Profession

Many would-be adventurers take on a **profession** to distinguish themselves with reputation and rewards. There are 24 base specialties to choose from, with an advanced class unlocked after certain prerequisites are met. Skill trainers — some active adventurers themselves — are available throughout the world for students of a Way to hone and advance their skills.

## The Ways

The Ways of Strength and Skill are focused on physicality, while the Ways of the Mind and Spirit are focused on the intangible. The Way of the Mind utilizes knowledge and logic, while the Way of the Spirit utilizes the supernatural and esoterica. There is also a Scion for each of the four ways, who can promote adventurers to their ascended class after passing the Scion's trials.

### Way of Strength

The Way of Strength is tied to the element of fire, symbolizing the energy of courage and determination.

Atreus is the Scion of Strength, although even he is not aware of this fact when the heroes meet him. He is a prizefighter at the Phoenix Coliseum on Istán, where he has been forced to fight ever since his capture as a boy 14 years ago. He has a red bird-shaped birthmark on his left bicep and is also known as the Red Hawk.

### Way of Skill

The Way of Skill is tied to the element of earth, symbolizing the stability of perseverance and discipline.

Lady Seiryu is the Scion of Skill. She is located in Arcadia to the east, managing the Dragon's Garden at the foot of Mt. Chiron. There, she and her three children oversee the training of spearmen, archers, and hunters for the Emperor's army.

### Way of the Mind

The Way of the Mind is tied to the elements of air and light, symbolizing the free-form nature of intellect and creativity.

The Scion of the Mind wanders the countries of the west like a leaf on the wind, acquiring knowledge of all manner and offering her secrets to those worthy of the knowledge. Her true name is unknown, but she prefers to go by the pseudonym White Tiger.

### Way of the Spirit

The Way of the Spirit is tied to the elements of water and darkness, symbolizing the depth of mystery and the unknown.

Witch-Queen Andora, the Scion of the Spirit, is located in Celandis to the north. Her champion and consort, Mordred, guards the frozen Gate. He is a terrifying creature known as the Black Warrior.

### Way of the World

A fifth, unofficial Way exists. The Way of the World is tied to the elements of wood and metal. Laborers, merchants, and artisans all follow the Way of the World. Crafters include blacksmiths, jewelers, carpenters, tanners, weavers, and culinarians. Harvesters include miners, botanists, lumberjacks, and fishermen.

## Strength-focused professions

A personification of rage and fury, the Berserker can sweep aside hordes of foes with sheer brutality.
Weapons:
 Fighter ⇢ Champion
Brave duelers, a Champion specializes in one-on-one showdowns. Their precise attacks can do enormous amounts of damage at once.
 Warrior ⇢ Knight
Masters of melee weaponry, the Knight can use Tactics skills to give themselves an advantage in combat.
 Mage Knight ⇢ Crusader
Crusaders are able to utilize a bit of magecraft in order to bolster and supplement their swordsmanship, as well as nullify their enemies' defenses. Their training also makes them resistant to magic.
 Sentinel ⇢ Guardian
**Command:** Guard
 Monk ⇢ Master
**Command:** Ki

## Skill-focused professions

Blessed with a keen eye and skilled with bows and crossbows.
An expert in controlling the crowd, the Bard utilizes Inspiration (generate energy, reduce damage) and Motivation (health gain after an action) skills.
Innate bonus to accuracy and critical hit chance. Can apply venom and poison to weapons. Can specialize in:
* Keen Strikes - dagger mastery, accuracy
* Deadly Arts - poison and venom duration, effectiveness
* Shadow Arts - movement, critical hit chance

## Mind-focused professions

The Priest can cast Prayers of healing, smiting, or protection.
 Cleric ⇢ Scholar
 Medic ⇢ Physician
 Mystic ⇢ Psion

## Spirit-focused professions

 Enhancer ⇢ Synergist
 Magus ⇢ Arcanist
 Caller ⇢ Summoner
 Shaman ⇢ Druid
 Mender ⇢ Healer