Experience (XP) is the ultimate reward that allows player characters (PCs) to progress and become increasingly skilled. PCs gain XP by completing quests and defeating their opponents in combat.
Ability points (AP) are only earned after an encounter and allow for ability upgrades during a rest phase (short or long).
Quests and Missions
Quests and missions are one of the main ways for PCs to gain XP. The importance of the quest determines the amount of XP that can be earned.
- 0 XP: Insignificant - Minor and insignificant tasks that do not pose a major challenge but may be compensated with a higher monetary reward.
- 1 XP: Notable - Quests that involve modest challenges or have some narrative importance.
- 2 XP: Important - Major quests that require significant skills and efforts from the PCs.
- 3 XP: Exceptional - Epic, rare, and large-scale quests that have a considerable impact on the game world.
Quest and mission XP is earned upon completion.
No AP is earned from completing quests or missions.
Battles and Encounters
Battles and encounters are often unavoidable in an adventurer's life. PCs gain XP and AP by facing opponents, whether they are wild creatures or formidable enemies. Here are the XP/AP rewards per PC per combat:
- 1 XP and 1 AP: Standard - Encounters that do not present a major difficulty, mainly involving basic creatures and relatively weak opponents.
- 2 XP and 2 AP: Mini-Boss - Encounters that include at least one creature with health points (HP) comparable to a boss, or dealing damage comparable to a boss, thus creating an additional challenge.
- 3 XP and 3 AP: Boss - Epic battles where at least one creature behaves like a true boss, with significant HP and devastating damage.
These XP and AP are earned at the end of each encounter.
Alternative Management of XP and AP
When planning a scenario, the GM may decide to adjust the total amount of XP and AP earned to create different rewards depending on how the players resolve the quest or mission.
However, it is recommended that the sum of XP and AP be equivalent in various resolutions.
Example:
Imagine a scenario where a final battle is planned, awarding 2 XP and 2 AP to each PC (mini-boss).
In this scenario, players also have the option to capture the "villain" alive.
If captured, the GM may decide that players earn 1 XP and 3 AP instead.
Optional Rule
When one or more PCs are still unconscious at the end of an encounter, the entire group loses 1 XP or 1 AP from the reward of that encounter.