Between Sessions
This chapter covers what happens between the active moments of play — how characters grow, and how they acquire the gear they need.
Advancement
Characters earn XP based on what they accomplished. The GM chooses one of two pacing models for the campaign:
Per act: Award 5 XP at the end of each act. This gives players small, frequent gains and a sense of steady progression. Best for tables that enjoy incremental improvement.
Per mission: Award 10-20 XP at the completion of a full mission, depending on length and difficulty. A short, straightforward mission awards 10. A complex, multi-session operation awards 20. Best for tables that prefer fewer, larger advancement moments.
Pick whichever model works for your table. Do not use both. They are alternatives, not layers.
XP is spent using the costs defined in the Character Creation chapter. The same table applies to both creation and advancement.
At the end of each session, the table may optionally nominate characters for bonus XP. Each player (including the GM) can nominate one other character for a moment that was dramatically compelling, tactically brilliant, hilariously in-character, or otherwise memorable. Each nomination awards 2 XP. This is not a competition. It's a way to celebrate the moments that made the session worth playing. Tables that don't enjoy this kind of spotlight can skip it entirely.
Equipment
Equipment acquisition is handled narratively. If a character wants to buy a new weapon, upgrade their armor, or acquire specialized gear, the GM frames a scene around it — you go to the market, you negotiate with a dealer, you requisition from your commanding officer. The scene resolves naturally through roleplay, possibly with a check if the item is rare, restricted, or expensive.
There is no credit system or detailed economy in the core rules. Characters are assumed to have enough resources to cover basic living expenses and mundane purchases. Significant acquisitions — a ship, military-grade hardware, rare technology — are narrative events, not line items on a shopping list.