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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.