# Character Elements, Thematic Sequences

**URL:** <https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/character-elements-thematic-sequences/2159>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [October 30, 2018, 11:03pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/character-elements-thematic-sequences/2159 "2018-10-30T23:03:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![okcthunderx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@okcthunderx](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/okcthunderx)\
**Post date:** [October 30, 2018, 11:03pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/character-elements-thematic-sequences/2159/1 "2018-10-30T23:03:43Z")

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When exploring themes, can character elements be freely distributed when writing thematically-encoded sequences, or should I only use those which are respectively underneath the theme? This question is mainly directed toward archetypes, where some character elements may not show up until Act 2. **I’d like these characters to be present within Act 1.**

How flexible is Dramatica when using character elements for character interaction and plot progression? From what I remember, archetype characters cannot dip into the roles/elements of others.

Thanks for helping me out!

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**Author:** ![LunarDynasty](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/discuss.dramatica.com/lunardynasty/32/2515_2.png) [@LunarDynasty](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/LunarDynasty)\
**Post date:** [October 30, 2018, 11:31pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/character-elements-thematic-sequences/2159/2 "2018-10-30T23:31:35Z")

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You’re talking about the functions of the OS characters in the Overall Story, right?

If so, there’s almost total flexibility. The only hard rule is to avoid putting a dynamic pair of elements on the same player, e.g. _don’t_ have one character represent both Pursuit and Avoid.

Ok, one other hard rule - don’t double dip on elements, i.e. don’t have two characters play tug-o-war with one element (but you can have multiple players collectively embody an element, like how Fischer’s army of mind-guards all play the antagonist in _Inception_)

The themes, issues, and elements of the OS Throughline as presented in the PSR are a different beast, they are faced by all the characters in the Overall Story _as a group._ One common perspective. But OS functions (ala the archetypes) you can divvy up and parse out pretty much as you please.