Part 14: Von Muir p.16-22: "From Archetype to Character"
Von Muir p.16-22: "From Archetype to Character"
Amalia's Archetype is the Exile, a person who has lost what they value most and is dedicated to either winning it back or taking revenge on those who stole it. Whether the precious thing is a person, a place, or simply honor, the Exile drives the story with a consistent and straightforward motivation, and the audience expects the Exile to achieve some form of closure by the end of the story. This Archetype can also be used to create a nuanced and sympathetic antagonist, which can make for a much more interesting central conflict.Examples: Nathan Ford (Leverage), The Bride (Kill Bill), Odysseus (The Odyssey)
Amalia has the Magick and MP to be a primary spellcaster, but also has decent Strength, and she can max out both stats as a Samurai. Amalia also begins with Cure and Blindna, which she can make use of throughout the entire game in any Strength-based job. Good hybrid possibilities include Lancer, Knight, and Time Mage, which will max out Amalia's Strength but make good use of Shades of Black, White Magick, and Time Magick respectively.
Basch's Archetype is the Martyr, a person who willingly devotes their lives to some cause such that they become indistinguishable from that cause. The Martyr is what the Martyr does, and the Martyr does so fully that it becomes what the Martyr is. The Martyr's purpose in the story is inspirational, to be an example of the nobility and perseverance of mankind. As the name suggests, the Martyr may often suffer or die in service of that cause, a common theme in both eastern and western literary tradition, but this is not a significant loss, as the Martyr has, in a sense, already willingly given up their life.Examples: Eli (The Book of Eli), Marcus Cole (Babylon 5), Benton Fraser (Due South)
Basch is a pure fighter, with first-place Strength and HP and last-place everything else. The easiest paths for Basch are as a Knight, building on his strengths, or as an Archer or Hunter, Jobs which can compensate for his low speed. Cross-training Basch into a spellcasting Job will leave him struggling with his limited MP, but, as a White Mage with Greatswords, Basch will be able to compensate and keep his MP full through his damage output.
Together, Amalia and Basch are the representatives of Order. The counterparts to the free-wheeling Sky Pirates, Order is the motive force behind the events of the plot, pushing forward in the face of overwhelming obstacles until they give way. Without their dedication, the other heroes would have fled in self-preservation long ago.
Writing Assignment 3 Choose a Job for Amalia or Basch, and, in 100 words or less each, explain why that Job is appropriate for that character. You may submit an essay for both characters if you wish. For the last time; feel free to use future knowledge of the characters in your essays, but tag it in spoilers if you do. This is particularly relevant to this final pairing.
As a reminder, the remaining Jobs are: Archer, Black Mage, Breaker, Hunter, Knight, Monk, Time Mage, and White Mage.
Writing Assignment 3 due! Picking Amalia's Job from the thread's entries basically came down to one question; is her priority to cause pain, or to heal it? Her cold exterior was certainly convincing of the former for many people, but the essay that convinced me was Schwartzcough's argument for White Mage. What Amalia has taken on for herself is a heavy responsibility, and someone who has seen, and continues to see, what she has seen on a regular basis can be forgiven for not being all sunshine and rainbows. We've already seen her mourn her fallen companions, and sacrifice herself for the sake of three near-total strangers, so we know she isn't heartless. White Mage will eventually have enough offensive capacity to sate her desires for revenge, though, and, at least with Greatswords, she'll have the satisfaction of getting close enough to see the regret in her enemies' eyes.Schwartzcough posted:
Amalia, as the Exile, is dedicated to winning back what she lost. However, in a broader sense she is dedicated to setting things back to how they were- restoring Dalmasca's independence, expunging the festering Imperial infection, and mending the country's wounds. Her role is embodied in the healer, the White Mage, who faces the unpleasant, bloody job before her with grim determination; who confronts the ravages of war and does whatever she can to close the wounds. Never forget that the White Mage's robes are hemmed in red, symbolizing the blood that every healer faces on a daily basis.
Also she can swing a greatsword purdy good.
Finally, Basch, a man clearly with one foot in the present and one in the past. I didn't want to like Indeterminacy's essay because I wasn't particularly interested in having a Time Mage, but the more I think about it, the more sense it makes. He'll have the ranged weapon prowess that the Archer advocates were hoping for, he'll get to keep his Heavy Armor, and he'll come out of his crucible wielding Magicks that are thematically consistent with a life of vows and regrets.Indeterminacy posted:
Unlike Amalia, for whom pride and membership of the resistance have driven her growth and training, Basch has had little but his memories, faith and guilt to give him strength for the last two years. His princess thought long lost, his own name in ruins, his body a shrivelled husk, how has he still clung to his principles and loyalty? Basch's training has been psychological and spiritual, he has grown in wisdom and come to understand more than anyone how powerful a force the passage of Time can be.