Breaking Personality Stereotypes for the Archetypes

***Hermit*** · Jul 19th, '03, 09:28 AM

WARNING: Longwinded

I was thinking of constructing an NPC super team as possible rivals for some PCs, but I also wanted to make it fun for me. So I thought, what if I went with the classic archetypes, but deliberately broke the personality stereotypes often associated with them?

After about 30 minutes I realized it seemed there was very little under the sun that the writers of comicdom hadn't already at least tried.

Still, here's what I've come up with so far.

Brick- This was one of the hardest because the 'strong guy' type is so darn common in comic books. You have brutish Bricks, ingenius Bricks, joking bricks, angsty bricks, and so on. I tried to find one personality trait that I didn't see much, and it was hard. However, I was thinking maybe a pacifist Brick? One who prefers not to fight until he must. Some might even confuse him (or her) for Timid.

Energy Projector- Most I've seen tend to match the 'energies' they project. Flame characters are 'hotheads', Ice characters are either chillingly aloof or at least keep their cool

Sometimes you get a reversal just for contrast. This one really stumped me.

Gadgetteer- I could be wrong, but I really don't think there are that many combat eager gadgeteers in the comic books. Well, at least not heroes. Sure, they get excited about science, but how many like to kick butt? The idea of a gadgeteer super hero with an attitude of "I can't wait to try out my new boom disk! uhm, on evil, of course." appeals to me.

Martial Artist- Are there many blue collar Martial Artists? Average joes who aren't into zen? I guess Dirty Infighters would be that sort. Maybe I'm missing some options here.

Mentalists- Arrogant Mentalists, reluctant mentalists, pedantic and so on, we see a lot of options in the comics. I'm trying to find a mentalist personality I haven't seen much. I don't recall the "Party Animal" type. I guess that mental discipline works against you for your social life?

Metamorphs- I've seen it in villainous metamorphs, but I haven't seen too many ruthlessly efficient no nonsense super hero metamorphs. In the recent "Name the Hero" contest, I found out more than one person entering a stretching sort made their submission deliberately not zany. Mind you, Reed Richards is not a 'fun guy' but he's not exactly ruthlessly pragmatic either.

Mystics- It's all been done.

Prove me wrong.

Patriot- Has anyone made a Patriot who challenges his or her own government regularly? Participating in rallies and such? I had a concept called "Defiant" that did just that. I think it was fairly original, but I could be wrong. Mind you, given the Avatar part of Patriots, anything COULD be done really.

Powered Armor- Scientific minds, and playboys often seem to be the norm. I've seen soldiers placed in suits. I don't recall many rebels here either though. After all, to get a power suit you normally have to either be part of the establishment (Wealthy member able to dictate agenda) or given suit BY the establishment ("You will be testing the..." ) . This allows for visionaries with their own agendas, or soldiers doing their duty, but the rebel seems often missing. I guess most 'rogue' Powered Armor types become default villains as likely the gear isn't legally theirs.

Speedster- Barry Allen was dedicated, a serious scientists; Wally West has been portrayed as a fun loving youth, later Womanizer, before settling down a bit more seriously. Quicksilver is usually cranky (The man wants his cheeseburger-today!). Are there any mellow laid back speedsters? The sort who take their time? I don't recall many, probably because in the comics we WANT to see a speedster zip around. I maybe missing one though.

Weaponmaster- Honorbound Swordsmen, Rough edged archers, joking heroes who fling theme weapons ("Pick a card, any card"). The only Weaponmaster I don't have spring to mind instantly is "The Reluctant Weaponmaster". Normally, mastery of a weapon is sought. These folks WANT to use their weapon well. So a reluctant one might require some finagling on the background. On second thought, I suppose Travis Morgan, D.C.'s Warlord might have qualified, but its not like I remember he and that hungry blade teaming up with the JLA much.

..........
Any other thoughts guys and gals?

**Doug McCrae** · Jul 19th, '03, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by Hermit
Martial Artist- Are there many blue collar Martial Artists? Average joes who aren't into zen? I guess Dirty Infighters would be that sort. Maybe I'm missing some options here.

