Siri Macallan says, "First, I'd like to say that the discussion of archetypes sometimes gets people upset. They're linked to religions, mythologies and psychology ... and each of those 'philosophies' view them differently. I'd just like to make it clear up front that tonight the ONLY way I'm using any of the terms given is from a purely storytelling or character-creation viewpoint."

Siri Macallan says, "So if you're feeling like I'm attacking something you hold dear, I'm not."

Siri Macallan grins.

Siri Macallan says, "When we build characters we often start with a stereotypic image of something, then add flesh to it from there. And unless you've got a pre-conceived notion of a character in mind before you hit the Character Manager, that's what the current system lends itself towards. We're told to pick a profession. From there we add onto the character."

Siri Macallan says, "Building characters/personas in this fashion is drawing upon stereotypes -- the taking of certain external qualities or observed actions and making a judgement on the character as to who they are."

Siri Macallan says, "A Private Investigator wears a slouch hat, and drinks hard liquor ... often. An Academician totes books and papers, wears glasses and spouts million dollar words. A Secret Agent wears a trench coat, and meets people in dark places at suspect hours of the night."

Siri Macallan says, "All these things MAY be true, and they're certainly what we expect (in a lot of cases) of these professions/types of people based on what we've seen in the past in movies, TV or by what we were raised with."

Siri Macallan says, "But they may also be untrue."

Siri Macallan shrugs.

Siri Macallan says, "And that's the problem with stereotypes, they're not the whole story, and they're based on outward perception. As a cookie cutter basis for character creation, it's fine. But once you have your spectacle wearing, book-toting academic, where do you go from there?"

Siri Macallan says, "Archetypes, on the other hand, deal with internals."

Siri Macallan says, "For characters, they represent what we do, why we do it, what we fear, what we need to overcome in our lives."

Siri Macallan says, "If we look at a pocket watch, a Stereotype says: It's old-fashioned. It's gold. It's expensive. It's fussy. It's high maintenance. It's unreliable next to today's technology. An Archetype explains: It has gears and springs and is used for this purpose. This is why you don't submerge it in water, and this is why you wind it up. One is based on perceived notions. The other is based on what makes it work and why."

Siri Macallan says, "Let's talk about the specifics of archetypes now."

Siri Macallan says, "Carl Gustav Jung popularized the term 'archetype' in his writings on psychology. He had two meanings. I'm only going to work with his second meaning tonight."

Siri Macallan says, "Jung used the word 'archetype' to mean 'mythological image'. For Jung, myths were not inventions, but were rather representations that reflect real ways the mind perceives and reacts to the world."

Siri Macallan says, "In post-Jungian psychology, 'archetype' came to mean the basic patterns of human consciousness -- or how we think, and why."

Siri Macallan says, "In other words, they are blueprints for the self."

Siri Macallan says, "Which is perfect for building characters once you know what archetypes are out there, and what each of them brings with it as baggage. Think of them as pre-made packets of basic motivation to which you just add your creativity and voila! A completely unique character!"

Siri Macallan says, "Before I get into the actual individual archetypes, I want to go over a few concepts on which you can hang those archetypes. Again, these all come from Jung, but I'm using them for character creation purpose, not psychological ... "

Siri Macallan says, "So if this seems somewhat counter to what you learned in Psych 101 ... Well, it probably is."

Siri Macallan smiles.

Siri Macallan says, "Jung had five of these ... I'm only going to talk about three."

Siri Macallan says, "For your convenience, I've listed out the generalities of what I'm about to go over on the whiteboard here."

Siri Macallan says, "Each character has different levels of motivation. I liken characters to filing cabinets at times -- Each drawer contains a different file, a different set of information on the character."

Siri Macallan says, "Now, you can make your character a one drawer person, or a five drawer person. It's up to you, and how in-depth you want to go with your creation. I'm just offering what's there, and you can take the ball and run with it."

Siri Macallan says, "In psychological terms we all supposedly have all of the drawers. Happily we don't have to take the full meal deal when we're storytelling."

Siri Macallan says, "The first drawer is the 'Shadow'."

