Mental Attributes

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DESCRIPTION

Mental attributes indicate a character’s aptitude for problem-solving, learning, deduction, and general alertness. A character with high Mental attributes is attentive, logical, or intuitive. On the other hand, if a character has low Mental attributes, she is not as capable. Such a character may be poorly educated, naive, or mentally slow.

EXAMPLE

Nixx the Tremere is investigating a crime scene, hoping to find clues as to the identity of a clever thief who broke into the chantry. Depending upon his attribute level, his Mental focus, and his ranks in an appropriate skill, Nixx can go about his investigation using a number of different methods. He might studiously look around the room, using his Perception focus and the Investigation skill to notice if anything is out of place. If he has focused in Wits, Nixx might use his Academics skill to remember everything that was in the room and see if he can tell what’s missing. If Nixx has focused in Intelligence, he might utilize his Science: Forensics skill and check the room for fingerprints , hair follicles, or other evidence.

FOCUS

The three Mental focuses are Perception, Intelligence, and Wits. Mental powers often give special benefits for a character with a specific focus. When making a non-power-based challenge that relates to your character’s Mental focus, the Storyteller may choose to award you a +3 bonus to that challenge. Alternately, when your character is attempting a non-power-based focus-related action that requires a significant investment of time, such as translating an ancient text into English, your Storyteller may halve the time needed for your character to perform the action.

SOURCE BOOK

MET: VTM Source Book