A boxer? Like the GA Wildcat?

**Doug McCrae** · Jul 19th, '03, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by Hermit
Metamorphs- I've seen it in villainous metamorphs, but I haven't seen too many ruthlessly efficient no nonsense super hero metamorphs. In the recent "Name the Hero" contest, I found out more than one person entering a stretching sort made their submission deliberately not zany. Mind you, Reed Richards is not a 'fun guy' but he's not exactly ruthlessly pragmatic either.

The visuals make a stretcher a natural humour character in comics (much less important for rpgs). It's hard to retain much dignity when you've swelled up in the shape of a balloon. I think Stan Lee was doing an 'against type' with Reed Richards, very much aware of Plastic Man and trying to do something duifferent - a serious-minded stretcher.

***Hermit*** · Jul 19th, '03, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by Doug McCrae
A boxer? Like the GA Wildcat?

Doh!
See what I mean, this isn't easy

Thanks.

Anyone have an idea what (if anything) hasn't been done personality wise for a martial artist in the super hero genre?

**Doug McCrae** · Jul 19th, '03, 09:58 AM

The Patriot is different from all the rest because that archetype determines an aspect of personality but says nothing about powers or origin. I think you can get a great deal of mileage out of patriots with different power-sets/races.

So you could have patriotic wizards, catgirls or swamp monsters - "U... S... A..."

These are pretty weird concepts but you have to be a little bit weird if you want to be original.

***Hermit*** · Jul 19th, '03, 10:05 AM

Well, I did have a concept for a Patriot Mystic. A star spangled wiccan I was going to dub "American Athame", but my RL pagan friends threatened violence

**Doug McCrae** · Jul 19th, '03, 10:12 AM

I think you're right. Brick is toughest because they've all been done. The best you can hope for might be one that hasn't be done as much.

The happy-go-lucky or wisecracker demeanour is most commonly asociated with agile, bounce-around types so is a bit more interesting for a brick. But a certain jade giantess already has that combo down. Go a bit further and make the personality totally maniac/manic like the Creeper?

What about a mysterious, mystical brick? The Thing's powers but with the Phantom Stranger/Raven's personality.

The Kid. This is a team personality type, represented by Iceman, the Human Torch or Kitty Pryde. I can't think of a brick exemplar. Or go further and have a brick that actually is a child, like 8 years old or something, but on a team of (or at least looked after by) adult superheroes? Now that would be a menace.

What about a brick with a nerdy Woody Allenish persona? He might lose his nerdiness now he can shove people around.

**Agent X** · Jul 19th, '03, 10:22 AM

Broot was a pacifist.

**Dr. Anomaly** · Jul 19th, '03, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by Doug McCrae
The happy-go-lucky or wisecracker demeanour is most commonly asociated with agile, bounce-around types so is a bit more interesting for a brick. But a certain jade giantess already has that combo down. Go a bit further and make the personality totally maniac/manic like the Creeper?

If you've ever seen the animated "Tick", think of Mr. Exciting from the episode "The Tick vs. Education."

**winterhawk** · Jul 19th, '03, 11:43 AM

Here are some of characters from my own campaign that I think break stereotype, hope they provide some inspiration:

Brick - Reef, a Thing-like brick covered in a coral-like hide and having stinging anemone tendrils he wears like dreadlocks. He is a member of my Morlock styled mutant undergound. He is a surfer, a stoner and a total pacifist, who hangs out with the Freex "Because its easier dealing with them then normal people." No mutant angst whatsoever.

EB - Flux, who can manipulate the flow of any ambient energy in his vacinity. He is also bi-polar, meaning he is reckless at his high points and paranoid and delusional at his low.

Gadgeteer - Mr. Fix, Chicago's Blue collar Forge, with an instictive understanding of "how things work". He looks at everything in terms of contracting: "This alien device is just like a garbage disposal that's been clogged up...we need the equivalent of cosmic Drano!"

MA - I have several boxing MA's which are a good alternate to the ninja/kung fu fighter. Or how about a Mexican Wrestler? To quote Homer Simpson: "Ooh, down there its a real sport."

