Intro & Example Characters

How you create your character can affect the outcome of the game as you play because it directly connects them to the story and its development. Therefore, the more detailed your character is, the easier and more in-depth the story—particularly your part in it — can become. Since Essence and Energy is a classless system, meaning it doesn’t have predetermined aspects, you automatically gain each level based on an archetype you chose at the beginning of the game. It might be difficult to see a clear path how to advance your character as you gain experience points. Fear not for this chapter is here to guide you in creating your character how you see fit to give you a base for character growth in the future. As you think about what type of character you wish to create, keep in mind that the world of Essence and Energy can be very broad. There are many areas you can delve into, such as magic users, front-line fighters, archery, guns slingers, snipers, utility support, technological equipment and devices, to name a few. You can combine any of the examples listed above or come up with your own. Be a gun-slinging technomancer, a heavy armor tank mage, a master of the polearm monk, or even a utility crafter/merchant with a silver tongue. The choice is up to you. When you ponder your choices, keep in mind that the broader you design your character, the harder it is to maintain them. It is very easy to get carried away with wanting to do everything, but trying to do it all will make it, so you become master of none. Therefore, we recommend sticking to a maximum of two core areas your character focuses on. However, there are other aspects of Essence and Energy where you can gain experience outside of your core area. For example, crafting uses the experience points called Knowledge Points which do not count towards your level. This lets you branch out without worrying about having enough talents to develop the core areas of your character how you want.

Starting at Higher Levels

If starting at a higher level than level one, create your character as a level one adventurer after that, distribute your talents per level until you reach your starting level. For example, if you are starting at level five, you would start by creating a level one character. Then take the ten talents for level two and distribute them, along with gaining your level up rewards. Following that, you would gain ten more talents for the difference between level two and three and distribute them along with your level up rewards. This process continues, taking the difference between your current level and the next level in talents and distributing them until you reach the starting level of your campaign. Remember to gain your level up rewards for each level.