Siri Macallan says, "The Shadow is the dark side. It's the side of our characters that either they're ashamed of and hide, or that they won't admit to and deny that they have."

Siri Macallan says, "The Shadow is that side which has been proclaimed as socially or individually taboo, and so is fascinating even though we're not supposed to get near it."

Siri Macallan says, "In popular culture, the Shadow is seen in characters like the Batman, the Spider Woman (as in The Kiss of), even Robin Hood. They're dangerous, desirable, dark beings -- not necessarily evil. Just dark or taboo. It's what your character has to hide about himself ... not necessarily dark deeds done, but why the dark deeds were done. It's the motivations you don't want to admit to."

Siri Macallan says, "It represents our character's subconscious mind."

Siri Macallan says, "The second drawer is the 'Soul'."

Siri Macallan says, "For character creation purposes, the Soul is the outward manifestation. It's what we let everyone see. It's where people assume their stereotyping from. It's the motivations which are bright and shiny and perfectly clear. It's what we'll admit to being. It's part of the mask we wear daily."

Siri Macallan says, "It's our character's consciousness."

Siri Macallan says, "The third drawer is the 'Self'."

Siri Macallan says, "The Self is really what I call the end of the chapter in the storytelling process. The Self is when your character has merged their Shadow and their Soul, becoming evolved, or enlightened, or one with the Universe. Whatever you want to call it."

Siri Macallan says, "When the character reaches 'Self' he or she has has slain the dragons laying in wait, found the grail, come to grips with his own demons, and is ready to move on."

Siri Macallan says, "Galahad achieved his grail and ascended into heaven. Lancelot did not. Enoch is taken up in a chariot of fire. Darth Vader, in Return of the Jedi, dies balanced between dark and light. Both served their purpose, and now both are balanced."

Siri Macallan says, "Once the 'Self' has been realized, it's time for a new adventure. Time to pick a new archetype."

Siri Macallan says, "Okay, those are the drawers into which you can place your archetypal images. Now let's get into the nitty and gritty of what images there are in our collective minds."

Siri Macallan says, "There are twelve basic archetypes found in most literature, mythos, religions, etc., and they can be found in narratives as far back as the first recorded stories in all cultures."

Siri Macallan says, "All characters follow at least one of these whether by design or by happenstance. More complex characters have a mix of two or more."

Siri Macallan says, "The twelve are: The Innocent, Orphan, Warrior, Caregiver, Seeker, Lover, Destroyer, Creator, Ruler, Magician, Sage and Fool."

Siri Macallan says, "Carol Pearson has taken each of the archetypes and has set down the predetermined fears, obstacles, tasks/quests, and rewards for each."

Siri Macallan says, "Fear: This is the fear which is usually the motivating factor for undergoing the quest (why else would the hero need to put herself at risk?) It is also the principal danger that lurks in the shadow of the archetype."

Siri Macallan says, "There's that word ... 'Shadow'."

Siri Macallan grins.

Siri Macallan says, "Dragon: In most quests the hero soon meets the dragon. This represents the major problem or obstacle of the quest -- the opposition that must be overcome in order for the quest to be successful. "

Siri Macallan says, "Task: This is the task that the hero must accomplish in order to succeed at the quest. Succeeding at the task is usually sufficient to overcome the dragon; however failure to do so can lead to becoming what the hero fears most -- his dark self, or shadow."

Siri Macallan says, "Virtue: Succeeding at the quest earns the hero these rewards of self. In addition to the hand of the princess, the castle, and the gold."

Siri Macallan says, "While each of these things may very well come with some tangible manifestations in the game, these five are primarily internal. They're what the character is seeking for self, trying to overcome for self, etc."

Siri Macallan says, "I'll give you one example of a new character based on two of these archetypes, so you can see how all of this gets put together. Then I'll show you the worksheet for the session, and I'll open the floor for questions."

Siri Macallan smiles.

Siri Macallan says, "Here's a quick look at a character I created for a live game that meets every other week. Since I was writing all this stuff up when we were putting a new group together, I thought I'd use it."

Siri Macallan chuckles.

Siri Macallan says, "She was created by writing the archetypes on slips of paper, and then drawing two at random."

