Editing Classes

'''Classes''' are a function that exists within the [[Grand Design of Isthekenous|Grand Design]] that governs [[Innworld]].

== Overview ==
{{quote
|quote=All those that Think—Feel. From Feeling do we Act. It is in Action that we Level. All those who Think have a Class. And it is in that Class which we find destiny.
|speaker=From ''The Book of Levels'' as told by [[Klbkch]] to [[Erin Solstice]]<ref name="1.22">[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/10/19/1-22/ Chapter 1.22]</ref>
}}

A class refers to a person's profession or vocation, and determines the type of [[Skills]] received through levelling. Classes can be obtained through performing actions associated with the class, seen with [[Erin Solstice]] who obtained the [Innkeeper] class after cleaning up an abandoned inn, or by other individuals with the authority to do so, like an [[Laken Godart|[Emperor]]] giving [[Wiskeria|someone]] the [General] class.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/03/27/4-23-e/ 4.23 E – The Wandering Inn]</ref> 

In the present day, the majority of people reach Level 20 in at least one class over the course of their lives. Fewer individuals manage to reach Level 30, with a handful in each town and up to a few dozen in a city. Level 40 is regarded as a true mark of accomplishment. People who are Level 50 are world-famous national assets.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/07/04/2-34/ Chapter 2.41]</ref> Individuals who achieve Level 60 are considered capable of shaking the world.<ref name=":6.11">[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/04/27/6-11/ Chapter 6.11]</ref>

There is a hierarchy among classes. In the case of classes that are able to influence people, the best ones are capable of influencing even entire kingdoms; among those are royal classes, such as [King], [Queen], [Princess], etc.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/10/14/3-23-l/ Chapter 3.23 L]</ref>

Classes are based on what a person pursues. In Erin's case, as she considered chess only as a game, she did not receive the [Tactician] class. Furthermore, Skills and classes reflect a person's passions. For instance, [[Pisces Jealnet]] is a [Necromancer] who is fascinated by and studies bones; as such, he only has bone-related Skills, and does not possess any Skills for zombies or Draug. In the case of multiple personalities, it is possible for seperate classes to be locked to each personality. The announcement for this is teal colored.<ref>{{VERef|10.42 T}}</ref> 

Every class has unique 'pools' to draw from, such as <Religion> classes drawing from faith for [[Miracles]] instead of mana for [[Spells]].<ref name=":0" /> 

Classes tagged with <Religion> have some unique privileges within the system. They are protected from [Appraisal], and could hear the levelling announcement while awake (although this has now been changed). Also, levels, Skills, and spells are awarded by their [[Dead Gods|deity]] instead of the Grand Design, if there is an entity meeting the requirements.<ref name=":0" />

==Leveling==
Leveling comes from learning and performing deeds. Those who do not challenge themselves, or lack passion will fail to level<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/11/16/1-27/ Chapter 1.27]</ref> Certain races are unable to level, such as [[Dragons]] and [[Djinni]],<ref>{{VERef|Queens and Dragons – Interlude}}</ref> To gain the ability to level, a species must complete the [[Trials of Levelling]]. 

Leveling occurs the moment the person qualifies for them, and will immediately show up on [Appraisal].<ref>{{VERef|10.37 GDI (Pt. 1)}}</ref> However, the announcements can only be heard when asleep, unless the person is physically unable to sleep, like an undead, or they possess a <Faith> or <Miracle> class. 

It is easier for a person with one class to level than it is for someone with multiple classes. Every tenth level is referred to as a capstone level, and is when a rare Skill is obtained. The higher a person's level, it becomes exponentially harder to level, even more so when closer to a capstone level, with [Mage Lord] [[Ascoden]] claiming that it's "easier to get from Level 40 to Level 46 than it is to gain one level for a capstone.<ref>[[Chapter 9.15 VM]]</ref> To level up to a capstone at earlier levels requires a small change of perspective, such as learning a new form of blades or challenging a great foe. However, at Level 50 and beyond, leveling to the next capstone requires a life-changing experience, such as a great loss or a new goal.<ref>[[Chapter 9.37 HO]]</ref> 

=== Counter-Leveling ===
{{quote
|quote=A lower-level foe, growing exponentially against impossible odds.
|speaker={{chl|7.13 K}}
}}

Counter-leveling occurs when lower-leveled individuals face incredibly difficult odds, leading to rapid leveling such as when [[Raelt Leysars|King Raelt Leysars]] dueled the much higher-leveled [[Flos Reimarch]], leveling multiple times and consolidating his two classes in the span of a few minutes.

