Manic Typist Posted June 29, 2006 Report Share Posted June 29, 2006 I've done some thread searches, and have had little luck, so I figured I would just toss it to the masses: What adventuring archetypes can you think of, when it comes to "characters?" I'm writing the backhistory of a country, which was essentially founded when an adventuring group slew the evil dragon, freed the primitive peoples from the orcs, and then started to establish civilization. Here's what I have so far- The Heroes Barbarian/Amazon Samurai Ninja-servant to samurai Prophesized leader of Slave Uprising Thief Knight Ranger/Son of one of the local chieftans Musketeer/Rogue Priest(ess) Mercenary/Mysterious Swordsman Wizard (needs to be multiple kinds) The goal of this is to allow me to combine widely disparate setting feels into the same nation. For instance, the Musketeer established the city of Semona, a very Italian/Musketeer feeling city, while the Samurai will have gone and established a city that will have the look, feel, and focus of feudal Japan. Any other player/character/adventuring archetypes? I know I am missing a LOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cantriped Posted June 29, 2006 Report Share Posted June 29, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Nomad Artificer/Enchanter (crafter of magical items/constructs) Necromancer Sorcerer/illusionist (master of deception and misdirection) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted June 29, 2006 Report Share Posted June 29, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Bard Noble Anarchist Exiled heir/heir in hidding Soldier Avatar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilFleischmann Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Sage/Seeker of knowledge Explorer Sailor Pirate Mad Cult Leader (maybe he even claims to be a god himself) Ambitious Usurper (not necessarily evil - he just knows he could do a better job running the kingdom) Witch/Hedge Wizard/Wise Hermit Seer/Soothsayer Jester Naive Hero in over his head Dealer with Demons/Sold his soul Traveling Merchant & his caravan guards Gypsy Friendly/Misunderstood Monster "Civilized" Orc/Orc who realized the value of intelligence & wisdom Ordinary Guy who stumbled upon a major magical artifact Respected and Revered Leader/King/Priest/Sage who really has no idea what he's doing Wise and Good Leader surrounded by a corrupt court Renegade Officer/Courtier Diplomat/Envoy Duelist (Fantasy version of old west gunslinger - fights just to see who's the best fighter) Some of these overlap a bit. I just plucked them out of my own fantasy campaign world's history, which coincidentally also starts with all the people being enslaved by orcs and rising up to throw off their oppressors. The sage founded a city that now is home to the greatest library and university in the world. The mad cult leader founded a very disfunctional city which took a long time to gain its current strength and prosperity, and its dark past is completely forgotten (and will come back to haunt them ). The hedge wizard very subtly influenced the founding and growth and culture of the city that his hidden home now looks out upon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erkenfresh Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Chivalrous Knights with a sense of humor Warriors dumb as a post who know right from wrong better than most Know-it-all bookworms with no real world experience A Priest that's lost faith in his church The stuck-up Noble that somehow manages to get things done Assassins that flog themselves in punishment for their sins Shepherds that ensure a steady source of wool and meat for the town Could go on and on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eosin Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Archer is the missing stand out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Archaologist Martial Artist/Monk Holy Warrior/Paladin Pacifist/Coward Slave/Lackey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Child Thief Desperate Man/Woman Escaping His/Her Fate Bodyguard to the Noble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Sorcerer - wizz bang magic Healer - maybe religious maybe not healing magic Mage - charmer of creatures Demonist - summoner or demons Elementalist - summoner of elementals, controller of elements Conjurer - crafter of golems Shaman - totemic magic, maybe blood magic Druid - wood/forest/nature magic Psionicist - mental powers Carver - rune magic Blade Dancer - magic through ritual dance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Sentient magic item - sword, ring, hat, glove... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cantriped Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Thief who only steals works of art, and leaves a card the night before stating that the object will be stolen, and when. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufea Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Archer is the missing stand out I've not come across sole archer archetypes - they tend to be multiskilled. Robin Hood was a swashbuckler/archer (or possibly thief/archer) Zen Archers tend to be monks as well Assassins have more than just archery. Thief who only steals works of art' date=' and leaves a card the night before stating that the object will be stolen, and when.