🧭 Domains
Domains are the heart of character customization and growth. Instead of choosing a class, each character selects two Domains that define their role, style, and magical or martial nature.
🌀 What Is a Domain?
A Domain is a themed set of powers rooted in training, culture, or mystical forces.
Domains may be:
- ⚔️ Martial — like Weaponmaster or Skirmisher
- 🔮 Magical — like Incantor or Thaumaturgy
- 👻 Spiritual/Abstract — like Trickster or Theurgy
Each Domain includes:
- A Domain Aspect that all its Features are based on
- A Base Card for each Tier — your core feature
- A set of Feature Cards — mix-and-match powers
- A Progression Path — what’s needed to reach higher Tiers
🏗️ You can (and should!) invent your own lore to explain a Domain’s source. This helps personalize your setting and character.
Players start with two Domains, enabling unique combos without class-level complexity.
It is highly suggested that all of a character's Domains should have different Domain Aspects. This helps characters be more well rounded.
📈 Domain Tiers
Domains grow through four Tiers, each reflecting greater mastery:
| Tier | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Base Card + 2 Feature Cards |
| Tier 2 | Up to 4 Feature Cards total |
| Tier 3 | Up to 7 Feature Cards total |
| Tier 4 | Up to 10 Feature Cards total |
Each Tier's Base Card lists the requirements to reach the next Tier. You may level up your two Domains independently.
🎓 Example: A character might be Tier 3 in Fury but only Tier 1 in Incantor.
🧩 Choosing Features
Each time you gain a Domain or level it up, choose Feature Cards from that Domain.
Most Domains offer 5–6 features per Tier, but you’ll only pick a few—ensuring characters feel distinct.
Each Feature Card includes:
- An Action Cost (in Action Load points or other)
- A defined Effect or trigger
- A Power Tag (e.g., Arcane, Nature, Divine)
- A spot to fill in your Aspect value (e.g., Finesse = 6)
🌍 Customizing the World
GMs can curate the Domain list to match their world’s lore and themes.
Ideas:
- Limit Domains by region, culture, or cosmic force
- Create new Domains tied to factions or religions
- Reward a character with Domains as milestone gifts
🎨 Use Domain access to shape your setting’s tone, power structure, and mystery.
🧬 Unlocking Additional Domains
Some characters may unlock a Third Domain (or more) as a reward for:
- Story arcs
- Personal quests
- Transformation milestones
This reflects a turning point—a new mentor, awakened power, or internal shift. It could feel like gaining a subclass, or starting a whole new path.
Note: Unless the GM says otherwise, additional Domains may only be added to a character if all their current Domains are at least Tier 2.
🧾 Feature Card Terminology
All powers granted through rules cards are called Feature Cards.
These include:
- 📖 Domain Cards
- 🧬 Species Cards
- 🛖 Community Cards
- 🎭 Background Cards
- ✨ And more
They all use a common layout for clarity and ease of use.
🧱 Domain Card Design Philosophy
Each Tier of a Domain should include:
- 📇 A Base Domain Card — shared core + advancement requirements
- ⚔️ A Combat Action
- 🧭 An Exploration Utility
- 🎭 A Roleplay Feature
- 🤝 A Team Action
Some features will be active (with Action Load costs), and others passive (modifying stats, rules, or actions).
📘 The Base Card is unique per Tier but evolves by updating the advancement goal. Any feature or ability included on a Base Card is inherited by higher tiers.