https://discord.com/channels/762299987823689759/1392946167289217024/1393264884279545857
A character with 1 Intelligence is going to face a lot of struggles in understanding the world around them. Their thinking is slow, and they have trouble with reasoning, remembering things, and dealing with complex situations. Here's what that looks like in more detail:
Problem-solving is difficult for them. They’ll have trouble figuring out solutions to problems or understanding how to piece things together. If they’re given a plan or strategy, they might miss key parts and not see how things fit. They’re likely to focus on simple details, but miss the bigger picture.
They make a lot of mistakes and misunderstand things easily. They might forget things people tell them or get confused about what’s going on. They could easily misread social situations, misunderstand someone’s intentions, or forget important details.
Learning new things is a real challenge. If they try to pick up new skills or learn something complex, they’ll struggle. They need things broken down into very simple terms to understand. If it’s something technical or advanced, they’ll have a hard time grasping it without a lot of help.
Memory isn’t their strong suit either. They could easily forget things that happened earlier or forget tasks they need to do. Important details might slip their mind, and that could be dangerous or frustrating for those around them.
Abstract ideas or thinking about complicated topics will be nearly impossible for them. They’ll have trouble with anything that isn’t right in front of them or simple. If someone talks about complex ideas, metaphors, or deeper meanings, they probably won’t understand it at all.
Making decisions won’t go well for them either. They’ll act quickly without thinking of the consequences and might put themselves or others in danger because they don’t see the bigger picture. They may trust the wrong people or make impulsive choices that don’t make sense later.
Communication is a struggle. They might find it hard to explain themselves clearly, and when they talk, it could come out confusing. They might not pick up on jokes, sarcasm, or any subtle hints others give them in conversation.
Learning anything complicated will be tough. They need things to be explained in very simple terms. Anything that requires thinking beyond the basics or detailed knowledge will be a challenge for them. They may need constant guidance and support to learn.
If you’re playing a character with 1 Intelligence, you’ll need to focus on their struggles. They will often miss details, make mistakes, and struggle to understand things. Social situations might be awkward for them because they might not catch onto what others mean or they could say the wrong thing at the wrong time. They’ll need a lot of help from others to get through situations, especially when it comes to more complex tasks or problems.
In the world of Kindred, where details matter, these struggles could lead to big problems. A character with 1 Intelligence will have to rely on others for help, and they might find themselves in dangerous situations because they can’t think things through on their own.
A character with 1 Wits faces significant difficulties when it comes to reacting to the world around them. Their ability to think quickly, adapt to fast-changing situations, and make snap decisions is severely limited. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Quick thinking is a real challenge. This character struggles to respond quickly in any kind of stressful or fast-paced situation. If something unexpected happens whether it’s a sudden attack, a complicated social interaction, or a life-or-death decision they’ll be caught off guard. They’ll likely freeze, hesitate, or take too long to react, giving others the upper hand. Instead of adapting quickly, they’re more likely to remain stuck or act too slowly to make a difference.
They have a hard time thinking on their feet. When things change rapidly, this character has difficulty adjusting. If plans fall apart or situations shift unexpectedly, they might not be able to come up with a new approach. They’ll struggle to stay ahead of the curve, often making mistakes because they can’t process information fast enough. Whether it's in combat, a negotiation, or even a casual conversation, they are constantly a step behind.
Adapting to new situations is difficult. If faced with something they haven’t encountered before, they will likely flounder. They may need extra time or help from others to figure out how to handle a new challenge, and even then, they’ll often approach it in the wrong way. This makes them particularly vulnerable in unpredictable environments, where they’ll struggle to keep up with others who are more adaptable.
Decision-making is slow. A character with 1 Wits takes too long to make decisions when quick thinking is required. They might overthink simple problems or freeze when they need to choose between multiple options. In combat or high-pressure situations, this delay could cost them dearly. They’re more likely to second-guess themselves or panic, unable to trust their instincts and always worried about making the wrong call.