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Combat/Armor Class.md

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+Old Armor Class is no longer used to determine hit chance. Instead:
+- **1 AC = 1% damage reduction** (rounded down).
+- AC is split into:
+    - **Physical AC**
+        - Blunt, Slash, Pierce
+    - **Elemental AC**
+        - Fire, Ice, Lightning, Force, Necrotic, Gas, Holy, B
+
+Example:  
+If a target has **20 Slash AC**, incoming slash damage is reduced by **20%**.
+
+Damage is reduced **after** all other modifiers (crits, posture effects, etc.).

Combat/Combat.md

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+[[HP and Death]]
+[[XP and Levels]]
+[[Parrying & Posture]]
+[[Riposte]]
+[[Sanity & Insanity]]
+[[Traits]]
+[[Combat/Mantras]]
+[[Damage]]
+[[Weapons]]
+[[Armor Class]]

Combat/Damage.md

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+Damage represents harm dealt to a creature’s body, equipment, or supernatural form. This system separates **health damage**, **posture damage**, and **damage mitigation** to clearly distinguish lethality, pressure, and defense.
+
+Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all creatures, including players, humanoids, monsters and bosses, follow the same damage rules.
+
+---
+
+## Damage Types
+
+Damage is always assigned a **type**, which determines how it interacts with armor, resistances, and effects.
+
+### Physical Damage
+- **Blunt** (hammers, fists, shockwaves)
+- **Slash** (blades, claws)
+- **Pierce** (thrusts, projectiles)
+### Elemental Damage
+- **Fire**
+- **Ice**
+- **Lightning**
+- **Gale**
+- **Shadow**
+- **Iron**
+Some attacks may deal **multiple damage types**. Each type is resolved separately.
+
+---
+## Dealing Damage
+When an attack successfully resolves (i.e., it is not parried or dodged):
+1. **Determine Base Damage**
+    - Roll the weapon’s or effect’s damage dice.
+    - Apply relevant modifiers (ability modifier, proficiency bonuses, talents, mantras, etc.).
+2. **Apply Critical or Conditional Modifiers**
+    - Critical hits, posture-based bonuses, talents, or special effects apply here.
+    - These always modify damage **before** mitigation.
+3. **Apply Armor Reduction**
+    - Damage is reduced by the target’s applicable Armor Class (see below).
+4. **Apply Remaining Damage**
+    - Any remaining damage is dealt to HP.
+    - Additional effects (Bleed, Burning, Shock, etc.) are then applied.
+
+---
+## Penetration
+
+Some attacks or weapons have **Penetration**, allowing them to ignore armor.
+- Penetration reduces the target’s relevant AC before damage reduction is calculated.
+- Penetration cannot reduce AC below 0.
+- Penetration does **not** affect posture damage.
+
+Example:  
+A weapon with **3 Penetration** ignores 3 points (3%) of all AC. 
+
+**Total penetration from all effects cannot exceed 50%.**
+
+---
+## Posture Damage
+
+Some attacks deal **Posture damage** in addition to or instead of HP damage.
+- Posture damage represents pressure, imbalance, and guard-breaking force.
+- Posture damage is typically derived from:
+    - Weapon **Weight**
+    - Talents, mantras, or special effects
+- Posture damage is **not reduced by armor** unless explicitly stated.
+Blocking converts HP damage into posture damage, as described in the _Parrying & Posture_ rules.
+
+---
+## Chip Damage
+
+Some attacks and weapons deal **Chip Damage**, allowing a portion of their damage to bypass blocking defenses.
+
+* Chip Damage represents force, heat, shock, or precision that cannot be fully negated even when bracing
+* Chip Damage is expressed as a **percentage value**. This value determines how much of an attack’s HP damage passes through a block.
+* Chip Damage is calculated **after Penetration**
+* Armor reduction applies normally to Chip Damage
+* Penetration affects Chip Damage the same way it affects normal damage
+
+Example:  
+A weapon with **15 Chip Damage** causes **15% of its final HP damage** to be dealt even if the attack is blocked.
+
+---
+## Multiple Damage Instances
+
+If an attack deals damage multiple times:
+- Each instance is resolved separately
+- Armor reduction applies to each instance individually
+- Posture damage is applied per hit, not per attack

