Sections with a dice icon are mandatory to read to understand how to play
Training for Paths & Abilities is the same as mentioned at the top of the system rules page; You need to communicate with your DM and dedicate time in character to trying to unlock what’s on the main page for Paths & Abilities.
Resource Pools
Similar to your pool of Health Points, there are multiple pools of points you collect as a character in Free Flowing. Some can function just like health and can be regained through the use of abilities and items, however some can only be increased by finding them in the field.
Unlike Health, except for some cases, you are usually and consistently spending the points of these resource pools to fuel your Paths. Such as using Mana Points for Magic, Ki Points for Spirit, Scrap for Tinkering/Smithing, Ingredients for Cooking, etc.
Resource Pools related to powers like Spirit and Magic are recoverable by long rest. However, resource pools related to crafting do not recover on long rest, instead they increase by finding more and adding them to your collection.
General Training
During a short rest, you can choose to have your “Activity” be training. You can train one of your resource pools or your speed. To train, roll a combo check using a stat relevant to what’s being improved. The DC to beat is always set and determined by the DM.
The most common increase after a successful training session is 1d4 + a relevant stat. However, you can usually only train once per day or couple of days. Too much training can result in self-harm rather than self improvement, enforced at the DM’s discretion.
What Is Proficiency?
Proficiency means having the minimum amount of skill in using something to benefit from it without drawbacks. Displaying proficiency with something on your sheet means having at least a +1 bonus to rolling with it or being able to put the name of something in your Proficiencies & Languages box on your character sheet.
Being proficient in something can give the following advantages:
Making use of a weapon’s special ability
Using armor without disadvantage on rolls and halved speed
Making use of a tool kit of some kind
Can read, write, and speak a language
Increasing Stats & Bonuses
Training your stats & bonuses uses the same method as mentioned in General Training, however it is a longer process. You need to have gone through multiple and many successful training sessions to try and increase one of your stats or bonuses. The amount of successful training sessions is determined by the DM.