Core systems

The run loop

Defeated enemies can drop Soul Stones. Collecting them grants XP. At a new level, choose a new Spell or Stone, or improve one already in the run. Spell levels, Family, ordinary Parchments, seals, and rewards belong to that attempt.

Build terms

Term	Meaning
Base Spell	An automatically cast attack with six ordinary levels and three possible level-seven Altar forms.
Family	A run-specific path grouping three named base Spells, one Synergy, one mastery ability, and one Rite.
Parchment	One of four ordinary run modifiers. It does not define a Family or Rite route.
Synergy	A Family effect activated by the selected Family and all three ordinary member Spells.
Family mastery	The paired Character’s ability, awakened by 10 ordinary Family Spell upgrades after its Synergy activates.
Altar Seal	The Death, Light, or Spirit identity carried by an Altar form.
Rite	An active Family Synergy plus live Altar Seals on all three of its member Spells.
Advanced Spell	A limited Rite reward that is not one of the three Family member Spells, has no ordinary level-up path or Altar form, and carries no seal.
Stone	A run-local upgrade for damage, cooldown, health, movement, pickup range, regeneration, or gold income.
Ancient	A permanent upgrade bought with gold between runs.

Build path

The current path is Family → three base Spells → active Synergy → all three Family Spells sealed → eligible Rite candidates. Choosing an Advanced Spell leaves its source Spells, seals, and Synergy in place.

Mastery develops alongside this path: after the Synergy activates, 10 further ordinary Family Spell upgrades awaken the paired Character’s ability. Earlier upgrades and Altar choices do not count. See Families for the four mastery effects. A Rite does not require mastery.

What carries between runs?

Family, base Spell levels, ordinary Parchments, Synergies, Family mastery, Altar Seals, Rites, Advanced Spells, and Stones belong to the active run. Ancients and earned chapter or difficulty progress are the persistent progression layer.

Chapter progress

Clearing Mortal opens Haunted for that chapter and Mortal for the next available chapter. Clearing Haunted opens Forsaken for the same chapter. Character and Family availability remains a separate gate from earned difficulty progress.