Optional - Character Archetype

This option presents a system that integrates Jungian archetypes with the existing framework of character Traits and Patrons. Drawing inspiration from Carl Jung’ **s archetypes and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) , these are 21 distinct archetypal patterns that can be used for character creation, development, and storytelling purposes.

Each archetype is presented with a set of recommended Traits that naturally align with that archetypal energy, along with Traits that are generally incompatible or actively contradictory to the archetype’ **s core nature. Additionally are listed which Patrons share at least two Traits (and thus being a Devotee) with each archetype, suggesting natural spiritual affinities.

  • Choose an archetype that appeals to you or fits your character concept
  • Consider adopting at least 2-3 of the recommended Traits for that archetype
  • Avoid the incompatible Traits unless you’ **re specifically aiming to create internal conflict
  • Look to the aligned Patrons for guidance on which spiritual powers might naturally resonate with your character

Archetypes can also evolve throughout a character’ **s journey. A character might begin as one archetype (The Innocent) and transform into another (The Hero) through their experiences. This evolution can be reflected in gradually shifting Traits and Patron affinities.

The 21 Archetypes

The Hero

The brave protagonist who overcomes obstacles to achieve a goal, often transforming themselves in the process.

  • Recommended Traits: Brave, Stubborn, Ambitious, Loyal
  • Discouraged Traits: Cowardly, Indecisive, Dishonest
  • Contradictory Traits: Cynical, Cruel, Dissolute
  • Aligned Patrons: Gradh, Sumkjr, Nedraf, Ljust, Lynx, Orlaith

The Mentor

The wise guide who provides knowledge, insight, and support to others, often to the Hero.

  • Recommended Traits: Patient, Kind, Wise (Cautious), Compassionate
  • Discouraged Traits: Impulsive, Arrogant, Vindictive
  • Contradictory Traits: Cruel, Dishonest, Greedy
  • Aligned Patrons: Ljust, Sumkjr, Thaft, Ledyal, Gaya

The Threshold Guardian

The character that tests the players, presenting challenges they must overcome to proceed.

  • Recommended Traits: Uncompromising, Suspicious, Cautious, Patient
  • Discouraged Traits: Impulsive, Compassionate, Altruistic
  • Contradictory Traits: Cowardly, Indecisive, Dishonest
  • Aligned Patrons: Atmos, Orlaith, Lynx, Krondal, Sixiser

The Herald

The character who announces the call to adventure and signals the need for change.

  • Recommended Traits: Enthusiastic, Extroverted, Curious, Brave
  • Discouraged Traits: Cautious, Indecisive, Suspicious
  • Contradictory Traits: Cowardly, Cynical, Dishonest
  • Aligned Patrons: Nethergal, Sumkjr, Lynx, Nedraf

The Shapeshifter

The character whose loyalty and true nature are constantly in question.

  • Recommended Traits: Dishonest, Arrogant, Impulsive, Ambitious
  • Discouraged Traits: Loyal, Altruistic, Kind
  • Contradictory Traits: Uncompromising, Cautious, Patient
  • Aligned Patrons: Calicante, Orudjs, Tazher, Tàhil, Torbiorn

The Shadow

The dark reflection of the protagonist, representing rejected or feared aspects of the self.

  • Recommended Traits: Cruel, Vindictive, Cynical, Arrogant
  • Discouraged Traits: Compassionate, Kind, Altruistic
  • Contradictory Traits: Loyal, Patient, Enthusiastic
  • Aligned Patrons: Calicante, Cattalm, Tàhil, Shayalia, Torbiorn

The Trickster

The mischievous character who disrupts the status quo and brings about transformation through chaos.

  • Recommended Traits: Impulsive, Curious, Dishonest, Enthusiastic
  • Discouraged Traits: Cautious, Patient, Uncompromising
  • Contradictory Traits: Loyal, Altruistic, Compassionate
  • Aligned Patrons: Orudjs, Belevon, Nihar

The Ally

The steadfast companion who supports the protagonist on their journey.

  • Recommended Traits: Loyal, Brave, Altruistic, Kind
  • Discouraged Traits: Dishonest, Envious, Cruel
  • Contradictory Traits: Vindictive, Arrogant, Greedy
  • Aligned Patrons: Ljust, Sumkjr, Efrem, Gradh, Thaft

The Innocent

The pure, naive character who sees the world with wonder and optimism.

