Archetypes#
Archetypes are the central aspect of a character, setting their general tone or high concept. There are four Archetypes in total:
| Archetype | Description |
|---|---|
| Champion | Thrives for power and specializes in physical Abilities. |
| Icon | Thrives for fame and specializes in social Abilities. |
| Genius | Thrives for knowledge and specializes in intellectual Abilities. |
| Sage | Thrives for wisdom and specializes in spiritual Abilities. |
- Champions are natural-born leaders and predisposed warriors. They have a firm inclination for fighting, thrive in confrontations and inspire others to respect them.
This Archetype has great ambition, a strong sense of pride and works tirelessly to overcome their enemies. It usually follows a criminal or military career, and specializes in combat proficiency.
- Icons are driven by the desire for social recognition and fame. They tend to excel in arts, entertainment or politics, and use their skills to inspire and influence others.
This Archetype loves captivating people and leaving long lasting impressions. It usually specializes in performance, charisma, public speaking and might follow a political or artistic career.
- Geniuses are educated individuals committed to the pursuit of knowledge. They excel in problem-solving, innovation or lateral thinking, and are gifted spellcasters.
This Archetype is driven by the desire to solve problems, understand abstract concepts or break established rules. It usually specializes in magic wielding and learning about complex topics.
- Sages are wise individuals driven by self-discipline and a desire to help or mentor others. They focus on inner growth and learning how to stay firm in tough situations.
This Archetype seeks serenity or enlightenment, by following a preexistent doctrine or making their own path. It usually specializes in philosophy or caretaking, and is perfect for healers, monks or teachers.
When building a new character, players must choose and combine two Archetypes out of the four available.
Example#
This can be illustrated with the lives of two historical figures, Julius Caesar and Marcus Aurelius:
- Julius Caesar, a charismatic leader, could exemplify the combination of champion and icon.
His career showcased a desire for power, influence and popularity. He effectively used military feats and oratory skills to establish himself as the most popular dictator in ancient Rome.
- Marcus Aurelius, a stoic philosopher, could exemplify the combination of champion and sage.
His life as a ruler showcased a desire for wisdom, virtue, and duty. He diligently applied military leadership and stoic principles to guide the Roman empire through war and plague.
Although both figures can be classified as champions, their overall tone diverges based on their second Archetype: icon or sage.
Drives#
Drives represent a character’s incentives and motivations, guiding their actions throughout the narrative. A player must pick two Drives for their character, each matching one of their Archetypes:
| Drive | Archetype | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Revenge | Champion | The character seeks justice or retribution. |
| Authority | Champion | The character wants to assert dominance or issue commands. |
| Wealth | Champion | The character prioritizes riches or possessions. |
| Status | Icon | The character craves privilege or entitlement. |
| Validation | Icon | The character seeks to bring attention to themselves. |
| Influence | Icon | The character aims to sway people to their side. |
| Curiosity | Genius | The character is driven by a thirst for knowledge or discovery. |
| Production | Genius | The character wants to build or conceive things. |
| Solution | Genius | The character is driven by problem-solving or deduction. |
| Care | Sage | The character wants to help or protect others. |
| Peace | Sage | The character seeks to foster harmony or mend relationships. |
| Duty | Sage | The character is dedicated to fulfilling their obligations. |
Statement#
Players should define their characters with a Statement, a single sentence summarizing both their Archetypes and Drives. Here’s a few examples:
- Eccentric Healer : genius (production) & sage (care)
“This character lives as a solitary caregiver, concocting remedies and offering help in forsaken locations.”
- Eminent Wizard : icon (status) & genius (solution)
“This character aspires to become a distinguished sorcerer, with a lasting legacy of breakthroughs and discoveries.”
- Itinerant Bard : icon (influence) & sage (peace)
“This character wants to use their lyrical talents to inspire people, encourage social change and foster unity.”
- Notorious Bandit : champion (authority) & icon (validation)
“This character aspires to become a powerful criminal, striking fear in the hearts of people who whisper its name.”
- Trailblazing Explorer : champion (wealth) & genius (curiosity)
“This character wants to explore uncharted territories, and secure valuable goods from exotic lands.”
- Wandering Knight : champion (revenge) & sage (duty)
“This character lives as a roaming warrior, seeking retribution for an affront while protecting the weak and the poor.”
Of course, players highly encouraged to come up with their own ideas.
Quest#
During a scenario, a character must undertake an individual Quest tied to one of their Drives. Players define this as a concise active goal, something their character wants to accomplish, not something they want to avoid. Here are some examples:
- Revenge
“I will find and kill the bounty hunter who left me for dead.”
- Wealth
“I will secure interest in the highly profitable spice trade.”
- Solution
“I will decipher the inscriptions written on this ancient artifact.”
- Care
“I will escort this group of refugees safely to their homeland.”