Ability Scores

> *"Wit and Quickness, Strength and Vitality, a brilliant confluence of skill and purpose!"*
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Every creature, no matter whether living, undead, or of some other origin is classified through Ability scores, which serve to simplify every creature down to it's most primal functions.

The following 6 abilities define a creatures potential, mental and physical, and effect the results of ability checks, saving throws and attack rolls.

## Ability Scores

### Strength

The measure of physical power. Relevant for melee attacks, carrying capacity and challenging physical tasks, such as climbing or pushing. Affects jump distance and chance to grapple, aswell as resistance to being grappled or knocked prone. Typically used together with the Athletics skill.

### Dexterity

The measure of agility, reaction time and nimbleness. Relevant for ranged attacks aswell as certain melee attacks. Affects initiative in combat aswell as defensive capabilities while wearing medium or lighter armor, aswell as ability to evade grapples and effects. Typically used together with the Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand and Stealth skills.

### Constitution

The measure of stamina and vitality. Relevant for hit point calculation, particularily exhaustive activities and ability to resist poison, cold, or other physical ailments, aswell as mental concentration. Not associated with any skills.

### Intelligence

The measure of logic, knowledge and ability to learn. Relevant for conducting searches, tool usage and identification of objects and spells. Possible spellcasting ability. Typically used together with the Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature and Religion skills, aswell as occasionally the Medicine skill.

### Wisdom

The measure of instint, attentiveness and insight. Relevant for passive detection of traps, acting based on gut feelings aswell as resistance to disabling spell effects. Possible spellcasting ability. Typically used together with the Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception and Survival skills.

### Charisma

The measure of confidence, eloquency and willpower. Relevant for social interaction, distraction and capturing attention. Possible spellcasting ability. Typically used together with the Deception, Intimidation, Performance and Persuasion skills.

## Using ability scores

### Ability Score Modifiers

Ability scores range somewhere from 1 upward, although the typical humanoid has ability scores with values somewhere between 7 and 18. For typical advanturers, the possible limit of their ability scores lies at 20, although some magical effects or items may allow the user to go beyond that value. From this value the ability score modifier is calculated, with the formula { (Ability score - 10 ) / 2 }, rounded down. Due to this calculation, the ability score modifier may stay the same, even when the ability score changes.

When the ability score is then used when making a skill check, saving throw or attack roll, that ability's ability modifier is then added to the result of the dice roll. Other effects can further be added or subtracted from the result of the roll, such as the proficiency bonus of the creature responsible for the attack or check, or the effect of the bane spell, which causes 1d4 to be subtracted from the roll. In any such cases, all effects are added and subtracted together, and don't replace each other, although unless stated otherwise, the same effect can't be added or subtracted from a roll twice.