A grand world is an empty stage without players to walk upon it. In this episode of Lore & Love, we move from world-building to character creation, exploring how to craft heroes and villains who feel less like game pieces and more like people with a soul. We discuss how to use archetypes as a starting point, not a destination, and dive into the techniques that give characters depth and drive.

Using detailed examples from the Storm Kin Saga, we'll apply the "But Why?" game to uncover the true motivations of a character like the warrior Evandar, and we'll explore how to create a compelling fatal flaw that is intrinsically linked to a character's greatest strength. Learn how to transform a simple archetype into a complex, relatable person whose internal conflicts are as compelling as any sword fight.