Wiki / Archetypes

Archetypes (Playbooks)

Each archetype has a primary WAVE stage and 4 moves. Used for choice privileging in quest design. See also Emotional Alchemy and The 4 Moves.

Earth (Kun)

The Devoted Guardian. Nurturing strength. You hold space so others can rise.

Primary WAVE: Show Up

Wake UpCheck on how everyone is feeling.

Open Up—

Clean UpAbsorb a blow meant for someone else.

Grow UpDemand care for yourself.

Show UpEmpower an ally to do the impossible.

Fire (Li)

The Truth Seer. Radiant clarity. See and speak what is real.

Primary WAVE: Wake Up

Wake UpCall out the elephant in the room.

Open Up—

Clean UpIlluminate a hidden truth.

Grow UpSoften your truth with compassion.

Show UpReveal the solution everyone was avoiding.

Heaven (Qian)

The Bold Heart. You act when others hesitate. Start things with creative force.

Primary WAVE: Show Up

Wake UpInitiate action before you feel ready.

Open Up—

Clean UpBreak a stalemate through sheer will.

Grow UpRealize not everything needs your spark.

Show UpTransform "stuck" into "already happening".

Lake (Dui)

The Joyful Connector. Open delight. Bring people together through joy.

Primary WAVE: Show Up

Wake UpShare something genuine with a stranger.

Open Up—

Clean UpTurn a tense moment into a playful one.

Grow UpSet a boundary to protect your joy.

Show UpNetwork everyone into a cooperative force.

Mountain (Gen)

The Still Point. Deliberate stopping. Know when to hold your ground.

Primary WAVE: Show Up

Wake UpStop moving when everyone else is rushing.

Open Up—

Clean UpCreate a sanctuary in chaos.

Grow UpMove before you feel completely safe.

Show UpBecome an immovable object.

The Bold Heart

Element: Heaven (Qian). The one who acts when others hesitate.

Wake UpCosmic Vision: See the grand pattern that connects all things.

Open Up—

Clean UpDragon's Breath: Burn away doubt and hesitation.

Grow UpSovereign Path: Develop leadership through taking responsibility.

Show UpInitiative: Be the first to act, setting the direction for others.

The Danger Walker

Element: Water (Kan). The one who thrives in chaos and danger.

Wake UpDepth Perception: See beneath the surface to hidden currents.

Open Up—

Clean UpDissolution: Let go by allowing things to dissolve naturally.

Grow UpAdaptive Learning: Grow by flowing around obstacles.

Show UpPersistence: Act like water—find every crack, never stop.

The Decisive Storm

Element: Thunder (Zhen). The one who acts in the crucial moment.

Wake UpShock Awareness: Let sudden insight shake you out of complacency.

Open Up—

Clean UpStorm Release: Express stuck energy through dramatic catharsis.

Grow UpRapid Activation: Grow through bold experiments and quick pivots.

Show UpFirst Strike: Act decisively before conditions change.

The Devoted Guardian

Element: Earth (Kun). Selfless protector who holds space for others.

Wake UpGround Sense: Feel the truth of a situation through your body.

Open Up—

Clean UpComposting: Transform decay into fertile ground.

Grow UpSteady Cultivation: Grow through patient, consistent practice.

Show UpHold Space: Act by receiving and supporting others.

The Joyful Connector

Element: Lake (Dui). The one who brings people together through delight.

Wake UpJoyful Recognition: See truth through delight and pleasure.

Open Up—

Clean UpLaughter's Release: Let joy dissolve what heaviness remains.

Grow UpGenerous Exchange: Grow through giving and receiving freely.

Show UpInvitation: Act by creating openings for others to join.

The Still Point

Element: Mountain (Gen). The one who knows when to stop.

Wake UpStill Point: Find clarity in absolute stillness.

Open Up—

Clean UpStone Silence: Release through stopping completely.

Grow UpInner Heights: Grow by going inward and upward.

Show UpImmovable Stand: Act by refusing to move.

The Subtle Influence

Element: Wind (Xun). The one who changes everything gradually.

Wake UpSubtle Perception: Notice the small signs that reveal big truths.

Open Up—

Clean UpGentle Dispersal: Let old patterns scatter like leaves in wind.

Grow UpGradual Influence: Grow by slowly permeating new territories.

Show UpIndirect Action: Act through suggestion and gentle pressure.

The Truth Seer

Element: Fire (Li). The one who sees and speaks what's real.

Wake UpIllumination: See clearly by bringing light to dark corners.

Open Up—

Clean UpPurifying Flame: Burn away impurities to reveal the essential.

Grow UpRadiant Development: Grow by sharing your light with others.

Show UpDeclare: Act by making your position brilliantly clear.

Thunder (Zhen)

The Decisive Storm. You act in the crucial moment. Shock the system awake.

Primary WAVE: Show Up

Wake UpSense the tension building to a breaking point.

Open Up—

Clean UpDisrupt a stagnant situation instantly.

Grow UpWait for the PERFECT moment.

Show UpSeize the initiative with shocking force.

Water (Kan)

The Danger Walker. Thrive in chaos. Flow where others fear to tread.

Primary WAVE: Clean Up

Wake UpHead directly toward the most dangerous thing.

Open Up—

Clean UpAdapt your plan completely mid-stream.

Grow UpFind a moment of safety and accept it.

Show UpTurn a disaster into a flowing victory.

Wind (Xun)

The Subtle Influence. Gentle persistence. Change everything without being seen.

Primary WAVE: Show Up

Wake UpNotice the small crack in the defense.

Open Up—

Clean UpGently push a conversation until it changes.

Grow UpStep into the spotlight and be seen.

Show Up Reveal you changed the outcome ten minutes ago.

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