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. They limit how far linked Skills can grow, contribute to Vitality, and shape derived traits where a rule calls for them.

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;
• the combined Vital total used to determine Vitality from the Vitality table;
• derived traits such as movement, damage, defence, recovery, or resistance where relevant.

No Core Vital can exceed 10.

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: Together, the five Vitals connect to different gameplay pillars—Exploration, Skills, Combat, Spellcasting, Defence, Movement, Recovery, and Social Interaction.

Assigning Your Vitals

At character creation, use a three-point point-buy:

• All Core Vitals start at 1.
• You gain 3 bonus points and must assign all 3.
• Assign the points freely among your Core Vitals, but you cannot add more than 2 of these points to any one Vital.
• Apply the +1 Core Vital adjustment granted by your Bloodline, following the choices listed in that Bloodline. This adjustment is separate from your 3 bonus points.
• Write the final Vital scores on 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

These examples show the 3 bonus points assigned before applying the separate +1 Core Vital adjustment from a Bloodline.

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 — physically fragile under prolonged hardship
• AGI 1 — deliberate rather than quick or nimble
• 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.

Developing Core Vitals

Core Vitals may increase after character creation. See Increasing a Core Vital for its Story Point cost, limits, worked example, and the values to recalculate.

Summary

• You have 5 Core Vitals: COG, PSC, RES, AGI, STR.
• All start at 1. Assign all 3 bonus points, adding no more than 2 of those points to any one Vital.
• Apply the separate +1 Core Vital adjustment granted by your Bloodline as directed by that Bloodline.
• No Core Vital can exceed 10.
• Core Vitals contribute to Vitality and affect derived traits when a rule calls for them.
• A linked Core Vital caps Skill Level.
• Add the five Core Vitals together and use the Vitality table to determine Vitality (VIT).
• Character Development governs how Core Vitals increase after creation.