 — finesse, speed, and sleight of hand
• STR 1 — avoids direct conflict

The Silver-Tongued Prophet

A magnetic figure whose words move hearts.

• COG 2 — interprets omens
• PSC 3 — unforgettable voice
• RES 1 — strong spirit, weaker body
• AGI 1 — moves with grace
• STR 1 — not built for war

The Stoic Warrior

A bruiser who absorbs pain and holds the line.

• COG 1 — focused and simple
• PSC 1 — quiet presence
• RES 2 — shrugs off fear and pain
• AGI 1 — steady, not swift
• STR 3 — raw melee power

Tip: Don’t chase “perfect.” Flaws give your character spine. Vitals shape story, not just success rates.

Advancing Core Vitals

Improving Vitals

• Increase a Core Vital by spending Story Points (SP).
• You earn SP from the Guide at major Story Milestones.

Advancement Cost = Target Score × 2 SP

Example: Increasing Strength

Graynor wants to increase their Strength from 3 to 4. After successfully finishing a Milestone and being awarded Story Points from the Guide, they spend 8 SP (i.e., 4 × 2) and increase their Strength to 4.

Increasing Strength may now allow Graynor to train Strength-linked Skills to a higher level, improve related Readiness Scores, and contribute to future Vitality increases.

Summary

• You have 5 Core Vitals: COG, PSC, RES, AGI, STR.
• All start at 1. Assign 3 bonus points during creation (max 3 per Vital).
• Core Vitals shape every major resolution—skills, combat, magic, defence, movement, recovery, and Vitality.
• A linked Core Vital caps Skill Level.
• Skill Level limits proactive uses of that Skill during your activation.
• Skill Level limits how many extra Action Dice you may commit when boosting that Skill Check.
• Readiness Score combines natural capacity and training.
• Total Vitals determine your Vitality (VIT).
• Raise Vitals by spending Story Points after Milestones.