**This is an old revision of the document!**

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 abilities and features that reflect a powerful influence, training, or innate power.

Domains might be:

  • Martial – like Warrior or Duelist
  • Magical – like Elementalist or Sorcerer
  • Spiritual or Abstract – like Trickster or Spirit-Touched

Each Domain includes:

  • A Base Card – your starting feature and identity
  • A set of Feature Cards – additional powers you choose from
  • A Progression Path – requirements for unlocking new tiers

>Players begin with two Domains, allowing for endless combinations without overwhelming complexity.

Domain Tiers

Domains are divided into Tiers, reflecting your mastery:

  • Initiate (Tier 1) – Starting tier; gain the Base Card and 1–2 Feature Cards
  • Proficient (Tier 2) – Unlock by completing the checklist on your Base Card
  • Expert (Tier 3) – Requires major narrative or mechanical milestones
  • Master (Tier 4, optional) – Epic-level powers for advanced play

You may progress each Domain independently. For example, one Domain may reach Tier 3 while the other stays at Tier 1.

Choosing Features

When you gain a Domain or level it up, you choose new Feature Cards from that Domain’s list.

Most Domains offer 5–6 features per Tier, but you’ll typically select only a couple—ensuring builds stay focused and unique.

Each Feature Card includes:

  • An Action Cost (in Action Load or d4s)
  • A clearly defined Effect or trigger
  • A Power Tag (e.g., Arcane, Divine, Nature)
  • A line to write in the relevant Aspect value (e.g., Discipline = 6 or Finesse = 7)

Customizing the World

GMs are encouraged to curate the available Domains to match the setting.

Ideas include:

  • Limiting Domains by tone or region (e.g., no Divine Domains in a faithless world)
  • Creating custom Domains tied to factions, cultures, or philosophies
  • Rewarding Domains as gifts or story progress

Domain availability can define much of your world’s flavor and power structure.

Unlocking a Third Domain

With major progress—often tied to story arcs, personal quests, or milestone rests—a character may unlock a third Domain.

This reflects a major transformation or the discovery of new potential, and should feel significant. It might refine the character's progression like subclasses do in some systems, or it might be a complete change of course for the character's journey.

Feature Card Terminology

Any ability-granting card is called a Feature Card. This includes:

  • Domain Cards
  • Species Cards
  • Community Cards
  • Background Cards
  • …and more

All Feature Cards follow similar formatting, enabling consistent rules and ease of use.

See Also