Playable Classes

After choosing their race, a player chooses their main class. At each Character Level, they gain one Ability (Tactics/Spells) pick to spend from their active main class tree(s), alignment permitting†, and a second pick at the midpoint toward the next Character Level, each pick filling one open Slot in a tree. Any pick can go toward the same tree as the one before it, advancing it a further Slot, or toward a different tree the character has access to. Within any single Slot, a player still chooses only one Ability out of the 3 available (see Slots and Prerequisites, below). At Slot 4 of a tree, its Path opens, letting a character continue investing in that tree's Path, or begin choosing from another main class tree's Tier instead, again alignment permitting. Staying on one main class's Path from Slot 4 through Slot 20, then continuing into that Path's Branch through Slot 30, maxes out that tree, which can only be done once since the Ability cap is 59 (see Class Tree Development, below, for the full pacing and capstone rules).

†Remember, some classes require a specific alignment, such as the Avenger requiring Lawful alignment.

Every Ability roll made in that class is then modified by the race's Favored or Averse standing toward it (see Favored and Averse Class Bonuses, pg. 2), along with Traits, buffs from magic or advantages, and other enhancements, such as those from Armaments.

Characters can carry any Armaments they want, so long as they can bear the weight. Characters can only ready a restricted loadout, three main and/or offhand weapons, ammunition and armor, at the start of each game day, and must keep that set for at least one day - 24 game hours (see Weapons Carried, pg. 4).

Abilities may be chosen from any tree the character wants, sequentially and progressively or sporadically, but they cannot be used unless the required Armaments are not only readied, but donned and drawn. Each readied loadout can be kept as long as the player chooses for their character, there's no expiration, but it must stay intact for at least 24 game hours, the next game day, before changing to a new Armament Set.

For example, a character can have a 1h holy hammer and shield readied and drawn while wearing chain armor, and use Abilities from the Cleric path (see Avenger) beginning at level 4.

At level 4, they could choose a Tactic from the Monk path, but would have to doff the chain and sheath the 1h holy hammer and shield in exchange for any wooden blunt weapons and light or delicate armor before using Monk path Tactics. The cloth or delicate armor and wood-only blunt weapon must be readied, even if it's respectively doffed and sheathed. Light and delicate armors are light in weight, so having either readied and carried doesn't require much in terms of strength. Three main weapons may be readied (drawn or sheathed) and switched at will, at the cost of their turn. Smaller weapons listed as ammunition (throwing daggers x3 per boot, one throwing axe per hip, etc., arrows in a quiver, etc.) are separate and don't need to be readied, but the character must be able to bear their weight and have the tools to carry them, for instance, quivers, sheaths, holsters, boot straps, belt straps, and so on.

Characters may switch in and out of Armaments at will, at the cost of the turn, as long as the Armaments are readied. They may carry as many as their strength/encumbrance will allow, including with the assistance of Companions, such as a Pack Mule, NPC Henchmen, and so forth, but this only makes them available, not readied, which can only be done every 24 hours.

Below is an example of what a Tactic Card looks like; see below for more example cards under their respective classes or paths.

Example Tactic Card - Onset Strike, Barbarian Destroyer. (Temporary layout, pending final card design.)

Just as with main classes, each path and branch defines its own Armament Prerequisites that must be met to use its Abilities (see Basic Rules pg. 6). In terms of armor, paths are restricted by Grade, with Composite being the heaviest and Delicate the lightest. A path's armor threshold includes every Grade lighter than it: for instance, if Medium Grade is allowed, Light and Delicate are as well.

Weapons are required or restricted based not only on Style (Slashing, Blunt, Piercing, Chop, etc.), and there are other cases where specific weapons are allowed for certain tree branches, even though the weapon profile was earlier restricted for the main class and path tactics or spells. For instance, the Salii branch of the Priest path may use daggers (must be magic) and Medium Grade armor (again must be magic†), even though up to that point of the Avenger tree, neither is permitted.

†Any item (in this case daggers or Medium Grade armor) that has a magical effect.

To perform Abilities from the Avenger's - Cleric Path - characters are required to have readied a 1h blunt weapon and shield, or a 2h blunt weapon. Either satisfies the Path's Weapon Prerequisite Profile (see Weapon Prerequisite Profile, Basic Rules pg. 6), adding a choice of flavor and playstyle.

Maximizing their weight capacity (see Strength and Encumbrance), characters may carry various weapons and armor that allow them to utilize different main class, path and branch fighting styles, as long as these Armaments are readied and donned or drawn - in hand(s).

As Character's progress through a classes linear tier, path and branch, Armament options expand.

One Branch example is the Salii, which extends from the Priest Path, breaks away from Light Armor and 2h Blunt restrictions, allowing Medium Grade armor and Daggers (both must be Magic).

