_"Power is not just in the strength of your arm or the sharpness of your mind, but in the techniques, traditions, and secrets you master along the way."_ ## **1. What Are Abilities?** Abilities are **special techniques, talents, or powers** that define your character’s unique approach to the world. They can be martial strikes, mystical invocations, social manipulations, or survival tricks—but all share a common purpose: they make your character feel distinct. - Some abilities are **passive**: always active once you learn them. - Others are **activated**: requiring you to spend an action, mark dice, or meet specific conditions. Abilities generally interact with the **marked dice system** (see [Marked Dice and Special Abilities](https://chatgpt.com/c/68849670-de5c-8331-b9f7-3e010a58cd76#)). By marking one or more dice with modifiers like _Powerful_, _Risky_, or _Lucky_, you can turn a simple roll into a decisive moment. ## **2. Ability Trees** Abilities are organized into **trees**: structured paths of 2–4 tiers that show progression from basic techniques to signature moves. ### **Types of Trees** 1. **Skill Trees (Universal)** - Every **Skill** in Vaelora has its own tree, accessible to all. - Each tree’s abilities are themed around that skill (e.g., _Melee_ grants martial strikes and parries, _Stealth_ grants vanish and ambush powers). - The deeper you go, the more specialized and powerful the abilities become. 2. **Species Trees (Innate)** - Each species has its own tree, reflecting its physiology, instincts, and heritage. - You automatically gain **one Tier 1 ability** from your species tree at character creation. - Deeper tiers are optional and can be purchased as you advance. 3. **Archetype Trees (Optional Specialization)** - Represent professions, training, or mystical paths (Knight, Spiritbinder, Assassin, etc.). - You must meet **narrative conditions** to unlock these trees. - Archetype trees often blend multiple skills and can bend core rules in thematic ways. --- ## **3. Unlocking and Advancing Trees** ### **Tiers and Requirements** - Each tree has **4 tiers** of abilities. - You must meet the **Skill Rank requirement** to purchase an ability: - Tier 1 → Skill Rank 1+ - Tier 2 → Skill Rank 2+ - Tier 3 → Skill Rank 3+ - Tier 4 → Skill Rank 4+ - Some abilities have **additional prerequisites**, such as species, narrative milestones, or Attribute minimums. ### **Cost** - **Abilities are purchased with Marks** from the associated skill (see [Advancement & Growth](https://chatgpt.com/c/68849670-de5c-8331-b9f7-3e010a58cd76#)). - Cost: - Tier 1 = **3 Marks** - Tier 2 = **6 Marks** - Tier 3 = **9 Marks** - Tier 4 = **12 Marks** > **Marks must come from the skill(s) linked to the ability.** > If an ability crosses multiple skills (e.g., Melee + Tactics), you may spend Marks from either pool. --- ## **4. Choosing Your Path** When you purchase an ability, you’re making a statement about your character’s style: - Do you double down on a **single skill tree** and become a true specialist? - Do you diversify across **multiple trees** to remain flexible? - Do you unlock **Species or Archetype trees** for rare powers and thematic flavor? There is no wrong path—abilities are designed to offer frequent choices and creative builds. --- ## **5. Species Trees** Every character gains **one Tier 1 ability from their Species Tree** at character creation (see [Character Creation](https://chatgpt.com/c/68849670-de5c-8331-b9f7-3e010a58cd76#)). - This free pick reflects the innate gifts or instincts of your lineage. - You may invest in deeper tiers later using Marks, provided you meet the requirements. Species trees often offer abilities that **cannot be learned anywhere else**, from the Myou’s spore symbiosis to the Akumei’s spirit-welded powers. --- ## **6. Archetype Trees** Archetype trees represent **specialized training or secret traditions** that not everyone has access to. ### **Access** - Gained through **narrative milestones**: joining an order, forging a pact, or earning a mentor. - Once unlocked, you may purchase abilities using Marks from the relevant skills. ### **Examples** - **Knight:** Heavy armor mastery, rallying commands, and mounted charges. - **Spiritbinder:** Spirit allies, seals, and exorcisms. - **Assassin:** Poison techniques, ambush strikes, and vanishing arts. > Archetype trees are optional. Characters who prefer to stay generalist can ignore them and still thrive. --- ## **7. How Abilities Interact with Play** Abilities make you better at **specific moments**, not just bigger numbers. - They open new actions (e.g., _Flurry of Strikes_ lets you split your attack pool). - They reward risk (e.g., _Risky_ dice for stronger effects). - They create synergy with other players (e.g., _Cooperative_ dice or rally abilities). This means your choices in the trees directly shape **how your character engages with the world**, in and out of combat. --- ## **8. Sample Ability Tree Snapshot** > **Melee Tree (Universal Skill Tree)** > > **Tier 1 (Melee 1+):** > > - _Power Strike:_ Mark a die as **Powerful** to add its face value as Injury. > > - _Guarded Stance:_ Mark a die as **Persistent**; carry +1 die to next defense or attack. > > - _Disarm:_ Mark a die as **Effectful**; force an opponent to drop their weapon. > > > **Tier 2 (Melee 2+):** > > - _Flurry:_ Split dice pool into two attacks; mark one die as **Risky**. > > - _Press the Advantage:_ On a successful hit, allies attacking the same target gain +1 die. > > - _Hook and Trip:_ Success margin 2+ knocks target prone. > > > (…and so on through Tier 4) --- ## **9. Building a Character Through Trees** The ability trees are not a “class system” in the traditional sense. - **Skill Trees:** available to everyone, forming the backbone of progression. - **Species Trees:** give you a sense of innate identity and heritage. - **Archetype Trees:** optional layers for specialization or narrative flavor. This structure gives you **maximum freedom**: you decide whether to be a razor-focused master of one discipline, or a versatile jack-of-all-trades with abilities across many domains. --- **Next:** See [Species Trees](https://chatgpt.com/c/68849670-de5c-8331-b9f7-3e010a58cd76#) and [Skill Trees](https://chatgpt.com/c/68849670-de5c-8331-b9f7-3e010a58cd76#) for the full lists of abilities you can grow into. --- 🔥 Do you want me to now **draft 3–4 full Species Trees** (Tul, Myou, Akumei, etc.) as examples, or start expanding **Skill Trees one by one** with their full tiered abilities?