Echoes of Creation (30k/Exalted)

MYTHOS
In the vast tapestry of the Warp, the Primarchs are not merely individuals but living embodiments of stories, their very essence intertwined with the narratives that define them. If the Fae from Exalted are living stories, the Primarchs are Characters in a Story reflected in the Warp.

Consider the tale of the Lion, akin to the legend of King Arthur. The Lion's Mythos tells of his slaying of the "Dragon," the beasts of Caliban, and his ascension to kingship. He gathered his "knights of the round table," the knightly orders of Caliban, and faced a "Mordred" figure in Luthor, his once loyal companion turned traitor.

In the climactic battle, the Lion was "fatally" wounded by Luthor, only to be "Sent to Avalon," a place of healing and rest, returning when his presence was most needed.

As for his powers, before the Great Rift, he was renowned for his unbeatable swordsmanship, wielding a blade akin to Excalibur. This prowess allowed him to overcome even Konrad Curze, the Night Haunter, in combat, though Curze chose to yield rather than face defeat.

After the fall of Cadia, the Lion gained the ability to teleport, appearing where he was most needed, both in battle and in times of crisis.

Now, this is not a 1 to 1 comparison and there were a TON of differences but this is the "Broad" strokes of it. Lorgar has his own overlapping Narrative and accordingly has his own weaknesses. This does not need to be External. Take Magnus for example. His downfall was entirely his own. Magnus WAS wise. This was quoted by multiple characters in the books. But Magnus suffered from the curse of Hubris. His arrogance was his Achilles heel.

ARCHETYPES
Each Primarch embodies various archetypes, reflecting different aspects of their Mythos and indicates which part of their Mythos they are most embody the best:

• Human Archetype: Who they are, all Primarches have this as champions of humanity.
• Elemental Archetype: What they are, such as Light for Lorgar.
• Conceptual Archetype: What they aspire to be, like Holy for Lorgar.

These archetypes shape how the Primarchs interact with the world, how they manifest in their powers, how they see the world and their potential ultimate fate.

These also determine what the Primarch's fatal flaw is, for all things MUST have a flaw. No Character can be perfect, not even the Emperor. Everything MUST have a flaw. A character trait that can POTENTIALLY lead them to their doom. A crack in their otherwise perfect armor.

ASPECTS
Aspects are the focal points of these archetypes, enhancing the Primarch's abilities when invoked in actions. The more aspects of each archetype involved in an action, the greater the boost to their rolls.

For example, a Primarch aligned with one aspect of all 3 of their Mythos gains significant bonuses to all their actions, reflecting their deep attunement to their story's narrative.

Mythos: So long as he is performing something related to an Aspect of all 3 Archetypes of his Mythos, successes from rolls of all action gain a (x8), for an Aspect related to at least two Archetypes of his Mythos, successes from rolls of all action gain a (x6) and for all actions not related to his Mythos successes from rolls of all action gain a (x4).

SPECIALIZATION
Each Primarch's Mythos grants them specializations that influence their preferred approach to problems:

• Physical: Primarchs may excel in physical feats, such as combat and athleticism.
• Social: Some Primarchs may be adept at diplomacy, leadership, and social interactions.
• Mental: Others may show prowess in strategic thinking, knowledge acquisition, and problem-solving.

A Primarch can only have two Specializations. The Primary, go to option and a secondary option if the Primary fails. While Primarchs excel in their primary and secondary specialization, they are not inept in the others. They can still perform well in areas outside their expertise, albeit at a lower bonus.

Consider the example of the Lion. His Mythos primarily focuses on physical prowess, symbolized by his swordsmanship and the myth of Excalibur. He also demonstrates mental acuity, shown through his strategic thinking. However, his upbringing in the wild and the civil war on Caliban, influenced by the failures of King Arthur, hinder his social skills.

This specialization gives the Lion a significant advantage in physical combat. He can ignore the superhuman advantages of others in combat, allowing him to overcome seemingly unbeatable foes, as though he was one of the Exalted. This advantage reflects the power of Excalibur, the legendary sword he wields.

However, this specialization comes with a flaw. The Lion can lose Avalon, the sheath of Excalibur, which diminishes his strength and brings him down to the level of his adversary, akin to the downfall of King Arthur at the hands of Mordred, or in this case, Luthor.

Despite this flaw, it is not a guaranteed downfall. The Primarch must find a way to overcome this flaw and escape its consequences, showcasing their resilience and ability to transcend their mythos.

PROGRESSION
Primarchs can develop new powers under extreme stress, aligning with their archetypes and aspects. These powers reflect their growth and evolution within their story's narrative. This stress need not be a physical threat and can be social or mental challenges.

A Primarch can also NEVER develop powers not related to their Specialization. So the Lion can never develop Social based powers.

ADAPTATIONS
Primarchs can adapt to their environments and genetic codes, mirroring the worlds and people around them. This adaptation allows them to thrive in diverse environments but may limit their recruitment pool to those similar to their adopted worlds.

The first is adaptations to thrive in the initial environment that they find themselves in. The Second is changes in their Genetic code to better mirror the people they find themselves with.

Take Russ and Vulcan for Examples. Both adapted to their Worlds and even looked like they belonged there. Both Legions had a MUCH easier time recruiting from those worlds at the cost of recruiting from anywhere else.

DEMIGODS
Primarchs are Artificially created demigods, possessing the powers of a god but also the freedom of choice of a mortal. While they may embody a mythos that influences their actions and abilities, they have the capacity to transcend these constraints through their choices. Unlike gods, who are bound by their myths, Primarchs can act outside the confines of their mythos, though such actions will not be boosted by their mythos.

This freedom of choice is a defining feature of Primarchs and all other demigods, allowing them to make decisions that go against their inherent nature or narrative. While their mythos may guide them, they are not slaves to it and can forge their own path. This ability to choose sets them apart from Gods, who are bound by their myths and cannot deviate from them.

This duality of nature, possessing the power of a god yet the freedom of a mortal, makes Primarchs and other Demigods unique and complex beings. It allows them to navigate the challenges of their existence and shape their own destinies, transcending the limitations of their mythos and becoming something more than mere characters in a story.