// HEART SYSTEM OVERVIEW

HEART

Scientific study of Echoes has revealed an intangible source of energy within all living beings. That energy allows humans to stand on equal footing with Echoes in combat.

Each person's Heart has a unique effect. Almost everyone in Locus City can use Heart and has a Heart effect.

Usage of a Heart power is like an ultimate move. It can be used multiple times in a fight, and the effect commonly scales with multiple uses.



I

NORMAL USAGE

Children in Locus City generally awaken to their Heart at early ages of development, typically catalyzed by forming a sentimental connection to an object called a Keepsake.

Usage of Heart is strongly linked to the user's emotional state. High heart usage comes hand in hand with strong emotions.

A character's total Heart starts at 100 points. After use, it recovers over time in small increments. There are consequences to continuous overuse.

II

DESOLATION

When a character's Heart drops below a certain level, they find themselves significantly fatigued and undergo a negative personality shift. This is called experiencing Desolation.

This state is reversible but persists for a set amount of time. Alternatively, it is treatable with an item called the Ego Diffuser.

III

NECROSIS

After Desolation, if a character's Heart levels continue to drop, their Heart will sustain permanent damage. This is called undergoing Necrosis.

Repeatedly entering a Necrotic state will lead to diminished Heart capacity, even after recovery, and permanent physical changes.

Damage from Necrosis is irreversible.

In dire circumstances, a person can use up all that they are to protect the ones they love.

Total depletion leads to death or complete loss of self, referred to as becoming Heartless.

A medication called V.E.I.N.S. is in development to treat Necrosis. It is currently experimental and is considered too dangerous to take more than once in a lifetime.



HEARTBREAK & THE HEARTLESS

If a person's Heart is entirely consumed after consistent use, they will completely lose their Heart effect, memories, and sense of self with no chance of restoration.

The character will essentially become a shell of themselves. As they recover, they will require full-time medical care. Even if they recover completely physically, their past self will not return.

They may develop a new personality and consider themselves a new person. The amount of similarity between their new and old selves is up to the mun.

IC, people who have undergone this process are referred to as having become Heartless.

OOC, the character will be retired from PC status to NPC status. Without a Heart effect, they are no longer eligible to be a Combatant.