(because the obvious things might need saying)
[ ] Idea - Hermit (Generalised)
-[ ] The Hermit, like many Tarot cards, has a simple aesthetic. 'a cloaked old man upon a mountain, bearing a lantern and staff', attached to the word 'Hermit'. and from this come its themes and iconography. An old man, so the Hermit is wise; a Hermit, so he is isolated, but this too must be wisdom, or form it. And religious isolation is particularly core to the word 'Hermit', so the isolation is a cultivation of his wisdom... And that is about as far as is obvious, but leaves the cloak, the mountain, the lantern and the staff in the lurch. One interpretation states he is atop the mountain peak, so all can see him, and be guided by his lantern (of truth); that his staff helps him navigate narrow paths. Paths, of course, are metaphorical here- it is to aid him in 'success in tasks otherwise treacherous'. So here we have our first answer for what the Hermit is: a man of great wisdom at the peak, showing all his location, that they may rise. A Hermit of this kind begins with great power, primarily mental but also in precise-execution, who inspires others to gain similar might.
-[ ] But other interpretations are possible. The hermit faces forwards, his journey is not over; he leads by example of his continued travel. For that matter, what of his cloak, 'a form of discretion', and his staff? If he is motionless at the peak, he needs it no longer. No, the cloak and staff suggest that the Hermit, though at one peak, yet intends to attain another; that his lantern is for his own journey first and foremost. Otherwise, discretion is a contradiction in terms. The Hermit can shrug off his cloak if he wishes, guide others by his lantern and his stature, but he is not self-sacrificing. The glimmers seen past his discretion are fair game, but the hermit is self-sufficient; he can and will manage alone, travelling unseen from each peak. At least, until he reaches the next, because the lamp is nonetheless as described, suited to guide the unknowing. At each peak, he may reveal his position and inspire others to follow, but he will not wait there forever. The next peak beckons. A Hermit of this kind perhaps begins with some minor power, but is suited foremost by cloak and stick to developing the next silently; then, another peak attained, he reveals himself and inspires others to follow. If we travel in full literalism, his powers likely suffer during each training period past the first- to reach the next peak, one must descend partly down the mountain just-summited. at this level of metaphorical argument that is not a necessary conclusion; but if taken, the Hermit is also naturally incentivised to perform the classical action of a hermit, withdrawing himself from events, while he travels to the next peak, lest he be caught in a weakened state.
-[ ] Or perhaps the Hermit is neither of these. In divination, the card represents prudence, circumspection, treason, dissimulation, roguery, and corruption. Yet where is the treason, the roguery and corruption? By divinatory meaning the Hermit is clearly in exile; either once-betrayed or a rightfully-outcast once-betrayer, the hermit conceals his nature accordingly in prudence against reprise. And with mystical associations disregarded, his situation is clearly such; alone atop a mountain, with no dwelling or visible supplies. By first association, that sort of Hermit must betray or be betrayed, but then nobody would pick the role, so instead- A Hermit of this kind is familiar with and knows easily whether betrayal approaches, and how to avoid it on his journey towards enlightenment. Still, the interpretation is far inferior to the former duo- useful, but excessively situational, only relevant as an add-on to some other. (though in similar vein one might suggest the Hermit a former or future radical, who will 'corrupt' and commit 'treason' against the currently-flawed social order; a more ripe, but more dubious, path.)
-[ ] Some other meanings which don't fit cleanly into a holistic story-of-the-role but deserve acknowledgement: the Hermit denotes long-term healing and recovery; this suggests a regenerative ability that isn't especially fast but works unfailingly if given time. The Hermit is considered to denote Virgo, so representing logic, practicality, perfectionism, and digestion-of-food; this suggests mental enhancements... and digestion-of-food. Hermit represents 'seeking the inner voice or calling upon vision from within', suggesting divinatory capabilities as well as self-understanding. It also represents 'A need of understanding and advice, or a wise person who will offer knowing guidance', but these are representations of why a not-hermit needs the hermit, so as powers it implies the ability to understand others and advise them. also, the lantern of truth has a six-pointed star, which is associated with judaism, which in a context like this suggests the hermit has some knowledge of the kabbalah, perhaps like in Unsong. And the Hermit is considered the older-wiser version of the Magician, so one might argue the Hermit should have a similar powerset, except more practical/unified- 'wise', one might say- and with less raw power; this could be used to structure the specifics of his travel from peak to peak in Variant 2, perhaps.
[ ] Idea - general between roles
-[ ] Cards with physical things as part of their identity (like the Hermit's Staff) should gain some amount of benefit to the associated powers from having appropriate physical items to use the ability through, increasing as the item's appropriateness does and as the roles general power increases.
-[ ] (ie: a second-type Hermit would gain stealth from a cloak, inspire others better and 'travel' more quickly with a lantern, and 'travel' more quickly and be more easily able to avoid problems with a better stick; but no item would directly increase the amount of power he gains from his current 'peak', only the ease at which he reaches the next, because he's not carrying around a mountain to stand on.)
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