Companion Progression System

The Companion Progression system offers opportunities for your Companion Creature to deepen their connection with their Affliction, turning weaknesses in to strengths. Most Companion Creatures will follow the typical progression path of their individual Affliction, however, as long as you stay within the bounds of your Companion's current level and purchased talents, we allow for some flexibility in interpretation. You may purchase alternate progression paths for characters from the Marketplace; contact the support team if you have an idea you would like to explore!

Participating in the progression system is completely optional. If you prefer your Companion remain at Level 0, that is perfectly fine. The levels serve as a guide for unlocking new experiences, not a requirement.

Progression

★ Earning Essence Shards

This section was added February 9, 2024.

• Each post you write that includes or mentions your Companion's Affliction will net you +25 Essence Shards that are automatically absorbed from ambient magic.
  • Companions might also produce tangible Shards that can be sold or used for other purposes through participation in Mini-Games.
• A Companion's point balance is automatically updated when you create a new post with the Companion Progression option selected.
  • Please notify Support using your private support channel if you incorrectly mark a post, so we can add/remove points as needed.
• Level progression is tracked on a Companion's profile.
• You may also gain Essence Shards during events, Seasons, or mini-games.

About Afflictions

• The magical corruption that created Afflictions initially has had an uncontrolled, chaotic effect on all Companions.
  • The Affliction's associated element or energy often overrides the Companion's natural behaviors and instincts.
• A Companion Creature can gradually gain control over their Affliction by finding the right sustenance.
  • Ingesting Essence Shards that match a Companion's Affliction helps them reforge their lost connection and stabilize the chaotic effects.
  • The shards essentially act as a conduit, allowing Afflicted Companions to safely interact with the magic once more.
• Once a Companion has consistently consumed the appropriate shards, their Ognoshu can help them train to master their Affliction, turning a weakness into a strength.
• Each Affliction has its own progression path; most of these will have similar requirements, however, Affliction difficulty/rarity will influence the amount of Essence Shards required to level.
  • We allow players some flexibility in how their Companion's Affliction affects them on an individual basis, however, they should generally align with the capabilities and difficulties described for each level.
• The road to mastery is long, but with patience and care, even the most unstable Afflictions can be tamed!

Known Afflictions

• Blood Affliction: Blood Afflicted Companions are rare and possess vampiric traits, including glowing red markings and heightened sensitivity to blood and shadows. They wield illusion magic and extraordinary physical strength but face moral dilemmas, sunlight vulnerability, and a need for blood sustenance. Bonding requires offering trust and blood, leading to a deep connection symbolized by a blood shard. As they progress, their illusionary abilities and physical capabilities grow, though they remain sensitive to sensory overload and emotional turbulence. Companion must consume Blood Shards to stabilize their Affliction.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★★☆ (medium-high, rare)
• Crystal Affliction: Crystal Afflicted Companions feature dazzling crystalline growths that grant them heightened intuition and clairvoyance. They thrive in natural, tranquil environments but are prone to fragility and sensory overload. Bonding with them involves gifts of crystals, meditative synchronization, and energy alignment. Progression enables advanced crystal manipulation, crafting, and harmonization, though emotional swings and power control fluctuations persist. Their unique resonance with crystals enriches their abilities and connection to their surroundings. Companion must consume Crystal Shards to stabilize their Affliction.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★☆☆☆ (easy, common)
• Dark Affliction: Dark Afflicted Companions thrive in the shadows, finding comfort in the stillness and secrecy of lightless spaces. Their powers revolve around stealth, concealment, and the ability to blur themselves with the darkness around them. They can create areas of deep shadow to obscure vision, dampen sounds, and evade detection. However, prolonged exposure to bright light can weaken them, and their affinity with shadow often leaves them misunderstood or feared. They consume Dark Shards, which can be found in deep caves, shadowed ruins, and areas untouched by sunlight.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★★☆ (medium-high, rare)
• Fire Affliction: Fire Afflicted Companions are marked by fiery energy and vibrant emotional intensity, with glowing ember-like markings and warmth emanating from their bodies. They excel in flame manipulation, heat resilience, and inspiring action but are vulnerable to water and emotional volatility. Bonding with them requires patience and emotional authenticity, culminating in the sharing of an Emberheart Stone. Progression amplifies their fire-weaving, heat shields, and social influence, but they face risks like overheating and impulsivity. Companion must consume Fire Shards to stabilize their Affliction.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★☆☆ (medium, uncommon)
• Frost Affliction: Frost Afflicted Companions embody the cold, with crystalline frost spreading across their bodies and calm, introverted personalities. They thrive in icy environments and use their abilities to manipulate frost and ice for defense and beauty. However, they are vulnerable to heat and emotional melancholy. Bonding involves patience and mutual quietude, eventually forming a deep telepathic connection. Progression enhances their cold-based powers, including mist manipulation and cryogenic preservation, while maintaining challenges like social isolation and energy drain. Companion must consume Frost Shards to stabilize their Affliction.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★☆☆ (medium, uncommon)
• Light Affliction: Companions with the Light Affliction channel light as both a source of power and an embodiment of truth. Their glowing, reflective features symbolize their connection to illumination, clarity, and honesty. Progression unlocks abilities like luminescent manipulation, truth-sensing, and protective light shields, though they suffer in darkness and struggle with the burdens of their unrelenting clarity. Bonding with them requires demonstrations of courage and integrity, culminating in the sharing of a radiant artifact symbolizing trust. Companion must consume Light Shards to stabilize their Affliction.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★☆☆ (medium, uncommon)
• Metal Affliction: Metal Afflicted Companions are resilient and unyielding, embodying the strength and permanence of forged steel. They excel in durability, precision, and the creation of tools or structures with metallic materials. Their bodies may form metallic reinforcements, granting them defensive advantages in combat or hazardous environments. However, their rigid nature can make them inflexible in both body and mind, and they may struggle with emotional expression or rapid change. They consume Metal Shards, often found in mineral-rich veins, abandoned forges, or ancient metallic ruins, to stabilize their Affliction.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★☆☆ (medium, uncommon)
• Plant Affliction: The Plant Affliction introduces Companions with nature-based abilities that include healing, plant communication, and photosynthesis. They are physically marked by floral growths and vibrant green hues while exhibiting traits like emotional sensitivity and deep connections with nature. Progression enhances their healing, plant manipulation, and environmental harmony, though they face vulnerabilities such as seasonal energy fluctuations and fire sensitivity. The bonding process emphasizes patience, familiarity, and the cultivation of trust, often involving shared activities like botanical art. Companion must consume Plant Shards to stabilize their Affliction.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★☆☆☆☆ (easy, common)
• Water Affliction: Water Afflicted Companions are deeply tied to the ever-shifting tides, embodying both the serenity of still ponds and the ferocity of stormy seas. They excel in adaptability, emotional resilience, and fluidity, capable of adjusting to challenges with grace. Their connection to water grants them the ability to influence currents, purify liquids, and sense distant movements through subtle ripples. However, they are vulnerable to dehydration, environmental pollution, and emotional turbulence. They must consume Water Shards, typically found near lakes, oceans, or in areas blessed with heavy rainfall, to stabilize their Affliction.
  • Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★☆☆ (medium, uncommon)

Additional Afflictions

We have a bank of 55 additional Afflictions we would like to add in the future -- we are also always open to player suggestions!

New Afflictions will be released periodically; they can also be discovered during mini-game participation!