Improvement Limits

Impact > Negative (Adjustment: +2 Essence)

Story Hook ++

This presents a good opportunity for adding Character Story elements to the Character.

By default, there are no limits on how experience rewards may be spent to improve a character. The Improvement Limits Feature deepen a character’s connection to The Pattern but limits character development/Feature acquisition and uptake in multiple ways. They must spend time progressing theories, knowledge and understanding. IF not direct experience, this usually is represented as quiet and uninterrupted time, in a place where they can contemplate and test themselves. This reflects the “Gritty Realism” of the Incarna Approach to Character and Story.


i20™ Improvement Limit Details

i20 [specific] Requirements:

  1. May not increase more than 1 level at a time.
  2. Leveling can be done in-game at any time if progressing in an existing class. It does not grant any spells or count as a Rest of any sort. Individual elements that are acquired (spells known, maneuvers, styles, etc.) must be studied after the knowledge is gained – typically a Long Rest in contemplative reflection/Mediation and self-testing.
  3. Follows i20 multiclassing parameters
  4. A character may only acquire 10 Hit Dice (from their first 10 Merited Character Levels)

An increase in level matures the outlook and knowledge through practice and experience. It allows new insights and deeper focus into related materials that unlock new capabilities.


LEVEL-UP: The GM rewards a character a level based on Merit. By default, i20™ assumes by campaign milestone and limited by Experiences using Improvement Limits. Multiclassing follows i20 multi-class parameters in addition to the base requirements. Sanity increases by 1 every 4 character levels.

iCore iCore™ Improvement Limit Details

Attribute 1: None | Attribute 2: None

iCore [specific] Requirements: / Cost _ CP/_ Essence

  1. Cannot spend more than half their accumulated CP on any one feature (skill or trait; attribute and aptitude increases not included).
  2. Can not improve anything they have not used in the course of the game.
  3. At the time of Character Inception can spend no more CP than half their starting Essence on Traits (for each 10 starting CP above 20, this increases by half their Charisma).

Campaign Experiences are generally ASSIGNED by the Game Master. This is considered a Best Practice approach.