Experience

Characters gain experience (abbreviated XP or xp) over the course of adventures they go on. The method the player uses to create their character determines their base "XP".

The formula for calculating experience needed for the next level is this:

[base experience] + [racial modifier] + [# of next level] +/- [wis xp bonus]

Many races adjust base XP because they have advantages or disadvantages when compared to other races. For example, a Dark Elf adjusts the base XP needed for a level by 5. Thus, a Dark Elf created using method 1 will have a base XP score of 15.

To determine how much a character needs to gain a level, just add the base XP score + their next level number. Thus, if the same Dark Elf above was trying to figure out how much XP he needs for level he would add 15 + 2, and determine he needs 17xp to reach level 2.

New characters join the campaign one level less than the average level of all of the PC's characters. The new characters have enough experience to the put them half way to the next level (round down in questionable cases).