[/quote'] I'd call that a Gentleman Thief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Typist Posted June 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Great stuff guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Thieves: The incorrigible and selfish pickpocket/burglar who is almost, but not quite, without morals. The thrill seeker/showoff. The barbarian thug who steals as much by force of arms as by stealth and cunning. The swindler looking to take advantage of an anything-goes situation. The non-flashy professional who takes great pride in his 'work'. Sometimes works for hire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Wizards: The mysterious and seemingly omnipotent old master who, irritatingly, never reveals his true goals or stoops to actually using his godlike power. The apprentice/beginner trying to get by or make a name for himself while simultaneously figuring out this crazy magic stuff. The swindler trying to take advantage of an anything-goes situation. The harried sage, trying to complete some task for his demanding )and possibly corrupt) superiors. The wild talent who has no idea how to control her power or, sometimes, that she even has it. (Often the wild talent is an annoying little kid.) The alchemist, trying to collect that one ingredient that will set him up for life. Usually has competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordGhee Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes demi god demi god's friend warrior maid Noble savage innoble savage ships captain sailior king of thieves prince of thieves petty thief begger jinn soldier spy spirt guide (animial ghost, divine ect -think jason of the agro healer - ect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Typist Posted June 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Alright, what about Cultural Archetypes? What are all the example nationalities and cultures that you can think of for character origins? For instance, the Samurai brings me feudal Japan, while I could use a ninja perhaps to suggest a more neutral Oriental flavor. The Knight gives me the Germanic/British feel, while the Florentine Rogue/Musketeer gives me the Italian/Renaissance feel... Arabian thief, African sorcerer, what more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Animal Shapeshifter Werewolf Werebear Weretiger Wererat Wereboar Werehawk Werebat Vampire Vampire Hunter Demon Hunter Troll Slayer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer84 Posted July 1, 2006 Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes The "Noble Savage" style warrior A northern Berserker Highlander Warrior Pirate/Sailor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Typist Posted July 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Highlander Warrior brings me the the Irish/Scottish, alternate peasant flavor. Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Man Posted July 2, 2006 Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Most cultures have some variants of the wandering wizard and bard/storyteller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilFleischmann Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes At some point we cross the line from "archetypes" into merely "types," and thence into "whatever we can think of." It starts to remind me of that other game system's current incarnation with over 60 different core classes and 700+ "prestige classes" - and that only includes the ones put out by the publisher, not including all the third-party system licenced books. Anyone familiar with fantasy literature or movies is familiar with the brave and noble knight, the dashing swashbuckler, the wily thief, the huge-muscled barbarian, the wise and mysterious wizard, etc. But I doubt any of us have ever come across a "Soulborn" or a "Hexblade" or a "Favored Soul" or a "Psychic Warrior" in any source material (other than those novels based on the game system, perhaps). Eventually, they get downright silly. What does the Wizard do? "I harness the arcane energies to create wonderous magical effects." What does the Fighter do? "I use my cunning and skill at arms to slay my foe." Sure, we got it. But WTF is a "Sand Shaper"? "I build sandcastles." War Weaver? "I make battle flags on the loom." Wave Keeper? "I also serve..." Archivist? "I write stuff down." Dracolexi? "I think I'm an imprted sportscar." Bereft? "I lose things." Shadowcaster? "I stand in bright sunlight." Master of Shadow? "This one is an eagle. This one is a dog's head." Walker in the Waste? "I maintain sewers." Horizon Walker? "I go far away." Shadow Dancer? "I writhe naked behind a screen." Dragonsong Lyrist? "I write songs about dragons." Chaotician? "I'm a math nerd." Seeker of the Song? "I browse in record stores." Urban Soul? "I guess I must be black." Gatekeeper Mystagogue? Apostle of Peace? Troubador of Stars? Deathwarden Chanter? Master of the Unseen Hand? Ardent Dilettante? All of the above are actual classes/prestige classes from WotC-published books. I write them down occasionally because they amuse me and make me realize how much money I'm saving by not playing that game anymore. As to cultural archetypes, what exactly are you asking for? A list of cultures where a character might be from? Just get yourself an atlas or a globe for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gojira Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Not cultural: an ordinary person who gets caught up in events (think the protagonist in Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped, or Frodo). So maybe: unwilling hero duty bound hero kid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gojira Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Cultural hero: The Foreigner Examples: The Thirteenth Warrior, an Arab joins twelve Norsemen on a quest. The Monk, a Zen Buddhist priest in a medieval campaign. The Anointed, a foreigner who comes to fulfill a prophesy he didn't know about. (Kagomi in the manga & anime Inu Yasha, or Frodo in LotR.) The Merchant, a foreigner who is embroiled in local plots while trading. (Pilot in the movie & book Samaria) The Diplomat, a foreigner who arrives on a diplomatic mission (The Dolphin in Henry V) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manic Typist Posted July 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Re: Adventuring Archetypes Excellent stuff. I'm trying to see if I can roust up any specifc, niche cultures that I might overlook, on say, an atlas. A pygmie? Nah.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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