How to Progress
Progression in SEED happens on three levels: you (the Cultivator), your Seedlings, and your society.
Cultivator Level
Your Cultivator Level reflects your overall growth and experience. Unlike your Seedlings, it stays with you across all societies and all Seedlings you guide, even after they die. You earn Cultivator XP by:
Completing Objectives: the guided tasks PAM gives you.
Caring for Seedlings: maintaining their wellbeing and stability over time.
Completing Seedling Objectives: fulfilling your Seedling's life-stage objectives (and helping them achieve the desires they reveal in Seedling Chat).
Completing Daily Goals: your Seedling's daily goals give you clear objectives each session and award a solid chunk of XP.
You don't need perfect stats or micromanagement. The system rewards consistent care and long-term stability. Leveling up unlocks cosmetic items, practical items, economic benefits, and most importantly more Seedling Slots. There is no single "best" way to level: Cultivator Levels unlock conveniences and options rather than power over other players.
Seedling Development
Seedlings level skills by performing related activities. They learn by doing, not by studying ("Harvest Algae" improves Algae Harvesting). Each skill sheet in Focus Mode > Skills shows how to level it and which schematics unlock along the way; higher levels make Seedlings faster and more successful and can unlock new skills and schematics. Skill books from the market also work: Novice covers levels 1 to 10, Competent 11 to 20, and Skilled 21 to 30. A Seedling can only read a book if their level falls in its range. To find practice activities, look around and right-click objects, or set the Scheduler priority to Practice Skill and the Seedling will seek them out. Also develop Interests (up to three per life stage, chosen in Focus Mode > Development): satisfy them through their contributing activity categories (or the "Pursue Interest" Scheduler priority) to unlock Perks: permanent traits; when an Interest completes, you choose one of three random Perks to keep. Interests can't be changed within a life stage, and new ones are picked each stage.
Society Progression
Complete Society Goals to advance the society through the six tiers, unlocking features for everyone. If you're ever unsure how to progress, point yourself at the active society goals.