Counter-leveling can also be a tactic [Strategists] apply during war, as seen during the Liscor-Hectval war when [[Olesm Swifttail|Olesm]] sent hundreds of Antinium against insurmountable odds, knowing that the survivors will likely earn large amounts of levels. Or during the war with [[Kasigna]], where [[Pallass]]' army used a [Mass Sleep] spell to make surviving soldiers level during the battle. After waking, soldiers that survived encounters with certain types of undead not only levelled but also gained counter-Skills and Classes that helped against said undead opponents in battle.<ref>{{VERef|9.67 (Pt. 1)}}</ref>

==[[Skills]]==
Not everybody with the same class gets the same Skills. It depends on what the person ''needs ''and ''desires ''for the system to decide which Skills to hand out.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/11/16/1-27/ Chapter 1.27]</ref>

Rarer and more powerful Skills are bestowed every ten levels, known as "capstones".<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/04/25/2-17/ Chapter 2.18]</ref> A large number of lesser Skills may be awarded instead. Better Skills are also available when one changes or consolidates their class. 

==Class Changes==
It is possible for classes to improve and receive a different name later on. One reason for a change could be due to a specialization in a certain field. A [Warrior], for instance, might decide to solely focus on using a specific weapon, like a spear, which might result in them becoming a [Spearmaster] after reaching a high enough level. Another reason could be a simple advancement, one example would be a [Tactician] becoming a [Strategist]. Conversely, a person's class might never change, no matter how high it is.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/11/16/1-27/ Chapter 1.27]</ref> Additionally, classes can change depending on the individual's circumstances, or physical characteristics, such as a [Warrior] becoming a [Wounded Warrior] after receiving a permanent disability, or a [Spearmaster] becoming a [Peerless Spearmaster] after reaching a certain amount of renown or respect in their class. 

===Known Changes:===

====Specialization:==== 
*[Tactician] → [Leader] or [General]
*[Warrior] → [Spearmaster], [Swordslayer], [Knight], [Vanguard], [General], [Bannerman]/[Bannerlady], etc. 
*[Skeleton Warrior] → [Skeleton Knight] -> [Relic Guardian]
*[Lord] → [King], [Queen]
*[Bandit] → [Bandit Lord] → [Bandit Lord of Changing Sands], [Bandit Lord of Scarlet Nobility]
*[Scout] → [Veteran Scout], [War Scout] → [Warmage Scout], [Shadowworld Wanderer], [Spectral Scoutlord], [Deathbringer Scout]
*[Cook] → [Rocksoup Cook] → [Eternal Rocksoup Cook]
*[Mage] → [Elementalist] → [Cryomancer]/[Ice Mage] (This is only one of the many paths a mage may take)
*[Kicker] → [Football Player]
*[Tracking Sergeant] → [Goblinfriend Bug-Captain]
*[Survivor] → [Underworld Survivor], [Survivor of Starvation], [Survivor of Trials], [Last Survivor], [Lucky Survivor of the Promise]
*[Necromancer] → [Necromancer of Slaughter], [Ossific Necromancer] → [Deathbane Necromancer]

====Advancement:==== 
*[Tactician] → [Strategist] (Usually either at Level 30 [Tactician] or Level 20 [Tactician] combined a military rank like a Level 10 [Sergeant]<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/05/17/4-36-o/ Chapter 4.36 O]</ref>) → [Grandmaster Strategist], [Grand Strategist of Victory], [War Strategist], [Dragonslayer Strategist], [Strategist Chieftain] → [Strategist Chieftain of Reclamation], [Spellwater Strategist], [Eleleu Strategos] (with [Commander] Lvl. 20). 
*[Queen] → [Supreme Matriarch], [Queen of Undeath] → [Queen of Eternal Necrocracy], [Antinium Queen] → [Queen of Freedom] → [Bow-Singer Queen of the Free Antinium] '''→''' [Bow-Queen of the Free Antinium] (Note: lost levels from Bow-Singer Queen to Bow-Queen, so probably not an advancement.)
*[Carer] → [Caretaker], [Governess]<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/10/14/3-23-l/ Chapter 3.23 L]</ref>
*[Flailmaster] → [Iron Tempest] → [Steel Tempest] → [Steelforged Whirlwind] (Note: it is unconfirmed whether [Steel Tempest] is an advancement of [Iron Tempest], or whether this is a continuity error]<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/10/26/3-27-m/ Chapter 3.27 M]</ref>
*[Innkeeper] → [Magical Innkeeper] → [Goblinfriend Innkeeper of Wonders], [The Wandering Innkeeper], [Famed Innkeeper of the Wizardly Home] (with [Wizard of Grand Protection])
*[Goth] → [Midnight Goth] → [Lady of Shadows]
*[Acolyte] → [Priest] → [Hellspeaker Priest], [Doomspeaker Priest] → [Priest of Wrath and Sky] → [Bishop], [Prophet of Rebirth] → [First Apostle of the Faith of Wondrous Skies]
*[Vanguard of the Spear]  → [Spearmaster] → [Spearmaster of the Wolf], [Peerless Spearmaster]
*[Coach] → [Famed Coach] → [World-Renowned Coach]
*[Warrior] → [Veteran Warrior] → [Exemplar Warrior] (with [Survivor])
*[Shaman] → [Magic Paint Shaman] → [Shaman of the Old Ways]

