All characters are represented by a series of game features. In the case of playing characters, this information is presented on the character sheet.
The character sheet has the following features:
– Concept: A one-phrase summary of the character, consisting of three elements: the character’s animal species, occupation, and circumstance (character’s present state). For example, John Blacksad has the concept “Detective cat with an ambiguous morality”.
– Characteristics: Values that serve to represent the different areas of action in which the characters may be involved. There are four: Fortitude (brute force, resistance, etc.), Reflexes (coordination of movements, ability to react, etc.), Willpower (presence, poise, etc.) and Intellect (intelligence, cunning, etc.). To create your character, distribute 12 points among these four characteristics and remember that all characteristics have a value between 1 and 5 and a descriptive phrase.
– Traits: Areas in which the character stands out and further differentiates our character from the rest, in a manner consistent with the chosen concept. Features are associated with a characteristic, so that the character will have one or more features in each of them and have values between +1 and +3. Distribute as many points among the traits of each characteristic equivalent to the stats this one has.
– Milestones: Four short phrases summarizing past experiences or characteristics that have a deep impact on the character. The milestones don’t have to be negative or positive per se: they reflect what has happened and maybe they can be interpreted from one side as well as the other, having the look that best fits the idea you have. During the game, the milestones will serve as a guide for interpreting your character and the situations surrounding it, and may also affect the outcome of the rolls in a positive or negative way.
– Complication: A limitation that prevents him from developing his full potential and that limits him, as a “human” that he is. For example, John Blacksad’s complication is “He can’t resist a pretty face”.
– Combat scores: All characters have an Initiative value (how fast he acts in stressful situations; Reflexes + Intellect), Defense (how difficult it is to hit him; Reflexes/2, round-up to higher value ), Endurance (the margin in which certain wounds can cause complications; Fortitude + Willpower), Resistance (the damage he is able to endure; Endurance x3) and Protection (the defenses, natural or not, against damage).
– Conscience: The integrity and moral rectitude of the character, his inclination to do the right thing. This punctuation (Willpower + Intellect) marks the status of your character in his personal story of descent into hell.
– Drive: The character’s ability to give the best of himself and to take advantage of the situation, his motivation and, in a way, his heroism. The character starts with the exact same number of Drive points and Conscience points.
– Instinct: The strength of the character’s impulses, the degree to which he trusts them, and can use them to his advantage. Every character starts with 2 Instinct points.
