[UA] Archetype: The Eternal Soldier

[Michael D. Mearls 97]

--- Stacy Stroud wrote:
I like, except for the name.

'Eternal Soldier' makes me think of exactly what this archetype is *not* --
the macho-man soldier-of-fortune types who go looking for new wars every
time peace breaks out.
--- end of quote ---

Yeah, I'm not completely happy with the name, but I did have two reasons for
going with Eternal Soldier.

First, wars have been fought for loads of different reasons over time. Food,
living space, ideals, money, etc. The eternal soldier fights for the same cause
no matter what: survival. Today's Bosnian muslim refugee wants pretty much the
same thing as yesterday's Apache.

Second, I kind of liked that the name suggested a soldier who's battles never
really end. We can't ever "win" a war where survival is the goal. We all gotta
go someway or another.


- Mearls