Siri Macallan says, "The character's outward expression (Soul) is that of the 'Creator' archetype."

Siri Macallan says, "Her quest is to gain identity in her world. Discover fully who she is and what her place is in the world."

Siri Macallan says, "Her fear is of being seen as illusionary, or not 'real', or not worth being 'counted'."

Siri Macallan says, "Her dragon or opposition is that she is illegitimate in a society where legitimacy counts for a very great deal. And while others may get over this, it's a stigma SHE needs to get past."

Siri Macallan says, "Her task is to self-create and self-accept. To be who she is regardless of social pressures."

Siri Macallan says, "Her reward or virtue will be to gain individuality and vocation. To be herself, and be able to give of herself without fear of rejection due to social situations."

Siri Macallan says, "So that's what's on the outside. That's what she knows about herself, and what the world can mostly see. On the shadow side of her, however, she's got another level of motivations -- ones she doesn't admit to because they indicate 'weakness'."

Siri Macallan says, "Her 'Shadow' is the Orphan."

Siri Macallan says, "Her quest is to regain safety. She doesn't admit that that's what she wants, but that IS what she wants."

Siri Macallan says, "Her fear is of being exploited."

Siri Macallan says, "Her dragon or opposition is the fact that in her desire for safety she will unknowingly place herself in positions where she may very well be exploited."

Siri Macallan says, "Her task, what she needs to achieve is to process and feel pain fully. In other words, she needs to figure out what's going on, and then get past it -- not just ignore it or deny it."

Siri Macallan says, "What she gains would be interdependence and realism."

Siri Macallan says, "Now ... some of this stuff may never, ever manifest in the game. But because I've plotted out how her conscious and subconscious mind works, where her motivations stem from, I can have her be someone completely unique ..."

Siri Macallan says, "Someone who is other than myself, as her 'archetypes' aren't my personal ones. I'll also be able to have her experience breakthroughs as situations play themselves out in the campaign."

Siri Macallan says, "To recap, archetypes are all internal machinery. It's what makes your character tick way deep down. They're the reason the character chooses medical school instead of becoming a surfer bum. They're the reason they ditched medical school to become a surfer bum. They're the reason they don't let anyone close to them, or they let everyone in."

Siri Macallan says, "They're why our characters do what they do."

Siri Macallan shifts her weight.

Siri Macallan says, "Now, some people don't care to get this deep into the creation process. But for those that do ... this is for you."

Siri Macallan drops a worksheet.

Siri Macallan smiles.

Siri Macallan says, "Here's the worksheet, and now I'll open up the floor for questions and comments."



*** ARCHETYPAL CHARACTERS ***

The following has been adapted from Carol Pearson's book, "Awakening the Heroes Within", which in turn is based on Joseph Campbells' "Hero with a Thousand Faces." (credit given where credit is due). Any one of these archetypes can exemplify a person/character during different phases in the course of his or her life's journey. Examples in parentheses have been taken from various sources (Tarot, Greek mythology, modern mythology, literature, and the works of C.G. Jung).

Innocent
Quest: To remain in safety.
Fear: Being abandoned.
Dragon: Will deny it or seek outside rescue from it.
Task: To gain fidelity and discernment.
Virtue: Trust and optimism.

Orphan (Widow, Prisoner, Beast)
Quest: To regain safety.
Fear: Being exploited.
Dragon: Will be victimized by it.
Task: To process and feel pain fully.
Virtue: Interdependence and realism.

Warrior (Knight, Crusader, Avatar, Jedi, Champion)
Quest: To win.
Fear: Weakness.
Dragon: Will slay or confront it.
Task: To fight only for what really matters.
Virtue: Courage and discipline.

Caregiver (Sidekick, Guardian, Madonna, Guide, Shepherd, Healer)
Quest: To help others.
Fear: Selfishness.
Dragon: Will take care of it and those it harms.
Task: To give without maiming self or others.
Virtue: Compassion and generosity.

Seeker (Druid, Hermit, Galahad, Jack the Giant Killer)
Quest: To search for a better life.
Fear: Conformity.
Dragon: Will flee from it.
Task: To be true to the deeper self.
Virtue: Autonomy and ambition.

