Arc: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:57, 6 January 2026

Arcs are a list of features that a character can gain access to by reaching the pre-requisite Levels and features. Some features can also scale based on the character's level, much like the bonus component of a Metaphor. Multiple Arcs can apply based on the character's species/race or their class/role.

A character's relevant Arcs should be recorded on the Traits and Progressions section of the Character Sheet.

Progression Guide

Typically, characters obtain their Arc features at 1st, 2nd, and every even level beyond that. Players can pick which benefit they want in any order so long as they meet the conditions of the minimum level and any pre-requisites it may have. Character species usually have an Arc list for their natural abilities. Profession/Class/Special ones may be listed on their own page.

Arc choices are mutually exclusive for each Arc, therefore a character can obtain one feature for each Arc they own, instead of one feature from all.

Minimum Level
Arc features may be level-gated, meaning they can't be picked until the character reaches a certain level. Naturally, those with a minimum level of 1 can be picked at character creation.

Prerequisite
Some Arc features require you own another feature or meet some other condition before selecting it. The usual reason for this is that the feature picked relies on the mechanics or benefits of the prerequisite feature and wouldn't work on its own. 
Meet the requirement first, then choose this feature.

Arc Features

Arc Features can be all kinds of things, from offering bonuses to checks, to outright granting and improving Metaphors to characters. They can modify a character's stats (Changing Attributes, Core Values, Status Thresholds), grant resistances (Status, Damage). Features can have static bonuses/effects, or they may be able to scale upon a character's other stats, including Attributes, Core Values, and even the character's own level.

"Are Arcs required?"

No, not all games require the use of Progressions in order to function, they exist to help Game-Masters and authors create alternate ways for characters to gain options and modifiers without having to create or obtain Metaphors directly. As Arcs are Content-reliant pieces of the Metaforce system, it will take time to create a comprehensive library of Arcs for characters to make use of them.

However, when the option presents itself, it's encouraged to give player characters any Arcs they should own to augment their character builds.

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+  '''Arcs''' are a '''list of features''' that a character can gain access to by reaching the pre-requisite [[Level]]s and features. Some features can also scale based on the character's level, much like the bonus component of a [[Metaphor]]. Multiple Arcs can apply based on the character's species/race or their class/role.
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-<div style="max-width:80em; align:center; margin:auto;">
-  A <code>[[Progression]]</code> is a '''list of features''' that a character can gain access to so long as they meet the required minimum character [[level]]. Some features can also scale based on the character's level, much like the bonus component of a [[Metaphor]]. Multiple Progressions can apply based on the character's species/race or their class/role.
-  A character's relevant Progressions should be recorded on the '''Traits and Progressions''' section of the [[Character Sheet]].
+  A character's relevant Arcs should be recorded on the '''Traits and Progressions''' section of the [[Character Sheet]].
- There are no default Progressions at this time, but will be in the future.
 ==Progression Guide==
-  The Game-Master should provide options to a player when Progressions are available to ease the process. Aspects could include a character's racial-traits/ancestry, their class/role or some other aspect worthy of a unlock progression via level-ups.
+  Typically, characters obtain their Arc features at '''1st, 2nd,''' and every '''even level''' beyond that. Players can pick which benefit they want in any order so long as they meet the conditions of the minimum level and any pre-requisites it may have. Character [[Race|species]] usually have an Arc list for their natural abilities. Profession/Class/Special ones may be listed on their own page.
-  '''Progression Feature Components'''
+  Arc choices are mutually exclusive for each Arc, therefore a character can obtain one feature for '''each Arc''' they own, instead of one feature from all.
- Each Feature must have '''Minimum-Level''', so that feature may be usable from '''that level onward'''. After that the Feature then must have an '''Effect/Function''' that modifies the character's stats or properties, or gives them new options. Optionally, Features can use the Character's Level as a '''modifier''', so that it can increase as the character's level increases.
-  '''Feature Unlocking & Choices'''
+  '''Minimum Level'''
-  Features can unlock in a few ways: '''Single''', '''Multiple''' and '''Choice'''. '''Single''' unlocks only one feature for that character level. '''Multiple''' implies that two more features are unlocked after reaching that level. '''Choice''' functions like a Single unlock except there are two or more choices and the player must pick one for that level. In the case of 'Choice' style unlocks, the character may be able to acquire all the features on subsequent levels, but sometimes features are mutually-exclusive (either for balance, or they offer contradictory effects).
+  Arc features may be '''level-gated''', meaning they can't be picked until the character reaches a certain level. Naturally, those with a minimum level of '''1''' can be picked at character creation.
-  '''Concurrent Progressions (Stacking, Distributed)'''
+  '''Prerequisite'''
-  A character may have '''more than one''' Progression at a time. A Progression for a character's Race, and their chosen class/role is a common combination. However, when it comes to multiple Progressions of the same type (Multi-classing), it is up to the Game-Master to decide whether they can '''stack''' or if the character must '''distribute''' their levels amongst Progressions of the same type. If they stack, then a Lv4 character could be treated as 4th level in both classes, but if they need to distribute then they may have to be treated as 2nd level in both classes (or whichever way they wish to distribute levels).
+  Some Arc features require you own another feature or meet some other condition before selecting it. The usual reason for this is that the feature picked relies on the mechanics or benefits of the prerequisite feature and wouldn't work on its own.
+ '''Meet the requirement first, then choose this feature.'''
- Progressions added upon a character after creation (such as one that is bestowed, or learned later) is likely to be treated as a 'distribute' Progression and as such, level-ups are required to unlock their features.
+==Arc Features==
+ '''Arc Features''' can be all kinds of things, from offering bonuses to checks, to outright granting and improving Metaphors to characters. They can modify a character's stats (Changing Attributes, Core Values, Status Thresholds), grant resistances (Status, Damage). Features can have static bonuses/effects, or they may be able to scale upon a character's other stats, including Attributes, Core Values, and even the character's own level.
-==Features==
+=="Are Arcs required?"==
-  '''Features''' can be all kinds of things, from offering bonuses to checks, to outright granting and improving Metaphors to characters. They can modify a character's stats (Changing Attributes, Core Values, Status Thresholds), grant resistances (Status, Damage). Features can have static bonuses/effects, or they may be able to scale upon a character's other stats, including Attributes, Core Values, and even the character's own level.
+  '''No''', not all games require the use of Progressions in order to function, they exist to help Game-Masters and authors create alternate ways for characters to gain options and modifiers without having to create or obtain Metaphors directly. As Arcs are '''Content-reliant''' pieces of the Metaforce system, it will take time to create a comprehensive library of Arcs for characters to make use of them.
-  Since Features have a '''minimum level''', stronger features generally unlock later in a character's Progression. Although sometimes a Feature will rely on a higher level because of the way its bonus scales.
+  However, when the option presents itself, it's '''encouraged''' to give player characters any Arcs they should own to augment their character builds.
+</center>
-=="Are Progressions required?"==
- '''No''', not all games require the use of Progressions in order to function, they exist to help Game-Masters and authors create alternate ways for characters to gain options and modifiers without having to create or obtain Metaphors directly. Metaphors themselves offer enough functions to a character that they can be relied upon by themselves. Game-Masters can adjust the number of Attribute points and <abbr title="Attribute Training Opportunity: The number of times a player can spend experience points to increase a character's Attribute(s)">ATOs</abbr> a level grants to compensate for a lack of Progression options if needed.
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