Why is your hero a hero? Okay, it is a pretty cool job, but your hero still has to have a reason for being a hero. That’s where your hero’s calling comes in.
Each calling has four cards which relate to it in the standard Fate Deck. In some cases, a hero may seem to have more than one calling (like Wolverine, who sometimes seems to fit in the Vengeance or Soldier callings). In these cases, pick the calling that best fits the hero at this point in this or her career.
Four callings are villainous and are marked with an asterisk (*). These callings - Demolisher, Greed, Vengeance, and World Domination - give a powerful “freedom:” the freedom from moral responsibility. The Narrator may require an occasional Willpower action before allowing heroes to commit acts that run counter to their callings. This includes but is not limited to theft, use of crippling force, and especially murder. (Of course, super heroes can break and enter into a super-villain’s lair without performing this action, though the law still frowns upon it.)
Changing Callings?
Heroes can change callings, but only after major events, and with storyteller approval. A calling can change only after being fulfilled or superseded by another calling. The villainous callings (Greed, Demolisher, Vengeance, and World Domination) are particularly difficult to abandon for another. After completing an adventure that leads a hero to question his or her villainous calling, the Narrator may allow the player to simply change to a more suitable calling or to attempt a Willpower action to see whether the hero can overcome the lure of darkness.
For example, let’s look at Namor, the Sub-Mariner. A very complex hero, Namor has had at least five callings in more than a half-century of heroism. At first, he was an angry Guardian over the sea, once trying to destroy New York with a tidal wave. But in World War II, he put aside this anger to become a Protector in fighting the forces of fascism, and even saved Winston Churchill’s life once. When he suffered amnesia and wandered the Bowery, he sought only Peace of Mind. When restored, he tried to take Vengeance against surface dwellers for the apparent destruction of Atlantis. But this revenge seemed hollow when Atlantis re-emerged as a power, and he settled into the Majesty of leadership.
Here are some of the callings:
- Adventurer:
Your hero seeks to recapture a spirit of adventure that humanity has lost. He or she will go to often foolhardy lengths to revitalize this hedonistic, adventuresome spirit. Examples: Hawkeye, Hercules, Nightcrawler, Wasp. - Animal Nature:
Your hero has a savage side that must be kept in check. He or she must struggle to control these feelings, or give in and lose control. Examples: Morbius, Tigra, Werewolf, Wolverine. - Demolisher*:
Your hero causes destruction for destruction’s sake. Demonstration of raw power causes a sense of pride, no matter what the cost. Examples: Absorbing Man, Juggernaut, Sabretooth, Super-Adaptoid. - Exemplar:
Your hero feels he or she symbolizes a race, class, historical legacy, or subgroup that needs greater visibility. He or she seeks a high profile, but not personal notoriety. Examples: Black Knight, Captain Britain, Falcon, Thor. - Explorer:
Your hero devotes his or her life to the discovery of new ideas and environments. He or she believes that theoretical is often as powerful as the practical. Examples: Giant-Man, Mister Fantastic, Moondragon, Stingray. - Gloryhound:
Your hero seeks publicity for personal accomplishments. Only the adulation of the people will satisfy this individual’s longings. Examples: Human Torch, Luke Cage, She-Hulk, Wonder Man. - Greed*:
Your hero is overwhelmed by desire for wealth. Even when great wealth is achieved, more must be gained. Examples: Electro, Kingpin, Rhino, Taskmaster. - Guardian:
Your hero desires to protect beloved persons or places. Threats to those loved ones trigger the strongest responses in this individual. Examples: Daredevil, Doctor Strange, Invisible Woman, Phoenix. - Idealist:
Your hero stands for a cause for which he or she would gladly die. Challenges to these beliefs provoke strong reactions from this individual. Examples: Captain America, Cyclops, Professor X, Sabra. - Investigator:
Your hero loves unraveling human mysteries, whether of crime, science, psychiatry, or another field of inquiry. It is especially satisfying when that work helps others. Examples: Beast, Black Widow, Doc Samson, Forge. - Majesty:
Your hero leads a people and acts as the preserver of their interests. Personal power is wielded for their benefit. Examples: Black Bolt, Black Panther, Clea, Sub-Mariner. - Mentor:
Your hero acts to encourage responsibility and competence among his or her charges. Testing the students’ abilities is a high priority. Examples: Agatha Harkness, Banshee, Stick, White Queen. - Outcast:
Your hero is hated or feared for some quality, possibly a mutant power or past allegiance. He or she may want to be left alone, or will only ally with those who are free of the bias. Examples: Hulk, Nate Grey, Polaris, Quicksilver. - Peace of Mind:
Your hero seeks self-perfection or freedom from inner demons. He or she may suffer inner conflicts, or overcomes them and keeps spiritually balanced. Examples: Iron Fist, Moon Knight, Shang-Chi, Wolfsbane. - Protector:
Your hero lives to protect innocents from harm, regardless of who or where they are. Seeing folks in danger brings out in your hero an overwhelming desire to lend a hand. Examples: Archangel, Colossus, Shadowcat, Storm. - Repentant:
Your hero acts to gain redemption for past sins. Only through the doing of good deeds can your hero feel at least partially cleansed. Examples: Ant-Man, Elektra, Gambit, Silver Surfer. - Responsibility of Power:
Your hero is saddled with undesired powers, but feels he or she must act selflessly. He or she may grab normalcy if it comes along, but otherwise will persevere. Examples: Iceman, Iron Man, Spider-Man, The Thing. - Soldier:
Your hero prizes following or giving orders unless it conflicts with his or her moral code. He or she may fight for money or duty, but ultimately fights for personal validation. Examples: Bishop, Cable, Nick Fury, Silver Sable. - Thrill-Seeker:
Your hero acts because of a hedonistic desire for danger and risk. Events that heighten his or her adrenaline are highly prized. Examples: Black Cat, Nova, Psylocke, Sersi. - Uncontrolled Power:
Your hero cannot control his or her powers without monitoring. This may overcome your hero’s reason and force actions he or she would regret. Examples: Franklin Richards, Havok, Rogue, Scarlet Witch. - Vengeance*:
Your hero seeks revenge against someone for some real or imagined slight. Any sacrifice to gain tht vengeance is acceptable. Examples: The Green Goblin, Loki, Super-Skrull, Venom. - Vestige of Humanity:
Your hero isn’t fully human, but envies the full emotions of others. The closer your hero can get to human, the happier he or she is. Examples: Adam Warlock, Warbird, Machine Man, Vision. - World Domination*:
Your hero wants dominion over as many people as possible. Resistance to his or her will can trigger violent responses. Examples: Annihilus, Doctor Doom, Leader, Magneto. - Youthful Exuberance:
Your hero recklessly purses the life of a super-being with the wide-eyed joy of youth. Such an individual is bored easily, and not good at listening to instructions. Examples: Cannonball, Jubilee, Kymaera, Meltdown.