_"Failure is the first tutor, hardship the second. In Vaelora, you grow by confronting your limits."_


## **1. The Marks System**

In **Vaelora**, you don’t advance by abstract XP. You advance by **failing**—by stretching beyond your comfort zone and learning from the pain.

### **Earning Marks**

- Whenever you **fail a skill check**, you earn **1 Mark**.
    
- You may only gain **1 Mark per skill per session**.
    
- When you gain a Mark, you must immediately choose:
    
    1. **Skill Pool:** Place it in the **specific skill** you used for the failed check.
        
    2. **Attribute Pool:** Place it in the **Attribute** that governs the check (Might, Spirit, Agility, etc.).
        

>[!warning] **You cannot do both.** 
>Each failure forces you to choose between short-term focus and long-term growth.

## **2. Using Marks to Advance**

Marks accumulate in two separate pools:

1. **Skill Pool** (bound to individual skills)
2. **Attribute Pool** (bound to Attributes)

You spend Marks from the appropriate pool to raise ranks or buy abilities.

### **A. Raising Skills**

- Learning a new Skill always costs 4 Marks (from 0 to 1)
- **Cost:** _New Rank × New Rank_
    
    - Rank 1 → 2 = **4 Marks** (from that skill’s pool)
        
    - Rank 2 → 3 = **9 Marks**
        
    - Rank 3 → 4 = **16 Marks**
        
- Raising a skill rank increases your dice pool for checks using that skill and unlocks new tiers in its **Skill Tree** (see Special Abilities).
    

> Marks spent on a skill **must come from that skill’s pool**. You cannot use Marks from other skills.

---

### **B. Raising Attributes**

- **Cost:** _New Rank × 10 Marks_ (from the Attribute Pool)
    
    - Rank 2 → 3 = **30 Marks** (Might, Agility, etc.)
        
    - Rank 3 → 4 = **40 Marks**
        
- Attribute raises are **rare and powerful**. They improve **all skills tied to that Attribute**.
    

> Marks spent on Attributes must come from the **Attribute Pool** for that Attribute.

---

### **C. Buying Abilities**

- **Cost:** _Tier × 3 Marks_ (from an associated Skill Pool)
    
    - Tier 1 = **3 Marks**
        
    - Tier 2 = **6 Marks**
        
    - Tier 3 = **9 Marks**
        
    - Tier 4 = **12 Marks**
        
- **Requirements:**
    
    1. You must meet the **Skill Rank requirement** (Tier = Skill Rank).
        
    2. You must meet any **narrative or species prerequisites** if buying from an Archetype or Species Tree.
        
    3. Marks must come from a **skill directly tied to the ability**.
        

> Abilities do not increase your dice pools directly—they add **unique moves, options, and synergies**.

---

## **3. Trees & Requirements**

### **Skill Trees**

- Every skill has its own **Skill Tree** of special abilities.
    
- You unlock deeper tiers as your skill rank rises.
    

### **Species Trees**

- At character creation, you gain **one Tier 1 ability** from your **Species Tree** for free.
    
- You may purchase deeper tiers with Marks if you meet the requirements.
    

### **Archetype Trees**

- These represent specialized training, professions, or mystical paths (Knight, Spiritbinder, Assassin, etc.).
    
- You must meet a **narrative access condition** to unlock the tree.
    
- You may then buy abilities with Marks from relevant skills.
    

---

## **4. Example: A Mark in Play**

- Kael fails a **Stealth (Agility)** check while slipping through a fortress.
    
- He gains a **Mark** and must choose:
    
    - Put it in his **Stealth Skill Pool** (helping him advance toward Rank 3 and Tier 3 Stealth abilities), or
        
    - Put it in his **Agility Attribute Pool** (slowly working toward raising Agility from 2 → 3, which will boost all Agility-based skills).
        

> This choice creates **meaningful tension**: do you invest in the immediate or the long game?

---

## **5. Advancement Philosophy**

- **Attributes are aspirational:** Raising them is rare but transformative.
    
- **Skills are the spine:** Most Marks go here, unlocking broader competency and Skill Trees.
    
- **Abilities are frequent rewards:** You’ll buy these often, adding flavor and unique tricks to your build.
    
- **Failure is fruitful:** You’re rewarded for taking risks, trying new things, and pushing your limits.
    

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## **Quick Reference Table**

|Advancement|Cost Formula|Pool Used|
|---|---|---|
|**Attribute Rank**|New Rank × 10 Marks|Attribute Pool|
|**Skill Rank**|New Rank × New Rank|Skill Pool (bound to that skill)|
|**Ability Tier**|Tier × 3 Marks|Skill Pool (bound to linked skill)|

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> _“Your scars are your milestones. Every failure is a teacher, every lesson a step closer to mastery.”_


🔥 **Do you want me to also lay out a small **flowchart** diagram (Marks → Pools → Skills/Attributes/Abilities) as a visual insert?** Or should I jump straight into **Species Trees** now that we’ve fully locked the advancement framework?