Everything listed in this document is merely a starting point. None of these archetypes will have any lasting impact or limitation on your character going forward. These are just meant to inspire creativity by giving it some constraints # Core Archetypes --- These archetypes are the base line of what a character does and functions in a party. These are more mechanical than narrative and most of all deal with what role this character will play in the party. I'll list common classes that fit each role, but keep in mind, there is most likely a way to build a character around any of the core archetypes with any class. ## The Bow Nimble and deadly. Able to deal consistent damage from range... and slippery enough not to get caught. Always Ranged and of average constitution. **Common Classes**: Ranger, Rogue, Fighter, Warlock ## The Controller Controlling the battlefield with magic and cunning. Usually dealing a good amount of damage but more focused on limiting the opponents. Frail but often with cards up their sleeve. Almost always ranged. Often tasked with identifying items, research, and dispelling magic. **Common Classes**: Wizard, Bard, Druid ## The Duelist Smart and dangerous. Dealing tons of damage with an average constitution. The one to move behind the frontline and take fights with foes from advantageous positions. Most often melee but rarely looking to be tanky. **Common Classes**: Blood Hunter, Rogue, Fighter, Warlock ## The Fireball Destroying foes with pure magic. The one to deal lots of AOE damage. Usually focused on damaging magic over utility. Extremely frail and an easy target. Almost always ranged. **Common Classes**: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard, Druid ## The Saint Healing your allies, and buffing their strength. Usually an all rounder who can buff, debuff, heal, damage, and control. On the frailer side of things but able to survive with access to many different abilities **Common Classes**: Cleric, Bard, Druid ## The Shadow Someone who is first thought in danger is to sneak around and hide. Probably good at lockpicking, sleight of hand, stealth, etc... Could be ranged or melee. Often does a lot of damage but is frail, although hard to actually hit. The Shadow is often tasked with scouting ahead, disabling traps, unlocking doors, and spying on targets. **Common Classes**: Rogue, Ranger, Monk ## The Shield Big shining plate and a shield. The one to take hits and shrug them off. Probably has lots of HP, a high armor class, and is in melee. Often not doing as much damage as the others but using abilities and their body to protect others. **Common Classes**: Fighter, Paladin, Barbarian ## The Sword Lots of damage, never afraid to fight. The one to deal lots of damage but still hits and hold down the line. Mostly in Melee, doing lots of damage consistently and taking damage in turn. **Common Classes**: Paladin, Barbarian, Fighter # Narrative Archetypes --- Below you will find a list of archetypes that largely represent common characters we see in media. Each archetype has a list of characters from other media as touch stones. Additionally each character has a sentence describing their struggle or character arc. At the bottom of each archetype there is an example generic character arc that is common for characters of this archetype. Each of these narrative archetypes is meant as a layer on top of your core archetype. Giving you both a physical role and narrative conceit. Feel free to play around and think of things that may not be something you expect. Follow whatever you find interesting. Even if you don't know why you like the idea just write it down and we can talk about it later. ## The Charismatic A smooth-talking con artist who always has a trick up their sleeve. - **Sly Cooper** (*Sly Cooper*) – Balances his thieving ways with a sense of justice and loyalty to his friends. - **Han Solo** (*Star Wars*) – Transforms from a self-serving smuggler to a selfless hero. - **Dr. King Schultz** (*Django Unchained*) – Uses his cunning to fight for justice, even at great personal cost. - **Captain Jack Sparrow** (*Pirates of the Caribbean*) – Balances self-interest with unexpected acts of heroism. **Character Arc:** From self-serving opportunist to someone who uses their skills for a greater cause. --- ## The Devoted A healer who sees their divine mission as a calling, even when others doubt their faith. - **Mercy** (*Overwatch*) – Struggles with the morality of using her healing gifts in a war-torn world. - **Caduceus