Within the Monk path, the Qirateka Branch eventually allows dual 1h Blunt wielding, or a 2h quarterstaff in the main hand with a small bladed weapon, such as a tonfa or sai, in the offhand.

Another example would be the Main Class Fighter that chooses to excel in the brawler path, where they will use their hands (wrapped) as well as environmental objects, such as; dust and dirt, broken glass, mugs, coin rolls, lamps, and so forth as their weapon choices. These characters will also develop tough skin, often wearing very little to protect themselves relying on their tough skin and urban acrobatics (see Olympiad Tree). Brawlers may wear Medium Grade bracers for their protection as well, giving them an element of parry (see Traits, Defense) for protection.

Certain Classes are also restricted to various modifications. For instance, because the Avenger Class alignment requires Lawful, Salii Priests cannot coat their daggers with poisons or carry other applied effects as a rogue or necromancer can. For a Salii the dagger must be magic and hold no properties such as applying poison. These daggers are only used to strike and cast, applying poisons to them would result in punishment by the Avenger's higher power.

Touching on some of what we've discussed above; Characters can have drawn any weapons, in hand(s), they choose, but they won't be able to perform certain Abilities if the weapons they're holding are not the requirements of that main class tree's Tier, Path and/or Branch.

This means a character that has chosen Tactics for a level 4 Monk can obtain a sword, and have it drawn, but they wouldn't be able to perform any of the Tactics since they require bare hands or various wood-only blunt weapons. They could use Actions during their turn to swap to a viable weapon, in this case either drop the sword (half an Action) or switch to a blunt/wood weapon (a full Action) if, in the latter case, they have one (of three possible - see readied weapons, pg. 4) readied and on their person.

Or if they have chosen Abilities from another class tree that allows the sword, e.g., Tactics from a Warrior Tree, they could just perform those Tactics. This system allows characters to hybrid through several classes at one time, sometimes without even changing 1 of 3 readied Armament sets.

However, there are other restrictions that don't allow the use of certain armaments, such as agility Prerequisites for certain ranged Abilities, strength or charisma to wear certain armor, rank restrictions and path restrictions to weapon types; e.g., † Monks can't use edged weapons or blunt weapons made from anything other than wood, † Clerics can't use edged weapons, Warlocks cannot use holy weapons, while Paladins can't use unholy weapons; however Paladins are not restricted to any weapon type, unless they don't meet other requirements, such as the agility Prerequisite to use an offhand dagger.

† Overseers and Avengers cannot use unholy weapons. They must begin to fall, taking penalties and challenges from their respective higher powers to Abilities of said tree(s).

† Fallen and Risen classes, although covered here are pg. 3 covered much more detailed in the GM Codex.

Each main class tree, and its Tier (levels 1-3), follows the same structure through its Path (4-20) into Branch picks (21-30), for a total of 30 (its cap) across the Tier and its respective Path and Branch, growing exponentially in power until the end. With that in mind, the tactic or spell power gap between pick 29 to 30 is the most significant in power of each tree. This gives players tough decisions between choosing raw power, moderate power and some diversity, or raw diversity with less power between their tactics and spells but gives them a wide array of choices per turn.

These Ability variations are derived from different main class tier, path and branch structures. In order for a main class to reach the 30 cap max Abilities, the character would have to choose linearly from Tier, through Path and Branch, staying on the same half of the Split, Tactic or Spell, the entire way. The Slot letter itself, A, B, or C, does not need to stay the same and can change freely level to level, only the Tactic/Spell half matters for the cap. For instance, an Avenger - Cleric - Warpriest reaches all 30 of the Cleric's Spells by staying on the Spell half at every level from Tier through Branch, picking Slot A at some levels, Slot B or C at others, whichever fits, while never once choosing a Tactic instead. This would be the ONLY route to a level 30 cap for that tree, since the Ability cap is 59. Breaking this linear pattern by crossing into the Tactic half at any point makes it impossible to reach 30, since each half must independently reach its own count of 30, and splitting Picks between the two means neither one can.

It's important to note that Class tree structure varies. While some classes only give choices of one linear Tier, Path, and Branch, such as; Avenger Monk, Tactics only, and Strategist Rogue, also Tactics only, others run a Split Tier, Split Path, and Split Branch, such as; Avenger - Cleric and Strategist - Shadow Stalker, both offering a Split Tactic or Split Spell at every level of progression, from Path through Branch.

The 59 Ability cap (see pg. 3) ensures a character can only fully max one class tree. At most, one tree, from its Tier through Branch, can reach 30, and a second caps at 29 (total of 59). In the case of a Split class, its two halves share that same 30-cap rather than each reaching 30 separately, as long as they stay within the Split type, Tactic or Spell. For example, for Classes with Split Paths and Branches, that offer both Tactics and Spells (see Cleric), you can reach the 30th Ability choosing either Slot, A, B or C, but must stay within the Tactic or Spell split. You can choose between Tactics and Spells within the Split, but you'll never reach the 30th respective Ability, because the math doesn't allow it, each half needs its own full 30, and splitting Picks between them keeps both short.

