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Core Traits

How Core Traits Are Used in The Hundred​

Core traits are defined on a continuum from 1–5. Each villager has a value for every trait, shaping how they act in tales. The tension between different values creates story possibilities and player choices. A score of 1 or 5 brings out the drawbacks of a trait (too brave, too impulsive ...) so that we can make overcoming and managing those traits part of the tales. A score of 2 and 4 brings out the advantages having the trait in our tales. We can have doubtful villagers in a tale looking for the confident villager to cross a dangerous bridge.

The value 5 is given to villagers who fall in the middle of the spectrum.

The Traits​

Brave ↔ Cautious​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone responds to risk, danger, or uncertainty.

  • Brave: Acts despite fear, willing to face danger or take chances.
  • Cautious: Prefers safety, evaluates risks carefully, avoids unnecessary danger.

Examples in practice

  • Brave villager: Volunteers to climb a crumbling tower to rescue a stranded bird, even if it might collapse. They believe the goal is worth the danger.
  • Cautious villager: Stops the group before crossing a shaky bridge, suggesting they check the ropes first. They want to prevent disaster before acting.

Balance in story

  • Too brave → reckless.
  • Too cautious → missed opportunities.

The best outcomes often come from blending courage with care.

Patient ↔ Impulsive​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone approaches time, waiting, and decision-making.

  • Patient: Willing to wait, observe, and act only when the moment is right. Values preparation and long-term outcomes.
  • Impulsive: Acts quickly, often without planning. Values momentum, energy, and immediate results.

Examples in practice

  • Patient villager: Waits for the river’s current to slow before crossing, even if it means delaying the journey. They believe preparation prevents mistakes.
  • Impulsive villager: Jumps across the river on stepping stones the moment they see them, eager to get moving. They believe action creates opportunity.

Balance in story

  • Too patient → misses chances, lets life pass by.
  • Too impulsive → makes avoidable mistakes or causes harm.

The best outcomes often come when patience steadies action, and impulsiveness sparks needed change.

Independent ↔ Community-Focused​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone relates to self-reliance versus group belonging.

  • Independent: Prefers to rely on their own skills and judgment. Values autonomy, personal freedom, and self-sufficiency.
  • Community-Focused: Places the needs of the group first. Values cooperation, harmony, and shared responsibility.

Examples in practice

  • Independent villager: Repairs their roof alone, even when help is offered. They believe doing it themselves ensures it’s done right.
  • Community-focused villager: Organizes neighbors to repair the roof together, believing shared effort makes the village stronger.

Balance in story

  • Too independent → risks isolation, mistrust, or exhaustion.
  • Too community-focused → risks losing individuality, over-reliance, or self-neglect.

The best outcomes often come when independence provides resilience, and community ensures support.

Confident ↔ Doubtful​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone sees their own abilities, decisions, and worth.

  • Confident: Believes in their skills and choices, willing to take responsibility and lead when needed.
  • Doubtful: Questions their own ability or judgment, hesitant to act without reassurance or proof.

Examples in practice

  • Confident villager: Volunteers to guide the group through the forest, trusting their sense of direction even when paths are unclear.
  • Doubtful villager: Hesitates at a crossroads, asking others for guidance before choosing a direction.

Balance in story

  • Too confident → arrogance, ignoring advice, costly mistakes.
  • Too doubtful → paralysis, missed chances, letting others decide everything.

The best outcomes often come when confidence provides direction, and doubt ensures reflection.

Inquisitive ↔ Content​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone balances the drive to seek new knowledge with the ability to find peace in what they already know.

  • Inquisitive: Always questioning, searching, and probing for answers. Values discovery, new ideas, and exploration.
  • Content: Finds satisfaction in the present moment and in what is already known. Values stability, gratitude, and continuity.

Examples in practice

  • Inquisitive villager: Heads into the dark forest to discover new plants, animals, or hidden places — eager to find what lies beyond the familiar.
  • Content villager: Stays by the fire, rereading old notes or enjoying a well-loved book by candlelight — satisfied with the knowledge already gathered.

