Characters grow through XP, story Breakthroughs, and downtime. A Beast Binder has one primary bonded Arcana Beast. Other wild Arcana Beast may become friends, guides, rivals, or sanctuary allies — but they are not interchangeable inventory.
Advancement & XP
Session End Questions (1 XP each, max 3/session)
- • Did the pair pursue a meaningful shared purpose?
- • Did a Desire or Fear create a meaningful complication?
- • Did the group learn something important?
- • Did the pair repair harm or change understanding?
XP Costs
3 XP Gain a new Talent or Quality at Rank 1
4 XP Increase Talent/Quality by one Rank (max Rank 3)
4 XP Teach Special Attack a new situational effect
5 XP Create new Special Attack at Rank 1
5 XP Increase Beast Binder max Stamina by 1 (max 6)
Notes
- • Beast Binder stats are permanent (1 base per stat + 10 bonus points, max 4 per stat)
- • Arcana Beast gain new Qualities at each evolution stage (max 2/stage)
- • Special Attack Rank increases with stage
Evolution & Breakthroughs
Evolution Stages unlock through a unique Breakthrough achieved in play — no stat threshold gates a Stage.
Each evolution stage includes
- • A Breakthrough moment (emotional trigger)
- • Potential stat changes
- • New Qualities (max 2 per stage)
- • Upgraded Special Attack
- • An optional Zero Power (available from Stage 1; recommended Stage 2+)
Evolving to the highest unlocked Stage is free when its trigger is true. Forced evolution without a true trigger produces a Strain expression with narrative cost.
Training Successful downtime Training may prepare for advancement or establish combo requirements.