Of the 22 Archetypes, the first 12 are The Knowledges. They represent the accumulation of worldly knowledge and aptitude. Each of these Archetypes has 5 ranks (as have all Archetypes and Abilities). Each rank bestows a +1 to any skill checks pertaining to the realm of the ‘Skill keywords’. This allows a loose interpretation of skills to fit the situation. The GM will explain which Archetypes to add to the roll (possibly multiple). If the player has any ranks in the types listed, he/she adds up all ranks in all the listed types for the bonus.
Many Abilities list a Knowledge Archetype as a prerequisite.
Lastly, there are the 3 Formations formed by adding each of the 4 domain Archetypes up:
- Soul = Artist + Philosopher + Trickster + Shadow
- Mind = Architect + Summoner + Scientist + Warrior
- Body = Knight + Priest + Musician + Assassin
These are common rolls to resist attacks and harmful affects, test against highly generic conditions, apply contests, etc. In as such, Knowledge Archetypes can be thought of as a combination of
Karma - Soul – Void – Anicca – Mutable
- Artist - (Temperance, Sagittarius, Fire) – middle way, calm, beauty
Skill keywords: visual arts, creation, imagination, painting, arts and crafts, and art appreciation, fashion - Philosopher - (Hermit, Virgo, Earth) – solitude, mercy, research
Skill keywords: investigation, languages, philosophy, writing, research, programming (language)
- Trickster - (Lovers, Gemini, Air) – harmonious opposites, desire, bonding
Skill keywords: glib, bluff, acting, diversion, distract, seduce, drama, street smarts
- Shadow -(Moon, Pisces, Water) – secrets, hidden, anxiety, doubt, fear, illusion
Skill keywords: hide, move silently, palm, sneak, disguise, acrobatics, tracking, trailing
Energy - Mind – Chaos – Anatta – Cardinal
- Architect - (Emporer, Aries, Fire) – responsibility, long term thinking, strategy
Skill keywords: strategy, tactics, military, structure, formation, architecture, communication, communication systems, programming
- Summoner - (Devil, Capricorn, Earth) – domination, power, uncontrolled energy
Skill keywords: demonolgy, business, finances, legal systems, haggling, merchantile
- Scientist - (Justice, Libra, Air) – intellect, reason, balance
Skill keywords: scientific method, physical sciences, scientific equipment, medicine, biological sciences, technology
- Warrior - (Chariot, Cancer, Water) – victory, bravery, pride
Skill keywords: melee weapons, melee weapon crafting, physical skills, climbing, running, swimming, lifting, morale, intimidation
Coherence - Body – Form – Dukkha – Fixed
- Knight - (Strength, Leo, Fire) – inner strength, compassion, perseverance
Skill keywords: armour, armour crafting, defense systems, security systems, piloting, vehicles, navigation, drive systems, power systems
- Priest - (Hierophant, Taurus, Earth) – belief, knowledge, group coherence
Skill keywords: social sciences, history, culture, etiquette, sociology, taxonomy, factions, occult, religion, memetics
- Musician - (Star, Aquarius, Air) – tranquility, calmness, harmony, trust, inspiration
Skill keywords: music, musical instruments, oration, empathy, animal training, riding, psychology, interrogation
- Assassin - (Death, Scorpio, Water) – regeneration, change, conclusion, loss, inescapable
Skill keywords: ranged weapons, ranged weapon crafting, ranged weapon identification, forensics, demolitions, poisons, traps, weapons systems
Stay tuned – next up is the 6 Sense Archetypes