Keys
Keys describe in broad strokes, the various motives, goals, flaws, and inner desires which inform every decision. As a character ventures through The Sphere, they will have opportunities to fulfill the tenants of their Keys and unlock bonus ExP and grow as a character, both personally and in terms of Level.
Each Key has three questions associated with it. When a character takes a Full Rest, they may answer these questions. Those answered "yes" grant the character 1 ExP. Characters can only gain 1 ExP per question (for example, if the question asked if you saved anyone's life and you saved four lives, you could only tick the box once and receive 1 ExP, not four times.) It can be helpful to tick the boxes next to each question as you go, that way you don't forget to gain ExP when taking a Full Rest.
As characters grow, their Keys may change. Players may discard old Keys and select new ones when both the player and the GM agree such a change is appropriate based on the character's actions, personal growth, and the advancement of the story.
Each Key has three questions associated with it. When a character takes a Full Rest, they may answer these questions. Those answered "yes" grant the character 1 ExP. Characters can only gain 1 ExP per question (for example, if the question asked if you saved anyone's life and you saved four lives, you could only tick the box once and receive 1 ExP, not four times.) It can be helpful to tick the boxes next to each question as you go, that way you don't forget to gain ExP when taking a Full Rest.
As characters grow, their Keys may change. Players may discard old Keys and select new ones when both the player and the GM agree such a change is appropriate based on the character's actions, personal growth, and the advancement of the story.
Battle"Let's take this outside."
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Bonds"I love you."
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Challenge"Why climb the mountain? Because it's there."
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Change"Embrace change, for nothing else in life is certain."
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Conflict is inevitable in life, but rather than avoid it, those with the Key of Battle seek out the fight. Whether to prove themselves, become stronger, or protect those threatened by violence from others, holders of this Key are always eager for a good fight.
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The bonds of love, family, friendship, and community offer a necessary shelter in life's wilderness. The one with this Key does all in their power to deepen their relationships, strengthen community ties, and preserve the hearts of those to whom they are bonded.
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Whether its a mountain, a monster, or a tough intellectual concept, the holder of this Key lives to push their own limitation. Overcoming the impossible is the best way to prove one's worth and the surest way to keep growing enough to exceed the limits of the next challenge.
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All things eventually change. Those who follow this Key recognize that change is neither good nor evil, but often necessary to the survival of a group, idea, or individual. Such people are highly adaptable, never holding anyone or anything in their lives too tightly.
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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Chaos"Some men just want to watch the world burn."
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Conscience"Do the right thing."
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Courage"Fear not."
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Discipline
"Follow the rules."
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For good or ill, some people just want to cause a stir. Those with the Key of Chaos are instigators who galvanize others to action, often by shocking or destructive means. They aren't necessarily evil, so much as they have a need to keep the action going and everyone guessing.
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Conscience motivates a character to help others and do what is morally right, regardless of the consequences. Those with this Key are highly principled, following their own moral compass regardless of what society or the law says is right or wrong.
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Daring and confident, those with this Key show no fear. They are brash, bold, and can seem reckless. Even when faced with impossible odds, they smirk and jump in with both feet. It’s not that they have no fear; it’s simply that they have mastered overcoming it.
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An adherent of Discipline ascribes to a set of laws, guidelines, or a moral code they refuse to deviate from. Law and order are precious; anything that breaks from the law as they see it is dangerous and immoral, the first steps down a slippery slope into lawless corruption
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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Discovery"What does this button do?"
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Duty"I have a job to do."
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Effort"Work hard, do your best."
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Faith"I believe."
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The holder of this Key sees the world as a place of wonder and possibility full of new horizons just waiting to be discovered. The consequences of opening Pandora’s Box aren’t nearly as important as the satisfaction felt by scratching the explorer’s itch.
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Even at the loss of property, happiness, or life itself, duty comes first. Responsibilities and oaths are taken seriously, to the exclusion of all else. Though the bearer of this Key may feel otherwise internally, their oath of obligation holds them accountable to a higher calling.
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Whatever they do, those with the Key of Effort do it to the best of their ability. Whether it’s meticulously crafting an item, training for an upcoming battle, or simply plowing the fields, they work their hardest from the time the sun rises ‘til it sets and even beyond.
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Though the gods are mysterious and often silent, the faithful persist in their spiritual pursuits, offering prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to the moral principles and social order their belief system offers. Whatever the religion, faith gives strength to those who believe.
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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Freedom"I do what I want."
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Honor"Death before dishonor."
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Innovation"Anything is possible."
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Justice"Order. Balance. Retribution."
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The fiery, free spirit that holds this Key believes in personal liberty above all else and will not be beholden to any man, idea, or institution at the cost of their own independence. They are rebels at heart, free in their speech, thought, and action.
