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archetypes

Archetypes

Everyone plays a role, often several, every day. Every individual displays multiple layers of personality, varying from the contrived to the sincere. Each of these roles define how we interact with the people and places around us, and we choose which parts of ourselves we wish to show. Archetypes allow players to build a sense of personality for their characters, and to define a bit of what makes the character tick. The character should act as the player reasonably or emotionally believes they would act in a given situation. It is worth noting that Archetypes are not rigid but are merely starting points. As a character grows and changes, they may shift. Players and Storytellers may wish to define their own Archetypes that more closely exemplify how the character in question responds to her surroundings and customizing an Archetype that truly speaks to the soul of a character. Every character is an individual, and customized Archetypes are a logical outgrowth of that.

The concept of Nature and Demeanor corresponds directly to the different masks we wear when we interact. What face do they present to the world, and what face lies beneath that? It is another way of asking the question “What is my character like?” Asking the whether your character is very open about his nature or whether she puts on a different face for the world may help you role play her more evocatively. By choosing how we relate to the world, we are able to choose how it relates to us as well, as we guide the responses others give us. Nature and Demeanor are a way to elaborate further on characters’ personality. Characters need not slavishly devote themselves to their Natures and Demeanors. The concept of Nature and Demeanor is that a character loosely matches a pair of given personality Archetypes.

For example, a character might have deep doubts about a war, which she conceals with laughter and deflecting humor; thus, the player may consider she has a Fatalist Nature hidden under a Trickster Demeanor. These Archetypes aren’t rigid,

Philosophy aside, personality also has an effect on mechanics. A character may regain her drive and sense of purpose by acting in accordance with her Nature. Every time a character fulfills the requirement of her Nature Archetype that character regains a point of spent Willpower.

Nature: This is a one-word archetype that represents your character’s true self. Is she a Barbarian at heart? A Caretaker? A Survivor? This is the “true” personality of your character — who she is deep down Nature is the character’s “real” self, the person she truly is. The Archetype a player chooses reflects that character’s deep-rooted feelings about herself, others, and the world. Nature should not be the only aspect of a character’s true personality, merely the most dominant. Nature is also used to determine a character’s ability to regain Willpower points. A character’s Nature is her true self, her innermost being — the person she truly is. It is dangerous to show this, though, as it lets others know who we are and what is important to us. Nature is the true face of a character

Demeanor: Another one-word archetype (chosen from the same list as Nature) that represents the face your character shows the world. Taken with Nature, this allows you to get a quick handle on your character’s personality. This is the personality your character presents to the world. More often than not, Nature and Demeanor are different, especially given the unknown paths of the human mind. Demeanor is the way a character presents herself to the outside world. It is the “mask” she wears to protect her inner self. A character’s Demeanor often differs from her Nature, though it might not. Also, Demeanor refers to the attitude a character adopts most often — people change Demeanors as often as they change their minds. Demeanor has no effect on any rules. Thus, characters also have Demeanors, faces they show to the world. Demeanor is the mask she wears.

