attributes: raised on the streets of the city, the orphan is destined to face life without a reassuring hand on his shoulder. he is the rat scurrying in the shadows, he is the feral dog searching the trash for food. without a mother or father to look after him, one would think that his life would be tragic and short. not so.

 

the orphan is optimistic about the future and never gives up hope that someone will come along and become the father that he never had. this archetype's fate is inextricably entwined with that of the gunslinger, the heroic warrior who has made it his life to protect those unable to fend for themselves. although either may fight his destiny, they will soon find that they need each other; each complimenting the other in many ways. the orphans youth and lust for life inspiring the once cynical and brooding warrior -- and in turn being inspired by the elder's experience, wisdom and sense of purpose.

 

taboo: the orphan must never give up hope. he must face his hardships head on and survive. the orphan must also never lose sight of his past, for his feral soul carries with it a flame that mustn't ever go out.

 

symbols: ragged clothes, unkept hair and smudged skin don't quite mask the glimmer of life that shines in the eyes of the orphan. his animals are the stray dog and the rat, symbols of survival among the savage streets of the city.

 

suspected avatars in history: the orphan archetype first appears in greek myths concerning the shield boys of the great heroes. young and naive, they are neverthless indispensible allies to the men they serve. because they exist in the shadow of greatness, the orphan in history has remained an elusive figure.

 

channels:

 

1%-50%: the orphan has tapped into the pattern of The City, the archetypal pattern that flows through all urban centers. he knows what streets are safe and what streets are not. he can find a warm place to sleep and where to get food. this knowledge is instinctive. more specific information ("where does the local gang captain hang out?") can be gleaned through a successful avatar: orphan skill check.

 

51%-70: at this level, the orphan has attuned himself to the creatures of the city (stray cats and dogs, rats, bird and even raccoons). they will protect him from harm and carry our simple requests. the orphan cannot speak with them, per se...this is more like a strong rapport with the animals than any kind of "beast speak" ability.

 

71%-90%: the orphan is know capable of filling people with pity for his plight. anyone who interacts with the orphan will feel a strong maternal/paternal urge toward him and try to help him out in any way that they can. those attempting to interfere with the orphan's life (from violent street people to uncaring social workers) may only do so if they roll a soul check and fail.

 

91%+: the avatar has now established a psychic link with the gunslinger and knows how locate him. from then on, the orphan will follow the gunslinger and become schooled in the fighting arts so that one day the orphan will take his place. the orphan will instinctively know the approximate whereabouts of his mentor, as well as his state (sleeping, wounded, etc). the orphan also gains the ability to flip-flop any roll that he makes when escaping danger.

 

when the gunslinger ascends or dies, the orphan is handed the mantle of the gunslinger and is expected to follow in his mentor's footsteps. a new avatar of the orphan will eventually serve the newly made warrior.

 

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