A self is not a thing to be found, but a role to be played.

Core Concept

The Thespians are a species who have taken Lexia’s core philosophy—that identity is performance—and made it their biological imperative. They are a race of actors in a cosmic theater, for whom the ultimate art form is the living of a life. They do not have a single, fixed form; they have a repertoire. Their bodies and minds are mutable canvases, temporarily but completely reshaped to inhabit a chosen archetypal role, a “Persona-Mask.” Their existence is a constant, profound exploration of what it means to become.

Physiology & Biology (The Vessel)

The Thespian body is a marvel of willed, temporary adaptation. It is a vessel designed not for a single state, but for a vast library of potential states.

• Core Morphology: [Mutable Humanoid]. In its “un-masked” state, a Thespian’s form is often described as “unfinished” or “pale,” a neutral canvas of simple, androgynous features. This is a rare sight, as most Thespians consider being without a role a state of profound social and existential nudity.

• The Persona-Mask: The core of their biology is the ability to adopt a Persona-Mask. This is not a physical object, but a deep, psycho-somatic state. Through a profound meditative ritual known as “The Method,” a Thespian chooses an archetypal role and their body slowly but surely reshapes itself to match. This is not a shapeshifter’s instantaneous change; it is a dedicated, costly transformation.

  • Mechanical Expression: A Persona-Mask functions like a temporary but total “class” or character template. Adopting the [Soldier] Mask grants a significant positive influence on Strength and Constitution, but also seeds the Psyche with a powerful Need for [Order] and [Conflict]. Adopting the [Lover] Mask grants high Charisma but makes the Vessel more fragile and the Psyche intensely vulnerable to [Betrayal].
  • Appearance: The changes are total. A Thespian in the [Soldier] Mask becomes physically larger, their voice deepens, their posture becomes rigid. The same being in the [Scholar] Mask becomes slighter, their eyes more focused, their hands more delicate.

Psychology & Society (The Psyche)

The Thespian mind is a stage with a rotating cast. Their entire culture is a grand, ongoing performance.

• Core Faith: “The Role is Real.” They believe there is no “true self” beneath the masks, only a series of roles played with more or less conviction. Their society is a literal theater state, where political debates are held as dramatic competitions and legal trials are adjudicated based on which party presents the more compelling narrative performance. Their highest spiritual calling is to embody a role so perfectly that the Tapestry itself accepts their performance as Fact.

• Core Fiction: “The Library of Masks.” Their history is a collection of legendary performances. They do not revere historical figures, but the iconic roles they played: “The Great Tyrant,” who embodied the archetype of [Order] so perfectly that he brought a thousand years of peace; “The Sorrowful Mother,” whose performance of [Grief] was so profound it is said to have made the stars weep. These stories form their “Library of Masks,” a collection of archetypes to be studied, emulated, and perhaps, one day, surpassed.

Gameplay Hooks & Tensions

• Character Creation as an Audition: A Thespian Incarnation begins not by choosing a class, but by choosing their first Mask. This defines their starting abilities, needs, and social standing. The gameplay loop for a Thespian is a quest for new roles; they can learn or earn new Persona-Masks by studying under master actors, discovering “lost plays” (rare archetypes), or living a life of such intensity that they forge a new, unique Mask of their own.

• The Actor’s Peril: The greatest dangers for a Thespian are internal.

  • Mask-Bleed: A state of narrative dissonance where the traits and needs from a previously-worn Mask begin to bleed into the current one. A Soldier who cannot shake the Lover’s vulnerability, or a Scholar haunted by the Tyrant’s ambition. This manifests as a gameplay debuff, a chaotic internal monologue in the Subjective Interface, and unpredictable social interactions.
  • Getting Lost in the Role: The ultimate risk. A Thespian who inhabits a single, powerful Mask for too long, or with too much conviction, may find themselves unable to switch back. They have played the part so well, they have forgotten how to be anything else. This is a profound, and often tragic, permanent change to the character.

Eidos Generated

• [performance]
• [archetype]
• [persona]
• [the_empty_self]
• [method_acting]

Design Notes

• They are the living embodiment of the laws of The Grand Masquerade.
• The “Persona-Mask” system is a diegetic way to handle a “class-switching” mechanic.
• The internal conflicts of “Mask-Bleed” and “Getting Lost in the Role” are rich sources for emergent, personal quests. They are the citizens for a world where the story is everything.