Balance in story

  • Too inquisitive → risks overreaching, distraction, or uncovering more than they can handle.
  • Too content → risks missing opportunities or resisting helpful change.

The best outcomes often come when inquisitiveness brings discovery, and contentment ensures wisdom in choosing what to keep.

Open Book ↔ Secretive​

Definition
This continuum measures how freely someone shares their thoughts, feelings, and knowledge with others.

  • Open Book: Speaks openly, shares information easily, and finds it hard to keep secrets. Builds trust quickly, but can reveal more than intended.
  • Secretive: Keeps thoughts and plans private, reveals information carefully, and protects what they know. Builds trust slowly, but can safeguard what matters.

Examples in practice

  • Open Book villager: Accidentally reveals the location of hidden supplies in casual conversation, believing honesty keeps everyone safe.
  • Secretive villager: Knows the same information but withholds it until the right moment, believing some truths should be protected.

Balance in story

  • Too open book → risks exposing secrets or endangering plans.
  • Too secretive → risks creating mistrust or leaving others unprepared.

The best outcomes often come when openness builds connection, and secrecy preserves what needs protection.

Kind ↔ Blunt​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone chooses to express truth and care in their words and actions.

  • Kind: Speaks gently, prioritizes others’ feelings, and offers support with compassion. Builds harmony, but may soften hard truths.
  • Blunt: Speaks directly, prioritizes clarity over comfort, and values honesty above tact. Builds trust in truth, but may hurt feelings.

Examples in practice

  • Kind villager: Reassures a friend who failed at a task, focusing on encouragement before suggesting improvements.
  • Blunt villager: Tells the same friend straight away what went wrong and how to fix it, without cushioning the words.

Balance in story

  • Too kind → risks avoiding necessary truths, enabling mistakes.
  • Too blunt → risks offending others, creating conflict.

The best outcomes often come when kindness softens honesty, and bluntness ensures clarity where it’s needed.

Practical ↔ Impractical​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone approaches problems and solutions in everyday life.

  • Practical: Focused on what works, chooses reliable methods, and values efficiency. Finds solutions that last and are easy to use.
  • Impractical: Drawn to unusual or risky methods, values creativity over efficiency, and may ignore limitations. Finds solutions that surprise, amuse, or sometimes fail.

Examples in practice

  • Practical villager: Repairs a broken cartwheel with sturdy wood and simple tools, ensuring it will last for many journeys.
  • Impractical villager: Tries to fix the cartwheel with ribbons and herbs “to see what happens,” creating something colorful but unreliable.

Balance in story

  • Too practical → risks being unimaginative, missing out on creative solutions.
  • Too impractical → risks wasting time, causing mayhem, or failing at the wrong moment.

The best outcomes often come when practicality ensures stability, and impracticality sparks new possibilities.

Serious ↔ Playful​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone approaches life, work, and challenges.

  • Serious: Focused, careful, and responsible. Treats problems with weight and values order and discipline.
  • Playful: Lighthearted, humorous, and energetic. Treats problems with creativity and values fun and experimentation.

Examples in practice

  • Serious villager: Plans out every step of a building project, making sure tools and materials are perfectly prepared before beginning.
  • Playful villager: Starts the same project by stacking stones into funny shapes, turning the work into a game, and only later finding a workable design.

Balance in story

  • Too serious → risks becoming rigid, joyless, or overwhelming others with rules.
  • Too playful → risks distraction, carelessness, or not being taken seriously.

The best outcomes often come when seriousness ensures responsibility, and playfulness keeps spirits high and ideas fresh.

Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending​

Definition
This continuum measures how someone relates to rules, traditions, and authority.

  • Rule-Following: Respects established rules, traditions, and guidance. Believes order and fairness come from everyone following the same path.
  • Rule-Bending: Questions rules, adapts them to fit the situation, or breaks them if they seem unfair. Believes flexibility and change are sometimes more important than strict order.

