198 lines
No EOL
6.8 KiB
Markdown
198 lines
No EOL
6.8 KiB
Markdown
_"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? |