Paths and Branches are freely chosen at Slot 4 and Slot 21 respectively, no earlier Slot choice restricts which one. Separately, certain Slots carry a Prerequisite: every 4th Level starting at Level 3 (3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27), one Slot, cycling A, B, C, is a Prerequisite for that same Slot and Split at the very next Level. See Slots and Prerequisites, below, for the full rule.

With a limit of 3 readied weapons carried Per Day (see above), a character cannot perform Abilities from every class tree in a single session. They could manage to go through a lot of them, within a day using three distinct weapon types on their person, swapping out at will, however. This makes wide-spread Ability investment genuinely viable for Characters allowing them to continue to choose Abilities throughout various class trees, maximizing only one. Characters without weapon types that adhere to their Abilities, can still use standard or makeshift Combat attacks (see Combat pg. 5). Characters can still hone their skills on crafts and hobbies, utilizing their endurance for the remaining time of the day, during their downtime waiting for the 24 hour readied weapon cool down.

Abilities increase in power in sequential order of advancement, with the 30th Ability bearing exponential power over the 29th. As we have learned, Characters are not restricted to only one main class tree's Tier, Path or Branch; which allows multiple trees to create versatile or specialized characters, provided they meet armament and alignment Prerequisites associated with each tree. To learn new Abilities, characters must visit a Class Trainer, usually found in towns or metropolises across Essentia, and must pay a fee (prices vary per area); however, characters may run into NPC Class Trainers in isolated parts of the world, deep underground, deep in the woods, or in a vast desert as well, depending on the setting. This doesn't mean the Trainer will train the character, oftentimes Trainers will require Characters to establish stance with their factions before talking to them, let alone training them, but this usually isn't an issue in towns or large cities.

Class Trainers must be at least the Level of the Character to teach Abilities. Class Trainers only need to be of the Main Class to teach any Tier, Path or Branch within that Main Class, so as long as the Trainer is of the character's Level, they are qualified to teach the character Abilities.

Learning Abilities at the midpoint of the next Level still only requires the Trainer to be of that Level of the character. For instance, if a character is Level 11 and wants to learn his or her 12th Ability at the midpoint to Level 12 (see rules), the Trainer still only needs to be Level 11 and must be a teacher of that main class's tree.

If a character levels up, or reaches a midpoint that grants Ability development, far from a town, for instance deep within a dungeon or remote location, they can potentially use their Wayfarer†, if available, or coordinate with other group members, such as mages (NPC or party), to port into the nearest town or city that would have a Trainer.

†See Animated Wayfarer, Basic Rules pg. 5, for the Faction Sense ability and what a Wayfarer can and can't tell its owner about a town's faction stance. Class faction alone is USUALLY enough stance for a character to learn Abilities, but if not, establishing enough stance within any faction within reason by completing a few quests usually earns the Trainer's trust.

Below are the playable main class trees, their paths and path branches (Abilities for each class under heavy development). Bonuses and Penalties are restrictions and bonuses to equipment. How equipment affects the character beyond the class modifications, such as; "lose a movement then if wearing plate" or "bonus to charisma if wearing plate" is entirely up to how the character plays their role(s), particularly since players can choose as many class trees as they want, as long as they don't exceed the Ability cap.

Main Class Ability Summaries: Tiers, Paths and Branches

For full version see each Ability's Card, per module

Before delving into each playable class's stat card, it's important to point out that playable classes are more than just a consolidation of stats. Playable Classes shape Characters at the table, not just in fighting style but culturally and retrospectively (see backstory) as well.

The Ogre warrior who trusts dual clubs and fur armor over a battle axe and plate, the human sorcerer who chooses a tribal war dress and staff over his well-off relative's robe and crystal-set staff, or the halfling strategist who wins a fight before it ever starts, while his elven comrade in arms chooses the Spellblade role within Strategist.

There are sixteen main classes available: Avenger, Barbarian, Bard, Doom Knight, Druid, Fighter, Magic User, Marksman, Overseer, Shaman, Sorcerer, Strategist, Tyrant, Warlock, Warrior, and Witch. Each runs its own unique Tier, Path, and Branch structure, with some leaning entirely on Tactics, some entirely on Spells, and some, such as the Avenger, offering Split choices between both.

Starting with Avenger, the classes below are listed in alphabetical order, with six shown at full opacity, Playable in SORC's Starter Set; while the remaining ten are shown at reduced opacity, their lore still readable, but their full Tier/Path/Branch content still under development for a future release.