  • Recommended Traits: Kind, Enthusiastic, Altruistic, Curious
  • Discouraged Traits: Cynical, Suspicious, Vindictive
  • Contradictory Traits: Cruel, Dishonest, Dissolute
  • Aligned Patrons: Ljust, Ledyal, Sumkjr, Gaya

The Sage

The knowledge-keeper who has accumulated wisdom through study or experience.

  • Recommended Traits: Cautious, Patient, Curious, Uncompromising
  • Discouraged Traits: Impulsive, Dishonest, Dissolute
  • Contradictory Traits: Indecisive, Cowardly, Arrogant
  • Aligned Patrons: Atmos, Nethergal, Sixiser

The Ruler

The sovereign who seeks to establish order and control over a domain.

  • Recommended Traits: Ambitious, Uncompromising, Arrogant, Stubborn
  • Discouraged Traits: Indecisive, Cowardly, Impulsive
  • Contradictory Traits: Altruistic, Compassionate, Kind
  • Aligned Patrons: Calicante, Erondil, Cattalm, Krondal, Tàhil

The Creator

The innovative builder who brings new things into existence.

  • Recommended Traits: Curious, Enthusiastic, Ambitious, Patient
  • Discouraged Traits: Indecisive, Cowardly, Cynical
  • Contradictory Traits: Dissolute, Uncompromising, Vindictive
  • Aligned Patrons: Erondil, Efrem, Gaya, Nethergal

The Caregiver

The nurturing protector who cares for and defends others.

  • Recommended Traits: Compassionate, Altruistic, Kind, Patient
  • Discouraged Traits: Cruel, Greedy, Vindictive
  • Contradictory Traits: Arrogant, Dishonest, Dissolute
  • Aligned Patrons: Ljust, Ledyal, Atherim, Belevon, Sumkjr

The Magician

The transformer who harnesses special knowledge to alter reality.

  • Recommended Traits: Curious, Ambitious, Arrogant, Uncompromising
  • Discouraged Traits: Cowardly, Indecisive, Impulsive
  • Contradictory Traits: Altruistic, Compassionate, Loyal
  • Aligned Patrons: Erondil, Orudjs, Nethergal, Nihar, Krondal

The Outlaw

The rebel who challenges established norms and fights against constraints.

  • Recommended Traits: Brave, Impulsive, Arrogant, Vindictive
  • Discouraged Traits: Cautious, Patient, Loyal
  • Contradictory Traits: Altruistic, Compassionate, Kind
  • Aligned Patrons: Lynx, Tàhil, Gradh, Tazher, Calicante

The Lover

The passionate seeker of connection, intimacy, and sensual pleasure.

  • Recommended Traits: Compassionate, Enthusiastic, Impulsive, Dissolute
  • Discouraged Traits: Suspicious, Cynical, Arrogant
  • Contradictory Traits: Cautious, Uncompromising, Greedy
  • Aligned Patrons: Shayalia, Ledyal, Orudjs

The Jester

The playful entertainer who brings joy and levity to difficult situations.

  • Recommended Traits: Enthusiastic, Extroverted, Impulsive, Curious
  • Discouraged Traits: Cautious, Suspicious, Uncompromising
  • Contradictory Traits: Cruel, Vindictive, Arrogant
  • Aligned Patrons: Nihar, Belevon, Nethergal, Orudjs

The Everyman

The relatable, ordinary person seeking belonging and connection.

  • Recommended Traits: Loyal, Kind, Cautious, Indecisive
  • Discouraged Traits: Arrogant, Ambitious, Dissolute
  • Contradictory Traits: Cruel, Vindictive, Dishonest
  • Aligned Patrons: Efrem, Thaft, Atherim

The Explorer

The adventurer who seeks new experiences and discoveries.

  • Recommended Traits: Curious, Brave, Impulsive, Enthusiastic
  • Discouraged Traits: Cautious, Indecisive, Suspicious
  • Contradictory Traits: Cowardly, Cynical, Greedy
  • Aligned Patrons: Lynx, Nihar, Nethergal, Sumkjr

The Martyr

The self-sacrificing individual who gives everything for a cause or others.

  • Recommended Traits: Altruistic, Brave, Uncompromising, Stubborn
  • Discouraged Traits: Arrogant, Greedy, Ambitious
  • Contradictory Traits: Cynical, Cruel, Dishonest
  • Aligned Patrons: Ljust, Sumkjr, Atherim, Lynx

The Tyrant

The controlling oppressor who rules through fear and dominance.

