Introduction

Type Nature is an archetype’s natural way of life. Within this aspect of NXT, personality Classes are further differentiated into four varying flavors. What do we mean by this? Well, to get a better idea, let us use food as an analogy. Take ramen for instance. It can be eaten in a number of ways with various types of soup such as miso, shoyu, and tonkotsu, each with their own distinct tastes.

And of course, these soups can also be paired with different kinds of noodles, like ramen, udon and soba. Now, if you ate these noodles on their own, they would taste quite different from one another. However, if you poured tonkotsu broth into a bowl of ramen and a bowl of soba (uncommon in Japan :Þ), they would taste nearly identical unless you are a ramen aficionado or paid close attention to the nuanced flavors.

In this analogy, the different noodles represent the different Classes, while the different soups represent the different Type Natures. Meaning to say, regardless of your personality Class, you will always find strong similarities with archetypes of other Classes as long as you share the same Type Nature with them.

But in the first place, what is Type Nature? In technical terms, Type Nature is a blend of an archetype’s Outlook and Tactic. This combination gives rise to four different characteristics that are embodied by elements found in nature, namely Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Archetypes of the same nature are housed under a village that is represented by one of the elements.

Like many others, you might be wondering which village is the best. Needless to say, the villages are all equal because each of them have their own distinct set of faults and flaws. But as we shall explore after this, these shortcomings are often balanced by strengths and abilities that are unique to each village.

Earth Village

From grassy hills and rocky mountains to open plains and arid deserts, earth is the element that has shaped our world through the course of billions of years, bestowing us with the reality that we know today. Its fertile soil provides plants a home to take root in while its vast terrains give animals ground to roam on.

It is on the earth's very lands where humans hunted ancient beasts, harvested primal crops, and built our earliest civilizations. But its significance does not merely end there. Buried beneath its surface is an abundance of rocks and metals, all of which have granted us the extraordinary capacity to erect magnificent monuments that endured lifetimes as well as raise towering skyscrapers all over the world.

The consistent laws of nature on earth, such as the pull of gravity and the ebb and flow of the seasons, offer a logical framework for our understanding and prediction of the world. More than that, the earth's ecosystem, with its delicate balance of diverse species and environments, is in its core a logical system in which each element plays its own unique and vital role. Thus, it is simply impossible to overlook or even ignore the ubiquitous presence of earth.

Earth, as such, is an element that embodies the qualities of logic and reality. With an innate preference for both Sensing and Thinking (ST), archetypes who hail from the Earth Village are known to be pragmatic and sensible. Therefore, Earth Ninjas are motivated by a need for Factual Application in all aspects of life, concerned mainly with the actual details and utility of things that exist in reality.

For that reason, Earth Ninjas spend most of their time implementing practical solutions that will allow them to acquire tangible results. With that in mind, one would quickly notice that their topics of interest are fairly realistic and are often conveyed in a rational manner.

That being said, although Earth Ninjas have no trouble coming up with factual accounts and workable suggestions, it usually feels like their perspectives are rather literal. As such, they might come off as bland or even boring to some. Needless to say, no matter how grounded and objective Earth Ninjas may be, they must bear in mind that experiences without meaning are quite frankly pointless.

Water Village

Water is the most essential ingredient in the recipe of life. It channels through all beings, bestowing each and every one of us the precious gift of vitality. Without it, existence on Earth would have simply been impossible. But apart from giving life, we tend to forget that water is in and of itself alive. Constantly transforming from moment to moment, water fills and empties, splits and engulfs. Just like any other living being, it never really stays the same.

The dynamic nature of water reflects its ever-changing temperaments. One minute it flows calmly like gentle streams at the riverbank, and the next it washes you away with the wrath of a rushing torrent. When rain showers the lands below, it leaves behind blue skies and rainbows as if it has just wept. The ebb and flow of tides mirror the rise and fall of emotions, surging and dissipating like brief intervals of consciousness.

As waves crash against the shore, it is as though an orchestra has come to life, producing a symphony that is wild and chaotic, yet no less melodic than one played by an ensemble. And although it seems like water is rather expressive, its true feelings are often shrouded in mystery, hidden away beneath the bottomless depths of the ocean.

Water, as such, is an element that embodies the qualities of emotion and sensation. With a natural preference for Sensing and Feeling (SF), those who hail from the Water Village are known to be passionate and affectionate. Water Ninjas yearn for Awesome Aspiration in all matters of life, and are therefore mainly concerned with the actual details and worth of things that exist in reality.

