Fair: Inexperienced but slightly capable.
Decent: Semi-capable.
Average: On par with most people.
Above average: A slight edge above the general population.
Good: A definate edge above the population.
V. Good: Exceptional ability.
Excellent: Exemplary ability in a particular area.
How this translates into something useable:
Lets take Mark for exaple...
Strength: Good
Dexterity: V. Good
Agility: Good
By looking at these stats we can deduce that Mark is a very physical person, maybe he took some martial arts classes or was in the military at some point?
This may sound kind of odd but the effect can be reversed to where the backround dictates the character's stats.
Intelligence: Average
Wisdom: Fair
Courage: Decent
Willpower: Good
Resourcefull: Fair
Now we have Mark in a diffrent light don't we? Its odvious that he might have graduated high school or something to that effect, with a wisdom stat like that its fairly safe to assume that hes either young or just doesnt learn from his mistakes that well. Courage: Maybe he saw someone get hurt and he couldnt stop that from happening, so now he doesnt stand up for what he thinks is right? Willpower: Well maybe Mark isnt a total psyce job? It could be that he finds that if he puts his mind to something it _will_ happen even if it goes against the norm? Resourcefull: This person is odviously not used to odds and ends to get the job done. Okay so thats how it could be done.
But what if Mark was a kid, maybe his mother abused him and to get back at her he started building himself up? Though he never would hit his mother (maybe) he would be stronger and stand up for those that cant do it for themselves?
I dunno... just something to think about.
-Sionnach