Traits

*Traits* are one of the core gameplay mechanics in Scarlet Hollow (game). Up to two traits can be chosen for each play through. They are an important factor in defining the Player Character's physical and psychological features. In game, Traits sometimes unlock one additional dialogue options, and sometimes Traits can be combined together to create an extra option using both. As of Chapter 4, there have been four Traits (*Powerful Build*, *Keen Eye*, *Book Smart*, and *Hot* respectively) that can prevent a "game-defining sacrifice" from happening. It has been confirmed by the developers that every trait is planned to have one major sacrifice that it can prevent. So far, *Street Smart, Talk To Animals,* and *Mystical* are yet to save anyone.

The Hardcore mode allows the player to choose up to 3 traits, however, the player is completely prevented from any option to prevent a game-defining sacrifice.

## List of Traits

**Powerful Build**
	+ Ditchlings in Chapter 1's climax
	+ Wayne in Chapter 2's mine investigation
	+ An attempt to fight the Resonant in Chapter 3
	+ Ditchling that confronts Pixel in Chapter 4
* Gives more options for the player to eat
	+ Can consume the gross leftovers in the fridge without feeling like vomitting
	+ Can choose to eat all of Stella's snacks
* Allows the player to hold on to Gretchen *and* dive for the flashlight in Chapter 1
* If the player chose to give up years of their life in Chapter 3, they can explore one more location before passing out.
* Allows the player to go for the fire axe in Chapter 4's climax and either help Wayne fight Reese or help Reese fight Wayne.
* In combination with the Street Smarts trait, the player can:
	+ Manage to remove Wayne's veil and reveal his face during their encounter at the mines.
	+ Gain access to the Song Room. Street Smarts is needed to first gain access to the Forbidden Wings.

**Mystical**
* Each character is named in the Resonant's memories in Chapter 3. The player can also channel Charlie's dialogue (choosing to channel his dialogue for every option unlocks an achievement, while never picking them unlocks another).
* Allows the player to view Pearlanne's corpse in the morgue during Chapter 4.

**Talk to Animals**
	+ The player can receive further dialogue with Frou-Frou, Dustin, Pixel, the Dog Militia, and Mayor Jimmy
* Allows the player to discover Pastor Daniel also has the same trait.
* Can discover the dog militia in the library in Chapter 4 if the ghost is exorcised. The player is also able to enlist their help to search for Stella.
* In combination with the Mystical trait, allows voices to be heard in the forest when the Ditchlings are discovered in Chapter 1.
* In combination with the Street Smarts or Powerful Build trait, the player can discover Goat and break into the green house. However the Powerful Build trait leaves the player unable to relock the green house.

**Street Smart**
* The player can talk to the last set of miners without letting Tabitha catch you.
* Allows the player to speak more in depth with Isaacs in Chapter 3 if you slip him your number in Chapter 2.
* Allows access to Stella's "Boring Tax Stuff" folder revealing photos of her and Tabitha and a map of the mines.
* Allows the player to grab the Scarlet Hollow autopsy file to read later.
* In combination with the Powerful Build trait, the player can:
	+ Manage to remove Wayne's veil and reveal his face during their encounter at the mines.
	+ Gain access to the Song Room. Street Smarts is needed to first gain access to the Forbidden Wings.
* In combination with the Talk to Animals trait
	+ Goat can be discovered, break into the green house, and re-lock the door.
* In combination with the Keen Eye trait:

**Keen Eye**
* Allows the player to see traces of Wayne left on the closet doll in Chapter 4.
* Allows the player to discover the Wartime Cook Book in the pantry in Chapter 1.
* Allows the player to prevent Rosalina from going deep into the mines.
* In combination with the Street Smart trait:
	+ Tabitha and Sybil's conversation in Chapter 3 can be fully heard.
	+ The green house can be broken into, discover Goat, and re-lock the door.
* In combination with the Talk to Animals trait:
	+ the player can talk to Rick the Stick in Kaneeka's room.
* In combination with the Book Smart trait, the player can:

**Book Smart**
* Allows access to Stella's "Boring Tax Stuff" folder revealing photos of her and Tabitha and a map of the mines.
* Allows the player to quickly read through the Scarlet Hollow autopsy file before Dr. Kelly returns.
* Allows the player to exorcize the Resonant without sacrifice.
* In combination with the Keen Eye trait, the player can:

**Hot**
* Characters treat you noticeably nicer.
* The player receives more opportunities to flirt with the romance options.

## Traits Patch List

* December 6, 2022: Hot receives more slight bonuses to relationships with other characters. Dr. Kelly's romance route is no longer exclusively locked to hot.
* June 23, 2022: All traits receive extra dialogue options and passive narration, with a focus on Powerful Build and extra context to Mystical.
* October 26, 2021: Book Smart buffed.
* October 2021: Powerful Build, Street Smart, and Hot buffed.
* June 2021: Talk to Animals added.

## Trivia

* An April Fools patch notes included 5 new different traits: Clown, Furry, Just A Lil Guy, Kamehameha, and Sigma Male.
* There is some evidence to suggest that some or all characters, not just the player, have specific Traits. Avery is called a "fellow Hot" if you have the Hot trait, and Pastor Daniels also clearly has the Talk to Animals trait.

## Reference

1. ↑ https://blacktabbygames.medium.com/designing-scarlet-hollows-trait-based-roleplaying-system-24f2b4f4906 "So each trait will have an equal number of major decisions it can save you from (at this point, probably one per trait)"
2. ↑ Tweet: Apr 1, 2022