Ad aspera

Racial branches and religion are available for free by default, depending on the champion's origin, and abilities within them are also purchased with skill points.

Religions are free. For racial skills, check the origin – it says either "free skill" or "access to skill" somewhere.

What is the range? Does the damage apply automatically?

Any. Yes.

I won't change the Might and Magic system, but I will slightly improve the elementalists. I'll tweak the default weapon branches a bit and introduce a musician skill.

Added 1 minute ago

Hmm...

Good watermelon. But considering that distortion is supposed to break the balance, I won't fix it too much. It's enough to introduce a cooldown for it.