Aptitudes

Strength is a measure of a character's physical force and endurance. While strength does contribute to a few skills, strength also contributes to the amount of hit-points a character possesses, allowing him or her to survive hardship.

Dexterity is a measure of a character's coordination and grace. Dexterity contributes to several skills and also contributes to a character's evasion, allowing him or her to dodge incoming fire or avoid danger.

Perception is a representation of a character's awareness and senses. Quite a few skills draw upon dexterity, but it also affords a character a higher initiative and attack bonus, allowing them to act earlier and attack with more precision in combat.

Intellect is a representation of a character's knowledge and intuition. Intellect provides bonuses to a wide variety of skills, allowing a character to obtain many tricks.

Last but not least, Charisma is a measure of the character's force of will and personality, and contributes to several social skills.