YOU CAN SKIP
Note: This isn't essential to understanding the story—it's more for readers who want a quick glimpse into the power system before diving in. That said, don't take it too seriously. If you really want to grasp how everything works, the best way is to experience it through the story itself. What follows is surface-level, and looking back at it now, there are definitely some flaws—but nothing major. Anyway, enjoy!
Story Skills
Definition: Story Skills are abilities granted to characters that reflect their role and significance within the world's narrative. These skills are tied to a character's personal journey, evolution, and their interactions with the world. They encompass combat abilities, supportive skills, and more nuanced powers aligned with a character's profession, destiny, or story arc.
Categories: Story Skills are divided into six progressive stages, representing a character's growing narrative importance:
Common (Stage 1): Everyday roles (e.g., [Baker], [Guard], [Merchant]) with basic skills reflecting their function.
Uncommon (Stage 2): Slightly more significant roles (e.g., [Blacksmith], [Apothecary], [Scribe]) with specialized skills.
Rare (Stage 3): Impactful roles (e.g., [Warrior], [Healer], [Seer]) with abilities that can influence story outcomes.
Epic (Stage 4): Pivotal roles (e.g., [Knight], [Mage], [Chieftain]) with powerful skills that alter major events.
Legendary (Stage 5): Heroic figures (e.g., [Champion]).
Mythic (Stage 6): Rare and almost divine roles.
Starter Pack: Every Story Skill comes with a starter pack. For example, someone with an illusion-based Story Skill might initially receive enhanced perception. Starter packs are consistent across characters, with only a few existing overall. As a person ranks up, their starter pack becomes more specific.
Ranking Up: As a character progresses, their Story Skill becomes more refined. For instance, an Illusionist at Stage 3 or a Wizard at Stage 4 might evolve into a Mind Illusionist, specializing in mental manipulation.
Reset: If a character's Story Skill changes, all progress in the original skill is lost. However, the experience gained remains.
Dynamic Progression: Skills evolve based on narrative choices, alliances, and significant actions. Characters can gain or lose skills accordingly.
Limitations:
Skills can regress or disappear if a character contradicts their narrative role.
Higher-stage skills require more Rasvian energy, leading to quicker exhaustion.
Skills become narrower in scope at higher stages, reducing versatility.
Progression is not guaranteed; stagnation is possible without active development.
Attachment Skills
Definition: These are practical skills necessary for effectively using Story Skills. They are tailored to the character's function within the narrative.
Examples:
A [Baker] might have [Yeast Amplification], which enhances baking speed or quality.
A [Priest] could possess [Healing], providing restorative powers.
An [Emperor] might wield [Absolute Authority], compelling obedience.
Limitations: These skills are tied to specific manifestations of Rasvian energy or combinations thereof. While this limits versatility, it enhances specialized strength.
Proficiency Tiers: Characters can achieve different tiers—Novice, Skilled, Master—that affect how efficiently a skill is used, without altering its core function.
Unwritten Skills
Definition: These are special abilities granted through external means rather than natural progression. Functionally similar to Attachment Skills, they are not limited by the structure of Story Skills. Their limitations lie in acquiring them and ensuring compatibility with a character's existing skill set.
Stages of Individuals:
Normal: 1 Unwritten Skill
Knight: 2 Unwritten Skills
Priest: 3 Unwritten Skills
King: 4 Unwritten Skills
Champion: 5 Unwritten Skills
Improvement: These skills do not rank up but can improve in effectiveness, maintaining focus and clarity of function.
Title Skills
Definition: Skills linked to titles earned through notable achievements. Titles grant specific abilities and influence how others perceive and interact with the character.
Examples:
[Uninvited Guest] offers traits of suspicion and resistance to authority.
[Snake Eater], known for slaying snakes, may evolve into [Beast Slayer] as the character gains renown for slaying larger creatures.
Ranking System: Similar to Unwritten Skills, with higher-tier titles like Emperor Titles. Progression is based on public recognition and acknowledgment rather than internal development.
Living Titles: Titles evolve based on the character's actions, enhancing both skills and influence.
Narrative Influence: Titles affect the environment and interactions with others, providing tangible benefits or challenges aligned with the character's journey.
Limitations:
Skills weaken if public perception shifts.
Activation may require specific, sometimes inconvenient, conditions.
Overreliance on Title Skills risks a fragile sense of self-worth.
Opponents can undermine Title Skills by challenging the title's legitimacy.
Rasvian Energy
Definition: Rasvian energy is the essence that powers all existence and abilities. It underpins Story Skills, Attachment Skills, and Unwritten Skills. It is both omnipresent and elusive, forming the foundation of all reality.
