Stages of Existence

The Metaphysical Threshold

The Ten Stages are not a standard progression ladder that any mortal can climb simply by gaining experience or leveling up.

• The Path to Stage 2: The transition from a Mundane Mortal (Stage 1) to an Awakened Mortal (Stage 2) typically requires rigorous training, martial discipline, or arcane study that unlocks a metaphysical resource. For example, a Monk transitioning from pure physical martial arts to unlocking their Ki, or a Fighter learning the magic of an Eldritch Knight, triggers this transition.

• The Mortal Limit: No amount of mortal study or mastery can independently push a soul past Stage 2. For example, a Level 20 Wizard—capable of stopping time or granting wishes—is still, metaphysically, a Stage 2 being. They have perfectly mastered the formulas of the weave, but their soul's physical storage capacity remains structurally mundane.

• Demigods and Ascension: Nearly all demigods live their entire existences as Stage 2 beings. They do not naturally pass this threshold unless they are actively ascended into godhood. Through unique circumstances, a being can ascend by acquiring the vast power needed to achieve Stages up to 5, but there are no universal, mechanical rules for this. Each path to ascension is entirely unique, requiring profound growth of character, the accumulation of immense power by some means, or specific narrative catalysts.

• Capacity vs. Divinity (The Shift to "Entity"): Reaching Stage 6 or higher marks a fundamental detachment from mortal origins; the being's earlier self becomes merely a small fraction of what they are now. These higher stages use the term "Entity" rather than "Mortal" or "God." Reaching Stage 6 does not automatically make a being a worshipped "God" (which requires domains, portfolios, and mortal belief). They possess the raw metaphysical power of a deity, but remain an independent Entity unless they claim a divine role.

• The Sharing of Power (Pacts and Domains): Starting at Stage 4 (Saturated Mortal), a being's internal energy is pressurized enough that they can begin sharing their power with others. If their source of power is Arcane, they can forge Warlock pacts; if their source is Divine, they can empower Clerics and Paladins (and so on). This sharing of power grants the receiver standard metaphysical class abilities, effectively awakening them to Stage 2.

• The Granting Cap (Ascension): While a Stage 4 being can grant a mortal Stage 2 class abilities, granting true metaphysical ascension (pushing a soul into Stage 3 and beyond) requires the patron to be at least Stage 6 (Transcendent Entity) or higher. When this happens, the mortal's metaphysical growth is tethered to the patron's power at the exact time of the grant. The granted being is permanently capped at a maximum of one stage below the granting entity. This cap is fixed; if a Stage 6 Entity grants ascension, the mortal is forever capped at Stage 5. If that patron later ascends to Stage 7, the mortal's cap does not automatically go up unless the patron returns to elevate them again.

• The Law of Metaphysical Awareness (Detection of Stages): A being's Stage of Existence does not project a passive physical aura, gravitational pull, atmospheric pressure change, temperature drop, or any visible environmental phenomenon.

  1. The Observer's Threshold: The ability to sense metaphysical depth unlocks only when an observer reaches Stage 4 (Saturated Mortal) or higher. Beings at Stage 1, 2, or 3 are entirely "blind" to metaphysical stages.

  2. Downward Perception (Accuracy): Once an observer reaches Stage 4 or above, they can accurately perceive the true Stage of Existence of anyone at a lower stage than themselves.

  3. Upward Perception (The Ceiling): A being's true Stage of Existence is completely undetectable by anyone at a lower stage. If an observer looks at a target who is at an equal or higher stage than their own, the target will always be perceived as being exactly equal to the observer's stage.

  4. Example: A Stage 4 Saturated Human observing a Stage 5 Ascended Elf will sense them only as a Stage 4 Saturated Elf. Conversely, the Stage 5 Ascended Elf will accurately sense the human as Stage 4.

  5. Limitations: Beyond being aware of the depth, that perception requires direct line of sight. Hiding normally can also completely conceal a person's stage of existence along with their physical presence.

  6. Stage of existence can only be perceived upward through extremely intimate metaphysical access, where one entity intentionally invites another to experience their internal architecture. This requires a profound, deliberate bridging of souls, which occurs in two primary ways:

     1. Physical/Metaphysical Consumption: Willingly breaking off a portion of one's physical or magical essence and allowing another to consume it. By doing so, the consumer temporarily feels the staggering internal pressure and capacity of the provider. (Example: Masseshie Nymtenith breaking off a sliver of her Stage 6 nail for Elsandoral to eat, allowing him to intimately and physically experience the violent, generative scale of her Proto-Lord essence).

