The Biological Determinist in Dungeons and Dragons

Each character is built out of traits and skills that affect their strengths by literally adding or subtracting numbers from your rolls. One reason Volanthe Aced that perception check earlier is because she could add forward to whatever she rolled. All wood elves have bonuses when they roll perception thanks to their keen senses and wood elf wisdom. In the game, these are racial traits. We're going to get into those unfortunate ways after the break.