The Ascension System
Ancient Grimoires hold the secrets to unlocking inner power beyond normal human limits. Those who master these texts can ascend through stages of power, gaining supernatural abilities.
Ascension is Rare
This is important: most characters will never ascend. Finding a Grimoire is a major event. When you do find one, it changes everything about how you play.
Ascension Tiers
- Mundane - No ascension, standard combat only
- Awakened - Detect hidden enemies, sense danger
- Channeler - Power strikes, slow stamina regen boost
- Adept - Arcane arts usable, passive essence regen
- Templar - Enhanced speed/strength, elemental resistance
- Archon - Powerful techniques, environmental resistance
- ??? - Perhaps no one has reached this in generations...
How It Works
- Requires a Grimoire (rare loot, faction rewards, hidden locations)
- Progress through meditation (time investment, safe location needed)
- Accelerated by focus techniques during combat
- Can be shattered by severe injuries (lose tiers, start over)
- Different Grimoires = different paths (speed, strength, esoteric)
Arcane Arts & Essence Techniques
Arcane Arts are passive abilities. Only one active at a time:
- Stone Skin - Reduce physical damage
- Featherfall - Increased jump, reduced fall damage
- Venom Blood - Poison resistance, poison touch
- Resonance Strike - Delayed internal damage on hit
Essence Techniques are active abilities that cost Essence:
- Force Bolt - Ranged essence blast (unarmed)
- Blade Arc - Projectile slash wave
- Blink - Short-range teleport/dash
- Ward - Temporary damage absorption
The Danger
High ascension makes you powerful. It also makes you a target. Everyone wants those Grimoires. Everyone fears Archons. Your ascension might be your greatest asset - or the reason you're being hunted.