Archetypal Fantasy Characters Part III

King/Queen: A ruler of a nation – a role one is typically born into. A King or Queen may be benevolent or cruel, intelligent or foolish, generous or greedy - there are many different varieties of Queens and Kings, with no two being the same.

Knight: Chivalric knights of legend, dressed in shining armor, championing the weak and downtrodden, Knights follow a code of honor, are know for being kind, and charismatic. Intelligent, strong, and often pious, Knights are we3ll-trained and courageous warriors, skilled with both the blade and the lance. On foot or on horseback, the Knight is deadly combatant; he takes no prisoners but fights to the death.

Little Folk: An individual of diminutive size with hairy feet and a love of food that sometimes borders on gluttony. Little Folk encompass several types of fantasy beings such as Brownies, Leprechauns, Elves and Fairies. They often seem to be possessed of extraordinary luck (both good and bad).

Lizardman: A large, green, scaled biped with the head and markings of a lizard. Extremely strong and agile, but not very bright, the Lizardman is a savage, uncultured, beast. Lizardmen are barbarous warriors skilled with the use of primitive weapons, such as spears and clubs. They are not very sophisticated, and neither are their weapons of choice.

Mercenary: As the name suggests, these are blades for hire, Mercenaries are traveling warriors who sell their services to the highest bidder. They have no allegiance to anyone but themselves. Typically they have great strength and possess talents such as horsemanship, unarmed combat and first-aid in addition to numerous weapon skills. What they lack in knowledge they more than make up for in bravery.

Merchant: A broker of material goods (or, sometimes information), the Merchant makes a living by buying and selling things. Typically, Merchants have an above average intellect and possess talents such as assessing the value of items, running a business, and making opportunities turn their way.

Monk: Monks are stereo-typically bald, robed, silent individuals who have dedicated their lives to the study of religious and spiritual matters. Very intelligent, Monks are purely non-combatant individuals, although they make excellent wines and sweetbreads. Additionally, Monks are well-versed in history, dragon-lore and theology.

Necromancer (Wizard) : A practitioner of magic who specializes in understanding and manipulating the undead. A Necromancer is an expert when it comes to communicating with and resurrecting the dead, as well as animating and controlling both dead bodies and skeletal remains. Dark and mysterious, Necromancers aren’t well-liked in most places, often being targeted by Witch Hunters. They practice dark arts which consumes them.

Ork: Savage, dirty brutes, known more for their brawn then brains. They have not evolved into socialization, they are more of a “missing link” type creature and Orks are... well... dumb. Past possessing some skill with primitive weapons and the occasional crude sword, Orks don’t have much talent in other areas. Orks communicate with a series of grunts and growls, stoop when they walk, and generally project the image of being heathen scum.

Peasant: The Peasant is an unskilled laborer that spends their days tilling fields, picking grapes, and grinding flour at the mill. Some peasants aspire to greater things in life, but many are content to remain indentured servants to the kingdom. That said, Peasants do have an understanding of mob tactics and can wield farm implements as though they were weapons and can, when the situation calls for it, be quite a force to reckon with.

Physician: A specialist in treating both injuries and illnesses, the Physician is extremely well-learned in the healing arts, both of medical and natural origin. Physicians are generally charismatic people who genuinely care about helping their fellow man, often risking their own health in order to do so. A Physician is invaluable to the adventuring party that has wandered far from civilization. In fantasy they often have a working knowledge of some magic for the intent and purpose of diagnosing and finding treatment for their patients.

Pirate: An accomplished sailor and swordsman, they can be a dashing, agile, figure - that robs, plunders, loots, and steals from others to feed himself. He can also be part of a pirating crew that rarely think for themselves and plunder for treasure to divide among surviving plunderers. Usually, but not always, the Pirate is married to the sea and a certain ship upon it, having sworn an oath of loyalty to a grizzled, old, Sea Captain.

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