Knowledge

**Knowledges** are techniques for showdown, hunt, and settlement phases. Unlike Fighting Arts, knowledges can evolve with careful observation from a hazy idea into a powerful weapon.

Survivors learn knowledges from their Philosphies and at the Forum settlement location in the arc settlement. Rules for each knowledge are found on its corresponding knowledge card. Knowledge cards can be gained from the knowledge deck, the Forum, or added from the game box.

## Knowledge Cards

Knowledge cards have the rules for performing them, and observation conditions that describe how the knowledge might evolve. Not all knowledge evolves.

1. **Name and Level:** The name and level of the knowledge (indicated by a roman numeral).
2. **Lumi Cost:** Knowledge can be gained at the Forum settlement location for a lumi cost.
3. **Keywords:** Knowledge cards have keywords that indicate information about the knowledge.
4. **Card Art:** Unique, evocative art.
5. **Rules:** Rules for performing the knowledge.
6. **Observation Condition:** Knowledge can improve with mindful practice. The observation conditions describes what must occur to make an observation.
7. **Observations:** Boxes indicate how many times survivors must make an observation before a knowledge can level up.
8. **Level Up:** When a survivor completes all observations, the knowledge levels up in one of three ways.

**Advance**. Refinement reached with practice. Survivors replace the knowledge with the higher level version of the same knowledge. Erase the old knowledge and record the new one in its place. The old knowledge becomes obsolete.

**Epiphany.** A novel discovery. The survivor gains a new knowledge that does not replace the old knowledge. It is possible for a survivor to replace the knowledge that gave birth to the epiphany if all their knowledge slots are full. However, the old knowledge remains in the settlement's knowledge deck.

**Dangerous Observation.** The consequences of hubris. Follow the rules listed here at the bottom of the card.

### Recording Knowledge

When a survivor gains a knowledge, they record its name (including its level, if it has one), rules, observation condition, and the number of observation boxes on their arc survivor record sheet.

Arc survivors have three knowledge slots: one slot for their tenet knowledge and two slots for any other knowledges.

### Using Knowledge

Survivors most often use their knowledge during showdowns. The rules on knowledges describe how and when to use them and any existing limits.

#### Knowledge with a Theory

Some knowledge begins as an inkling of an idea too hazy to have an effect. Survivors must make enough observations to replace this knowledge with the next rank to benefit from their careful observations.

#### Knowledge with Attributes

Some knowledges give survivors positive or negative attributes. Apply these effects to the survivor's attributes as long as they possess the knowledge. When this knowledge is removed or cannot be used, the attribute modifier no longer applies.

## Knowledge Deck

The knowledge deck grows and shrinks as survivors obtain dizzying new heights of enlightenment.

#### Starting Knowledge Deck

During the prologue, you will build your initial Knowledge deck of four knowledge cards with the *starting* keyword.

The Gambler's Chest Expansion contains four *starting* knowledge cards: **Darkness I, Despair I, Fear I, Hunger I.**

## Gaining Knowledge

For arc survivors, the consequences of gaining knowledge are profound. They are uniquely capable of transmitting and preserving knowledge. When one survivor makes strides, the whole settlement benefits. These benefits endure beyond the lifetime of the survivor who uncovers them.

When a survivor gains knowledge, (e.g., Tenets, through their philosophy, as a result of observation at the Forum, etc.), they gain the highest level of that knowledge known in the settlement.

Check the Knowledge section of the arc settlement record sheet to confirm the highest level of this knowledge. The Knowledge section represents the sum of what is known in the settlement. If the survivor gained new knowledge from an observation or in game event, the whole settlement benefits from their discovery.

### New Knowledge

If the knowledge gained is new to the settlement, record it in the appropriate place on the arc survivor record sheet. Also add its name and level to the Knowledge section on the arc settlement record sheet. Finally, add the card to the knowledge deck.

### Existing Knowledge

When a survivor gains knowledge that is already known in the settlement, they gain the highest level any survivor has ever known. Check the Knowledge section of the campaign's Arc Settlement record sheet.

If a survivor gains a knowledge that has a higher level than the knowledge of the same name known in the settlement, the lower level is now obsolete. The higher level knowledge card replaces the obsolete knowledge in the knowledge deck, archive the obsolete knowledge. Update the Knowledge section to reflect this progress.

If the survivor gained knowledge that is a lower level than what is already known in the settlement, they benefit from others' experience. They gain the highest level of that knowledge known in the settlement. Do not add the lower level knowledge back into the knowledge deck.

*For example, Lucy advances Tenacity I to Tenacity II. However, Tenacity III is already known in the settlement. Lucy gains Tenacity III instead.*

If the survivor gained knowledge that is the same level as one they already know, nothing happens.

### Random Knowledge

When survivors gain random knowledge, shuffle the knowledge deck, and draw from the top.

### Full Knowledge Slots

If a survivor has 3 knowledges and gains a new one, they may choose to replace any but their tenet knowledge. If they gained the knowledge by advancing to the next level they must gain it. Erase the knowledge and record the new one.

### Tenet Knowledge

While a survivor has their philosophy, the philosophy's tenet knowledge is *permanent* and cannot be lost or removed for any reason. For everyone else in the settlement, this survivor's tenet knowledge is the same as other knowledges. It is in the knowledge deck unless it is obsolete.

It is possible for a survivor to already have the knowledge that becomes their tenet knowledge. When this happens, simply move all of its information (including observations) into the tenet knowledge slot.

### Gaining Fighting Arts

Fighting arts are impulses that arc survivors do not have. Attempting to learn them puts their minds under immense stress. When fighting arts would be gained, arc survivors **Vaultless** instead. Through this story arc survivors may gain fighting arts.

Arc survivors can possess one fighting art and one secret fighting art.

### Losing Access to Knowledge

If arc survivors cannot use their fighting arts they also cannot use their knowledge (e.g., when an arc survivor suffers the Ruptured Muscle permanent injury). If they cannot use knowledges they cannot accumulate observations. This includes tenet knowledges. However, arc survivors are always beholden to their neurosis.

## Knowledge Levels Up

Careful observation of experience accumulates until enough is gathered and knowledge evolves.

Players should keep their knowledges' observation conditions in mind. When they occur, fill the corresponding observation box on the arc survivor record sheet. When the last box is filled, the knowledge levels up. You must level up a knowledge when its observations are full. Immediately gain the benefits of leveling up listed on the knowledge card.

In the chaos of existence, survivors may miss an opportunity for observation. Unless an observation is recorded at the moment it takes place, it is gone like so much ephemera. If a dangerous observation is missed, record it when you realize you missed it.

## Knowledge at the Forum

After unlocking the Forum collective cognition milestone, survivors gather there to share knowledge. In the excited bustle of conversation and demonstration, ideas can be shared!

#### Arc Survivors Share Knowledge

During the setup of the settlement phase, shuffle the knowledge deck and draw three cards, placing them next to the Forum settlement location. These are the knowledges shared by survivors this lantern year.

During the Develop step, a survivor can select a knowledge card, pay its lumi cost, and gain it. Once gained, move the knowledge from the Forum back to the knowledge deck.

Survivors may spend lumi at the Forum to add more knowledge cards to the Forum.

As the collective cognition of the settlement improves, it unlocks other benefits of vigorous discourse.

In the spirit of collective cooperation, the lumi cost of some activities at the Forum can be paid by more than one survivor. Survivors may combine their lumi to jointly pay the cost of these activities.