RPG Character Creation Using Tarot: Part 1
05 Aug 2011 2 Comments
Earlier this week I posted a brief introduction to my idea for using Tarot to create characters for table-top roleplaying games (RPGs), and mentioned specifically a new game setting I am in the process of writing, called “Renaissance”, that utilizes Tarot for this purpose, as well as using it as a mechanic throughout the gameplay. This blog briefly gives you an idea of how character creation with Tarot works, and I’m certain you can use it for any RPG if you tweaked it a little.
In Renaissance you have a wide variety of character options available to you. Character classes are not given; instead you choose from one of 22 possible archetypes to play – the choice is yours as to how that archetype manifests and flourishes within Italian society. There are also 16 different personality types you can give your character, allowing you to decide how the character interacts with society, what masks he or she wears in social situations. Finally, your character’s skills and abilities are split into four categories, and whilst there are suggestions for possible skills and abilities to give your character, you can create them to suit your vision.
There are two ways you can create a character:
- Randomized
- Selected
Randomizing your character is quick, simple, and useful when you wish to create a character in a rush for instant gameplay. However, selecting each part of your character is better for a longer campaign or intense roleplay. For randomization you will need either a Tarot deck, or a way of choosing randomly between the numbers 0-21 and the numbers 1-16. You will need a playing card deck if you do not have a Tarot pack available.
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Choose your Archetype.
To do this, you will be using the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Tarot pack. Either chosen randomly or selected, your Archetype represents the inner calling of your character. It is their desires, motives, background and true being.
0 The Fool – The Journeyman, the seeker, the foolish, the carefree wanderer. I The Magician – The Trickster, the one with a trick up his sleeve. II The High Priestess – The Intuitive, the psychic, the student of the mysteries and occult. III The Empress – The Creative, the mother, the nurturer, the carer for others. IV The Emperor – The Ambitious, the politician, the diplomat, the power-hungry. V The Hierophant – The Traditionalist, religious figure, the teacher and historian. VI The Lovers – The Aesthete, the lover, the seeker of beauty and unity. VII The Chariot – The Competitor, the one with something to prove. VIII Strength – The Warrior, the muscle, the crusader, the brute force. IX The Hermit – The Lone Wolf, the solitary loner, the withdrawn. X Wheel – The Gambler, the risk taker, the chaotic and unpredictable. XI Justice – The Judge, the seeker of equality and fairness. XII The Hanged Man – The Martyr, the willing sacrifice. XIII Death – The Nihilist, the one seeking to vanquish the self. XIV Temperance – The Peacekeeper, the uniter of opposition, the mediator. XV The Devil – The Hedonist, the materialist, the greedy one. XVI The Tower – The Destroyer, the entropist, the broken one. XVII The Star – The Optimist, the hopeful one, the dreamer, the idealist. XVIII The Moon – The Spy, the rogue, the one with many secrets. XIX The Sun – The Celebrant, the bon vivant, the one who lives life fully. XX Judgement – The Phoenix, the overcomer of obstacles, the one with many old selves. XXI The World – The Eternal Student.-
Choose your Personality Type
The personality type is merely a suggestion to aid you in roleplaying your character. It will give you a framework within which you can discover how your character interacts with other characters, the immediate environment, and how he or she reacts when in social situations. Whereas the Archetype of your character is their true self and motives, the Personality Type is the mask they wear most of the time, and how they wish other people to see them. It may not be the same mask that they wear for those closest to them, who are more likely to know their true self. The details in brackets give you a skill that your Personality Type is especially skilled at, in which you later gain bonus points.)
Page of Cups – Artist (Knowledge: Art) Page of Coins – Apprentice (Literacy) Page of Wands – Mischief Maker (Pyrotechnics) Page of Swords – Inventor (Knowledge: Architecture)Knight of Cups – Playboy/girl (Flirtation) Knight of Coins – Loyal Companion (Listen) Knight of Wands – Jack of all Trades (Bluff) Knight of Swords – Opportunist (Fencing)
Queen of Cups – Muse (Performance) Queen of Coins – Benefactor (Bargain) Queen of Wands – Social Butterfly (Persuade) Queen of Swords – Teacher (Knowledge: General)
King of Cups – Healer (Medicine) King of Coins – Investor (Appraise) King of Wands – Master (Nobility) King of Swords – Strategist (Martial Arts)
A later blog post will detail the acquisition of skills for your character, as well as how to resolve skill checks.
Aug 05, 2011 @ 17:08:23
I absolutely LOVE this idea! As a fan of both tarot and tabletop RPGs, I can’t wait to read more. So glad I found your blog!