Refining

Refining is a core pillar of Providence’s resource economy. While basic resources are universal and abundant across Slipworlds, they exist in raw, unprocessed forms. Before they can be used in crafting or construction, these raw resources must undergo refinement — a deliberate, time-consuming process that transforms them into higher-quality materials.

Refining adds depth, strategy, and interdependence to the economy. Different stages of item creation and building require resources at specific refinement levels, encouraging players to plan ahead, manage fuel, and decide which materials to refine and when.

Refinement Stages

Each basic resource progresses through three distinct states:

1. Raw → freshly harvested, unstable, and unusable in most crafting

2. Refined → processed and ready for general use

3. Optimized → high-quality, precision materials required for advanced gear, upgrades, and construction

Upgrading a resource from one state to the next consumes both time and fuel, turning refinement into a meaningful logistical challenge.

Fuel: The Circular Dependency

Refining resources requires fuel, which itself is derived from raw materials. Providence features a circular dependency system that ties the refining loop together in elegant and interconnected ways:

• Iron requires Carbon to refine.

• Carbon requires Fiber to refine.

• Fiber requires Iron to refine.

This triangle of dependencies ensures no single resource exists in isolation. Players must gather a variety of materials, trade with others, or specialize in certain resource types to efficiently operate high-level refinement chains.

The result is a dynamic, player-driven system that rewards planning, cooperation, and smart economic choices.