Color Philosophy of Adaptability and Resourcefulness
Lore forum
Posted on May 5, 2022, 3:08 p.m. by legendofa
Is there a color or color combination that captures the idea of resourcefulness, flexibility, and/or adaptability? Or is this too broad of a concept to be captured?
Imagine a character who can act comfortable in any social situation, being as refined or crude as needed. They make friends quickly. They can also think on their feet quickly, covering for mistakes and making the people they're with feel at ease. Outside of social situations, they're taking note of their surroundings, seeing what could be useful, what could be turned into something useful, and sort of MacGyvering their way out of problems. What color(s) would this character be, based on this description?
Obviously, all colors can create and use resources. My feeling is that this character would be somewhere between and . Green/black is known for never wasting anything that could potentially be useful, and black in particular has the "everything is a resource" thing. Blue/green is mechanically the best at generating mana and cards in hand, and has a philosophy of focus and research. As I write that last sentence, might have a place in here as well, with its creativity and spontaneity.
White is the least useful color here, being rigid and straightforward in its thinking.
Blue has the knowledge and foresight to prepare materials, but isn't especially flexible when thinking on the fly.
Black treats everything as a resource, but tends to be more destructive than constructive.
Red brings creativity and spontaneity, but doesn't always have the focus to take full advantage of opportunities.
Green is mechanically the best at generating mana plus drawing cards plus recurring cards, but philosophically can fall into a habit of waiting and hoping for the best, instead of taking opportunities for themselves.
Without a real justification here, I'd say Kind of like a fast and active mind that can sometimes be too active and get them into trouble : )
And anyways, this sounds like a great character! I always get a little burnt out on uber-powerful, uber-cool (which is decidedly not cool) characters and I love to see it when a character really approaches things from a different angle. Whatever you are working on, it seems great to me : )
May 5, 2022 6:36 p.m.
JANKYARD_DOG says... #4
I want to say base with the information given. Green mainly for resourcefulness, though you could call blue resourceful as well. Simic is known for its adaptability, which you could also call flexibility. There is a third color here but I think more is needed... is the taking notes and such for personal gain, is it an inventor's kind of "you know, I could make that better if..."(no change needed, maybe , or lastly is it a kind of 'be aware of your surrounding, know where your exits are, and who looks like a wealthy mark" sort of deal (could be or really).
All in all they do sound a bit roguish, though the cause would probably better determine the third color. I am leaning though because it also sounds like they've got high charisma which is definitely red I think. Idk, took a stab at it XD
May 5, 2022 8:11 p.m.
So I'm hearing -centric, with other colors decided by additional information but including elements of and maybe and/or . They're not really manipulative, more just aware of what people think of them and other people and why. I guess I need to poke around with motivation to nail it down further.
Icbrgr Kind of Nicol Bolas, but less world-conquer-y and more make friends with everyone. But there is a little bit of that "more valuable if you're useful to me" aspect.
Niko9 Fast, active, and a little bit of trouble is good. Glad it sounds interesting! If it turns out the way I want, I'll share it on here.
JANKYARD_DOG Definitely charismatic. The inventor aspect is probably the closest, along with the "be aware of surroundings and exits" part.
May 5, 2022 11:38 p.m.
RicketyEng says... #6
I think this character fits best as .
The characteristics of getting along with anyone and knowing intuitively what position needs filling in a social dynamic is very . I feel that being as refined or as crude as needed for a situation shows 's form of charisma.
When considering the surroundings and how to use them effectively and creatively, I'm leaning toward . The idea of everything or anything being a resource has already been mentioned. To bring their social characteristics into it as well, we might see their use of the environment as anywhere between "refined or crude as needed." The concept of anything can be repurposed or recycled is very and even the main theme of the Golgari guild.
I feel that wouldn't have the flexibility to do much MacGyvering without the help of or . I feel that would be plenty creative, but more likely to get there by trial and error without the help of to think ahead and iterate more efficiently.
May 6, 2022 8:42 a.m.
seshiro_of_the_orochi says... #7
The character you described is pretty perfectly Tyvar Kell, even to the point where his magic his adapting his body to his surroundings, e.g. touching a surface to have his body gain that surface's structure.
He's somewhat cocky, but is also excessively good in giving his allies positivity for their achievements.
Over that, he's a strong warrior and a great tactician.
Thus, WotC would answer that your character would propably be .
May 6, 2022 9:14 a.m.
And that's two more for .
RicketyEng That's pretty much in line with my thinking for .
seshiro_of_the_orochi I didn't know that. I'll have to look more into Tyvar.
May 6, 2022 4:11 p.m.
seshiro_of_the_orochi says... #9
There isn't too much of him, unfortunately. But the Kaldheim story and how he treats Kaya and Tibalt gives you a pretty deep look into his personality.
May 7, 2022 2:13 a.m.
FormOverFunction says... #10
I think white-blue would be most accurate. White to cover the general lawfulness/teamwork angle, tempered with blue’s manipulation/redirection/draw-for-solutions dynamism. People who get along with everyone and roll with whatever is going on do not necessarily LIKE or AGREE with everything; they just make it work. That semi-duplicitous lifestyle makes blue a requirement in my mind.
May 7, 2022 10:25 a.m.
FormOverFunction Great, now we got all five colors involved. Thanks a whole lot. (Joking! I do appreciate the input.)
I was interpreting the teamwork angle as a part of , but I understand the connection to .
This might just be a character trait that doesn't really fit cleanly anywhere.
May 8, 2022 3:40 a.m.
FormOverFunction says... #12
For better or for worse (I think it’s more better than worse) WotC has worked pretty hard to make sure all the colors have the ability to be dynamic and adapt; otherwise all decks would have to start with some sort of “dynamic adaptability” core, like green ramp or blue card draw or white lifegain. Sort of like how most commander decks “need to have” command tower and sol ring and what not.
May 8, 2022 1:01 p.m.
I agree with FormOverFunction I am not sure any color/combo would have the sole lease on the concept of adaptability. I do feel with the hardcore "evolution" premise in it may be in line with that... Though is the color of the "primordial" - unfinished products & creativity - works well with a flowstone personality while still having that bright lava flair, is a bit mercurial, would often feel like a traveler instead of truly part of the situation
Icbrgr says... #2
I vote from the hip... possibly
Your character description/characteristics come off as a less off a "Final Boss" Nicol Bolas lol
May 5, 2022 5:10 p.m.