📚 Rules & Systems

Here are the complete core rules you can download. Listed below are also links to some online breakdowns of certain sections of the rules.

📄Download Core Rules PDF

📖 Rules Reference

🧝‍♀️ Character Creation

Welcome to the world of Expedition — a living, breathing realm shaped by your character's choices. Creating a character is your chance to tell a story, master your path, and carve your legend into the wild history of Wyldgate.

🌀 Getting Started

Character creation in Expedition is flexible, narrative-driven, and mechanical. Your character begins their journey as a novice but will grow over time through adventure, camaraderie, and clever choices.

🎓 The Skill Trees

Each character develops through a series of Skill Trees, which represent different paths of knowledge, power, and practice. You may select skills from any tree, allowing you to mix and match disciplines to fit your concept.

Skill Tree Descriptions

Tree	Description
Academic	Scholars, archivists, and magical administrators. Academic characters use scrolls, potions, contracts, and rituals to alter the world with clever preparation and magical finesse.
Artisan	Builders, chefs, performers, and blacksmiths. Artisans provide support through meals, gear, repairs, and bardic magic — shaping the expedition’s strength from behind the lines.
Defense	Shields and armor define these stalwart defenders. Masters of resilience, they soak damage, protect allies, and power through adversity.
Enchantment	Tactical spellcasters who manipulate the battlefield with wards, magical armor, and environmental control. Defense and utility are their forte.
Evocation	Destructive arcana channeled into raw power. Lightning bolts, fear curses, and elemental blasts define the Evoker’s presence.
Restoration	Healers and purifiers who mend wounds, cleanse corruption, and restore the broken. A vital path for any party.
Scouting	Agile explorers, trap masters, and lone wolves. These stealthy survivors use terrain and timing to strike fast and disappear.
Skulduggery	Thieves, liars, and poisoners. Masters of subterfuge, stealth kills, forgery, and disguise, Skulduggery is for those who thrive in the shadows.
Weapon	Pure martial prowess. Weapon users maximize their damage and battlefield control through proficiency, tactics, and powerful attacks.

🪙 Skill Points & Progression

🎯 Starting Points

All new characters begin with 3 Skill Points to spend during creation.

🧭 Earning Skill Points

You earn additional skill points by attending events:

Event Type	Skill Points Earned
Day Event (picnic, single day)	2
Weekend or Special Event	3

Skill points must be spent manually — they are not automatically applied.
Points earned while NPCing may be allocated to any one of your characters.

👥 Multiple Characters

Players may create multiple characters, but may only earn skill points for one character per event (even if portraying more than one).
Players must attend as a character to earn points for that character.

🔺 Capstone Skill Rules

Capstone Skills are the most powerful abilities in the game — they cost 5 Skill Points and represent peak mastery within a tree.

You may only take one Capstone Skill per skill tree
You may have a maximum of three Capstone Skills total

This encourages a balanced and flexible build while preserving the power and prestige of high-level mastery.

🧱 Building Your First Character

Pick a Concept
Is your character a wandering herbalist with a tragic past? A stoic warrior from a forgotten order? A scholarly magician with a love for scrolls? Use your concept to guide skill choices. Plan your build in the Character Planner. Building a spellcasting? Check out the Spellcasting rules for additional guidance.
Record Your Build
Use the official Character Sheet and register before your first game.
Spend Your 3 Starting Skill Points
Choose one or more skills from any tree. Ensure you meet prerequisites where required.
Check for Requirements
Some skills require phys reps (armor, scrolls, potions, etc.). Confirm you have what you need, or substitute appropriately with staff approval.
Evolve Over Time
Your character can grow with you! Rebuilds may be allowed early on. Later changes may require in-game reasons or quests.

💬 Need help with your build? Speak with a Game Master for advice on synergistic skill paths, roleplay potential, or beginner-friendly options.