Changing Personality Types

Players are encouraged to alter the above personality types in any way they see fit. Characteristics of one personality can be combined with characteristics of another to create brand new types (Brooding Commanders are possible, as are Obsessive Mystery Men). The DM is also free to modify the personality types and make suggestions to his players. As always, the DM has the right to forbid the players from choosing extreme personalities for their characters; for instance, the DM might decide that Mercenaries are too disruptive to his campaign and suggest an alternative to his players.

Sometimes, a player might wish to change his character's personality. Maybe the character has matured and outgrown his old personality type. Or maybe the character has reached a turning point in his life that has forced him to change his outlook or rethink his philosophy.

Since the personality types are not governed by a strict set of rules, players can change them whenever appropriate. However, such changes should be rare, and typically should mark a major turning point in his life; a player should not change his character's personality just for the sake of trying something new. A personality change should develop naturally out of the events of the campaign, perhaps as a result of a catastrophic event; for instance, an Altruist might become a Brooder because a friend or family member was brutally murdered by a hoard of pillaging orcs.

Following are some ways such changes might occur.

The Altruist may become disillusioned when a formerly trusted companion sells him out or when he realizes that his good intentions are unappreciated by the commoners he has vowed to defend. This Altruist might then become a Brooder. If his altruism turns to cynicism, he might decide to become a Mercenary.

The Brooder may experience an enlightening event that gives him a more positive attitude; for instance, he could earn the admiration of a child or he could fall in love. Since he is sensitive and introspective by nature, a former Brooder could become a Counselor.

The Commander could become fed up with the constant responsibility for the others in his party, or the burden of command could begin to overwhelm him. Depending on his disposition, he could become a Brooder, a Counselor, an Altruist, or even an Intimidator. Regardless of his change (unless he is consumed with bitterness or completely amoral) he'll still have leadership tendencies and likely will find the urge to give orders impossible to resist.

The Counselor isn't likely to change, since his personality type is associated with maturity and experience. He could temporarily become a Commander if no one else was available, but most other personalities are so contrary to his nature that he would find it difficult to change himself.

The Intimidator is not likely to change much, either. Possibly, falling in love or experiencing some other dramatically positive experience could soften him enough to make him consider changing his outlook. In time, a reformed Intimidator could become a Counselor, or he could eventually assume the duties of a Commander.

The Mercenary could easily become an Obsessive if he becomes consumed with acquiring an impossibly large amount of treasure or locating an artifact that does not exist. Exposure to the world's impoverished and neglected might encourage him to change his ways and become an Altruist.

The Mystery Man could become just about any other personality type (except a Neophyte) once he decides to abandon his veil of secrecy.

The Neophyte will eventually become more mature and lose his youthful naivete. His experiences in the campaign will probably suggest a new personality for him. (Note that it is extremely unlikely that a character will change from his current personality into a Neophyte; that would probably require the character to lose his memory and become young again.)

The Obsessive will not change unless he gives up his obsession, in which case he will likely become a Brooder. If he reaches his goal, he could become nearly any personality type.

The Showman might be forced to assume more responsibility and become a Commander, or he could become disillusioned with constantly trying to win the approval of others and become a Brooder. If he begins charging money for his performances, he might be tempted to become a Mercenary. A Showman bent on developing the ultimate magical effect might risk becoming an Obsessive.

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