Examples in practice

  • Rule-Following villager: Waits for the festival to officially begin before sharing food, believing it honors tradition.
  • Rule-Bending villager: Shares food early with hungry children, even if it breaks custom, believing kindness matters more than timing.

Balance in story

  • Too rule-following → risks rigidity, blind obedience, or missing chances for compassion.
  • Too rule-bending → risks chaos, mistrust, or undermining fairness.

The best outcomes often come when rules provide structure, and bending them allows fairness and creativity.

Villager profiles​

Brave ↔ Cautious​

  • Kaira — 5 (too brave, reckless, rushes into danger without pause)
  • Enzo — 4 (brave, strength: steady under pressure, doesn’t flinch when challenged)
  • Ramu — 4 (brave, strength: bold in action, pushes forward when others hesitate)
  • Bayak — 2 (cautious, strength: weighs risks carefully before acting)
  • Nalani — 2 (cautious, strength: steady judgment in uncertain situations)
  • Bella — 3 (balanced, acts with care but willing to step forward)
  • Darian — 3 (balanced, blends curiosity with caution)
  • Nari — 3 (balanced, can be careful yet open to risk)
  • Tiresia — 3 (balanced, weighs risk against purpose)
  • Alaric — 3 (balanced, steady but not overly cautious)
  • Luna — 1 (too cautious, hesitant, often holds back when action is needed)

Patient ↔ Impulsive​

  • Ramu — 5 (too impulsive, rash)
  • Taren — 4 (patient, strength: endures long processes without frustration)
  • Bella — 4 (patient, strength: steady and composed, gives time for things to grow)
  • Mina — 2 (impulsive, strength: kick-starts action when speed matters)
  • Enzo — 2 (impulsive, strength: makes fast, clear calls under pressure)
  • Bayak — 3 (balanced, careful but ready to act)
  • Nalani — 3 (balanced, waits when needed but not stalled)
  • Nari — 3 (balanced, adapts between patience and action)
  • Tiresia — 3 (balanced, reflective but not slow to act)
  • Azar — 3 (balanced, decisive yet not reckless)
  • Darian — 3 (balanced, thoughtful yet doesn’t over-wait)
  • Alaric — 1 (too patient, slow, misses chances)

Independent ↔ Community-Focused​

  • Bayak — 5 (too independent, isolated)
  • Kaira — 4 (independent, strength: stands on her own when the group wavers)
  • Viktor — 4 (independent, strength: keeps integrity even under social pressure)
  • Luna — 2 (community-focused, strength: nurtures harmony, builds trust among others)
  • Tiresia — 2 (community-focused, strength: unites people with guidance and shared perspective)
  • Enzo — 3 (balanced, contributes but stands apart when needed)
  • Bella — 1 (too community-focused, self-neglecting)
  • Darian — 3 (balanced, values both his own path and shared goals)
  • Alaric — 3 (balanced, self-reliant but willing to join efforts)
  • Mina — 3 (balanced, enjoys group work but keeps her spark)
  • Nari — 3 (balanced, contributes to group while keeping individuality)
  • Ramu — 3 (balanced, bold yet knows when to stand with others)
  • Azar — 3 (balanced, gives stories to community but keeps his independence)

Confident ↔ Doubtful​

  • Ramu — 5 (too confident, arrogant)
  • Azar — 4 (confident, strength: steady belief in his craft, leads by example)
  • Kaira — 4 (confident, strength: self-assured presence that steadies others)
  • Luna — 2 (doubtful, strength: questions paths before committing)
  • Bayak — 2 (doubtful, strength: checks details others might overlook)
  • Enzo — 3 (balanced, believes in himself but knows limits)
  • Bella — 3 (balanced, trusting yet humble)
  • Darian — 3 (balanced, confident in maps but reflective)
  • Mina — 3 (balanced, sometimes doubts but quick to bounce back)
  • Nari — 3 (balanced, cautious confidence, not boastful)
  • Tiresia — 3 (balanced, speaks with certainty but reflects deeply)
  • Viktor — 3 (balanced, confident but not infallible)
  • Alaric — 3 (balanced, humble and assured in equal measure)
  • Nalani — 1 (too doubtful, paralyzed)

