Traits are skills or talents that some Rukaan have which they can potentially pass on to their offspring. These typically give them a bonus or some kind of special ability in an activity.
A Rukaan can have a total of 5 traits (which increases to 7 once they have reached Himthiki level).
Traits are passed at a rate of 50% in a breeding if one parent has it and 75% if both parents have it. (Devoted trait has a lower rate of passing from breedings.) Each calf can inherit a maximum of 5 traits.
There are also Non-Hereditary Traits, which are different from regular traits and can only be earned in special ways.
Devoted - Breedings are guaranteed to be successful regardless of rank if a breeding image is produced (Both parents at least fullbody colored with simple background or 800 word story, new image needed for each breeding). Breeding must already be unlocked for both parents and open breeding slot is still required.
Highly Fertile - Twice as likely to have twins or triplets in a successful breeding.
Redheaded Child - Gives a 5% chance of having red based offspring regardless of the base of the parents.
Ancestral Connection - Additional bonus to this Rukaan's rune mark rolls when a starter is pictured or included (50%+ visible or significantly included in the story). Starter must be linked in the bonus section.
Loner - Additional bonus to this Rukaan's rune mark rolls if your Rukaan is featured in an art/story piece with no other Rukaan present.
Sociable - Additional bonus to this Rukaan's rune mark rolls if your Rukaan is featured in an art/story piece with one or more additional Rukaan (50%+ visible or significantly included in the story).
Family Ties - Additional bonus to this Rukaan's rune mark rolls if your Rukaan is featured in an art/story piece with a direct offspring, direct parent or blood sibling (half- or full). The relative and their relationship must be listed when claiming the bonus. Both Rukaan must be fullbody in art/significantly involved in the story in literature.
Envious - Trait can only be used by officially antlerless Rukaan. Grants an additional rune mark bonus in pieces where the antlerless Rukaan and at least one officially antlered Rukaan are present and rolled for rune marks. Both Rukaan must be fullbody in art/significantly involved in the story in literature. The antlered Rukaan must have antlers pictured in art or described in literature and must be linked in the rune mark bonus field.
Ghost Whisperer - There is a small chance the benevolent spirits of your Rukaan’s ancestors may bestow a random trait upon them if pictured in a graveyard, cairn, burial site or memorial in an exploration piece. Traits will be applied to the Rukaan directly if they have not reached the maximum number of applied traits. If they have reached the maximum number of applied traits, the traits may be applied to a different Rukaan.
Pathfinder - Exploration tiers may be unlocked with one fewer required submission per area (for example: if a tier unlock normally requires 3 wetland and 3 market, they can unlock it with 2 wetland and 2 market). Exploration Tier Two is automatically unlocked; simply list Pathfinder in the unlock proof field.
Adventurous - Rukaan has a 10% chance to drop an additional area item in Unlockable Exploration Areas (Dragon’s Lair, Runewood, Spirit Realm, Shipwreck Island, Above the Clouds). Fossegrim's Song does not apply.
Homebody - Rukaan has a 10% chance to drop an additional area item in Tier 1 to Tier 3 exploration areas. Fossegrim's Song does not apply.
Neighborly - Rukaan has a 10% chance to drop a shed antler (iron, copper, gold, ancient, gem, moose or mutated) in addition to their roll in Explorations if a group NPC or Starter is pictured fullbody or significantly involved in the story. NPC/Starter must be linked in the activity bonuses.
Bravest - 15% chance of an extra item given when completing a Defense type quest.
Good Instincts - 15% chance of an extra item given when completing a Migration type quest.
Wisest - 15% chance of an extra item given when completing a Solution type quest.
Daring -15% chance of one extra prompt specific reward in a Defense type quest.
Well Traveled - 15% chance of one extra prompt specific reward in a Migration type quest.
Savvy - 15% chance of one extra prompt specific reward in a Solution type quest.
Charming - Rukaan has a 10% chance to drop a useful item (Oral History, Cleverness Potion, Stink Bomb, Herb Pouch, Flint Knife and Fish Trap) in addition to their roll in Quests if a group NPC or Starter is pictured fullbody or significantly involved in the story. NPC/Starter must be linked in the activity bonuses.
Family Pride - +3 to a Rukaan’s group show/feat entry score if pictured with an ancestor from their visible lineage (Art: 50%+ visible. Literature: Significantly involved in the story.)
Favored - +5 to a wild Rukaan’s group feat entry score if a sympathetic god or spirit is significantly featured in the art or story. Art: Must be fullbody. Lit: Must have additional 400 words over required wordcount.
Highly Trained - +3 bonus to a Rukaan’s intelligence stat in show/feat entries only.
Loyal - +5 to a tame Rukaan’s group show entry score if their handler is significantly featured in the art or story. Art: Must be fullbody. Lit: Must have additional 400 words over required wordcount.
Stealthy - They can't defend against you if they don't see you coming! In PVP Battles: Reduces your opponent's defense stat in pvp for the duration of the battle by 2. Stat cannot go lower than 0. In NPC/Boss Battles: reduces your opponent’s roll ceiling by 2.
Artful Dodger - They can't hit you if they can't catch you! In PVP Battles: Reduces your opponent's attack stat in pvp for the duration of the battle by 2. Stat cannot go lower than 0. In NPC/Boss Battles: reduces your opponent’s roll ceiling by 2.
Heavy Hitter - +2 Strength in Battles.
Tactician - +2 Intelligence in Battles.
Flashing Feet - +2 Speed in Battles.
Stalwart - +2 Stamina in Battles.
Companionable - Has a small chance of finding an exploration companion in exploring on top of the normal item roll, but only if they have a free companion slot. Unfilled "Snake Charmer" companion slots do count towards this requirement.