Combat/HP and Death.md

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+Health represents a creature’s physical resilience and ability to continue fighting. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all creatures (players, humanoids, monsters, and bosses) follow these rules.
+
+---
+## Starting Health
+At character creation, your **Starting Health** is determined by their character.
+
+---
+## Health Gain on Level Up
+When you gain a level:
+- Your **HP is fully restored**
+- You gain additional maximum Health based on your Character + Fortitude Modifier
+
+---
+## Incapacitation (0 Health)
+When a creature is reduced to **0 Health**, it becomes **Incapacitated** instead of dying immediately.
+**While Incapacitated:**
+- You are unconscious and unable to act
+- You remain incapacitated for **3 rounds**
+- Being hit while incapacitated **resets the timer**
+- Any creature may use an action to **Execute** you to kill you outright. 
+	- Executing takes one turn to complete and can be interupted by dealing damage to the executioner. 
+	- After stating the execution, the turn of the executioner ends.
+	- Executing is finished as soon as their next turn begins. 
+	- The recovery timer is paused whilst being executed.
+
+After the 3-round duration ends:
+- You stand back up with **1 HP**
+- You may act normally on your turn
+
+---
+## Carrying an Incapacitated Creature
+- An incapacitated creature (medium size or less) may be picked up and carried as a bonus action
+- Picking someone up slows you by 50%
+- Can't dodge while carrying
+- Disadvantage on parrying when wielding Weapons that require two-handing.
+- If the carrier is hit, the incapacitated creature is **immediately dropped**
+- Recovery timer is paused while being carried
+
+---
+
+## Environmental Death
+Some conditions bypass the incapacitation grace period.
+If an incapacitated creature:
+- **Is burning**
+- **Is submerged in water**
+They die after **2 rounds** if not picked up or removed from the hazard.

Combat/Heavy Weapons.md

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+**Examples:** Greatswords, Greataxes, Greathammers
+Heavy weapons focus on overwhelming force, posture destruction, and decisive blows.
+### Benefits
+- **High Weapon Weight**
+    - Deals massive Posture damage
+- **Bonus Posture Damage on Block**
+    - Blocking Heavy weapons increases Posture damage taken by +1
+- **High Penetration**
+    - Typically 15–20 Penetration
+- **Guard Break Pressure**
+    - Heavy weapons excel at staggering enemies
+
+### Drawbacks
+- **–1 Dodge Reaction per round (minimum 0)**
+- **–1 to Dodge Throws**
+- **High Commitment**
+    - Missing an attack imposes disadvantage on your next Dodge or Parry
+- **No Chip Damage by default**
+    - Heavy weapons rely on posture, not attrition
+- **High Posture Cost on Block**
+    - Blocking while using a Heavy weapon causes +1 Posture loss

Combat/Light Weapons.md

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+**Examples:** Daggers, Rapiers, Fists, Handguns
+Light weapons favor speed, precision, and pressure through repeated actions rather than raw force.
+
+### Benefits
+- **+1 Dodge Reaction per round**
+- **+1 to Dodge Throws**
+- **Lower Posture Loss when Blocking** (–1 Posture damage, minimum 1)
+- **Higher access to Chip Damage**
+    - Most Light weapons have **5–15% Chip Damage**
+- **Fast recovery**: Missing an attack does not impose penalties unless stated
+### Drawbacks
+- **Low Weapon Weight**
+    - Deals reduced Posture damage        
+- **Lower Penetration**
+    - Typically 0–5 Penetration

Combat/Mantras.md

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+**Mantras** are active abilities unique to this campaign. Considered the root of Ether’s usage and sometimes referred to as _Words of the Song_, Mantras are the primary way characters channel supernatural power.
+
+---
+## What Is a Mantra?
+A Mantra is an **active ability** that a character can intentionally use during play.
+- Mantras are **not spells** unless explicitly stated.
+- Each Mantra defines:
+    - How it is activated (Action, Bonus Action, Reaction, etc.)
+    - Its effects
+    - Any costs, cooldowns, or conditions
+- Mantras obey normal D&D action economy rules unless specified otherwise.
+Mantras are always gained through **Level-Up Cards** or specific narrative rewards.
+
+---
+
+## Obtaining Mantras
+Mantras are primarily obtained by **selecting Mantra cards when leveling up**. Once learned, a Mantra becomes a permanent part of your character unless replaced or removed by a specific effect.
+
+---
+
+## Mantra Slots & Loadout
+By default, a character can **equip up to six Mantras at once**.  
+You may know more Mantras than you can equip, but only equipped Mantras can be used.
+### Mantra Slot Types
+- **Combat Mantras (3)**  
+    Offensive or combat-focused abilities used to deal damage, apply pressure, or control enemies.
+- **Support Mantra (1)**  
+    Utility-focused abilities such as healing, buffs, crafting effects, or special interactions.
+- **Mobility Mantra (1)**  
+    Abilities that enhance movement, positioning, traversal, or evasion.
+- **Wildcard Mantra (1)**  
+    Can hold **any** Mantra type (Combat, Support, or Mobility).
+
+Unlike spell slots in D&D, these aren't expended after using the mantra, instead the mantra is put on a cooldown.

