Going beyond a Class & Archetype.

There are roleplaying games with character classess, such as Dungeons & Dragons.

Strictly adhering to selected class is somewhat limiting, as far as character's description & idea originality goes.

Class is a stereotype, but also a 'framework' for a character.

To enrich storytelling, characters & game masters can use character class to describe character's abilities, then come up with alternate description & name for an in-character's profession.

This can include unusual background, morality, personality, goals - as well as a weapon, armour & tool choices, etc.

Examples:

1. Is Your Monk-class character in fact a Yogin? Which of monastic vows he did take, which he did not?

2. Is Your Fighter-class character is in fact ceremonial warrior of a temple? Does he fight in Ceremonial Robes instead of in a Full-Plate Armour? How he thinks about violence & harm, how he thinks about self-defence & protecting others? Does he eat meat?

3. Is your Cleric-class character coming from far-eastern continent in fact a Mage-Priestess caste member, a worshipper of light & shadow? A godless sect believing in self-realization & self-ascension? Is she gentle & pragmatic or ruthless & brutal? Did she swore to not use certain weapons because of her religion?


There's lot of possibilities for character design, even with limiting factor of a character classes - but let's not deny it - skill based character creation usually offers more of flexibility for character creation than class-systems.