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In these dark and troubled times, honor is seen an antiquated liability, a philosophy incompatible with the harsh realities of life. In the minds of those who hold the Key of Honor, this mass moral failing is precisely why a high moral idealism must be upheld at all costs.
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To create something that has never existed before, to push the limits of convention and belief, to dream and discover beyond all limitations – these are the aims of those with the Key of Innovation, creative souls with the need to express and explore new possibilities.
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In its most elemental form, justice is about restoring balance to the world. Where there is crime, error, and sin, equal punishment must be meted out in order to balance the scales. Those who follow this ideal seek out the wrongs of the world as lawmen or vigilantes.
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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Knowledge"Knowledge is power."
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Legacy"Hear me and know my deeds."
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Mercy"Show kindness to all, even those who don't deserve it."
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Order"Order is the purpose of Man."
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Knowledge is intellectual nourishment to those with this Key. Such individuals crave knowledge, seeking insight from books, teachers, and experiences. Some hope to unravel a great mystery while others simply want to better their understanding of the world.
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Kings and conquerors scour the land with war. Heroes vanquish demons and save villages. Artists create works of beauty. Why? For eternal glory of course. Those with the Key of Legacy want to see their names inscribed upon the pages of history. This is a prize above all treasures.
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Those who live by Mercy are compassionate souls who give more than they take. They see a need and rush to meet it, giving without a thought as to how they might benefit. The merciful give selflessly and sacrificially, even to those who take advantage of their kind hearts.
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The universe naturally bends towards chaos and decay. But those with the Key of Order see it as their task to bring structure, law, and understanding to darkness and disarray. They take pride in their ability to build and upkeep order against the tide of the universe.
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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Passion"Follow your heart."
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Peace"All will be well."
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Pleasure"Another round on me!"
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Power"Only the strong survive."
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Those with the Key of Passion are driven primarily by their emotions, acting upon the dictates of their heart. While this can lead them down dangerous roads at times, they would rather live in a world of dangerous color than the safe, stagnant gray of self-denial.
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The peaceful hold deep within themselves an inner reserve of faith that all will be well. No matter what goes on around them, they are calm and collected. They desire for the peace in their own hearts to be seen in the world and thus strive to end all conflicts amicably.
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The pursuit of enjoyment and ecstasy is the goal of this Key’s bearer. Life offers many delights but few days; any opportunity to enjoy oneself is one that may never again be found. This Key aims to squeeze every possible ounce of pleasure from every moment.
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Strength, be it physical, mental, political, or economic, is the great pursuit of those who hold the Key of Power. To their minds, power is all that determines who survives and who is left broken. Such individuals will go to any lengths to prove and secure their personal power.
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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Renown"You will know my name."
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Sacrifice"Take me instead."
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Secrets"So that's what you were hiding."
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Self"To thine own self be true."
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For fame, glory, and recognition, the holder of this Key braves the dungeon, slays the dragon, saves the princess and, most importantly, makes sure everyone knows about it. The desire for notoriety and recognition is the strongest driving force for this Key.
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The greater good is at the forefront of the sacrificially minded. Such individuals are willing to lay down their lives, property, and happiness for the sake of others or the advancement of a cause they believe in. All they ask in return is that their sacrifice not be in vain.
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For some, the greatest treasure found at the end of an adventure is the secrets hidden away in ancient dungeons. Such individuals thirst for knowledge and do all they can to acquire it, even dangerous, taboo knowledge Mortals may have never meant to obtain.
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Selfishness may not be virtuous, but it is inherently practical. Those with this Key believe that, in the end, you must do what is best for you – if you don’t take care of yourself, who will? These people pursue their own interests and pleasures before considering others.
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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Survival"Whatever it takes, stay alive."
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Tradition"It wasn't always like this."
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Vengeance"I'll get you for this."
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Wealth"Greed is good."
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The Sphere is a wild and dangerous place full of darkness and terror. Those who hold this Key are survivors willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive. They are grounded and pragmatic, sensible enough to know when risks are foolish and when they are inevitable.
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As time marches on, the future looks dimmer while the past seems golden. While that may not necessarily be the case, those who hold the Key of Tradition seek to preserve the old way of doing things. They are conservative in mind, longing for a return to the values of yesterday.
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Something traumatic and unjust happened to the bearer of this Key and now their thoughts are consumed with avenging themselves on those who wronged them. Taking concrete steps towards achieving this goal fills the Key-bearer with strength and purpose.
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Greed drives prosperity, awakens innovation, and makes men and nations powerful. It can also awaken a hunger that is never sated, a thirst that is never slaked. Those with this Key seek to fill a void within their spirits with all the pleasures and possessions life has to offer.
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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After a Full Rest, ask yourself...
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