  • Recommended Traits: Cruel, Arrogant, Vindictive, Greedy
  • Discouraged Traits: Compassionate, Altruistic, Kind
  • Contradictory Traits: Indecisive, Cowardly, Loyal
  • Aligned Patrons: Calicante, Tàhil, Cattalm, Torbiorn, Rezh

The Hermit

The solitary seeker who withdraws from society to find inner truth.

  • Recommended Traits: Cautious, Patient, Uncompromising, Suspicious
  • Discouraged Traits: Extroverted, Impulsive, Enthusiastic
  • Contradictory Traits: Dissolute, Arrogant, Greedy
  • Aligned Patrons: Atmos, Sixiser, Efrem

Archetypal Cycles and Character Development

Characters rarely embody a single archetype throughout their entire journey. Rather, they may evolve through a series of archetypes as they grow and develop. Below are some common archetypal progressions that can serve as templates for character development:

  • The Hero’ **s Journey: Innocent > Explorer > Hero > Sage > Ruler
  • The Fall and Redemption: Innocent > Outlaw > Shadow > Martyr > Hero
  • The Corruption Arc: Ally > Shapeshifter > Shadow > Tyrant
  • The Wisdom Path: Explorer > Threshold Guardian > Hermit > Sage > Mentor
  • The Leadership Evolution: Ally > Hero > Mentor > Ruler
  • The Spiritual Awakening: Everyman > Threshold Guardian > Hermit > Magician > Creator

Each transition between archetypes represents a significant character development moment, often accompanied by the gaining or losing of specific Traits and potentially a shift in Patron affinity. Narrators and players can use these archetypal cycles to plan meaningful character arcs.

Patron Affinities and Archetypal Resonances

Some Patrons naturally embody or resonate with specific archetypes more strongly than others. These connections can inform both character development and storytelling:

Patron Archetypal Resonances
Ljust The Hero, The Caregiver, The Martyr, The Mentor
Calicante The Shadow, The Tyrant, The Shapeshifter, The Ruler
Atmos The Sage, The Hermit, The Threshold Guardian
Lynx The Explorer, The Outlaw, The Hero
Gradh The Hero, The Ally, The Ruler, The Outlaw
Atherim The Caregiver, The Guardian, The Martyr
Belevon The Trickster, The Jester, The Shapeshifter
Cattalm The Shadow, The Tyrant, The Destroyer
Efrem The Everyman, The Creator, The Hermit
Erondil The Creator, The Magician, The Ruler
Gaya The Creator, The Innocent, The Caregiver
Krondal The Ruler, The Threshold Guardian, The Magician
Ledyal The Caregiver, The Innocent, The Lover
Laydel The Shadow, The Shapeshifter, The Outlaw
Nethergal The Herald, The Explorer, The Magician
Nedraf The Hero, The Explorer, The Ally
Nihar The Jester, The Explorer, The Trickster
Orudjs The Shapeshifter, The Trickster, The Lover
Orlaith The Threshold Guardian, The Ruler, The Hero
Rezh The Tyrant, The Shadow, The Shapeshifter
Shayalia The Shadow, The Lover, The Shapeshifter
Sixiser The Hermit, The Sage, The Shadow
Sumkjr The Hero, The Ally, The Mentor, The Martyr
Tàhil The Shadow, The Tyrant, The Outlaw
Tazher The Shadow, The Outlaw, The Shapeshifter
Thaft The Everyman, The Ally, The Caregiver
Torbiorn The Tyrant, The Shadow, The Ruler

Using Archetypes in Game

For Players

  • Use archetypes as a starting point for character creation, selecting Traits that align with your chosen archetype
  • Consider your character’ **s potential archetypal journey - how might they evolve over time?
  • Look to your archetype’ **s aligned Patrons when considering spiritual affiliations
  • Use contrasting archetypes within your party to create interesting inter-character dynamics

For Narrator

  • Populate your world with NPCs that embody clear archetypal patterns
  • Design challenges that specifically test characters against their archetypal weaknesses
  • Create villains that serve as dark reflections of the heroes’ ** archetypes
  • Use Patron interventions to highlight or challenge a character’ **s archetypal nature
  • Design campaign arcs that follow classic archetypal cycles

Narratore: This archetypal system provides another layer of depth to character creation and development, bridging psychological theory with the game’ **s existing systems of Traits and Patrons. By understanding these archetypal patterns, players and Narrator can create more coherent, psychologically consistent characters and stories.

Rather than restricting creativity, these archetypes serve as useful frameworks and guidelines that can be embraced, subverted, or transformed throughout a character’ **s journey. The integration of Traits and Patron affinities with archetypal patterns creates a rich tapestry of possibilities for character development and storytelling.