Perks

A character begins with a set of perks. These are unique features only granted at 1st level to help give a character the tools it needs to succeed without needing to be granted by a class. Perks primarily allow a character to use their ability scores in new ways from adjusting what stat governs a saving throw, to the stat used in melee attack rolls.

Drawbacks are also an option for characters; while being called drawbacks work similarly to perks but provide some sort of character-defining detriment alongside a much more powerful than usual bonus.

Perks and Drawbacks are both split into categories of Major and Minor. At 1st level a character begins with one Major Perk and Two Minor Perks and may substitute perks with a drawback of similar category (major drawback for a major perk, minor drawback for a minor perk).

Perks
Major perks tend to do a full conversion of an ability (such as changing will saves from wisdom to charisma); while minor perks tend to do a partial conversion (such as weapon finesse allowing dexterity for melee attack rolls, but still using strength for damage rolls). These can be more than expanding or replacing the usage of a stat but tend to be build-defining.

Drawbacks
Drawbacks are character-defining traits that have both a positive and negative affect on your character. These may be taken in place of perks; marked individually as a major or minor drawback. Drawbacks are designed to have a negative impact on your character, but as a trade give a stronger effect than a normal perk. These do not allow a character to take additional major or minor perks beyond their normal limits, and instead are taken in place of their listed type, major drawbacks in place of major perks and minor drawbacks in place of minor perks.