===Losing Classes and Levels:===
Classes can be both removed and granted, typically by a [King] or another [Ruler]-type class.<ref>{{VERef|4.20 E}}</ref> A notable example of class removal occurred when [Emperor] Laken stripped Prost of his [Farmer], [Builder], and [Trader] classes, replacing them with a [Steward] class instead.<ref>{{VERef|10.11 H}}</ref> Similarly, [Slavers] have the power to remove the [Slave] class from individuals who have been legally emancipated.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/04/25/1-00-c/ Chapter 1.00 C]</ref>

It’s also possible to lose a class if one no longer qualifies for it or behaves in a way that contradicts the class’s requirements. For instance, the [Hero] class can be lost if the individual fails to act heroically, as this class relies heavily on public perception. However, knowing exactly when and how one loses it can be challenging.<ref>{{VERef|5.26 L}}</ref> Lyonette briefly lost her [Princess] class while working at The Wandering Inn due to her actions not aligning with the expectations of a [Princess], but it was later restored after she redefined what being a [Princess] meant to her.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/09/29/5-24-l/ Chapter 5.24 L]</ref>

A [King] who ceases to consider himself a [King], stops performing royal duties, and loses the recognition of his people may also lose the class, along with the associated skills.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/10/06/5-26-l/ Chapter 5.26 L]</ref> However, if the individual later meets the criteria again, they can regain the lost class, along with its levels and skills.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/04/30/6-12-k/ Chapter 6.12 K]</ref>

Class changes can also occur as an alternative to class loss. For example, if a [King] abdicates the throne, they lose their [King] class but may gain a [Former King] class instead. This shift can result in the loss of certain skills, though the new class may come with different abilities.<ref>{{VERef|10.34 MGF}}</ref>

It’s also possible for someone to voluntarily give up all classes and skills, asking the Grand Design itself to remove them.<ref name=":1" />

In certain cases, mechanics such as ||Revival|| can cause a loss of levels. Resurrection typically results in a loss of ten levels, often from the highest-level class.<ref name=":2">[https://wanderinginn.com/2023/10/28/9-64-bh/ Chapter 9.64 BH]</ref>

Finally, when a class advances to a significantly superior one, such as obtaining a [Dragonslayer] or [Paladin] derived class, the individual’s level may decrease by about ten, as it provides an opportunity to gain a more powerful capstone. Some class advancements may also reduce levels to a lesser degree, such as Relc changing class from [Vanguard of the Spear] to [Spearmaster], which reduced his level back to his last capstone. Unlike other reasons for losing levels, this drop in level does not seem to cause a loss of Skills.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

====Horror Ranks====
[[Horror Ranks]] are classes which may be gained by doing the most terrible of deeds. They cannot be earned any other way. They are not real classes either, as they are born of despair and filth.<ref name=":3">[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/01/27/4-06-km/ Chapter 4.06 KM]</ref> 

It is also possible to lose a class and its skills by obtaining and leveling up a Horror Rank. While one does not lose their class and skills from the start, as the Horror Rank increases in level, one's class levels will decrease and skills will be lost,<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/09/27/3-17-t/ Chapter 3.17 T]</ref> until the class is completely lost. It is currently unknown if losing the Horror Ranks will restore one's class levels and skills, or not.

