Rule 16-03-10: Expansion of Rule 14-11-1

At the start, a player may roll for one "free" character. However, if this character is rejected, they must then create a "real" character. If the real character is also rejected, the player may roll another free character after every rejection of a full and real character. The function of these "zero SPE" characters is to generate "Special Points" without consuming any, while providing a juxtaposition (contrast) between these preliminary characters and fully realized ones.

Should a "zero SPE" character perform well, the player has the option to create a linked character—a protégé or nephew—by spending 1 SPE. This linked character receives half of the mentor's experience points (XP) off-stage and can optionally gain other benefits. If the player successfully matches the XP value at the time when the 1 SPE was spent, the protégé earns a bonus, doubling the XP gained from that value.

Example:
An ordinary character accumulates 500 XP and treasures. The player decides to invest 1 SPE to take on a protégé (initially undefined). From this point forward, half of the main character's XP goes to the protégé. Starting with 0 XP, the protégé gains XP as the mentor progresses. If the mentor earns 100 XP in an adventure, only 50 XP is retained, while the other 50 XP is transferred to the protégé.
When the mentor earns a total of 1000 XP, 500 XP would have gone to the protégé, reaching the initial target of 500 XP. This triggers a bonus, doubling the target XP and awarding the protégé 1000 additional XP, bringing the total to 1500 XP—potentially exceeding the current mentor's XP.

Any levels earned by the protégé through XP are automatically trained, enabling them to start at full level. If the protégé shares the same class as the mentor, they gain an additional 50% XP bonus on top of their earned XP. For instance, if the protégé is a thief with 1500 XP (enough for level 2), they receive an extra 750 XP on top of that, reaching 2250 XP.

The protégé can enter play either after the mentor's death or upon achieving the bonus XP (and possibly when the mentor retires). The protégé need not share the same class as the mentor, but if they do, they gain a 50% XP bonus after levels are calculated (though they cannot start play with extra levels from this bonus). The relationship between the mentor and protégé is primarily one of support, not necessarily of class alignment.

If circumstances dictate that the new character should be unrelated to the mentor, the benefits can be transferred to a "stranger" who had a different mentor, though with a 10% penalty on the bonus experience.

Alternate Option:
The original character can foresee their own potential and spend 1 SPE to re-roll their ability scores using another system. If these re-rolled scores are better, they can be noted as "potential scores." With every level earned, the player may spend 1 (or 2) SPE to shift all ability scores by 1 (or 2) points toward these potential scores.