Inquisitive ↔ Content​

  • Darian — 5 (too inquisitive, distracted)
  • Mina — 4 (inquisitive, strength: playful curiosity opens up new possibilities)
  • Nari — 4 (inquisitive, strength: seeks hidden meanings and fresh insights)
  • Ramu — 2 (content, strength: finds satisfaction in what’s already at hand)
  • Luna — 2 (content, strength: grounded, at peace with the present moment)
  • Bella — 3 (balanced, curious yet appreciative of the familiar)
  • Bayak — 3 (balanced, digs into history but values present)
  • Enzo — 3 (balanced, practical but willing to explore ideas)
  • Kaira — 3 (balanced, interested but not distracted)
  • Alaric — 3 (balanced, curious about soil and patient with it)
  • Nalani — 3 (balanced, enjoys discovery but content with tides)
  • Tiresia — 3 (balanced, reflective, balances searching and keeping)
  • Azar — 3 (balanced, inquisitive in stories, content in home life)
  • Viktor — 1 (too content, stagnant)

Open Book ↔ Secretive​

  • Azar — 5 (too open book, overshares/distorts)
  • Bella — 4 (open book, strength: shares feelings warmly, creates closeness)
  • Darian — 4 (open book, strength: speaks with clear honesty, invites trust)
  • Nari — 2 (secretive, strength: keeps confidences, reveals only what helps)
  • Enzo — 2 (secretive, strength: reserved, protects knowledge until it’s needed)
  • Alaric — 3 (balanced, open but knows when to hold back)
  • Bayak — 3 (balanced, shares thoughtfully but keeps depth inside)
  • Kaira — 3 (balanced, honest but guarded when needed)
  • Luna — 3 (balanced, gentle with words, neither secretive nor too open)
  • Mina — 3 (balanced, playful chatter but knows when to be quiet)
  • Ramu — 3 (balanced, bold but not indiscreet)
  • Viktor — 3 (balanced, serious but transparent when needed)
  • Tiresia — 1 (too secretive, mistrustful)

Kind ↔ Blunt​

  • Bella — 5 (too kind, avoids hard truths)
  • Nalani — 4 (kind, strength: gentle encouragement helps others feel safe to act)
  • Tiresia — 4 (kind, strength: compassionate guidance eases difficult choices)
  • Alaric — 2 (blunt, strength: plain-spoken, offers clarity without cruelty)
  • Kaira — 2 (blunt, strength: straightforward, cuts through confusion)
  • Enzo — 3 (balanced, mixes tough words with steady support)
  • Bayak — 3 (balanced, kind but doesn’t soften truth too much)
  • Darian — 3 (balanced, considerate but straightforward)
  • Mina — 3 (balanced, cheerful but honest)
  • Nari — 3 (balanced, warm but candid when needed)
  • Ramu — 3 (balanced, energetic but considerate)
  • Azar — 3 (balanced, speaks freely but with care)
  • Viktor — 3 (balanced, measured tone, not too harsh or soft)
  • Taren — 1 (too blunt, harsh)

Practical ↔ Impractical​

  • Enzo — 5 (too practical, unimaginative)
  • Alaric — 4 (practical, strength: grounded and resourceful, makes steady solutions)
  • Luna — 4 (practical, strength: dependable, applies order to get results)
  • Darian — 2 (impractical, strength: explores unusual paths that sometimes solve problems)
  • Azar — 2 (impractical, strength: playful ideas spark unexpected solutions)
  • Bella — 3 (balanced, practical in daily life but not rigid)
  • Bayak — 3 (balanced, thoughtful, avoids waste but allows flexibility)
  • Kaira — 3 (balanced, prefers order but open to new ways)
  • Nalani — 3 (balanced, adapts to practical needs while staying fluid)
  • Nari — 3 (balanced, creative yet grounded)
  • Ramu — 3 (balanced, bold but still sensible in work)
  • Tiresia — 3 (balanced, practical in guidance but not rigid)
  • Viktor — 3 (balanced, organized but not strict)
  • Mina — 1 (too impractical, unreliable)

