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.

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# 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.

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# 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.

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# 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.

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## 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**.

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# 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.

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## 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.

## Related notes
- [[Combat/Combat|Combat]]