LEVELING UP

A Hero's level generally represents their overall skill, experience, fame and power. A Hero starts out as a fledgling adventurer at Level 1 and as they complete quests and adventures they may increase in level. As the Heroes increase in level they may improve their SKILLS. 

Upon the completion on a successful mission or adventure (at the GM's discression),  a Hero has been deemed to have received enough experience from their heroic actions that they increase their level by one.

The Hero must seek out and locate a trainner, guild or individual to increase a single Skill and attain a new level.

To gain a level a Hero must pay a training fee. This fee is equal to 100 times the Hero's current level in gold coins. The Hero must spend time training equal to a number days equal to the Hero's current level.

Designers Note:  This easy system enables players to develop and mould their Heroes are they progress through their career. It allows flexibilty in either focusing or developing their Hero in new and unexpected ways!

Here are some example trainners or guilds to for the Heroes to attend, depending on the SKILL the Hero wishes to increase.

Thieves Den,  Ninja Clan, Assasins Guild

Can provide training in the following Skills: Agility, Roguery, Awearness, Dark Sight

Gladiator Pit , Adventurers Guild, Fighters Guild

Can provide training in the following Skills: Might, Endurance, Swordplay, Brawl

Rangers Guild, Archers Range

Can provide training in the following Skills:  Agilty, Wilderness Lore, Marksmanship

Traders Guild , Craftsmans Guild

Can provide training in the following Skills:  Craftmanship, Charm

Library, Mages Tower, Witch's  Den, Wizards, Warlocks and Sorcerers Guild

Can provide training in the following Skills:  Magic, Magic Resistance, Folklore

Temple of Faith, Druids Circle, Surgeon

Can provide training in the following Skills:  Healing, Magic, Magic Resistance

For example, Rastan the 5th level Barbarian has successfully completed and adventure and the GM agrees that Rastan has earnt enough experience to Level Up. Rastan's player chooses to increase Rastan's Exceptional (9) Might to Incredible (10). The GM notifies the player that Rastan may spend 5 days training and spend 500 (5x100) gold coins training at the local Fighters Guild to increase Rastan's Level by one to Level 6 and increase his Might Skill by one to Incredible (10).

Leveling up can continue as far as the GM wishes - there is now limit on what level a Hero (or monster) can attain. This also keeps the Heroes looking for jobs, hunting for and selling treausure.  Just remember tougher Heroes need tougher enemies.

The GM and players may prefer this Optional Leveling rule to simulate Heroes developing skills they used during the adventure.

Only Skills used during the Current Adventure completed may be increased in during the leveling up process.

A simple way for a player to track if a skill has been used, is to simply put a mark next to the skill the FIRST time it is used durning the adventure. (When a new adventure is started these are removed)

A skill counts to have been used when a Heroic or Reaction Roll has been make with the Skill.

Inflicting a hit in melee combat counts as using Might.

Taking some form of Health Point loss counts as using Endurnace.

Instead of paying a flat fee to level up, this Optional Skill Cost Leveling encourages Heroes to level up lower cost skills if they are tight on treasure and loot. 

To gain a level a Hero must pay a training fee. This fee is equal to 100 times the Skill that the Hero's wishes to improve in gold coins. The Hero must spend time training equal to a number days equal to the Skills level.

For example, Rastan the 5th level Barbarian has successfully completed and adventure and the GM agrees that Rastan has earnt enough experience to go up a level. Rastan's player chooses to increase Rastan's Exceptional (9) Might to Incredible (10). The GM notifies the player that Rastan may spend 9 days training and spend 900 (9x100) gold coins training at the local Fighters Guild to increase Rastan's Level by one to Level 6 and increase his Might Skill by one to Incredible (10).

If you prefer a more immersive and cooperative style of play then Storyteller XP Mode might be for your table.  It works well for pickup games, one-shots and emergent play.

This system rewards the players for contributing to the story that is unfolding during the adventure.  The GM will ask the players questions during the game and the players have an opportunity to answer or put forth suggestions during the adventure.  

The GM may award XP for interesting contributions that add drama, conflict, excitement, humour or flavour to the adventure, but be aware that the GM may also penalise a player with XP loss for a particularly bad response. 

For every 10 XP earnt by the hero they will Level Up using the main rules above. Once a hero attains a new level the XP is set to zero again.

Let’s look at it at work in an example of play....

GM: Rastan, as the flock of crows burst in a screeching mass from the tree-line nearby, your riding horse is spooked and yanks its lead from your hands as it flees down the muddy path into the depths of the forest…. What do you do?

Rastan: By Cromm! I pull the rope from my belt and turn the face the party. Who is with me? He asks

GM: Who knows the name of the forest?

Harley: Umm, the Elderwood….

GM: I like it Harley, have an XP. Goldina, tell me how the forest looks….

Goldina: Ummm, its trees are tall and bent… the path tuns to the east disappearing into its depths….

GM: that’s great have an XP Goldina. 

Rastan: I see a big fat chest, brimming over with gold coins on the edge of the path!

GM: Rastan, you are deluded, there is no chest there, loose an XP

Rastan: Oh man….

GM: Zoltan, you know something about this forest, tell us about it……

Zoltan: I have heard that the woods are cursed…

GM: Hmmm, creepy. Have an XP Zoltan. Does anyone know about any rumours about this curse?

Maximus: I’ve heard that if the living fall in the forest they are cursed to arise as a hideous monstrosity on the next moon rise….

GM: Wow Maximus, that’s pretty serious, have 2 XP! 

Maximus: Yessss! That puts me at 10XP I can Level Up to level 3, Woot!

GM: That’s right Maximus, reset it back to zero now and increase your level by one. If you get back to town and find a trainer and can afford to pay them, then you may improve one of your skills…

Warning

GMs please be aware that some players (usually newer or forever players, from experience) can struggle to come up with creative ideas (and may break their immersion) and also some players prefer to consume and absorb content, not to co-contribute- so I recommend chatting with your players to see if it a good fit for them before putting it into play.