Introduction: This chapter details the fundamental principles governing power in the world of [Irgali]. Understanding these rules is the first step on the path of an Awakened.
1. The Great Weave
Concept: The Great Weave is the underlying, neutral framework of reality that emerged from the Cataclysm. It is a set of absolute laws, like physics, that dictate how Essence behaves and how power is structured.
Manifestation: The Weave manifests for Awakened individuals through their Soul Tome, which acts as a personal interface with these universal laws.
2. Essence: The Fundamental Energy
Source: Essence is the primordial energy of creation and life that permeates the world. It flows in ley lines and pools in Convergence Points (dungeons).
Forms:
· Raw Essence: Volatile, unrefined energy absorbed from monsters or the environment. It is stored in the Core but is unstable.
· Refined Essence: The stable, usable form of energy created by mentally processing Raw Essence. This is the "currency" used for Leveling Up.
3. The Path of Power: Awakening & Ascension
The Awakening: A ceremony that unlocks an individual's connection to the Weave, granting them a Class and the ability to perceive and manipulate Essence.
The Core: A spiritual organ formed during Awakening. It is the engine that processes Essence and the vessel that holds an Awakened's power.
Leveling Up: The process of growth. By investing a required amount of Refined Essence back into one's own Core, an Awakened permanently expands its capabilities, allowing for an increase in Level.
Stats & Attributes: Leveling Up expands the "container" of the Core, which is then automatically filled with new power, resulting in increased Attributes (STR, VIT, etc.) and Primary Stats (Vigor, Aether, Focus). The distribution of this new power is determined by the individual's Class.
Threshold Awakenings: At key levels (10, 30, 50, etc.), an Awakened undergoes a more profound transformation, often unlocking new Skills, Talents, or evolving existing ones. They can also evolve or change their classes, but these cases are extremely rare.
4. Classes: The Blueprint of Power
Origin: A Class is a reflection of a person's soul, potential, and nature, crystallized by the Weave during Awakening.
Grades: Classes are ranked by rarity and potential power: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary, Mythic.
Roles: Classes typically fall into broad categories: Combat, Weaving(Magic), Support, and Crafting. Many are hybrids. There are also Unique classes like Investor.
5. Skills & Talents
Skills: Abilities granted by one's Class or learned through Skill Essences. They consume resources (Vigor, Aether, Focus) to produce effects.
Talents: Rare, innate abilities unique to an individual, can be unrelated to their Class. They often awaken during moments of extreme stress or at major Threshold Awakenings.
6. The Economy of Power: Dungeons vs. The Wild
Dungeon Monsters: Creatures born from the unstable Essence of a Dungeon Core. Upon death, their Essence coalesces into a core for instant absorption, and their bodies dissolve, sometimes leaving behind crafting materials and items.
Wild Monsters: Native creatures mutated by ambient Essence. They leave full corpses upon death. Essence and materials must be manually harvested from their remains, a slower but often more rewarding process.
7. Glossary of Terms
Vigor: Physical stamina. Used for physical skills and exertion.
Aether: Magical energy. Used for spells and magical skills.
Focus: Mental energy. Used for perception, utility and mental skills, and mental exertion.
Soul Tome: The metaphysical interface through which an Awakened views their status, skills, and interacts with the Weave.
Investment (Investor Class-Specific, simple explanation): The act of allocating resources to a Beneficiary via a magically-binding contract, facilitated by the Weave. Returns are paid out as dividends based on the Beneficiary's success.
8. The Cataclysm: The World That Was
The Event: The Cataclysm was a world-shattering event millennia ago. Its exact cause is lost to history — theories range from a war between ancient empires to a cosmic impact or a failed experiment that ruptured the very fabric of reality.
The Effect: This event shattered the old world and flooded the planet with raw, chaotic Essence. This energy mutated landscapes, twisted flora and fauna into monsters, and created the Convergence Points (e.g. - Dungeons) that now pockmark the land.
The Aftermath: The current age is one of rebuilding and survival. Civilizations have risen from the ashes, learning to harness the new laws of the world through the Great Weave to defend against the perpetual danger.