4.8 KiB
"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
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Whenever you fail a skill check, you earn 1 Mark.
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You may only gain 1 Mark per skill per session.
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When you gain a Mark, you must immediately choose:
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Skill Pool: Place it in the specific skill you used for the failed check.
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Attribute Pool: Place it in the Attribute that governs the check (Might, Spirit, Agility, etc.).
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[!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:
- Skill Pool (bound to individual skills)
- Attribute Pool (bound to Attributes)
You spend Marks from the appropriate pool to raise ranks or buy abilities.
A. Raising Skills
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Learning a new Skill always costs 4 Marks (from 0 to 1)
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Cost: New Rank × New Rank
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Rank 1 → 2 = 4 Marks (from that skill’s pool)
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Rank 2 → 3 = 9 Marks
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Rank 3 → 4 = 16 Marks
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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
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Cost: New Rank × 10 Marks (from the Attribute Pool)
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Rank 2 → 3 = 30 Marks (Might, Agility, etc.)
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Rank 3 → 4 = 40 Marks
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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
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Cost: Tier × 3 Marks (from an associated Skill Pool)
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Tier 1 = 3 Marks
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Tier 2 = 6 Marks
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Tier 3 = 9 Marks
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Tier 4 = 12 Marks
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Requirements:
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You must meet the Skill Rank requirement (Tier = Skill Rank).
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You must meet any narrative or species prerequisites if buying from an Archetype or Species Tree.
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Marks must come from a skill directly tied to the ability.
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Abilities do not increase your dice pools directly—they add unique moves, options, and synergies.
3. Trees & Requirements
Skill Trees
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Every skill has its own Skill Tree of special abilities.
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You unlock deeper tiers as your skill rank rises.
Species Trees
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At character creation, you gain one Tier 1 ability from your Species Tree for free.
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You may purchase deeper tiers with Marks if you meet the requirements.
Archetype Trees
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These represent specialized training, professions, or mystical paths (Knight, Spiritbinder, Assassin, etc.).
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You must meet a narrative access condition to unlock the tree.
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You may then buy abilities with Marks from relevant skills.
4. Example: A Mark in Play
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Kael fails a Stealth (Agility) check while slipping through a fortress.
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He gains a Mark and must choose:
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Put it in his Stealth Skill Pool (helping him advance toward Rank 3 and Tier 3 Stealth abilities), or
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Put it in his Agility Attribute Pool (slowly working toward raising Agility from 2 → 3, which will boost all Agility-based skills).
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This choice creates meaningful tension: do you invest in the immediate or the long game?
5. Advancement Philosophy
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Attributes are aspirational: Raising them is rare but transformative.
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Skills are the spine: Most Marks go here, unlocking broader competency and Skill Trees.
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Abilities are frequent rewards: You’ll buy these often, adding flavor and unique tricks to your build.
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Failure is fruitful: You’re rewarded for taking risks, trying new things, and pushing your limits.
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) |
“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?