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Body Types
Body Type is a one-time choice made during character creation. It represents the character’s natural physical build and physiology. This choice helps define a character’s visual identity, fighting style, and core stats.
Body Types are independent of a character’s species or Domains, and they offer small but meaningful mechanical effects.
===== What Body Type Affects ===== Each Body Type provides the following:
- Attribute Modifiers – affecting Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, etc.
- Base Evasion – some builds are nimble, others solid
- Base Hit Points – starting HP before Domain or other bonuses
- Base Stress Capacity – the limit before stress overflows into damage
- Optional Trait Tags – for flavor or world-building (e.g., stocky, graceful)
These values can influence many Aspects due to how they’re calculated (see 🧬 Aspects).
===== Sample Body Types ===== Here are some example Body Types. GMs and players are encouraged to create new ones that suit the world or a player's vision for their character.
| Body Type | Attribute Modifiers | Base Evasion | Base HP | Stress Max | Flavor Traits | Lithe | +1 DEX, -1 STR | 11 | 4 | 5 | Agile, graceful | Stocky | +1 CON, -1 DEX | 9 | 6 | 4 | Tough, grounded | Broad | +1 STR, -1 CHA | 10 | 6 | 5 | Muscular, imposing | Lean | +1 INT, -1 CON | 10 | 4 | 6 | Sharp, wiry | Balanced | +1 to any, -1 to any | 10 | 5 | 5 | Versatile, adaptable | Compact | +1 WIS, -1 STR | 11 | 4 | 6 | Alert, small |
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===== Optional Customization ===== Players may work with the GM to design a unique Body Type to match a concept, especially for non-humanoid or fantastical species. Just keep bonuses and penalties minor and in line with existing examples.
===== Mechanical Simplicity ===== Body Types are not meant to be overwhelming or require deep optimization. Their role is to flavor the character’s stats and feel, without overshadowing Domains or Aspects.
===== Species vs. Body Type ===== Your Species (e.g., Human, Elf, Kobold) determines features like vision, movement type, and cultural background. Your Body Type affects stats and physical presence. These are chosen independently.