Sample Archetypes

  • Analyst
  • Architect — You build something of lasting value. You are unhappy unless you are creating something of lasting value. You build a better future. You want to leave a lasting legacy. Creation is your passion.
  • Autocrat — You need control. You were made to lead. You desire control. Control-freak.
  • Avenger
  • Avant-Garde - A fascination with the trendy and new.
  • Bon Vivant — Life is for pleasure. Life is meaningless, so enjoy it as long as it lasts. Pleasure and joy are your hallmark Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.
  • Bravo — Might makes right. You are something of a bully; you like to be feared. Strength is all that matters. Rule stems from strength. Cruelty and bullying are your good points.
  • Capitalist — Why give it away for free when you can sell it?
  • Caregiver — Everyone needs nurturing. Many need your love and protection, and you need them to need you. You are a wellspring of compassion. Actively caring or helping others.
  • Caretaker — You are your brother’s keeper.
  • Cavalier — The fearless hero.
  • Celebrant — Your cause brings you joy. Pursue excitement in all things. You exist for your passion. Some cause gives you passion.
  • Chameleon — You manage to blend into any situation.
  • Charmer
  • Child — Won’t somebody be there for you? You never really grew up, and want someone to take care of you. You never grew up. Working through immaturity and innocence.
  • Competitor — You must be the best. Always struggling for the top. You must win everything to be happy.
  • Confidant — A good listener and keeper of secrets.
  • Conformist — You follow and assist. A follower at heart, you find it easy to adapt, adjust and comply. You are the heart of a group. You would rather follow a powerful figure than lead.
  • Conniver — Others exist for your benefit. There's always an easier way - which usually involves someone else doing your work. Why work when you can get others to work for you? You want something for nothing.
  • Creep Show — Disgusting the straights makes you smile.
  • Critic — You find imperfections in everything.
  • Crusader
  • Curmudgeon — Everything has its flaws. You are a real sourpuss and cynic of the Nth degree. Nothing is worthwhile. Nothing's ever good enough, so you point that out often. Cynicism is the main means of operation.
  • Dabbler — It’s always about the next big thing.
  • Defender – You stand guard over that for which you care.
  • Deviant — The status quo is for sheep. You're just not like everyone else. You exist for no one's pleasure but your own. You defy conventions and “normalcy”. The status quo is for suckers.
  • Director — You oversee what must be done. You hate chaos and are forever taking charge to set things right. You take charge and bring order. Order is the name of the game.
  • Enigma — Just when people think they’ve figured you out, you change the game.
  • Eye of the Storm — Chaos and havoc follow you, but it never gets to you.
  • Expert
  • Explorer
  • Fanatic — The cause is all that matters. You have a cause and it gives your life meaning. A cause consumes you. One cause, full support for it.
  • Follower
  • Gallant — You’re not the showstopper: you’re the show! Whatever you do, do it with style. You are as flamboyant as you are amoral. The lights shine brightest for you, the center of attention. A rogue to themselves, a jerk to most.
  • Guru — People find you spiritually compelling.
  • Hacker
  • Honest-Abe - The simple things in life are best.
  • Hot-Shot
  • Idealist — You believe in something greater.
  • Innovator
  • Jester — The real fools are those who don’t see the flaws you point out in them. Always the clown, you can't take life seriously. In the school of life, you are the class clown.
  • Jobsworth — The routine is the only comfortable way to exist.
  • Judge — Your judgment will improve things. Someone must decide, must make the hard choices. You seek justice and reconciliation. The truth is out there. Balance, truth and justice are your quest. Brutal honesty results in improvements.
  • Leader
  • Loner — You make your own way. You are forever alone, even in a crowd. Company makes for uncomfortable situations.
  • Machine
  • Manager
  • Manipulator — It's fun to tweak the actions of others.
  • Martyr — You suffer for the greater good. You need to be needed, and enjoy being morally superior. Through your sacrifice, others survive. The sacrifice of one is beneficial to others.
  • Mediator — Balance is the best way.
  • Masochist — Pain reminds you that you still exist. You test your limits every night. Only pain can teach you your limits. It ain't good until it hurts.
  • Misfit
  • Monster — You’re Damned, so act like it! knows she is a creature of darkness and acts like it.
  • Optimist — Life is good. Live it.
  • Paragon
  • Pedagogue — You save others through knowledge. The world needs instruction. Knowledge is the fruit of wisdom, passed on to the worthy. Learning is what life is all about.
  • Penitent — Life is a curse, and you must atone for it. You are a sinner. Can you make up for it? Until you atone for your sins, you are unworthy of salvation. There is no right to exist. It must be earned.
  • Perfectionist — You strive for an unattainable goal. Nothing is good enough. Your accomplishments are never enough. Mistakes cannot be made.
  • Player — The game's the thing, not winning or losing.
  • Plotter — Nothing can be done right without a plan.
  • Poltroon — Someone cannot shoot at a target they do not have.
  • Praise-Seeker — The opinions of others drive existence.
  • Quester
  • Rebel — You follow no one’s rules. The order of the world is corrupt. Are you? No need for a cause; you rebel out of habit and passion. Rules? What rules? The establishment is a joke.
  • Rogue — It’s all about you. Those who can, win. Those who can't, lose. You can. You plan to be on top, by whatever means necessary. Only one thing matters to the Rogue: herself. To each his own.
  • Sadist — You live to cause pain.
  • Scientist — Everything is a puzzle to solve.
  • Skeptic
  • Sneak
  • Sociopath — The inferior must be destroyed.
  • Soldier — You follow orders, but in your own way.
  • Survivor — Nothing can keep you down. When the horn sounds on Judgment Day, you will be there. You struggle to survive, no matter what the odds. Perseverance is the only way to get ahead in life.
  • Sycophant — Let others do the hard work and live on praise for it.
  • Tempter
  • Thrill-Seeker — The rush is all that matters. Existence is best lived on the edge. Take a chance on everything.
  • Traditionalist — As it has always been, so it must be. You prefer the orthodox and conservative ways. The old ways are good ways. The old ways are the best ways.
  • Trickster — Laughter dims the pain. Laughter is the best medicine. finds the absurd in everything.
  • Tycoon
  • Vigilante
  • Visionary — Something exists beyond all this. Wisdom is your quest, insight your key. The world is greater than what everyone sees. There is something more to life and this existence.
archetypes.txt · Last modified: 2021/12/04 00:39 (external edit)