Essence

Essence is the coalesced manifestation of life energy from the spark(s) of creation itself and the embodiment of will – the closest analog to a “soul”. It is inherent in living things, and grows in that which is imbued with sentience – the essential part of what defines a discrete presence (a Character) in The Pattern. The measure of its strength allows it a measure of control in its passage through The Pattern. The depth of it is part of an awareness that allows Bonds to form, and Weaves which allows knowledge, power, and awareness to be shared and connected to over distances. It is reflected in a character’s Aura and the marks of it’s nature are seen with Aura Sight.

Essence Pool

Most creatures have a Pool of Essence that binds them firmly to a continuum, while others are more connected to the Aether or even tied to the Void, as in the case of the Body Beyond and/or a Mind Beyond. Some species have a stronger or weaker Essence inherent in their existence (Order of Being), or have limits on how they can use their Essence.

  • Gaining: There are few ways of adding to it. There are dark arts and strange ways of taking it from other beings to restore or strengthen another.
  • Losing: There are many ways of depleting it for gain.

Pledged Essence: This is Essence that has been set aside for Empowered Bonds and Attunements. Natural Affinity from Aptitude can offset the cost of Pledged Essence for Empowered Items.

  • Pool: Current total.
  • Pledged: The amount of the Pool set aside to accomplish bindings; it cannot be used for other things without breaking the bonds.
  • Free: The amount of the Pool available for use.
  • Allocated: To be assigned from future gains to the Pool; Note amounts and uses.
  • Spent: It is not necessary to track all spent or how it was spent – this is player choice.

i20™ Essence Details

This content is part of the i20™ Variant for the d20 System™.
  • Starting: (Order of Being; typically 5) + (Sanity) + Proficiency Bonus
  • Gaining Essence: Triggers a Actuated Awareness.
    • Permanent Sanity or Charisma increases = 1 per number increased by.
    • Permanent Proficiency Bonus change = [full] Proficiency Bonus.
    • Visited more than 2 Planes of Existence: +1
      (“Pocket” planes of spells do not count)
  • Losing Essence: Permanent Sanity or Charisma decrease = 1 per number decreased by.
    • Attuned Essence: All items requiring Attunement take 1 Essence to bond with, to a maximum or reaching zero Essence. Attunements can be broken, returned the Attuned Essence to the Essence Pool.
    • Cleric: 1 Essence is required at first level for the bond to the deity.
    • Warlock: 1 Essence required for the bond to the patron.

iCore™ Essence Details

  • Starting: (Order of Being; typically 5) + (Sanity * Charisma)
  • Gaining Essence:
  • Losing Essence:

Its presence is . Aptitude then provides a pathway of natural advancement as to what the Essence has affinity with. Sparks are then the primary expression of a type of interaction in The Pattern.

Anima (spiritual) energy allows the direction of Sparks to weave the flow of The Pattern. It all works together to form a specific material or mental interaction between a presence and the continuum it is in.

Essence is one of the ways to customize character development. Aptitude represents what strands of The Pattern it naturally follows and what anchor points a presence will be inclined to fixate around within it.

Each setting, locale, and/or race may have an Essence maximum they can spend at the time of Character Inception. Some have specific uses of their initial Essence dictated or adjusted. Unless noted, when dealing with most entities, it is the [Essential] Essence being referred to.

(Anima) = artificial will? Spontaneous will? But limited – tied to a particular space-time niche in The Pattern and has no true freedom to move about relative to its source. Its is the result of a touching of essence, a mingling of presences or sometimes it is spontaneously driven by the need for the inanimate to have expression, or those that see power in it to draw that expression forth. Anima is an expression of itself for an explicit purpose, and so is not limited to the expression of Essence. It can take any property (trait) through expression (point buy for traits).
Anima can form Essence?

Aura

Mystic Transference can use Essence to transfer spell ability to non-living constructs.

Essence Materials