Serious ↔ Playful​

  • Viktor — 5 (too serious, rigid)
  • Enzo — 4 (serious, strength: diligent, focused, ensures quality in the work)
  • Bayak — 4 (serious, strength: dependable, approaches tasks with weight and care)
  • Taren — 2 (playful, strength: experiments with ideas, turns work into invention)
  • Bella — 2 (playful, strength: brings warmth and cheer into daily life)
  • Alaric — 3 (balanced, responsible but enjoys lighter moments)
  • Azar — 3 (balanced, serious in work, playful in stories)
  • Darian — 3 (balanced, mixes gravity with whimsy)
  • Kaira — 3 (balanced, firm yet not joyless)
  • Luna — 3 (balanced, light yet not frivolous)
  • Mina — 3 (balanced, cheerful but not careless)
  • Nalani — 3 (balanced, calm but playful when fitting)
  • Ramu — 3 (balanced, energetic yet dependable)
  • Tiresia — 3 (balanced, serious in counsel but warm in tone)
  • Nari — 1 (too playful, careless)

Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending​

  • Kaira — 5 (too rule-following, rigid)
  • Alaric — 4 (rule-following, strength: steady with routines, keeps order in daily life)
  • Viktor — 4 (rule-following, strength: upholds fairness and consistency)
  • Tiresia — 2 (rule-bending, strength: interprets and adapts rules with wisdom)
  • Mina — 2 (rule-bending, strength: playful with rules, sparks new approaches)
  • Bella — 3 (balanced, respects structure but bends when fairness demands)
  • Bayak — 3 (balanced, keeps tradition but adapts as needed)
  • Darian — 3 (balanced, values order but knows rules shift)
  • Enzo — 3 (balanced, steady worker but flexible in practice)
  • Luna — 3 (balanced, follows customs yet adapts to context)
  • Nalani — 3 (balanced, respects order but open to change)
  • Nari — 3 (balanced, creative but fair-minded)
  • Ramu — 3 (balanced, bold but aware of rules)
  • Azar — 1 (too rule-bending, chaotic)

Villager Trait Summary (Scores 1–5)​

Alaric

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 3
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 1
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 3
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 2
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 4
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 4

Azar

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 3
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 4
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 5
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 2
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 1

Bayak

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 2
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 5
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 2
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 3
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 4
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Bella

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 3
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 4
  • Independent ↔ Community: 1
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 3
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 4
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 5
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 3
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 2
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Darian

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 3
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 3
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 5
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 4
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 2
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Enzo

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 4
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 2
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 4
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 2
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 5
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 4
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Kaira

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 5
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 4
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 4
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 2
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 4
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 5

Luna

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 1
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 2
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 2
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 2
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 4
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Mina

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 3
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 2
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 3
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 4
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 1
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 2

Nalani

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 2
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 1
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 4
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 3
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Nari

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 3
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 3
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 4
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 2
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 3
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 1
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Ramu

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 4
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 5
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 5
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 2
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 3
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Taren

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 2
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 4
  • Independent ↔ Community: 3
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 3
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 1
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 3
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 2
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 3

Tiresia

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 3
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 2
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 3
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 3
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 1
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 4
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 3
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 3
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 2

Viktor

  • Brave ↔ Cautious: 3
  • Patient ↔ Impulsive: 3
  • Independent ↔ Community: 4
  • Confident ↔ Doubtful: 3
  • Inquisitive ↔ Content: 1
  • Open Book ↔ Secretive: 3
  • Kind ↔ Blunt: 3
  • Practical ↔ Impractical: 3
  • Serious ↔ Playful: 5
  • Rule-Following ↔ Rule-Bending: 4