The Alters - Characters
The cast of The Alters, centered on protagonist Jan Dolski and the alternates he creates. Every Alter is an alternate version of Jan defined by one pivotal life decision, meaning the whole crew is built around different versions of the same man, each with their own skills, personality, and emotional...
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of 15 entries
· updated 2026-09-15
| Name | Description | Role | Faction | Abilities | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Dolski | A worker stranded alone on the sun-scorched mining planet after a catastrophic solar accident. | Protagonist | Shelter Crew | Operates the Alterising machine Directs Shelter construction and resource production Explores the sun-blasted surface Manages the emotional state of his Alter crew | Player character and central protagonist |
| The Leader | An Alter generated from a life in which Jan followed a path of command and discipline. | Alter / Crewmate | Shelter Crew | Directs and coordinates crew tasks Autoritative decision-making Maintains order under pressure | Created through the Alterising machine from a command-oriented life path |
| The Scientist | An Alter from a life Jan spent pursuing knowledge and research. | Alter / Crewmate | Shelter Crew | Research and development Equipment and systems analysis Unlocks advanced production options | Created through the Alterising machine from a scientific life path |
| The Engineer | An Alter defined by a lifetime of hands-on construction and maintenance. | Alter / Crewmate | Shelter Crew | Shelter module construction and expansion Machine and system maintenance Production efficiency upgrades | Created through the Alterising machine from a construction-focused life path |
| The Caretaker | An Alter from a life shaped by caregiving and emotional support. | Alter / Crewmate | Shelter Crew | Crew morale and emotional support Detects and defuses interpersonal tension Strengthens Shelter cooperation | Created through the Alterising machine from a supportive life path |
| Additional Alters | Alternate selves of Jan generated from different pivotal life decisions beyond the archetypes detailed above. | Crewmates / Alternates | Shelter Crew | Assignable to production, construction, and exploration tasks Distinct skill specializations per alternate life Individual emotional and physical needs Drive story and dialogue branches through their histories | Created through the Alterising machine throughout the campaign |
| The Alterising Machine | The central technological device that lets Jan create his Alters. | Supporting / Key Device | Shelter Facility | Materializes alternate-life versions of Jan Requires resources and careful management to operate Central to crew expansion and story progression | The Shelter's core facility |
| Jan the Technician | The technician line of Jan is one of the canonical alter archetypes, the version of him who went into technical trades instead of the expedition career. | Alter / Crewmate (Technician) | Shelter Crew | Repairs damaged equipment and Shelter machinery Keeps production modules running Practical maintenance tasks the other Alters cannot cover | Generated through the Alterising machine from a technical-trades life path |
| Jan the Miner | The miner archetype is Jan as a career extraction worker, the version of him who stayed in the mines rather than taking the contract that stranded him. | Alter / Crewmate (Miner) | Shelter Crew | Improves raw material extraction Specialises in mining and heavy labour Handles the physical work of gathering resources | Generated through the Alterising machine from a mining life path |
| Jan the Botanist | The botanist is the crew's food and plant specialist, the alternate Jan who studied living things instead of machines. | Alter / Crewmate (Botanist) | Shelter Crew | Runs plant cultivation and food production Improves the Shelter's food supply Specialises in organic resources | Generated through the Alterising machine from a botanical life path |
| Jan the Doctor | The doctor archetype is the crew's medic, the Jan who went into medicine. | Alter / Crewmate (Doctor) | Shelter Crew | Treats injuries and illness among the crew Medical support that reduces downtime Handles the Shelter's health-related tasks | Generated through the Alterising machine from a medical life path |
| Jan the Refiner | The refiner is the processing specialist: the alternate Jan whose life went into turning raw material into usable stock. | Alter / Crewmate (Refiner) | Shelter Crew | Processes raw materials into refined stock Improves production chain efficiency Specialises in crafting inputs | Generated through the Alterising machine from an industrial life path |
| Jan the Worker | The worker is the generalist labourer of the roster, the Jan who never specialised and simply kept working. | Alter / Crewmate (Worker) | Shelter Crew | Strong workshop production bonus General labour across Shelter tasks Reliable all-round crew contribution | Generated through the Alterising machine from a manual-labour life path |
| Jan the Guard | The guard is the crew's security specialist, the version of Jan who went into protection work. | Alter / Crewmate (Guard) | Shelter Crew | Shelter security duties Protects the crew and the base Security-focused skill set | Generated through the Alterising machine from a security life path |
| Jan the Shrink | The shrink, also called the psychologist, is the crew's mental-health specialist. | Alter / Crewmate (Psychologist) | Shelter Crew | Counsels Alters and stabilises morale Handles psychological needs the others cannot Reduces crew stress and conflict | Generated through the Alterising machine from a psychology life path |
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