Character Advancement

Characters don't advance by taking on extra activities (there's no more time in the week!), but there are plenty of other paths to improvement.

Activities

The people of Penwick Gorge might have expertise, but even a master can't make metal out of wood. Bringing new, exotic or otherwise interesting things back across the bridge might allow some of the activities in the Schedule to change, or new activities to be offered - though if what's found is too strange, the greatest experts might be too busy experimenting with it to teach anyone much of anything.

Of course, for those less inclined towards risking their lives in search of oddities, there is also the possibility that some of those doing the teaching might have a little more to give, with the right motivation or for the right student. Who knows what Ignatius Scott gets up to when he's not out "finding" Poisons?

Poisons

The conventional things fed to Poisons at Happy Fields Creche produce relatively restrained effects compared to the natures of some of the wilder Poisons found around the village. Everyone knows there can be shocking results if one gets into the wine-cellar, for example - especially after the Exploding Vintage of ten years ago. Still, as the variety of foods grows, Poisons are likely to show a similar variety - if they survive the process, that is.

Rites

Rites provide one of the clearest tools for strengthening yourself, though not without cost. Performing a Rite at all is likely to come with Consequences, to say nothing of the lasting effects on your Ghost; still, Ghosts have been known to do astonishing things with the right (or Rite) coaxing.

Haruspicy

The benefits of family in Penwick Gorge are largely through chosen bonds, rather than those of birth, and the practice of Haruspicy allows these bonds to be made and changed. While a relatively normal villager might enjoy slight benefits from parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, those who draw more attention may find that attention reflected in a much larger network of family, with each link in that chain providing benefits.