Lover (Aphrodite)
Quest: To gain bliss.
Fear: Loss of love.
Dragon: Will love it.
Task: To follow bliss.
Virtue: Passion and commitment.

Destroyer (Outlaw, Death, Sycophant, Spy, Aries, Pluto, Thief, Rebel)
Quest: To metamorphosis.
Fear: Annihilation.
Dragon: Will allow dragon to destroy oneself.
Task: To let go.
Virtue: Humility.

Creator (Empress, Madonna, Architect, Poet, Diva)
Quest: To gain identity.
Fear: Of being illusionary.
Dragon: Will claim it as part of oneself.
Task: To self-create and self-accept.
Virtue: Individuality and vocation.

Ruler (Captain, Noble, Judge, Governor, Emperor, Hierophant, Chariot, Sith, Zeus)
Quest: To create order.
Fear: Of creating chaos.
Dragon: Will find constructive uses for it.
Task: To take full responsibility.
Virtue: Responsibility and control.

Magician (Smith, Alchemist, Colonist, Thespian, Scribe, Storyteller, Temperance, Hepheastus, Vulcan, Rebel)
Quest: To transform.
Fear: Of assuming evil sorcery.
Dragon: Will transform it.
Task: To align self with the cosmos.
Virtue: Personal power.

Sage (Beauty, Priest, Justice, High Priestess, Athena, Judgement, Jedi, Oracle)
Quest: To find truth.
Fear: Deception.
Dragon: To transcend it.
Task: To attain enlightenment.
Virtue: Wisdom and non-attachment.

Fool (Jester)
Quest: To enjoy life for its own sake.
Fear: Of being not-alive.
Dragon: Will play tricks on it.
Task: To trust in the process of becoming.
Virtue: Joy and freedom.


EXPLANATIONS:

Fear: This is the fear which is usually the motivating factor for undergoing the quest (why else would the hero need to put herself at risk?) It is also the principal danger that lurks in the shadow of the archetype.

Dragon: In most quests the hero soon meets her dragon. This represents the major problem or obstacle of the quest -- the opposition that must be overcome in order for the quest to be successful.

Task: This is the task that the hero must accomplish in order to succeed at the quest. Succeeding at the task is usually sufficient to overcome the dragon; however failure to do so can lead to becoming what the hero fears most -- his dark self, or shadow.

Virtue: Succeeding at the quest earns the hero these rewards of self. In addition to the hand of the princess, the castle, and the gold ... follow the Hero Quest.


BIBLIOGRAPHY and CREDITS for sources used in Forum:

Joseph Campbell, "Hero with a Thousand Faces"
I Ching
Tarot, Greater Arcana
"Bullfinches Greek Mythology"
Sallie Nichols, "Jung and Tarot"
Carol Pearson, "Awakening the Heroes Within"
"Archetypes" Copyright 1997,1998,1999 Lon Koenig Games

Good links:

http://www.thecards.com -- Archetype Cards
http://www.dom.net/wrd/new/arch -- "The Modern Archetypes"
http://archetype.webjump.com -- Archetypes in Literature





*CHARACTER/ARCHETYPE WORKSHEET*

*Character Name:

*Which archetype most represents what your character sees themself as?
- Why?
- What is your character's main emotional fear?
- What is the main obstacle which prevents him/her to move past the fear?
- Is this something which can be changed through in-game RPing, or would
it be done "off-camera"?
- What is the personal task/knowledge your character needs to obtain or
accomplish in order to evolve?
- Do you want your character to evolve?
- How do you think the "virtue" for this archetype would manifest for
your character?

*What is the archetype which represents your characters "Shadow" side?
- How does this "dark side" reveal itself to others on the island, or
to your character?
- What does your character think would be the consequences if this side
of them was revealed to others?
- How does your character feel about their repressed side, assuming they
are aware of it?

*Which archetype would others (friends, associates, family) choose to sum up
your character's outward presence?
- Is it the same archetype as the one you chose?
- If not, why?


You may send your completed worksheets to Siri at MO-Siri@play.net for further discussion.