Every way to put Cunning on a character. 38 options grant it to your own court outright, and 32 more can roll it up. See Cunning 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 10
Born with it
- Min age 10
- On the childhood adjective roll
Children can also inherit it, as described on Trait Inheritance.
Pick this option 59
Choosing the option gives the character the trait.
- "I hear you, and I apologize for my part in it."the option does: Gain trait: CunningLeader relationship: Influenced By
- "I want to see my enemies grovel before me!"the option does: +2 CourageGain trait: FierceGain trait: Cunning+1 Siege unit+1 Ranged Infantry unit+1 Melee Cavalry unit
- "Start a campaign to discredit the Bishop."the option does: Remembered: Discredited Bishop (-20 opinion for 80 turns)Remove Christian DissentGain trait: Cunning
- "The court, [character] life, my grief. It was all like pieces on a game board to him. It is a dark talent, but some part of me admires it."the option does: Gain trait: CunningGain trait: Ruthless
- "Keep the assassination a secret... for now."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning
- "Ready our chariots. We speak with [character] upon the road."the option does: Gain trait: CunningGain trait: ProudLeader relationship: Suspicious Of
- "Let us talk about other possibilities."the option does: Gain trait: CunningLeader relationship: Conspiring With
- "Let us talk about other possibilities."the option does: Gain trait: CunningLeader relationship: Conspiring With
- "Let us talk about other possibilities."the option does: Gain trait: CunningLeader relationship: Conspiring With
- "Accept peace, and require a personal cut of every deal."the option does: Remembered (leader of you): We admire your strength and your negotiating skill (+40 opinion, permanent)Remembered: Player Offer (5 turns)Peace with the rival nationTrade with the target: +300 Money, -40 Food, -40 Wood+50 XP to the characterGain trait: Cunning
- "I should have thought of this plan myself."the option does: Loses trait: RighteousGain trait: CunningThe character is killedSteam achievement: Assassinated Another LeaderThe rival nation goes to war with the target
- "We welcome peace with [rival]."the option does: +1 Heavy ChariotRemembered: Worthy opponent and respected partner (+80 opinion for 80 turns)Remembered: Player Offer (5 turns)Peace with the rival nation+1 Light Chariot+160 Money (+40/city)+1 WisdomGain trait: Cunning
- "We welcome peace with [rival]."the option does: +1 Light ChariotRemembered: Worthy opponent and respected partner (+80 opinion for 80 turns)Remembered: Player Offer (5 turns)Peace with the rival nation+1 Heavy Chariot+160 Money (+40/city)+1 WisdomGain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- "We should find out who their enemies are and make deals to undermine them."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning
- "We will play the families off against each other and re-secure our power."the option does: Gain trait: CunningLeader relationship: Conspiring With+1 Melee Cavalry unitThe 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 rebel units appear2 improvements destroyed
- "Turn them against each other."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning
- "Start a whisper campaign to rally the [family]."the option does: Gain trait: CunningRemembered: Convinced to favor our ruler (+40 opinion for 20 turns)
- "Continue to pursue diplomacy to save [character]."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning+8 Civics (+2/city)
- "Diplomacy must be explored before all else."the option does: Leader relationship: Estranged FromGain trait: Cunning+40 Civics (+10/city)
- "Wonderful news!"the option does: Gain trait: Cunning+1 Charisma
- "I shall bind [character] to me and make the best of every deal."the option does: Gain trait: CunningLeader relationship: Owes Favor To
- "Watching courtiers debate and compromise."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning
- "There is much to discuss with the [rival]."the option does: Gain trait: CunningRemembered (leader of you): Wished to treat with our ambassadors (+40 opinion for 20 turns)
- "Scholars are meant to challenge the status quo."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning
- "Slip the sentries gold to kill the assassins."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning-120 Money (-30/city)
- "Use the correspondence to gather military intelligence."the option does: Reveals the target player's territoryGain trait: Cunning
- "Openly discuss the latest scientific developments."the option does: Gain trait: CunningAcquire random Technology
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
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- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: Cunning
- "Divert the river to starve resources."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning
- "My last view was a beautiful one."the option does: Gain trait: CunningThe character is killed
- "Send out diplomats with subtle warnings that [rival] is not to be crossed."the option does: Gain trait: CunningProgress ambition: All Peace
- "And so begins the reign of [character]."the option does: Gain trait: CunningThe character is killed
- "Learn from his cunning."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning+60 XP to the character
- "Convince [character] that I am not involved."the option does: Your leader: no longer Suspicious of the targetGain trait: Cunning
- this branch: Gain trait: CunningGain trait: Debauched
- "Glue the wood together and let them weaken in starvation."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning
- "By all means! Guards, see to the heir's desire."the option does: Gain trait: CorruptLeader relationship: Endeared ToGain trait: CunningThe 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)
- "We cannot build an empire while fighting amongst ourselves."the option does: +1 DisciplineGain trait: Cunning
- "A man who crawls on four as a baby, walks on two as an adult, and uses a stick in old age."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning
- "Listen closely to political advisors."the option does: Gain trait: Cunning+1 Discipline
Pick this option, then roll for it 4
The roll happens on a later turn, not when you click.
- "Keep an eye on [character] political moves."the option does: 25% chance next turn: becomes Cunning
- "Appoint him head of a war council."the option does: 25% chance next turn: becomes CunningBegin project: War Council
- "Our science is a national secret."the option does: +4 Legitimacy25% chance next turn: becomes Cunning
- "Use the information to rein in [character]."the option does: 25% chance next turn: becomes CunningLeader relationship: Blackmailed By
Pick this option, draw from a pool 7
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.
- "Bring the Heir home from school at once."pool: Cunning, Timidthe option does: Loses trait: Philosophy StudentGain a random traitGain trait: Scarred
- "He could use some political connections."pool: Cunning, Corruptthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "Encourage competition."pool: Cunning, Bitterthe option does: Gain a random traitArchetype becomes Orator
- "Success is often the result of intelligence and determination."pool: Intelligent, Cunning, Corruptthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "Every deal is a rope. Be careful who you're tied to."pool: Cunning, Witty, Corruptthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "They say discretion is the better part of valor."pool: Timid, Slothful, Cunningthe option does: Gain a random trait
- "You must learn through experience."pool: Tracker, Tough, Cunningthe option does: Gain a random trait
The event does it to you 3
The event grants it whichever option you pick.