This variant replaces standard XP awards with a system that rewards decisive action, character play, and meaningful progress. Experience is gained in small increments during play and is capped each session to control pacing.
Level Progression Table
Level
XP to Reach
XP Total
Session Cap
1
—
0
1
2
3
3
2
3
6
9
3
4
9
18
4
5
12
30
5
6
15
45
6
7
18
63
7
8
21
84
8
9
24
108
9
10
27
135
10
11
30
165
11
12
33
198
12
13
36
234
13
14
39
273
14
15
42
315
15
16
45
360
16
17
48
408
17
18
51
459
18
19
54
513
19
20
57
570
20
Earning Experience
Session & Combat
Complete a Session
Participate in Combat
Win a Combat
Natural 20 on a significant check (GM's discretion)
Problem Solving
Creative Solution (non-obvious, effective)
Exploit Weakness (only if the encounter is won)
Character
Act on Flaw or Anathema
Advance Personal Goal
Combat & Risk
Win at a Disadvantage
Press On While Weakened
Accept Consequences
Exploration
Discover a New Location
Find a Secret
Uncover Lore
Teamwork & Progress
Set Up an Ally
Complete an Objective
Resolve a Major Problem
Change the Situation
Session XP Limit
Max XP per session = current level. Cap includes all sources.
XP is awarded immediately but cannot exceed the session cap.
Always gain at least 1 XP for completing a session, regardless of cap.
Adjudicating XP
Action must be meaningful to qualify for XP.
If it doesn't create risk, change an outcome, or carry narrative weight — no XP.