Every way to put Ruthless on a character. 36 options grant it to your own court outright, and 27 more can roll it up. See Ruthless 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 56
Choosing the option gives the character the trait.
- "He must die... but make it look like an accident."the option does: -80 Money (-20/city)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)Gain trait: Ruthless
- "Charge [character] with crimes of divergence."the option does: The character is killedGain trait: Ruthless
- "Threaten the debt collector with death."the option does: -4 LegitimacyGain trait: Ruthless
- "Oh, I am going to enjoy this..."the option does: The character is killedGain trait: Ruthless
- "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
- "This is what we needed to press on against [rival]."the option does: Remembered: Commended our battlefield leadership (+40 opinion, permanent)Gain trait: Ruthless
- "We can accommodate this request."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessThe target joins the council as AmbassadorLeader relationship: Influenced ByLeader relationship: Estranged From
- "We can accommodate this request."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessThe target joins the council as AmbassadorLeader relationship: Influenced ByLeader relationship: Estranged From
- "We can accommodate this request."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessThe target joins the council as ChancellorLeader relationship: Influenced ByLeader relationship: Estranged From
- "Execute the [rival] fools."the option does: Remembered: Declared War on us (-80 opinion for 40 turns)Remembered: Player Offer (5 turns)You declare war on the rival nationGain trait: Ruthless
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless
- "Execute him for the murder of [character]."the option does: The character is killedGain trait: Ruthless
- "[character] has gone too far in his criticism."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessThe 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)
- "Kill the hostage. Our message should be clear."the option does: Remembered: Killed a noble hostage (-80 opinion for 40 turns)Gain trait: Ruthless
- "No, I will not rest until [rival] is entirely defeated."the option does: Remembered: My request for diplomacy was ignored (-20 opinion for 20 turns)Gain trait: Ruthless
- "Continue your reign of terror, my furry friend!"the option does: Gain trait: Ruthless
- "Give the [family] an ultimatum: join us, or suffer."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessRemembered: Give the [family] an ultimatum: join us, or suffer (+40 opinion for 20 turns)
- "There is no mercy for agents and spies."the option does: The character is killedRemembered: Executed our diplomatic agent (-40 opinion for 40 turns)Gain trait: Ruthless
- "Kill them and take their supplies."the option does: +150 Food+50 WoodGain trait: Ruthless
- "Send [character] a congratulatory gift."the option does: Remembered: Received congratulatory gift (+40 opinion for 20 turns)Gain trait: Ruthless
- "This is no time to show weakness."the option does: Remembered: We take no prisoners now (+20 opinion for 20 turns)+2 LegitimacyGain trait: Ruthless
- "Burn the council's building down while they're in it."the option does: 1 rebel unit appearGain trait: Ruthless
- "I shall bind [character] to me and never show weakness."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessLeader relationship: Owes Favor To
- this branch: Gain trait: RuthlessGain trait: Unpopular+75 Stone (+25/city)+75 Iron (+25/city)+75 Wood (+25/city)
- "How has it come to this?"the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessThe character is killed
- "I’m afraid our best chance against [rival] is a preemptive strike. Call in the guards."the option does: Remembered: Declared War on us (-80 opinion for 40 turns)Remembered: Player Offer (5 turns)You declare war on the rival nationThe 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)Gain trait: Ruthless
- "Slavery is more than the [tribe] deserve. We will purge them from the land."the option does: +2 LegitimacyGain trait: Ruthless
- "Refuse their demands."the option does: Gain trait: DoomedGain trait: Ruthless
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless+2 Legitimacy
- "Treason must be punished with death."the option does: The character is killedGain trait: Ruthless-40 Training (-10/city)
- "[character] must be removed, permanently."the option does: +2 LegitimacyGain trait: RuthlessRemembered: Dealt with a corrupt member of another family (+40 opinion for 40 turns)Remembered: Unjustly killed a member of our family (-80 opinion for 40 turns)The character is killed
- "Lock the traitors in shackles."the option does: Gain trait: Ruthless2 rebel units appear
- this branch: Gain trait: Ruthless
- "Scrub all mentions of [character] from history."the option does: Gain trait: Ruthless+60 Happiness (city)
- "I will settle for nothing short of vengeance."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessRemembered: Player Offer (5 turns)The rival nation declares war on you
- "Trust no one."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessThe character is killed
- "He should beat and torment the creature for loyalty."the option does: Gain trait: Ruthless
- "That is enough. Guards, kill [character]."the option does: The character is killedLoses trait: Drought StrickenGain trait: Ruthless
- "Divorce is not good enough for [character]."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessThe 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)
- "Murder him. [character] was an idiot to have come to you under minimal guard."the option does: Gain trait: RuthlessRemembered: Tribe Offer (5 turns)The rival nation invadesThe 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)
Pick this option, then roll for it 1
The roll happens on a later turn, not when you click.
- "The father acted with pure intentions."the option does: 25% chance next turn: becomes Ruthless
Pick this option, draw from a pool 6
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.
- pool: Scarred, Ruthless, Famous, Brave
- "This is what it takes to rule."pool: Bitter, Ruthlessthe option does: Loses trait: CompassionateGain a random trait
- "You are powerful and therefore above petty politics."pool: Ruthless, Corruptthe option does: Gain a random traitLeader relationship: Conspiring With
- "My heart is a cold well of grief."pool: Miserable, Ruthlessthe 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
- "Let your pain guide your hand."pool: Bloodthirsty, Cruel, Ruthless, Miserablethe option does: Gain a random traitThe target becomes general of the target
The event does it to you 4
The event grants it whichever option you pick.