Clay** (*Critical Role*) – Balances his faith with the harsh realities of the world. - **Lissa** (*Fire Emblem*) – Grows from a cheerful healer to a strong leader who inspires others. **Character Arc:** From unwavering faith to understanding the complexities of morality and sacrifice. --- ## The Disgraced A disgraced aristocrat fighting to reclaim their family’s honor. - **Zuko** (*Avatar: The Last Airbender*) – Learns that honor is something that only he can give himself. - **Lucina** (*Fire Emblem*) – Fights to prevent a dark future, even at the cost of her own happiness. - **Lelouch Lamperouge** (*Code Geass*) – Sacrifices everything to create a better world. **Character Arc:** From reclaiming honor to embracing a greater purpose. --- ## The Exiled A royal on the run, hiding their true identity while plotting to reclaim their throne. - **Zagreus** (*Hades*) – Defies his fate and fights to escape the underworld, discovering his true self. - **Percival de Rolo** (*Critical Role*) – Reclaims his family’s legacy while grappling with the cost of vengeance. - **Aragorn** (*The Lord of the Rings*) – Embraces his destiny as king while remaining humble and just. **Character Arc:** From exile to reclaiming one’s rightful place through growth and sacrifice. --- ## The Grizzled A mercenary with a strict code, hunting down targets for gold or justice. - **Din Djarin (The Mandalorian)** (*Star Wars*) – Learns to prioritize compassion over his strict code. - **Geralt of Rivia** (*The Witcher*) – Balances his mercenary work with a growing sense of morality. - **John Wick** (*John Wick*) – Seeks vengeance but ultimately fights for a chance at peace. **Character Arc:** From cold professionalism to finding a deeper sense of purpose. --- ## The Haunted A hero bound by a dark past or terrible curse, seeking redemption or a way to break it. - **Geralt of Rivia** (*The Witcher*) – Struggles with his cursed existence while protecting those he loves. - **Vash the Stampede** (*Trigun*) – Bears the weight of his past while striving to protect others. - **Ashitaka** (*Princess Mononoke*) – Seeks to break his curse while mediating between humans and nature. **Character Arc:** From being defined by the curse to transcending it through selflessness. --- ## The Idealist A young knight-in-training who dreams of glory but struggles with the harsh realities of battle. - **Eliwood** (*Fire Emblem*) – Learns to balance idealism with the sacrifices required of leadership. - **Sokka** (*Avatar: The Last Airbender*) – Grows from a brash teenager into a strategic and selfless leader. - **Finn** (*Star Wars: The Force Awakens*) – Transitions from a loyal soldier to a hero who fights for his own beliefs. **Character Arc:** From naive dreamer to a mature leader who understands the cost of heroism. --- ## The Jaded A sellsword who’s seen too much and fights only for coin, not ideals. - **Din Djarin (The Mandalorian)** (*Star Wars*) – Learns to prioritize compassion over his strict code. - **Geralt of Rivia** (*The Witcher*) – Balances his mercenary work with a growing sense of morality. - **John Wick** (*John Wick*) – Seeks vengeance but ultimately fights for a chance at peace. **Character Arc:** From cynicism to finding a cause worth fighting for. --- ## The Nature-loving A protector of the wilds who struggles to balance civilization and the natural world. - **Radagast** (*The Hobbit*) – Learns to take a more active role in defending nature. - **Princess Mononoke (San)** (*Princess Mononoke*) – Struggles to reconcile her love for nature with her growing empathy for humans. - **Doric** (*Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves*) – Balances her loyalty to nature with her bonds to her companions. - **Keyleth** (*Critical Role*) – Grows from an unsure leader to a confident protector of both people and nature. **Character Arc:** From isolation to finding harmony between nature and civilization. --- ## The Orphaned A scrappy survivor who learned to fend for themselves in the slums. - **Vin** (*Mistborn*) – Grows from a distrustful thief to a leader who inspires hope. - **Ellie** (*The Last of Us*) – Learns to trust and love again after a life of loss and survival. - **Aladdin** (*Aladdin*) – Rises from poverty to prove his worth through honesty and bravery. **Character Arc:** From survivalist to finding a sense of belonging and purpose. --- ## The Outcast A former criminal trying to escape their dark past while hiding their identity. - **Spike Spiegel** (*Cowboy Bebop*) – Confronts