Every way to put Cruel on a character. 28 options grant it to your own court outright, and 33 more can roll it up. See Cruel for what it does, how to remove it, all traits.
Who can get it
If the character fails any of these, the option that would grant it does not appear.
- the character must be at least 7
Born with it
- Min age 7
- On the childhood adjective roll
- Rolled for tribal characters
Children can also inherit it, as described on Trait Inheritance.
Pick this option 45
Choosing the option gives the character the trait.
- "[character] must learn fear. Torture [character]."the option does: Gain trait: CruelThe target: Terrified of the targetGain trait: Imprisoned
- "Military service is the best place for killers."the option does: The target becomes general of the targetGain trait: Cruel
- "The [rival] citizens of [city] will learn to accept their place."the option does: Remembered: Refused to Help Citizens (-40 opinion for 20 turns)Gain trait: CruelRemembered: Did permit family to rule as superiors to locals (+40 opinion for 40 turns)
- "Our people are right to be exhausted with these haughty locals, [city] is our city now!"the option does: +3 Happiness levels-1 CitizenRemembered: Exiled People (-80 opinion for 40 turns)Gain trait: Cruel
- "Demand that the baby is cast out."the option does: Leader relationship: Estranged From+4 LegitimacyGain trait: Cruel
- "Prepare to subdue the families."the option does: Gain trait: Cruel-1 Happiness levelLeader relationship: Terrified Of
- "Have him beaten and returned to [city]."the option does: Gain trait: CruelRemembered: Returned runaway slave (+20 opinion for 20 turns)
- "His family is the cost for cowardice."the option does: Remembered: Abducted royal family (-40 opinion for 20 turns)+4 LegitimacyGain trait: CruelThe target joins the nation of the target
- "If we can't beat them, join them. The people will just have to suffer."the option does: Gain trait: Cruel+20 Discontent (city) (every city)Progress ambition: Ten CitiesRemembered: Recent Ambition (7 turns)
- "The price for this treasonous request? Your head."the option does: Gain trait: CruelThe character is killedLeader relationship: Assassinated BySteam achievement (if the target is an heir): Assassinated HeirSteam achievement (if the target leads a rival nation): Assassinated Another LeaderRemembered: Assassination exposed (-80 opinion for 40 turns)
- "Ignore [character]... but make him suffer."the option does: +6 LegitimacyGain trait: CruelGain trait: Doomed
- "Loot her metal stores."the option does: +150 Iron (+50/city)Gain trait: Cruel
- "I never liked his dancing."the option does: Gain trait: Cruel+20 XP to the character
- "Execute him and send the head as a message."the option does: +4 LegitimacyGain trait: Cruel
- "Damn the [tribe] for their insolence! Work their children to death and marshal the army!"the option does: Gain trait: Cruel+80 Training (+20/city)+6 LegitimacyRemembered: Tribe Offer (5 turns)The rival nation declare war on you
- "I shall bind [character] to me and become heartless."the option does: Gain trait: CruelLeader relationship: Owes Favor To
- "Make an example of the older slaves until the rest return."the option does: Gain trait: Cruel+50 Stone (+15/city)
- "We have no resources to spare."the option does: Gain trait: Cruel
- "My revenge shall be swift and silent."the option does: Gain trait: CruelThe character is killedLeader relationship: Assassinated BySteam achievement (if the target is an heir): Assassinated HeirSteam achievement (if the target leads a rival nation): Assassinated Another LeaderRemembered: Assassination exposed (-80 opinion for 40 turns)
- "[rival] cannot become a home for charity."the option does: Gain trait: Cruel+75 Stone (+25/city)
- "We have no wood to spare."the option does: Gain trait: Cruel
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Cruel+2 Legitimacy
- "[character] deserves every punishment possible."the option does: Remembered: Dishonoured our dead (-20 opinion for 40 turns)+4 LegitimacyGain trait: Cruel
- this branch: Gain trait: StrictGain trait: Cruel
- "Does the truth matter? He will never forgive me and so he cannot be allowed to live."the option does: Gain trait: CruelThe character is killed
- "Only I deserve this privilege."the option does: +1 Charisma+1 Courage+1 Wisdom+1 DisciplineGain trait: Cruel
- "He is my blood, there is nothing I can do."the option does: Gain trait: Cruel
- "To slay as many enemies as he can."the option does: Gain trait: CruelProgress ambition: 15 Kills
- "[character] shall die for his treason... slowly."the option does: The character is killed+5 LegitimacyGain trait: Cruel
- "Let [city] burn."the option does: +2 LegitimacyGain trait: Cruel
Pick this option, then roll for it 2
The roll happens on a later turn, not when you click.
- "Who dares call his ruler reckless?"the option does: The character is killedLeader relationship: Assassinated BySteam achievement (if the target is an heir): Assassinated HeirSteam achievement (if the target leads a rival nation): Assassinated Another LeaderRemembered: Assassination exposed (-80 opinion for 40 turns)+2 Legitimacy25% chance next turn: becomes Cruel
- "Follow their advice and move along."the option does: Remembered: Did not interfere with prisoner (+40 opinion for 40 turns)25% chance next turn: becomes Cruel
Pick this option, draw from a pool 14
The option draws one trait from a pool. Only traits the character can still take are in the draw, so your odds are one in the number still valid, and they improve as the character collects the rest of the pool.
- "[character] will watch as he loses everything that he loves."pool: Cruel, Bloodthirsty, Bitterthe option does: Leader relationship: Terrified OfGain a random trait
- "Leave me to my sorrow."pool: Bitter, Cruelthe option does: Gain a random traitLoses trait: Miserable
- "When ready, return to us with what you have learned."pool: Divine, Cruel, Exotic, Insanethe option does: +20 XP to the characterGain trait: Returning HomeGain a random trait+20–200 Culture (by city tier)
- "Beware those who live for the fight."pool: Warlike, Cruel, Uncouththe option does: Gain a random trait
- "This world is a cruel place. The weak die and so do the strong."pool: Cruel, Warlike, Insanethe option does: Gain a random trait
- "The moral decay of our court will lead to its destruction."pool: Intolerant, Cruel, Righteousthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "Pride comes before the fall."pool: Proud, Warlike, Cruelthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "When in doubt, use the fiendishly brutal plan first."pool: Ruthless, Fierce, Cruelthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "Tough times don't last; tough people do."pool: Tough, Fierce, Cruelthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "Ha! He really does take after his father!"pool: Fierce, Bloodthirsty, Cruelthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "Fools, bring me that large gem!"pool: Cursed, Cruel, Greedythe option does: Gain a random trait+320 Money (+80/city)
- pool: Cruel, Foolish, Intelligentthis branch: Gain a random trait
- "This is the best place for him."pool: Proud, Cruel, Intolerantthe option does: Gain a random trait-120 Money (-30/city)
- "Let your pain guide your hand."pool: Bloodthirsty, Cruel, Ruthless, Miserablethe option does: Gain a random traitThe target becomes general of the target