Archivists

No one is born a hero.

An Archivist is a person capable of bonding with Chronikin. The life they lived before adventure, represented by their Expertise, shapes the talents, instincts, and choices they bring to the journey.

What Is Expertise?

Your life before the legend.

No one is born a hero. Popular characters throughout stories and legends often have complete lives before they are thrust into adventure. Think of an Expertise as your character's vocation or occupation before the event that placed them upon the path of an Archivist. It represents their experiences leading up to the beginning of their adventure.

There are twelve Expertises to choose from. Your choice determines many of the unique actions, skills, and bonuses your Archivist will have at their disposal as the character progresses through the game world.

Each Expertise is composed of three Aptitude Ranks: Novice, Apprentice, and Professional. As your Archivist grows in experience, you may continue within the same Expertise to unlock new ranks and additional Aptitude Traits.

Every Expertise is also divided into four separate Lifepaths. Each Lifepath contains three Skill Tiers: Beginner, Adept, and Master. These skills directly affect the game, and players are encouraged to employ them in unique and creative ways.

Players may specialize within a single Expertise or branch into different Expertises and Lifepaths at certain points during character progression.

Finally, each Expertise is linked to a different Chronikin Archetype. This connection affects the modifiers and bonuses an Archivist may receive during play. A player may maximize a focused specialization or incorporate skills drawn from many different backgrounds.

Character Philosophy

Specialize or branch out.

Your Expertise represents who your Archivist was before the journey began, but it does not have to define who they will eventually become.

Develop a focused specialization, combine skills from unexpected backgrounds, or allow the events of the story to reshape your Archivist's path.

Twelve Expertises

Choose the life that shaped you.

Each card presents an Expertise overview and its four Lifepaths.

01

Athlete

The Athlete prides themselves on physical ability and constantly pushes their body to the limit. Whether they were involved in organized sports or simply loved a challenging trek, every mountain, river, or cross-country journey is another opportunity for improvement. Athletes train both body and mind. Decisions requiring immediate action are second nature, and they are always searching for a tactical advantage.

Lifepaths

Track and FieldClimberLifterMartial Artist

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

02

Diplomat

The Diplomat is a natural orator and persuader. They are skilled at mediating conflict, and their insight into complex interactions extends beyond that of most people. Whether raised around politics or involved in local councils, they wield words like a skilled smith wields a hammer, constructing arguments capable of winning over even steadfast opposition. Their preferred path is one without violence, where words overcome fists and victory ends with a handshake.

Lifepaths

AristocratConciliatorAdvocatorBroker

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

03

Entertainer

The Entertainer is a performer at heart, and the world is their stage. Whether an aspiring actor, practiced gymnast, musician, dancer, or poet, they have always captured the attention of others. Their performances inspire emotions that border on the supernatural. They never shy away from the spotlight and welcome every opportunity to showcase their talents. Their story is a show, and they are the main attraction.

Lifepaths

AcrobatDancerMusicianDaredevil

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

04

Innovator

The Innovator sees the world as a collection of working pieces and seeks to fit them together. Whether raised by an architect or trained as a mechanic's apprentice, they understand how things work. That understanding does not leave them content with simply repairing what already exists. They constantly seek to make things better, whether improving Chronikin equipment or creating entirely new gear for unusual situations.

Lifepaths

SmithArchitectEngineerTailor

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

05

Instructor

The Instructor excels at managing and encouraging others. Whether you mentored aspiring athletes or directed a cast of actors, your ability to inspire, command and even chastise are a notch above the rest. You are a natural leader in your own way and what you lack in direct involvement, you make up for with facilitating a goal.

Lifepaths

TaskmasterGuruHandlerForeman

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

06

Investigator

The Investigator delights in solving mysteries and puzzles that appear impossible to the untrained eye. Whether raised by a detective or naturally drawn to life's mysteries, they understand that the world is filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered. Their perception is exceptional, and little escapes their deductions. This makes them a constant threat to anyone attempting subterfuge.

Lifepaths

Field ResearcherInterrogatorBounty HunterAgent

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

07

Physician

The Physician practices one of the world's oldest professions, focusing on the health and longevity of others. They may come from a long line of healers or have been raised within a temple devoted to health. Their understanding of medicinal items and the anatomy of both people and Chronikin gives them an advantage when caring for their companions. As caregivers, they understand the plight of others, and their bedside manner reflects that compassion.

Lifepaths

SpiritualistWound TenderSalverApothecary

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

08

Ranger

The Ranger is most comfortable outdoors. Whether raised in deep forests or high mountains, the wilds are their domain. They know which berries are safe and which bring sickness. Their knowledge of local flora and fauna is extensive, and knowing what to seek or avoid is second nature. Rangers make excellent guides through the untamed world, and their survival skills are unmatched by the uninitiated.

Lifepaths

HunterTrapperNavigatorForager

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

09

Roughneck

The Roughneck is no stranger to conflict. For one reason or another, trouble has followed them, and they have always responded in kind. They understand that getting ahead sometimes requires getting their hands dirty. When faced with hardship, they know how to survive. Though not always a bully, a Roughneck may pursue noble intentions through methods that are considerably less noble.

Lifepaths

BruiserEnforcerOutlawThug

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

10

Scholar

The Scholar transitions from their former life into the role of an Archivist almost seamlessly. Being surrounded by books throughout childhood has made them well versed in many subjects. Whether devoted to a specific school of thought or determined to gather as much varied information as possible, their mind is filled with knowledge. Even so, they continue seeking new discoveries and are never satisfied with their current understanding of the world.

Lifepaths

AstronomerPhilosopherChronikinistHistorian

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

11

Swindler

The Swindler has always remained one step ahead of their marks. They know the streets, and the streets know them. Avoiding direct conflict, they prefer a silver tongue to an iron fist. A Swindler may come from almost any background, but a wicked wit and plentiful charisma remain constant. Their life rests in the hands of chance, leaving them one roll away from either the jackpot or an empty purse. Fortunately, they remembered to bring loaded dice.

Lifepaths

Con ArtistForgerGamblerScoundrel

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.

12

Traveler

The Traveler is never content to remain in one place for long. Whether they spent their early life traveling abroad or working for a cartographer's guild, they understand the roads and cities scattered throughout the world. Navigation is a series of connecting points, and they know how to move efficiently from one destination to another. Their journeys have also made them familiar with travel by land, sea, and air.

Lifepaths

UrbanitePilgrimSailorRider

Future abilities and features will be added as development continues.