Combat/Medium Weapons.md

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+**Examples:** Swords, Spears, Clubs, Rifles, Twinblades
+Medium weapons are the **baseline** and most versatile category, balancing offense, defense, and pressure.
+
+### Benefits
+- **No inherent penalties**
+- **Balanced Weapon Weight**
+    - Reliable Posture damage
+- **Moderate Penetration**
+    - Typically 5–10 Penetration
+- **Flexible Mantra Compatibility**
+    - Most mantras are balanced around Medium weapons
+
+### Drawbacks
+- **No specialization bonuses**
+- **Limited Chip Damage**
+    - Usually 0–5%
+- **Average Mobility**
+    - No dodge or movement bonuses

Combat/Parrying & Posture.md

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+Posture represents balance, readiness, and combat momentum.
+- All creatures start with **10 Posture** unless otherwise stated.
+- While you have **at least 1 Posture**, you may **Parry or Dodge** attacks.
+- If your Posture is reduced to **0**, you are **Staggered** until the start of your next turn.
+- If you are Staggered due to an attack reducing your posture, additionally take the full damage of that attack.
+
+When an attack would hit you and you have Posture remaining, you may spend **1 Reaction** to choose **Parry** or **Dodge**.
+> All humanoid enemies, including bosses, follow these same rules unless explicitly stated otherwise.
+### **Parry
+You meet force with force, attempting to redirect or overpower the attack.
+**Trigger:** You are targeted by a parryable attack.  
+**Cost:** 1 Reaction
+**Parry Check**
+- Roll your Parry Throw against the attacker’s Attack Throw. 
+- If the attack hits multiple times, make multiple Parry Throws against the attacker's Attack Throw for each hit.
+#### **Success**
+- You take **no damage**.
+- You lose **1 Posture**.
+- You may immediately make **one Melee Attack Action** against the attacker.
+- This counterattack cannot be parried, but may still be dodged or mitigated by armor and effects.
+#### **Failure (Soft Fail)**
+- You do **not** take damage from this attack.
+- Instead, you are forced into a **Block** against the **next attack** before your next turn.
+---
+### **Block
+Blocking represents bracing yourself after a failed parry.
+- Blocking is **automatic** and cannot be chosen voluntarily.
+- You take **no HP damage**, but suffer **Posture damage**.
+**Posture Damage While Blocking**
+- Posture loss = **Weapon Weight × Number of Damage Dice** of the attack.
+- If this reduces your Posture to 0, you are immediately [[Staggered]].
+>Blocking cannot trigger counterattacks or effects tied to successful parries.
+
+---
+### Dodge
+You evade instead of contesting force.
+**Trigger:** You are targeted by an attack.  
+**Cost:** 1 Reaction
+**Dodge Check**
+- Roll your Dodge Throw against the attacker’s Attack Throw.
+#### **Success**
+- You take **no damage**.
+- Move **3 meters** in any direction.
+- Immediately remove **Burning** or **Chill** conditions.
+- This movement does not provoke reactions.
+#### **Failure**
+- You take the attack normally.
+- Dodge does **not** reduce posture on failure.
+
+### Posture Damage
+* If a humanoid is hit by a normal weapon attack: 
+	* They take the weapons (Weight / 2) as Posture Damage
+* If a monster (larger or taller) is hit by a normal weapon attack:
+	* They take the full weapon weight as Posture Damage.

Combat/Riposte.md

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+When an enemy is stance-broken, they enter a 'staggered' state for 1 round. Anyone can use an action to perform a 'riposte', using the weapons riposte modifier on top of the original scaled damage. 