List of Horror Ranks:

* Rank 1 Horror: [Corpse Eater]
* Rank 1 Horror: [Entombed One]
* Rank 1 Horror: [Screaming Soul]
* Rank 2 Horror: [Carrion Eater]
* Rank 2 Horror: [Many In a Jar]
* Rank 2 Horror: [Sealed Secret]

==Class Consolidation==
{{quote
|quote=Someone who can’t make their hobby synergize with their job—or make a secondary class inform their main one—is just uncreative. Every single class synergizes. [Knitter] synergizes with [Swordsman]. [Mage] informs [Cook]—it works. Level up, Ksmvr. Your passion is worth more than doing things ‘optimally'.
|speaker=[[Colthei]] on class consolidations.{{Ref|9.36 HO}}
}}
It is possible for classes to merge and consolidate into a hybrid class. For instance, a [Warrior] and a [Strategist] class can merge to form a [Commander] class. As attested by [[Colthei|Colth the Supporter]], class consolidations are dictated by passion, as someone who advances their secondary class far enough will be able to merge it with their main class. The main class is not always the higher levelled one, and it's possible that the individual will be lower-levelled after consolidation. For example, [[Larracel Delais|Larracel]] had her higher levelled [Wizard] class consolidate down to her [Innkeeper] class after she retired from adventuring. 

Usually, class consolidations will have the secondary classes removed, while adding their Skills to the new class. In rare cases, a consolidation will not merge the classes into a hybrid class, but list them within one class, such as [[Dionamella|General Dioname's]] [Timekeeper General, Wyrmsworn Champion] class.<ref>[[Chapter 8.74 DR]]</ref>

It's possible for a consolidated class to seperate back from the main class and level independently again, as seen when [[Jelaqua Ivirith|Jelaqua]]'s [Mercenary] class seperated from her [Steelforged Whirlwind] class.<ref>{{VERef|Halfseekers (Pt. 7) – Interlude}}</ref>

===Examples of Consolidations:=== 
*[Warrior] + [Strategist] = [Commander]<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/06/07/2-27/ Chapter 2.33]</ref>
*[Commander] + [Strategist] = [Eleleu Strategos]
*[Warrior] + [Rider] = [Dragoon]<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/06/14/2-03-g/ Chapter 2.36 G]</ref>
*[Leader] + [Scavenger] + [Tinkerer] = [Chieftain]
*(Royal classes, such as [Lord], [Princess])<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/10/14/3-23-l/ Chapter 3.23 L]</ref>
*[Princess] + [Warrior] + [Barmaid] + [Beast Tamer] + [Carer] + [Tactician] = [Worldly Princess]
*[King] + [Duelist] = [King of Challenges]
*[Gardener] + [Beast Tamer] + [Mage] = [Druid]
*[Eternal Rocksoup Cook] + [Herdmistress of the Land] = [Stonesoup Herdmistress of the Greatland]
*[Chieftain] + [Big Eater] + [Beast Tamer] = [Chieftain of the Maw]

==Limits and Consequences==
[[Ryoka Griffin|Ryoka]] had speculated that there is a hard level cap or soft cap of 100. That theory had been supported by Klbkch's review of several hundred individuals with high levels, whose cumulative level rarely approached one hundred.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/07/11/2-36/ Chapter 2.43] </ref> Furthermore, that research has shown that individuals with more than two well-leveled classes rarely surpass Level 30. However, according to [[Dalius Bedornial|Ser Dalius]], some individuals have surpassed one hundred in combined levels across all their classes, even having known some of them.<ref name="GS110">[[Gravesong Chapter 1.10|Gravesong 1.10]]</ref> The [[Grand Design of Isthekenous]] also said that many individuals had exceed 100 in cumulative levels.<ref name=":0" /> People with higher levels spread out over a number of classes will find it increasingly difficult to level in any one. 

The [[Grand Design of Isthekenous]] has called level 100 the great promise of the end and that perhaps only [[Teriarch]] himself had done enough to reach that level.<ref>{{VERef|Interlude - Levels}}</ref>

People have become narrow-minded in certain areas due to the system. If one does something without having a class in that area, one already expects to be a failure in it. Gaining classes and Skills can also decrease true mastery and understanding of certain Skills and concepts. For example, most nations buy trebuchets from places that manufacture them like [[Drath Archipelago]] or [[Isles of Minos|Minos]]. However, even with trebuchets, they are unable to replicate them based on the fact that they don't have people with the [Engineer] class. This often leads to overestimating people with higher levels as a result, or leading to a lack of motivation.   

Healing potions have been stated to be a reason as to why people's levels are lower in the modern age, as they reduce the inherent risk of encounters.<ref>[[Chapter 9.67 (Pt. 1)]]</ref>  

==List of Classes==
See [[List of Classes|here]].

