In a world that forgets nothing, your actions create an aura. It’s a palpable energy that the streets, the swamps, and the university halls feel — a real-time reaction to the story you are telling. This aura is represented by your Boosts, the most dynamic measure of your impact and the primary accelerator for your character’s growth.
There are two primary boosts visualized on your Story HUD, and they work together to significantly increase the rate at which you earn Influence and, in turn, new Chapters. Mastering them is key to forging your legend.
The Presence Boost (The Circle)
The large circle on your HUD tracks your Presence Boost. Think of this as your character’s “Investment Score,” a measure of their commitment, stability, and the roots they’ve put down in the world. It rewards consistency and those who treat the world as their character’s home, not just a place to visit. Your Presence Boost is fueled by a combination of factors:
- Active Presence: The time you spend in-world, walking the streets, lingering in a bar, and simply being an active part of the living, breathing community.
- Working a Job: Your character’s routine matters. Clocking in for a shift at a clinic, a police department, or a local business builds your presence and shows you are part of the world’s daily grind.
- Being a Tenant: Renting property and establishing a home base is a powerful way to put down roots. It provides a significant and steady contribution to your Presence.
- Leadership: Taking on the responsibility of a formal leadership role within a recognized community faction is a major investment that the world acknowledges.
The Activity Boost (The Bars)
The large bars on your HUD display your Activity Boost. This is your “Recent Actions Score,” a highly dynamic reflection of the story you have told over the last seven days. It answers the question, “What kind of noise have you been making lately?” This boost is unique to each community, rewarding you for diving deep into its specific themes.
- Heat (in the Crack Den) This is your notoriety in Hathian’s criminal underworld. Your Heat rises and falls based on your influential roleplay in the city, your recent involvement in crime (arrests, citations, warrants), and your successful completion of local Encounters. High Heat means the city sees you as a serious and dangerous player.
- Thrill (in the Backwaters) This measures your embrace of the bayou’s primal, dangerous nature. Your Thrill is fueled by influential roleplay within the swamp, engaging in the core themes of violence and illicit trade, and surviving the dark Encounters that lurk in the mists. High Thrill means you are in sync with the bayou’s deadly rhythm.
- Spirit (in the University) This reflects your academic and social standing on campus. Your Spirit grows by attending and teaching classes, engaging in influential roleplay at the University, and participating in campus-specific Encounters. High Spirit marks you as a noteworthy presence in the University’s web of secrets and ambitions.
Why Boosts Matter
While your Presence Boost reflects your long-term investment, your Activity Boost reflects your immediate story. A high Presence Boost combined with a high Activity Boost creates a powerful synergy, dramatically increasing the Influence you gain from every action and helping you earn new Chapters more quickly than any other method.
The world is always watching. Go leave an impression it can’t ignore.
