Strength

"I am strong by day as well as by night."

[This may allow you to perform better as a manual labourer, or as a dancer.]

Strength is the Ability tied to Health, and is created by studying two Vitality. Every upgrade of this skill creates one additional Health.

"I have grown strong, but I must still devote my Health to a day's work."

- A warning when working with no Health

Working Unskilled Labor with only one Health and no skill takes 60 seconds and yield, 1 Vitality, with 30% chance of getting an Injury instead of Vitality. Using the skill will reduce the time required and the risk.

While it's not the best paying job, this skill is the most stable way to earn and Vitality in the game as well as the easiest to upgrade. It is advisable to upgrade it early to prevent youself from dying of Sickness and Starvation.

Skill: a Stronger Physique
"I have benefited from exercise."

Get this skill, and an extra Health card, by studying with two Vitality.
 * Exercise the Body


 * Studying: I am abrim with vitality. If I devote some time to exercise, I'll benefit.
 * Studied: I've grown stronger. [I've gained Health, but it'll be more difficult to gain Health next time.]

The first level of Strength, this skill can be used with Work action and one Health.
 * Unskilled Labour: Arms of Bronze


 * Take 55 seconds.
 * 10% chance of an Injury.
 * Working: To work, then.
 * After work: I've finished early. Here's my pay.

Skill: a Hardened Physique
"You might not know it to look at me, but I have grown strong as a smith or a soldier."

Get this skill, and an extra Health card, by studying Skill: a Stronger Physique with two Vitality: a Lesson Learnt.
 * Exercise the Body: Stronger...


 * Upgrading: I will grow stronger still.
 * Upgraded: The machine, my body, ripples with power.

This skill can be used with Work action and one Health.
 * Unskilled Labour: Arms of Iron


 * Take 50 seconds.
 * No risk of injuries.
 * Working: I will work with speed and in silence. I don't fear injury.
 * After work: The others speak little to me, but now they nod when I pass. Here's my pay.

Skill: a Steely Physique
"There are many things now I could crush in my fists."

Get this skill, and an extra Health card, by studying Skill: a Hardened Physique with three Vitality: a Lesson Learnt.
 * Exercise the Body: Stronger Yet...


 * Upgrading: I will grow stronger yet.
 * Upgraded: I could carry a man across a river, now; or strangle him.

This skill can be used with Work action and one Health.
 * Unskilled Labour: Arms of Steel


 * Take 45 seconds. Because of the time reduction, you would need three Health cards to keep using this consecutively unless you Dream on the fatigued Health to restore it faster.
 * No risk of injuries.
 * Working: ''"Once again I put my strength to use."
 * After work: "My strength attracts comment. Not all the comments are compliments. I draw my pay and leave."

The next and final upgrade will require you to choose one out of two paths.

Skill: a Flawless Physique
"Machine perfection. Sinew-bound ivory, tight in satin skin. 'From here, I can only deteriorate.'"

Get this skill, and an extra Health card, by studying Skill: a Steely Physique with four Vitality: a Lesson Learnt and any, , or lore.
 * Exercise the Body: A Deeper Grace


 * Upgrade with : I will follow the Thunderskin's voice.
 * Upgrade with : I will taste what the Grail has prescribed. I will be lithe and thorned and sweet.
 * Upgrade with : Through the fire we fly, and it shall not consume us.
 * Upgraded: No storm can break the tree that bends.

Health and Skill can increase no further.

It functions the same way as Skill: a Steely Physique when used for unskilled labor, but it is necessary to upgrade A Contract at the Ecdysis Club to its highest level. This skill is intended for use in the Dancer DLC, though it is obtainable without it. Once obtained, you cannot switch to the Skill: a Matchless Physique skill.


 * Unskilled Labour: Arms of Steel


 * Takes 45 seconds.
 * No risk of injuries.
 * Working: "Once again I put my strength to use."
 * After work: "My strength attracts comment. Not all the comments are compliments. I draw my pay and leave."

Skill: a Matchless Physique
"I move like a mountain and strike like the sky. 'To master others is strength. To master yourself is power."

Get this skill, and an extra Health card, by studying Skill: a Steely Physique with four Vitality: a Lesson Learnt and any or  lore.
 * Exercise the Body: A Higher Strength


 * Upgrade with : I will burn with the strength of the Forge of Days.
 * Upgrade with : I will follow in the footsteps of the Lionsmith, who grows strong and stronger, and of the Colonel, who does not flinch from scars.
 * Upgraded: My heart beats with the steadiness of a drum and the certainty of a judge's sentence.

Health and Skill can increase no further.

This skill additionally has the Dangerous aspect.

This skill can be used with Work action and one Health.
 * Unskilled Labour: Like the Mountain


 * Take 40 seconds.
 * No risk of injuries.
 * Working: "Once again I put my strength to use."
 * After work: "They say I can do the job of any two others together. It's not true; not quite."