Themes

Overview

The theme of a character is not likely to change over the course of one story but it is possible to change one’s theme over a long enough span of game time. It is akin to concept, except it quantifies a goal or at least an ideal that best represents the purpose of the character. Acting within your character’s theme will earn you the most session to session Story Points. Additionally many of the abilities unlocked using Story Points only function within the scope of a character’s theme, therefore theme must be carefully chosen. Below are the 6 broad categories of themes appropriate to characters in the game. Beneath each individual theme is a list of Synonyms that can also function within the scope of the same theme (for mechanical purposes there are only 6 categories of themes to serve an ocean of potential types). If none of the themes presented below suit a player’s character they are welcome to come up with a new theme and assign one of the six archetypes to it.

The Destroyer

Synonyms: Rage, Vengeance, Destruction, Revenge, Hatred, Spite
The destroyer’s goals largely revolve around seeking to destroy that which they hate. Their anger can come from many sources and their targets can be from the extremely specific “that guy must die” to the extremely abstract “mad at the world”. Either way the depths of their rage can at times be limitless and all encompassing, often leading to their own doom.

The Noble

Synonyms: Justice, Honor, Redemption, Balance, Faith, Order, Harmony, Restoration, Truth, Piety
The noble’ goals largely revolve around bringing justice or restoring a balance to something or someplace. It can range from a warm sense of harmony to a cold sense of right or wrong and anything in between. Since the world at large is rarely, if ever, in balance their work will likely never be complete. Nobles often believe in something larger than themselves, even if it is only an ideal, and are very likely to pursue the tenets of these beliefs tirelessly regardless of what may challenge them.

The Master

Synonyms: Expert, Grace, Perfection, Virtuoso, Ego, Purity, Form
The Master’s goals are usually internal as they seek to perfect their own art, or shape their body or mind or world into something unrecognizable from where it began. This drive is deeply rooted within their soul as they seek to control that which resists change. Often the most obsessive of the archetypes this serves as both blessing and curse, blinding them to alternatives but enabling them to focus on their chosen goal with an unmatched tenacity.

The Architect

Synonyms: Creation, Design, Genesis, Production, Engineering, Art
The Architect’s goals are usually focused upon elegance of design and production, creating one or many goods or services that enhance or modify life as we know it. They are driven to see the creations to completion. The architect is not so driven towards a single, internal design as a master, rather they wish to build and create a great many things, always open to a new challenge or idea.

The Protector

Synonyms: Charity, Companionship, Philanthropy, Patronage, Compassion, Divine
The Protector’s goals are usually outward as they seek to either positively change, or actively protect the world around them. They are at their best when other people are relying on them (even if they won’t admit it) and at their worst when totally alone. The protector needs companions and ideas to nurture and protect or else they quickly lose their otherwise unyielding sense of purpose.

The Adventurer

Synonyms: Curiosity, Exploration, Experience, Scientist, Wisdom, Enlightenment
The Adventurer’s goal is the search and learn and discover for the sake of it. In many ways they are the most free of the archetypes, with outlooks ranging from the most sublime search for knowledge to the most intrepid and simple curiosity. The adventurer knows only one thing, where they are is not where they want to be. What they know is not everything that can be known. Their hunger to explore is simply never sated.