"I know that sound. Don't tell me you brought a fortune teller's trinket with you all the way here. Are you planning to tell us our fortunes, Barry?" ― Daren
Stat devices are magical devices creates by the lessathi, which siphon magic from the surrounding area in order to boost the natural abilities of the user.
Stat Device Usage[]
They are specifically designed to work with the lessathi auras, and work as intended for Half-Lessathi as well, but lose most of their effectiveness when used by other races. Because of this, stat-devices aren't taken very seriously outside of Varathia, mostly only being used by fortune tellers who invest solely in the Premonition stat. [1]
Emergency Mode[]
If the wielder is put in a situation where there is too much energy being absorbed to convert into points, the stat device will enter emergency mode, which temporarily unlocks the Magic Stats even if they have not been unlock using the security code. Eiden has demonstrated the ability to deliberately make Barry's stat device enter Emergency Mode, by channeling large amounts of magical energy directly into the device. Fighting five undead stillwaters simultaneously also provided the necessary energy to trigger Emergency Mode, though with noticeably lower Magic Stats compared to when Eiden triggered it.
Berserker Mode[]
In case of possessing magical energy and still being in constant danger, Emergency Mode will end, all of the remaining energy will be consumed in order to activate Berserker Mode, which temporarily sets all the basic stats to 9. [2] It is currently unknown if it also affects the aura stats once they had been unlocked. Eiden believes this mode is a waste, as it depletes the collected magical energy very quickly.
Modifications[]
With enough knowledge, stat devices can be modified to serve additional functions outside of enhancing stats. For example, Reidzek modified a stat device for Leila so she could project her thoughts as floating blue text, and to notify her when other stat-devices are nearby, in order to know if they're being followed by other lessathi. Kate has suggested it may be possible to modify one in order to collect energy even without many mages around.
Gameplay[]
Barry's stat device is a core mechanic of gameplay, as, throughout Barry's adventure, the outcomes of many situations will change depending on Barry's stats. The game will often notify the player when a stat check has occurred, along with what the minimum score to pass the check was. Occasionally certain player choices will be locked behind having a certain stat at a specific level or higher. This is distinct from stat-checks in that instead of failing, you are simply unable to select the choice to begin with. The Player is generally free to invest any available stat-points whenever they choose.
Basic Stats[]
The nine basic stats are unlocked by default on all stat devices.
Strength[]
The Strength stat acts to increase users' brute strength, allowing them to exert more force with each point invested. Its worth noting that this acts as a multiplier on the wielder's natural strength, meaning someone who is already strong will receive greater benefits for each point invested than someone who isn't.
Speed[]
The Speed stat enhances the quickness of the wielder. It only enhances movement speed, not reaction speed or the precision of movements made. Investing in speed can help the wielder move around the battlefield faster for a tactical advantage, and can have a variety of other benefits when paired with other stats, such as acting alongside the Reflexes stat to allow the wielder to dodge quickly.
Toughness[]
Investing points in Toughness increases the physical durability of the wielder, making their skin harder to pierce, and their body more resilient against blunt impact. Toughness checks generally occur in situations where Barry is subjected to physical damage, which can often be the result of failing a different check beforehand.
Reflexes[]
The Reflexes stat boosts the wielders reaction speed, physical coordination, and lightness of foot. It is primarily used to react and respond quickly to danger. In many cases investing in another stat may also be necessary to deal with the danger at hand. For example Barry may react to an attack early enough to know to dodge or block it, but lack the raw speed or strength needed to do so.
Hearing[]
Investing points in Hearing makes the wielder's hearing more accurate and precise, allowing them to register sounds that would normally be too quiet to hear normally, or to make out sounds that would normally be difficult to interpret, like muffled speech.
Observation[]
The Observation stat boosts the wielders awareness of their surroundings. This includes improvements to both eyesight, and attention to detail. This stat is helpful to spot small important details, and to notice things that appear out of place, which can be especially useful in helping the wielder notice flaws in illusion spells.
Premonition[]
The premonition stat is the only stat that doesn't offer a constant enhancement. Instead, investing in the premonition stat will cause the user to randomly catch glimpses of their future. These visions are not set in stone, as the wielder can use their knowledge of future events to change the outcome. This can be incredibly useful in helping the wielder recognize threats early, and act accordingly to protect themselves or their allies.
Combat Technique[]
Investing in the Combat Technique stat effectively grants the stat device wielder the same effect as training with physical weapons and martial arts. It can help untrained fighters use weapons like daggers, swords, or crossbows as proficiently as someone who is familiar with using that weapon, and grants the wielder improved hand-to-hand fighting technique as well.
Ancient Languages[]
The Ancient Languages stat grants the stat-device wielder the ability to understand, speak, and read ancient languages, including those currently spoken by the monsters and animals on Varathia. This can allow the user to comminate with other cultures more effectively, and to decipher messages found in ancient texts or ruins.
Aura Stats[]
The three Aura stats must be manually activated, as they where hidden from the menu due to still being experimental when the stat devices where made. Despite this they're fully functional, and do not require any special authority or security code to unlock. Activating them will reset the device's stat investments back to zero, effectively giving the user a chance to redistribute their points.
Bluff (Aura Concealment)[]
This stat was designed to improve the user's aura control in order to make it harder to read by others. It has two primary uses: avoiding lie detection by maintaining a stable aura, and hiding an aura so that it is harder to detect using magical sense.
Magical Sense[]
This stat is designed to improve the user's aura analysis skills. Increasing the number of stats invested will increase the distance that the user can detect auras from, as well as the ease of discerning the subtle patterns of aura flows.
Aura Hardening[]
This stat's main purpose is to enhance the user's defensive capabilities against elemental magic, both traditional and nontraditional. This cannot act as a substitute for the Toughness or Reflexes stats, as it offers minimal protection against physical damage. It is possible to use this stat offensively by concentrating aura around a fist to punch back magical projectiles, but this technique is unreliable.
Magical Stats[]
The Magical stats are Magical Power and Magical Knowledge. These stats are locked by a code known only by the top brass lessathi. They were originally designed in the hopes that they could be used by pure-blooded lessathi, but this proved impossible due to the complete lack of magic in their auras. They can be used by half-lessathi, which is what lead to lessathi leadership to lock these stats to avoid them being used against them.
Magical Power[]
This stat determines the potency of the spells the wielders casts, such as their scale, strength of their effect, or their duration
Magical Knowledge[]
This stat determines the variety of spells the stat device allows the user access to. Increasing this stat will allow the user to be more versatile in the spells they can cast.
Average Joe[]
There are multiple achievements related to not investing any points into stats. See the Achievement Guide for details on how to get them. They are generally considered some of the more difficult achievements to gain.
Points gained[]
Book 1 - Total points gained: 19[]
Barry's stat device starts only the basic stats unlocked, and can only invest a maximum of 3 points in any one stat.
Chapter 2: Three points gained before the first fight.
Chapter 3: Six points gained before the ambush.
Chapter 6: Four points gained before the big showdown, and the maximum number of points in one stat increases to 4.
Chapter 8: Four points gained when Barry wakes up.
Chapter 11: Two points gained towards the start of the Chapter.
Book 2 - Total points gained: 6[]
Chapter 4: Three points gained before Barry's first arena fight.
Chapter 10: Three points gained before fighting the monsters.