Talislanta Archetypes List

Below is a list of all the character archetypes from the Talislanta books. They are sorted alphabetically and are cited with their most complete definition in each edition they appear in.

A typical archetype reference, a full archetype, is a complete character description. It comes with an illustration, and has game stats, skill and equipment lists, campaign information, and role-playing tips. Other archetype references are not so clear cut. I've taken the tack that, if a character description uses game terms, it's an archetype; if it doesn't, then it's just a game-world title rather than an archetype. Unless otherwise noted, all archetypes are full archetypes.

Skills only means that there is an NPC listed somewhere who has this archetype. The NPC does have his stats, skills, and equipment listed. You could probably infer a full archetype if you put a little work into it, but if you did, you would find that it did not match any existing full archetypes.

Name only means that there is an NPC listed somewhere who is described as an nth level character with this archetype. However, no skills or stats are given for this character, so you're on your own with it.

Picture only means that there is a picture of the archetype listed among the other full archetypes, but there is otherwise no description of it. Oh well.

Same as means that the character archetype was renamed between editions, but otherwise seems unchanged.

Although the Talislanta Worldbook is listed elsewhere as a third edition reference, it is listed here as a second edition reference. It is classified as such because it uses many of second edition names for certain races and archetypes. For example, it refers to the bird-like folk of Vardune as the Ardua, rather than the Aeriad.

I also listed the archetypes from the Cyclopedia Talislanta (vol I) as first edition references because it's convenient. It was published before the second edition handbook, so it kind of qualifies.

You can check the abbreviations page for an explanation of the reference abbreviations.

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Last modified: Wed Dec 27 14:53:51 PST 2000.