==Trivia== 
*'''The Book of Levels''', originally written nearly a thousand years ago, is considered to be essential to the education of any child, which teaches them the essence of leveling.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/09/25/1-17/ Chapter 1.17]</ref>
*Some people worship levels instead of Gods. In some places leveling is preached and those with the highest level are even worshiped. Also, some speculate that each person has a maximum level , and when that level is  reached, then they have also reached the end of their life.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2016/11/16/1-27/ Chapter 1.27]</ref>
*People receive better-than-average Skills called capstones at every ten levels.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/04/25/1-00-c/ Chapter 1.00 C]</ref>
*In [[Izril]], there are approximately a thousand people over Level 30. Their Skills become in such high demand that they earn much more money than anyone else. Anyone with a class that involves managing land or selling or buying goods can earn thousands of gold coins each month.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/04/22/2-16/ Chapter 2.17]</ref>
**Almost everyone reaches Level 20 before they die.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/04/25/2-17/ Chapter 2.18]</ref> An exception to the rule are [Mages] who ''rarely'' reach even Level 20, which stems from a lack of a centralized education.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/01/04/1-34/ Chapter 1.34]</ref> 
**Those who manage to reach Level 30 usually need decades to do so.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/05/01/1-03-d-2/ Chapter 1.03 C]</ref>
*In regards to the leveling speed, [[Selys Shivertail|Selys]] once stated that if she had started training with the sword at a young age, she would have likely been now a Level 12 [Warrior]. However, if she were to start pursuing the path only now, when she is already in her early twenties, it would probably take her ten years to reach Level 20. That said, if she were a soldier fighting on the front lines, it would perhaps only take a year or two, which, of course, would be much more dangerous.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/04/12/2-10/ Chapter 2.09]</ref>
*Classes don't always start from Level 1. For instance, [[Erin Solstice|Erin]] received the [Singer] class at Level 6,<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2017/04/22/2-16/ Chapter 2.17]</ref> while [[Selys Shivertail|Selys]] started her [Heiress] class at Level 4. Additionally, even if someone does not qualify for their capstone level, they can continue to accumulate experience and level beyond the capstone, though they will not gain the level-ups.
*Some classes dictate the way people look. [Mages], for instance, tend to look younger and thinner, while [Farm Workers] will have a stronger build. That isn't to say that one's appearance keeps changing with every class one receives. The deciding factor is usually which class was gained ''first''. <ref name=":4.17">[https://wanderinginn.com/2018/02/27/4-17/ Chapter 4.17]</ref> But it may just be a consequence of the lifestyle of the people who have those classes (since [Farmers] work the fields and [Mages] burn calories when using magic). That said, some classes can bring drastic changes to a person which overrule their previous appearance, this can be achieved through Skills like when [[Garia Strongheart|Garia]] gained [Weight Control] or some physical changes intrinsic to the class, like [[Yvlon Byres|Yvlon]]'s [Silversteel Armsmistress] giving her metallic arms. [[Wuvren Sitil|Lady Wuvren's]] [Eternal Beauty] class allows her to shift her age back and forth.
*Most people don’t gain their classes until they turn fourteen.<ref name="6.59">[https://wanderinginn.com/2019/11/23/6-59/ Chapter 6.59]</ref>
*The '''Time of Grandeur''' is a term used by the [[nobility]] of Izril and Terandria to refer to Level 50.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/11/18/7-59/ Chapter 7.59]</ref> It is also referred to as the '''Greatest Capstone'''.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2022/08/20/9-09-p/ Chapter 9.09 P]</ref>
*In the present day, adventurers are considered Gold-rank around Level 30.<ref>[[Chapter 4.27 H]]</ref> In [[Nerrhavia (Queen)|Nerrhavia's]] time, the average Silver-rank adventurer was Level 30 with artifacts, while the benchmark for Gold-ranks was Level 50.<ref>[[Chapter 9.04]]</ref>
*No one has reached Level 100 in any class, with one of the closest being the Mage of Magic's End, a Level 93 [Mage]. It is the last level that can be reached.<ref name=":0">[[Interlude – Levels|Interlude - Levels]]</ref>
*<Rebirth> classes are available to people who have been resurrected.<ref name=":1">[https://wanderinginn.com/2023/10/17/9-61-g/ Chapter 9.61 G]</ref>
*The highest leveled [Innkeeper] in history was Level 73.<ref>[[Chapter 9.70 (Pt. 1)]]</ref>

==References==
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[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Classes|*]]
[[Category:System]]