"Rasvian energy isn't formed, nor is it destroyed.It isn't erased or invented.It isn't figurative, yet it's not a concept.It isn't tangible, yet not intangible.It isn't bound by time, nor does it transcend it.It isn't created by will, nor moved by desire.It isn't alive, yet not lifeless.Not matter, nor void.Not a force, nor the absence of force.Not confined, nor omnipresent.Not something you see, hear, or touch—and yet, impossible to ignore."
"Rasvian energy is the Echo of God—The First Breath that stirred the Void,The Hand that shattered Unbeing.Before realms, before light, before time—It was the fracture in eternity's silence.
It is not of the 21 Realms, but the wound from which they bled,The primal ache of existence itself.The Alpha and Omega not of stories,But of all that is, was, and could never be.
It shaped cosmos from the Void's carcass,Yet it is not the shaper—only the shadow of His solitude.Like the breath that animated Adam,Rasvian is the aftermath of a question that birthed being.
It flows through creation not as a sustainer,But as a scar—reminding all things of their accidental genesis.
To witness Rasvian is to stand at the edge of cessation—To feel the weight of what God could not hold.It is fire that does not consume,Because it is the memory of the First Flame—A pillar of cloud by day, fire by night,Guiding nothing, for it is the path itself.
Its presence? The silent scream of the Void.Its purpose? Marking where creation begins... and His presence ends."
Manifestations of Rasvian Energy
Navigator RasvianNature: Guides and directs energy with precision.Function: Enhances control over skill execution, targeting, and manipulation.
Amplifier RasvianNature: Increases intensity and output.Function: Boosts skill power; ideal for combat or high-energy use.
Veil RasvianNature: Conceals and distorts.Function: Masks presence and intentions; used for stealth and illusions.
Transmuter RasvianNature: Converts energy types.Function: Adapts energy for different uses; increases versatility.
Ascendant RasvianNature: Evolves and refines energy.Function: Enhances or transforms basic elements into advanced states.
Function and Usage
Weapons: Weapons act as conduits for Rasvian energy. They make manipulation easier, like how a paintbrush assists an artist. Only Navigators can manipulate Rasvian through weapons by default.
Energy Mastery: Control over Rasvian energy sets individuals apart. Mastery enables advanced skills and manifestations.
Limitations: Rasvian boosts Story, Attachment, and Unwritten Skills—but not Title Skills, which depend on narrative influence.
Color: Typically blue, though variants exist. Colors often reflect the nature of one's abilities (e.g., red for fire skills).
Aura/Presence: Rasvian presence can manifest as "killing intent," perceived differently by other characters.
Synergies: Different manifestations can combine for unique effects.
Costs: Manifestations have clear limits. Mastery demands careful balance.
Emotional Influence: Emotions fuel Rasvian dangerously—wrath may amplify strength but erode empathy; grief can heal but trap users in despair.
Ranks of Rasvian Control
Adept – A child smashing wet clay.
Ascendant – An apprentice shaping clay on a wheel.
Refined – A master potter shaping porcelain.
Resplendent – Clay moving without touch.
Illuminated – Breathing dust into sculpture.
Transcendent
Supreme
Celestial
Ethereal
Divine
Ascension Trials: Require killing creatures, frequent skill usage, or rare Rasvian-rich materials.
Demonic and Mystical Ranks
Wicked → Malevolent → Corrupted → Abyssal → Infernal → Eldritch → Primordial Evil
Eras
Currency System
Draws and Silks:
Draws: Primary currency.
Silks: Sub-unit (20 silks = 1 draw).
Tiers:
Common Characters: Use silks for daily needs.
High-Tier Characters: Trade in draws for rare upgrades.
Market Fluctuations: Value shifts with the popularity of skills, eras, or artifacts.
Compensations
Definition: Sacrifices made to gain power, bound by local laws and sage decrees. For instance: "I sacrifice my arm to strengthen my Attachment Skill." Valid only within specific halls, whose size varies.
1. Cores: The Engine of Rasvian Energy
A core is the physical and spiritual reservoir of Rasvian energy, governing a being's vitality, skill potency, and connection to the world's narrative fabric
Function: Rasvian Control: A core's strength determines one's rank (Adept → Divine). Higher ranks allow mastery over complex manifestations (e.g., Navigator/Amplifier Rasvian).
Skill Activation: Story Skills and Attachment Skills draw directly from the core. For example, Aether's [Adaptive Evolution] evolves his body by channeling Rasvian through his core.
Fragility: Corruption or damage to the core (e.g., Hector's "breaking core" from Altan's attack) can lead to death or loss of abilities.
2. Souls: The Narrative Essence Souls represent the metaphysical identity of a being, bound to their role in the world's stories and their capacity for transcendence.
Function:Story Anchors: Souls are tied to Story Skills, which evolve based on narrative choices.