     2. The Mingling of Minds: Intentionally opening one's mental and spiritual space and inviting another soul inside to actively experience their meta-dimensional capacity. (Examples: Masseshie pulling Elsandoral into her mind so he could sensorily travel the vast, terrifying ladder of her past epochs; or Masseshie linking Masaste and Maliel's minds so Masaste could intimately experience the 'hole' in Maliel's will and become its new foundation).

Stage 2: Awakened Mortal

• Lifespan Multiplier: 110% of base racial lifespan.

• *Ability Score Boost:** +3 Total Modifier to distribute. (Racial Ability Score Modifiers)

• Bonus HP: 0

• Bonus Spell Slots: None

• Bonus Class Resources (Ki, Sorcery Points, etc.): 0

• Ability Score Ceiling: 20

• Examples: Novice to legendary adventurers, hedge mages, standard demigods, Monks who have unlocked Ki, Eldritch Knight Fighters, and Level 20 Archmages (masters of the formula, but still mortal vessels). 

Stage 4: Saturated Mortal

• Race Title: Saturated

• Power Sharing: Starting at this stage, the entity's power is dense enough to be siphoned by others. If their source of power is Arcane, they can forge Warlock pacts; if Divine, they can empower Clerics and Paladins, elevating those followers to Stage 2 (Awakened Mortal).

• Lifespan Multiplier: 250% of base racial lifespan.

• *Ability Score Boost:** +4 to each ability score (24 Total Modifier).

• Bonus HP: +24

• Bonus Spell Slots: +1 L1, +1 L2, +1 L3.

• Bonus Class Resources (Ki, Sorcery Points, etc.): +3

• Ability Score Ceiling: 20 + Boost Modifier

• Examples: Ascending heroes on the threshold of true divinity, high-tier anointed planar entities, minor Warlock patrons. 

Stage 6: Transcendent Entity

• Race Title: Transcendent

• Lifespan Multiplier: 1,000% of base racial lifespan.

• *Ability Score Boost:** +16 to each ability score (96 Total Modifier).

• Bonus HP: +36

• Bonus Spell Slots: +4 L1, +4 L2, +4 L3, +3 L4, +3 L5, +3 L6, +2 L7, +2 L8, +2 L9.

• Bonus Class Resources (Ki, Sorcery Points, etc.): +27

• Ability Score Ceiling: 20 + Boost Modifier

• Examples: Beings with the power of standard Pantheon Deities, Greater Powers, or ancient conceptual beings. 

Stage 8: Cosmic Entity

• Race Title: Cosmic

• Lifespan Multiplier: Eternal.

• *Ability Score Boost:** +64 to each ability score (384 Total Modifier).

• Bonus HP: +48

• Bonus Spell Slots: +8 L1, +8 L2, +8 L3, +7 L4, +7 L5, +7 L6, +6 L7, +6 L8, +6 L9, +4 L10.

• Bonus Class Resources (Ki, Sorcery Points, etc.): +67

• Ability Score Ceiling: 20 + Boost Modifier

• Examples: Overdeities of singular planes, Ancient Cosmic Entities. 

Stage 10: Absolute Entity

• Race Title: Absolute

• Lifespan Multiplier: Eternal.

• *Ability Score Boost:** +256 to each ability score (1536 Total Modifier).

• Bonus HP: +60

• Bonus Spell Slots: +12 L1, +12 L2, +12 L3, +11 L4, +11 L5, +11 L6, +10 L7, +10 L8, +10 L9, +8 L10.

• Bonus Class Resources (Ki, Sorcery Points, etc.): +107

• Ability Score Ceiling: 20 + Boost Modifier

• Examples: Anushirvan (The Supreme God). 

The Portfolio Multiplier

It is crucial to note that a deity's true potency is not strictly limited by their numerical Stage of Existence chassis. What makes the True Gods so overwhelmingly potent is their Divine Portfolio. A portfolio grants absolute, conceptual dominion over a facet of reality. While their physical/metaphysical vessel correlates to a specific Stage, their portfolio acts as a limitless multiplier within their domain, granting them extreme, reality-altering power that operates far beyond the standard biological and magical limits:

El (Life): Through her portfolio of Life, she does not merely heal; she actively births new stars in the Astral Sea and weaves entirely new realms for people to inhabit, generating the flora and fauna that fills them from nothing.

Noi (Beauty): Her dominion over beauty grants her absolute control over the physical aging process. She can manipulate the age of any being in existence, including other gods, bypassing standard biological or divine immunities.

Senzyn (Universal Structure): His purview over the actual structure of the universe grants him the terrifying ability to ascend new gods, as well as promote or demote existing deities—a macro-cosmic power commonly believed by mortals to be possessed solely by Anushirvan.

The Distinction Between Entities and Gods

Reaching a high Stage of Existence grants staggering metaphysical capacity, but it does not inherently grant Divinity or the systemic safety nets of the Pantheon.