Artifacts

After entering the Gateway you have the option to purchase any of 3 randomly chosen Artifacts in exchange for Essence. You may purchase as many as you can afford, and once an Artifact has been purchased at one level the next level will immediately become available. The maximum level of each Artifact is 10, with the exception of Time Anemone (which maxes out at level 5) and Distant Foresight (which maxes out at level 15).

There are three types of Artifacts, each with its own scaling cost and effect:
 * Migrators - bring a set number of one Frenzy species with you to the next world


 * Totems - applies a multiplier to one group of items
 * Miscellaneous - Various other helpful bonuses

Migrator Artifacts
The cost and effect of these Artifacts scale exponentially with level.
 * Cost = 2^(Level+1) (e.g. Level 1 costs 2 Essence, Level 2 costs 4 Essence)
 * Effect = 5^Level creatures transferred (e.g. Level 1 transfers 5 sharks, Level 2 transfers 25 sharks)

Totem Artifacts
The cost and effect of these Artifacts scale exponentially with level.
 * Cost = 2.5^(Level+1), rounded down (e.g. Level 1 costs 2 Essence, Level 2 costs 6 Essence)
 * Effect is linear and applies to all income from the items named.

Miscellaneous Artifacts
The cost of these Artifacts scales exponentially, but each at different rates. The effects scale in various manners.

Trivia
The word "totem" comes from the Algonquian odoodeman, meaning one's family or family mark. Since the term's introduction to the English language a variety of meanings and beliefs have been ascribed to totems. There are differing opinions on the use of this and similar terms outside of their original religious meanings. Some people find it offensive in every context, while some feel it is used in good faith. Certain corporate advice cautions specifically against the use of "bottom of the totem pole" as a negative. No one can speak for anyone else as to what is and isn't offensive to any given person, so it's best to err on the side of caution when you aren't able to ask directly what is most appropriate for your audience.