Combat/Sanity & Insanity.md

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+At level 1, you have (8 + Willpower Modifier) Stacks of Sanity. Every level up you gain (1 + Willpower Modifier) Sanity. You can't lose sanity and it can't go below 8. You always gain at least 1 sanity.
+
+Insanity has 4 Stages: 
+- 100% Sanity: Everything is normal 
+- 66% Sanity: You start shivering every few rounds, making you lose concentration and slowing you by 3 meters movement speed for 1 round. 
+- 33% Sanity: You start scratching yourself every round, causing you to take 1d8 slash damage. 
+- 0% Sanity: You can no longer recognize allies or enemies by their face. Every 5 rounds, you scoop at your eyes, taking 3d10 slashing damage as well as being stunned for one round.  
+
+You lose Sanity by being in the depths. There are other sources of Sanity loss, but the depths are the main one.
+
+Sanity can be restored by resting, certain talents or [[Combat/Mantras]] and being in safe places.

Combat/Traits.md

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+Traits: On level-ups 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, you gain one mastery point. 
+
+Mastery Points can be invested into the following trait and only up to 6 times per trait.
+*(So, in conclusion, 2 traits can be maxed out) 
+
+- Vitality: You gain 10 HP 
+- Erudition: Max Ether increases by 3 and max Posture by 0.5. Also increases Posture regain by 0.25 per point. 
+- Proficiency: Weapon Attack and Parry Proficiency increases by 1 every point. Weapons gain 3 AC Penetration per point. 
+- Songchant: Weapon Attack and Parry Proficiency increases by 1.5 every point. [[Combat/Mantras]] gain 5 AC Penetration per point.

Combat/Weapons.md

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+Weapons are divided into three primary categories: **Light**, **Medium**, and **Heavy**.  
+Each category defines how a weapon interacts with **damage**, **posture**, **parrying**, **dodging**, **blocking** and **chip damage**.
+
+Weapon choice determines **combat philosophy**, not just numbers.
+
+[[Light Weapons]]
+[[Medium Weapons]]
+[[Heavy Weapons]]

Combat/XP and Levels.md

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+This campaign uses a hybrid progression system combining **standard D&D leveling** with **identity-based card advancement**.
+
+Characters grow in two parallel ways:
+- **Level-based progression** (HP, class features, proficiency bonus)
+- **Identity-based card progression** (Talents & Mantras)
+
+Cards define how a character expresses their identity. Levels define their overall power scale.
+
+---
+# Experience & Leveling (Standard D&D)
+- Characters gain **XP from encounters and story progression**, following normal D&D XP thresholds.
+    
+- When a character gains a **level**:
+    - Their **hit points are fully restored**
+    - Any normal D&D level-based features apply
+
+Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all XP thresholds and leveling pace follow standard D&D conventions.
+
+---
+
+# Proficiency Bonus
+- Characters use the **standard D&D Proficiency Bonus**, based solely on **character level**.
+
+- Proficiency Bonus:
+    - Applies to attacks, saves, skills, and features exactly as described in D&D.
+    - Is **never influenced by ability scores**.
+
+Ability scores and cards may modify _how_ proficiency is applied, but never its base value.
+
+---
+
+# Level-Up Cards (Core Identity Progression)
+
+Every character has a **personal card pool** tied to their identity:
+- Build concept
+- Weapons
+- Oath
+- Background
+- Mantras
+- Faction
+- Unique traits
+
+No two characters share the same pool, even if they have similar classes.
+
+---
+
+## Card Gain Per Level
+Each time you gain a level, you gain:
+- **1–2 Talent Cards**
+- **1 Mantra Card every other level**
+
+The progression alternates:
+- **Level A:**
+    - 1 Talent
+    - 1 Mantra
+- **Level B:**
+    - 2 Talents
+
+This pattern repeats for the entire campaign. Cards gained are added permanently to your **Resonance Library**.
+
+---
+
+# Talent Loadout System
+Unlike traditional passive stacking systems, not all Talent Cards are active at once. You may **equip a limited number of Talent Cards** from your library.
+- Unequipped Talents remain known but inactive.
+- You may change equipped Talents during a **Long Rest** or in a designated safe location.
+- Talents cannot be swapped during combat.
+
+---
+
+## Talent Slot Progression
+Characters begin with:
+- **4 Talent Slots**
+
+Talent slot capacity increases as the character grows:
+
+| Character Level | Equipped Talent Slots |
+| --------------- | --------------------- |
+| 1–3             | 4                     |
+| 4–6             | 6                     |
+| 7–10            | 8                     |
+| 11–15           | 9                     |
+| 16+             | 10                    |
+
+The total number of known Talents will exceed equipped slots. Build expression comes from selecting which Talents are active.