Aspirations
An Aspiration represents a concrete goal your character strives to achieve. It may be a quest they pursue, a mystery they seek to unravel, an invention they hope to perfect, or any other ambition that requires multiple discoveries, trials, or accomplishments along the way.
Aspirations are not mundane or routine tasks. They should involve challenge, risk, complications, or meaningful effort. Every character should begin play with at least one aspiration.
The GM may introduce aspirations through the campaign’s central story, but players are also encouraged to create their own. Player-created aspirations should be discussed with the GM to ensure they fit the setting, narrative, and interests of the group.
A GM may want to limit the number of aspirations a character can have at one time. We recommend a limit of 2 for newer players, 4 for experienced players, or up to 6 for advanced players and no more than half their aspirations (rounded down) can be long-term.
SHORT AND LONG-TERM ASPIRATIONS
Aspirations may be short or long-term.
A short-term aspiration represents a goal the character hopes to achieve within the next few days. It should feel attainable but still require effort, determination, or sacrifice. Even if the task would be simple for another character, it should present a meaningful challenge for the character pursuing it, whether through external obstacles or internal struggles.
A long-term aspiration represents an ambition that may take weeks, months, or even years to complete. Examples include avenging a fallen parent, mastering a legendary technique, uncovering the truth behind a disappearance, or seeking redemption for past deeds.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Every time your character accomplishes a difficult or dangerous task that gives them significant progress towards fulfilling an aspiration, they gain an achievement and mark it down on their character sheet. They also gain a surge each time they do this. Once their achievement track is filled up, they gain 1 XP and erase all their achievement marks, starting the process over as they continually make more progress until the aspiration is completely fulfilled.
The GM determines whether an accomplishment meaningfully advances an aspiration, even if the character does not yet realize how it brings them closer to their goal.
ACHIEVEMENTS
An achievement is a meaningful accomplishment that advances an aspiration.
Each time you earn an achievement toward an aspiration, gain 1 Surge, subject to the limits described under Short-Term and Long-Term Aspirations.
For every three achievements earned toward an aspiration, gain 1 XP.
The GM determines whether an action qualifies as an achievement. Repeating the same action rarely counts; achievements should reflect varied effort, discovery, meaningful progress, or overcoming significant challenges.
For example, crafting a mithril item while pursuing mastery of mithril craftsmanship might earn an achievement. Repeating the same process repeatedly would not. However, discovering new formulas, techniques, tools, or materials during adventures could each qualify as achievements, provided they result from exploration, experimentation, and engagement with the unfolding story.
FULFILLING AN ASPIRATION
Once an aspiration is fulfilled, you immediately restore your total amount of Surges to their maximum possible value, gain 3 XP, and remove the aspiration from your character sheet.
ABANDONING AN ASPIRATION
A character can abandon a short-term aspiration by expending 1 surge or suffering a fracture. Abandoning a long-term costs 1 surge AND inflicts a fracture.
End of Sessions
Each time you gain an achievement toward an aspiration, you gain +1 surge. For every three achievements earned toward an aspiration, you gain +1 XP (reset the achievement count if the aspiration remains unfulfilled). When you complete a long-term aspiration, you gain +5 XP.
The GM determines whether an action qualifies as an achievement toward an aspiration. Repeating the same action rarely counts; achievements should reflect varied effort, discovery, or meaningful challenges.
For example, crafting a mithril item while striving to perfect mithril craftsmanship might earn an achievement. Repeating the same process over and over would not. However, discovering new formulas, techniques, or materials during adventures could each qualify as achievements—provided they arise from exploration, experimentation, and engagement with the unfolding story.