They're a mechanic.  They're a pretty vital mechanic, in fact, since they're your primary means of gaining fate points (force points, hero points, action points...by any other name, they can save your bacon!)<br/><br/>Quoting from page 98:<br/><br/><strong>What Are Aspects?</strong><br/>The central character attributes in The Dresden Files RPG are called aspects. Aspects cover a wide range of elements and define what makes your character unique—basically,<br/>they describe the core of your character’s identity. (By contrast, skills, stunts, and supernatural abilities could be said to paint a similar picture of what your character can do, rather<br/>than who he is.)<br/>Aspects can be:<br/>ŠŠ<ul class="bbc_list"><li>Relationships (Mama’s Boy, Apprentice to Ancient Mai)</li><li>Beliefs (The Lord Is My Shepherd, Nothing Is Forever)</li></ul>ŠŠ<ul class="bbc_list"><li>Catchphrases (Can’t Keep My Mouth Shut, “It’s Not My Fault!”)</li></ul>ŠŠ<ul class="bbc_list"><li>Descriptors (Wiseass Wizard, Rugged as the Road)</li></ul>ŠŠ<ul class="bbc_list"><li>Items (Sword of the Cross, My Mother’s Pentacle)</li></ul>ŠŠ<ul class="bbc_list"><li>Pretty much anything else that paints a  vivid picture of the character (Big Man On Campus, Anger Is My Constant Companion)</li></ul><br/>In terms of game rules, aspects are the main avenue by which you gain or spend fate points (page 19) for your character. Fate points are a kind of currency that can be spent for bonuses, and they are earned when aspects cause problems and complications for the character.