Doting - Infertile Rukaan with this trait receive double the bonus of any equipped companions. No effect on fertile Rukaan.
Fossegrim’s Song - Your Rukaan has learned the alluring song of the Fossegrim and can control nature itself. This Rukaan's traits/companions that are limited by setting (example: day/night or specific location) may be used in any time or location. Other restrictions (example: companion pictured, specific activity type) still apply.
Snake Charmer - Up to two companions which are reptiles do not count towards the Rukaan’s companion limit when applied. Reptile companions will be marked in their item descriptions.
Redeem a trait token for any trait
Earn through the ranking system with your Rukaan
Earn in Quests
Inherit from a parent with that trait
Use a Reinvention Stone to swap one trait for a new one
Sometimes drop from a Rukaan with Ghost Whipserer traits in explorations set in burial sites
Sometimes drops as an extra item in Quests
Traits can be applied to a Rukaan at The Grand Treasury. Traits can be removed freely, but they will be lost and cannot be applied to another Rukaan.
Non-hereditary traits work in a similar manner to regular traits but they do not take up a trait slot and are more difficult to obtain. There is no limit to the number of non-hereditary traits a Rukaan can have.
Mentor - Grants a rune mark bonus to one Rukaan featured in art or literature with this Rukaan. The Rukaan using the bonus must be a direct offspring or herdmate of the Rukaan with the Mentor trait. When listing the bonus in a rune mark form, the Rukaan with the Mentor trait must be linked and the relationship between the Mentor and the pictured Rukaan must be listed. If they are herdmates, the herd journal must be listed. Stacks with herd rune mark bonus.
Is earned from the 700 Rune Mark Reward Level
Inspiring - Grants a small rune mark bonus to all Rukaan in the submission, including the Rukaan with the trait if at least two player owned Rukaan are present in the piece. All Rukaan in the piece must be rolled for rune marks to receive the bonus, including the Rukaan with the trait. To use, all Rukaan must list the “Inspiring” bonus in the rune mark bonus section of the form and include a link to the Rukaan with the Inspiring trait. Only one Rukaan can grant the Inspiring bonus per submission.
Can be earned at the 1750 Rune Mark Reward Level
Call to Arms - Unlocks the ability to bring a second Rukaan from their herd to a battle as backup for +3 to the roll floor. Second Rukaan from the Rukaan’s herd must be included in the piece (fullbody or significantly involved in the story, herd journal must be linked). Second Rukaan does not get any battle drops and can't use the piece as battle experience or as a battle entry.
Can be earned with the Jarl title
Freyja’s Delight - When winning NPC and Boss battles, this Rukaan has a chance to win a love rune or guaranteed successful breeding in addition to the normal battle reward. In winning NPC and Boss battles against a Rukaan NPC who does not drop a breeding slot as a battle reward, they have a chance to win a Cup of the Contemporaries in addition to the normal battle reward.
Can be earned at the 2500 Rune Mark Reward Level
Can be earned from Lore Storyline Chapter 10
Ragnar’s Renown - Your reputation in battle precedes you and your enemies quake in fear. Battle opponents' roll ceiling is decreased by 3. Stacks with all battle bonuses.
Can be earned at the 1500 Rune Mark Reward Level
Danegeld Tribute - The Rukaan with this trait collects 100 kroner when included in explorations with other Rukaan. Both the Rukaan with this trait and at least one other Rukaan must receive an exploration roll for the submission for the trait to come into effect.
Can be earned with the Jarl title
Loki’s Meddling - Chance to receive a Trickster’s Token in monthly show/feat classes (including Fun and Junior classes) when the Rukaan or their handler is depicted cheating, regardless of placement. They will not lose ‘Class Depiction’ points in their score for being depicted cheating.
Can be earned at the 1750 Rune Mark Reward Level
Can be earned from Lore Storyline Chapter 10
Sigurd’s Calling - Allows the possibility for the Rukaan to find ‘monsters’ in quests in addition to their quest reward: Dragons in Migration-type quests, Krakens in Solution-type quests, and Fenrir in Defense-type quests.
Can be earned at the 2000 Rune Mark Reward Level
Skadi’s Domain - Allows the Rukaan to face seasonal battle opponents (NPC and Boss) and explore seasonal exploration areas at any time of year.
Is earned from the A Rukaan for All Seasons Achievement
Can be earned from Lore Storyline Chapter 10
Freyr’s Gift - Guarantees at least two calves in each successful breeding and increases the chance of triplets. Stacks with Highly Fertile trait. Does not stack if both parents have this trait.
Can be earned at the 2000 Rune Mark Reward Level
Can be earned from Lore Storyline Chapter 10
Gerda’s Cultivation - Increased chance of mutations (albinism, leucism, chimerism or melanism) for all calves in successful breedings. Stacks with change rune. Stacks if both parents have the trait.
Can be earned at the 1500 Rune Mark Reward Level
Can be earned from Lore Storyline Chapter 10
Striking Succession - If this Rukaan has a mutation (albinism, leucism, melanism, chimerism), this trait grants a chance of passing that mutation to offspring in breedings. Stacks with Gerda’s Cultivation and Change Rune. If the Rukaan with this trait does not have a mutation, it has no effect. If both parents have this trait, it does not stack and the breeding submitter must specify which parent’s mutation is using the bonus.
Can be earned at the 2500 Rune Mark Reward Level
Prizes in some group giveaways or limited time events
Earned from some rune mark reward levels beyond Marauder
Earned from some titles
Earned from some achievements
Can be wished for at the Wishing Well