Mentalist - My least favorite of any archetype. The best I can offer is Synapse, a biokinetic and sadist, who uses his abilities to control other peoples nervous systems to put them at a disadvantage so hit can beat on them with meager MA skills.

Mystic - Santeria, both a devout Catholic and practitioner of magic, torn between her faith and her powers.

**Powerhouse** · Jul 19th, '03, 12:25 PM

"The Kid. This is a team personality type, represented by Iceman, the Human Torch or Kitty Pryde. I can't think of a brick exemplar. Or go further and have a brick that actually is a child, like 8 years old or something, but on a team of (or at least looked after by) adult superheroes? Now that would be a menace."

Badrock of Youngblood as a kid type I believe.

For a blue-collar gadgeteer, I think the Freedom Patrol (VOICE of Doom, was it?) from early in the series had one called Hardhat.

How about a sonic EBer who hates noise and people. I can see him or her screaming at the top of their lungs, knocking down buildings, "WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!?!?!?"

***OddHat*** · Jul 19th, '03, 01:37 PM

Try a themed group. "The Frat Boys." "The French Philosophers." "The Special Olympians." Then, have the press lionize them above your PCs. It'll drive them nuts. ;-)

Mixing and matchiing is probably easiest.
Example: The Rough Mechanicals

Brick: Zebediah "Boozer" Davis, 170 year old alchoholic ex-gold miner on a bender. Got drunk in 1852 and hasn't sobered up yet. Theme powers include "too drunk to feel pain" and "drunken rage."

Mentalist/Mystic: Ricky the Thinking Brain Dog (credit to Pratchett). Zebediah's 150 year old dog, happy, stupid for a human (IQ of 80), awesome mental powers. Mental Paralysis effect: Go Lick Yourself.

Martial Artist / Gadgeteer / Weapon's Master: Floyd "Barman" Hooker. Skinny potbellied 182 year old bartender alchamist, can turn anything found in a bar into a deadly weapon. Brewed the Eternal Red Eye that created the Rough Mechanicals. Shouldn't have mixed in those funny mushrooms from the meteor crater in the Indian burial grounds.

Patriot / Speedster: Vladislav "Red Ink" Kopernik. Came to America in 1864 as an accountant for a mining company and was drinking in the bar on Eternal Red Eye Day. Small, skinny, gloomy. Surfs on red ink that sprays from under his fingers, may also entangle or blind foes using same ink. Insanely law abiding, loves his country, fights evil because it's disorderly.

Power Armor / Metamorph: Frieda "Still Married" Dueseldorfer Hooker. 180 year old fat shrewish wife of Floyd, wears shape-changing power-armor made of "Drunken Metal" remains of Floyd's brewing equipment and things Floyd has added from various bars over the years. Some shape changing and regeneration powers of her own, all offense (other than personality based) comes from suit.

Background:
Ever since ERE Day, the Rough Mechanicals have worked together for Truth, Justice, and the American Way of Life. Well, technically, only Red Ink and maybe Ricky have cared about those things, but the others have tagged along. Low on offensive power, the absurd regenerative powers bestowed by the Eternal Red Eye together with over a century and a half of experience have made the group surprisingly formidable, and the accumulated wealth generated by Floyd's pattents (he invented the pub quiz) and Vladislav's investing accumen have made them rich. Floyd has yet to duplicate the ERE, but he swears that it's only a matter of time. Meanwhile, wherever evil rears it's ugly head, wherever good men suffer, wherever the taps break on game night, there you will hear the battle cries of the Rough Mechanicals!

Boozer: You think yer better than me!

Ricky: Woof! Woof!

Barman: Have one on the house!

Red Ink: Time to ballance your accounts lawbreaker!

Still Married: What would you mama think of what you doing!

**Cyragnome** · Jul 19th, '03, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by OddHat
Mixing and matchiing is probably easiest.
Example: The Rough Mechanicals
<snip>

Hilarious!

Bravo!

**JohnOSpencer** · Jul 19th, '03, 04:03 PM

Hermit: The only powered armor character i've come up with is a kid who inherited the armor from it's former(dying) owner. He's just a jock and if it gets busted, he can't fix it.

John Spencer