If you've been following along in the recent XP related threads, you know that I'm rather vocal in my believe that XP is "slightly broken" I've also mentioned that the only "solutions" that I came up with were a bit complicated. But people asked and I shared, privately, and was encouraged to post it. So here goes.
Oh, it's also probably important to note that I am a huge fan of the giants and, really, any sorts of lore & affiliation. And would love to see more of their influence in the game & our actions.
The XP that we earn for our actions would be comprised of devotion points based on the primary & secondary giants for that action (based on skill). Your actual earned XP and levels would not change (if you earn 10 xp, you earn 10 xp), it's just that you would also be showing devotion to particular giants when partaking in activities related to their imaginations. The XP that we earn via coins, could be comprised of devotion points to all the giants or, perhaps, maybe certain coins/areas could favor certain giants (this could be done based on area-wide associations or, perhaps, by the shrine that's present on the street).
I'm a fan of examples, so lets say you spend your day like this:
50% Mining
20% Grinding & making powders
20% Caring for & nibbling from piggies
10% Picking from trees
50% of your devotion would be shown to Zille (25%), Alph (12.5%), & Cosma (12.5%)
20% of your devotion would be shown to Tii (10%), Alph (5%), & Lem (5%)
20% of your devotion would be shown to Humbaba (10%), Friendly (5%), & Mab (5%)
10% of your xp/favor would go Mab (5%), Grendaline (2.5%), & Spriggan (2.5%)
The higher your XP and your percent of devotion with specific giants, the greater your chance of inspiration (bits of Ur lore, proverbial thoughts, and gossip about the other giants as told from the Giant's POV) as you walk by a shrine. They might also, though very rarely, gift you with a small mood or energy burst. A higher level of devotion could also be tied to the occasional super donation bonus that happens (being more likely to happen when you've shown greater devotion to a Giant).
So higher level players would be more likely to get the burst of inspiration and you are more likely to get a burst from a giant you are more devoted to. This provides a little extra benefit to higher levels while also not overwhelming lower level players with these crazy talking shrine things.
This does not do anything to change the costs of leveling (ie teleportation & tithing & whatever else comes down the pike) but it does take some of the sting out while not being unbalancing. And while all players benefit from this blast of lore (and, possibly, the occasional mood & energy burst), my hunch is that those who feel the greatest "pinch" from leveling are those who are more inclined towards lore, exploring, an the social play and this idea feeds that itch and, thus, balances the increased energy well that benefits the crafters & miners.
Yes. I know this is complicated (esp since some actions are rather nebulous on which giant would get credit). Yes. I know this means more writing for the staff. No. I don't expect it to be considered, but I think it would be awesome if it was.