Some traits can't be described as skills. At best they can be described as "special abilities," "feats," or, as we have chosen to call them Advantages and Disadvantages. For the most part, these must be selected at the time of character creation, although there are enough that you can continue to add a few later as the game progresses. Others may be purchased using character points or in place of character points as a reward for completing an adventure. Disadvantages are problems that the character has before beginning play. While you may wonder why you would want to give your character additional problems, each disadvantage has a value in initial skill dice that can be spent to buy advantages or increase a skill. Disadvantages may also be acquired during play, but these do not have a die value attached to them.

Each advantage or disadvantage has a set cost or value in starting skill dice. For some, this is a fixed cost, others it will vary by level. Those advantages which can be purchased in play also have a character point value listed with them. All disadvantages have a character point value listed with them so one can "buy off" the disadvantages. If a character, say, kills their "mortal enemy," the GM will give them another one unless they buy off the disadvantage! Though a temporary reprieve is likely, a GM can always find a new way to torment a character.

Finally, no advantage or disadvantage is appropriate for every game. Always check with your GM before finalizing a character to make sure that any advantages and disadvantages fit into the campaign.

Most advantages and disadvantages are adapted from GURPS by Steve Jackson Games (SJG). I'm sure if you want to look harder in their extensive collection, you will find many more advantages and disadvantages that may be applicable. It's also a great system that I heartily recommend for many other types of gaming. Additional advantages and disadvantages are from assorted Feats from the WotC? SW:TRPG d20 system and a few are selected from "special abilities" in WEG products.