his past and finds closure through his relationships. - **Thane Krios** (*Mass Effect*) – Seeks redemption for his past as an assassin while battling a terminal illness. - **Vax’ildan** (*Critical Role*) – Struggles with his identity and finding a place to fit in. **Character Arc:** From running from the past to confronting it and finding redemption or peace. --- ## The Outlander A stranger from a distant land or plane, struggling to adapt to unfamiliar customs. - **Aang** (*Avatar: The Last Airbender*) – Learns to balance his duties as the Avatar with his personal desires. - **Shepard** (*Mass Effect*) – Bridges the gap between species to unite the galaxy against a greater threat. - **Stitch** (*Lilo & Stitch*) – Transforms from a destructive experiment to a loving family member. **Character Arc:** From outsider to finding a place in a new world. --- ## The Performer A charming performer who uses their talents to hide a dangerous double life. - **Scanlan Shorthalt** (*Critical Role*) – Learns to balance his humor and charm with genuine vulnerability. - **Danny Ocean** (*Ocean’s Eleven*) – Uses his charisma to pull off heists while protecting his team. - **Tyrion Lannister** (*A Song of Ice and Fire*) – Uses his wit to survive and fight for justice in a corrupt world. **Character Arc:** From hiding behind charm to embracing authenticity and purpose. --- ## The Reluctant An ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances, unsure if they’re up to the task. - **Frodo Baggins** (*The Lord of the Rings*) – Bears the burden of the Ring while struggling with its corruption. - **Percy Jackson** (*Percy Jackson & the Olympians*) – Grows from a confused teenager to a confident hero. - **Katniss Everdeen** (*The Hunger Games*) – Transforms from a survivor to a symbol of rebellion. **Character Arc:** From reluctance to embracing the role of a hero. --- ## The Scholarly A bookish mage obsessed with uncovering ancient secrets, often to their own detriment. - **Gandalf** (*The Lord of the Rings*) – Transforms from a wandering advisor to a leader who inspires hope. - **Dumbledore** (*Harry Potter*) – Learns from his youthful mistakes to become a wise and selfless mentor. - **Caleb Widogast** (*Critical Role*) – Overcomes guilt and trauma to use his magic for good. - **Edward Elric** (*Fullmetal Alchemist*) – Learns the value of human life and the limits of power. **Character Arc:** From obsession with knowledge to understanding the responsibility that comes with power. --- ## The Vengeful A character who sacrifices themselves for a greater cause, often driven by a desire for revenge or justice. - **Kelsier** (*Mistborn*) – Plans to kill god for taking away his life and loved ones. - **Inigo Montoya** (*The Princess Bride*) – Achieves his revenge but finds a new purpose in life. - **Thorfinn** (*Vinland Saga*) – Transforms from a vengeful warrior to a seeker of peace. **Character Arc:** From vengeance to self-sacrifice for a greater good. --- ## The Veteran A battle-hardened warrior tormented by the horrors they’ve witnessed. - **Joel** (*The Last of Us*) – Learns to love and protect again after losing everything. - **Kiritsugu Emiya** (*Fate/Zero*) – Struggles with the moral cost of his actions and seeks a better path. - **Arthur Morgan** (*Red Dead Redemption 2*) – Seeks redemption for his past sins in his final days. **Character Arc:** From being consumed by guilt to finding redemption or purpose. --- ## The Wanderer A mysterious figure with no memory of their past, searching for clues to their identity. - **Robin** (*Fire Emblem: Awakening*) – Goes from not having any identity to finding purpose in the people around him. - **Allen Walker** (*D.Gray-man*) – Uncovers his past and learns to embrace his cursed powers. - **The Man with No Name** (*The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly*) – Remains an enigmatic figure, but his actions reveal his moral code. **Character Arc:** From searching for identity to defining oneself through actions and choices. --- ## The Zealous A holy warrior driven by an unshakable sense of justice, even if it borders on fanaticism. - **Artorias** (*Dark Souls*) – Falls to corruption but inspires others to continue his fight. - **Beowulf** (*Beowulf*) – Struggles with his legacy and the cost of his heroic deeds. - **Siegfried Kircheis** (*Legend of the Galactic Heroes*) – Remains loyal to his ideals, even at great personal cost. **Character Arc:** From rigid idealism to understanding the complexities of justice.