Summary
V Rising has many abilities players can unlock through spells or upgraded weapons. In addition, passive abilities that modify how certain spells interact can also be unlocked. Unlocking passive skills is tied to the Altar of Stygian Awakening, acquired from the Ruins of Mortium. The altar requires stygian shards or greater stygian shards to unlock these passives, also acquired from the ruins. Mortium is challenging, so bring your Best Spells and highest-level gear before exploring this late-game zone.
How to Unlock Passive Abilities in V Rising
1. Passive abilities are unlocked from the Altar of Stygian Awakening, acquired from General Elena the Hollow.
2. Elena is a roaming boss in the Ruins of Mortium, requiring players to track her blood. 
3. After defeating Elena, place the Altar of Stygian Awakening inside a castle.
4. Open the altar to view all available passives, unlocked by spending Stygian Shards.
5. Stygian shards can be acquired from Ruins locations inside Mortium.
6. Greater Stygian Shards are from higher-level ruins or the Rift Incursion events, which can spawn at a random level.
