Calculating Steel

[Durgil]

I'm working on a powerful Eldarin Lord Protector NPC, and I am working out the attribute scores right now.

First, would you consider an Elven character with songs Gifted for + 1 point of Steel?

Next, for the last three questions concerning high stats that add to the Steel score, should you take into account that the stat is Greyed but doesn't have quite a high enough exponent?

[Mickeroo]

I guess along those same lines, would anyone with any type of magic like that be considered? Orcs with darkness and blood whatnot, dwarven crafters, or variatoins, such as psychic characters?

[Redoid]

Steel is easily the most subjective attribute. I don't see being gifted, per se, giving a calmer outlook one life. I was under the impression that studying sorcery would expose you to unspeakable horrors as part of Demonology 101, and that's what is reflected here. However, you can be gifted without the Sorcery skill, so it can't be the explanation. So, my question would be more general, "why is being gifted a benefit to steel?".

[Mickeroo]

I woudl say because you aren't a normal person. I mean, you are somewhat above the realm of humanity, but then again, that answer could be complete bull.

[Durgil]

Okay, so I gather that the answer of the first part of my question depends on the GM. Either only gifted humans get an extra point or if you're human, you have to be gifted to get this extra point.

I still don't have an answer for the second part of my question. In my situation, My Etharch, Lord Protector has a Grey Will of 4. Should he receive an additional point of Steel for it, or does it have to be an exponent of 5 or more regardless of the shade?

[Mickeroo]

You should probably add 2 to the exponent to calculate steel.

[Thor Olavsrud]

Elves with songs do no qualify as Gifted. They do not get an extra point for it. You must be Gifted to get that point.

Being Gifted grants you a benefit to your Steel because you must train your Will to deal with superhuman forces. You learn to change the world with your Will alone.

The shade of the Stat does not mean anything when calculating Steel. Only the exponent counts.

[Thor Olavsrud]

However, this is not to say that Gray Will does not affect Steel results at all! It just does so indirectly. Don't overlook the Heroic and Supernatural Mechanics section on page 253 of the system book. On page 254, the book notes that when calculating a character's Hesitation, you use 8 - Will rather than 10 - Will.

In other words, a character with a Will B4 will have a Hesitation of 6. A character with a Will G4 will have a Hesitation of 4. Big difference!

[Durgil]

...Don't overlook the Heroic and Supernatural Mechanics section on page 253 of the system book. On page 254, the book notes that when calculating a character's Hesitation, you use 8 - Will rather than 10 - Will.
I had completely overlooked that. Thanks!