As such, Water Ninjas spend a bulk of their time pursuing tangible interests that can lead to more positive feelings in life. Knowing this, one would quickly notice that the topics they enjoy are pretty grounded and are often conveyed in an eager manner.

But despite the Water Ninjas’ ability to identify hobbies and interests that are popular or fun, it often feels like their pursuits are superficial to some degree. Therefore, they might come off as shallow or even simple-minded to some. Needless to say, no matter how interesting and cool Water Ninjas may be, they must take to heart that pleasure alone will never fulfill them unless they live for a meaningful purpose.

Fire Village

Eons ago, in a cave where humans sought shelter, a piece of flint struck pyrite, sending a burst of sparks into the air. These sparks, although small and delicate, ignited not only the dry tinder around it but also the collective imagination of mankind. It was the spark of a revolution—one that altered the course of humanity towards a trajectory unprecedented in history up to that point.

The discovery of fire signaled the beginning of our meteoric rise, transforming the human race from an insignificant group of apes into a force to be reckoned with. Wielding in our hands the power to create and destroy, we humans could now shape the landscapes around us to our liking, forge modern tools to expand our capabilities, and power colossal rockets that can land us on the moon.

More than that, with the use of fire, humans could quickly raze down old structures, beliefs, and traditions; rebuilding in its place new and better ones. It opened up a whole realm of possibilities that were until then beyond our reach, elevating our species not only into the masters of our environment, but also the masters of our destiny.

Fire, as such, is an element that embodies the spirit of progress and advancement. Those who hail from the Fire Village are known to be innovative and unconventional; a reflection of their innate preference for Intuition and Thinking (NT). Galvanized by a need for Theoretic Innovation in all aspects of life, Fire Ninjas are mainly concerned with the abstract ideas and utility of things that exist conceptually.

Consequently, Fire Ninjas spend a majority of their time developing ingenious solutions that will allow them to reach higher efficacy in life. In light of this, one would quickly notice that their topics of interest are rather theoretical and are usually conveyed in a logical manner.

Having said that, although Fire Ninjas often foster bold visions and intellectual ideas that may sound impressive, it usually feels like their aspirations are somewhat out of reach. As such, they might come off as overambitious or even absurd to some. Needless to say, no matter how intelligent and inventive Fire Ninjas may be, they must keep in mind that they are ultimately bound by the realities of this world.

Air Village

Air speaks to us in many ways, though its message is often vague and subtle. Gaze into the sky and one will find an empty expanse, filled with nothing but air. But upon a closer look, it reveals a world unbound by the realities that ground us, presenting an untainted destiny that can be shaped into whatever we envision it to be. Those who understand this, understand the world, as they know that the future is nothing more than a blank canvas waiting to be painted by the inks of our imagination.

And for most of human history, our ancestors did just that, tracing the skies with their vivid imagination. As they watched the birds that flew above them, they pictured a world where they too could be lifted by winds beneath their wings. That vision seemed impossible in the past, and it remained a dream for ages. But in time, humanity built wings of their own, granting themselves the gift of flight.

With creations of the mind now roaming the skies, know that it is the air's way of telling us that when it comes to human potential, the sky’s the limit. Only those who dare to dream will soar higher than what was thought to be possible. Besides, it takes only a breeze of inspiration to spur our imaginations into unparalleled heights, breathing new resolve into those who seek to transform the world.

Air, as such, is an element that embodies the spirit of change and wonder. Those who hail from the Air Village are known for being imaginative and inspirational; the result of their inborn preference for Intuition and Feeling (NF). As Air Ninjas seek Imaginative Inspiration in all aspects of life, they are mainly concerned with the abstract ideas and worth of things that exist conceptually.

Because of that, Air Ninjas spend much of their time cultivating meaningful interests that can lead to inspiring ideals in life. That being said, one would instantly notice that their topics of interest are fairly hypothetical and are generally conveyed in a spirited manner.

But even though Air Ninjas can easily grasp intangible perceptions and mystical epiphanies that can deeply touch the soul, it often seems like their views are no more than utopian fantasies. As such, they might come off as radical or even unusual to some. Needless to say, no matter how fascinating and inspiring Air Ninjas may be, they must be mindful that without practicalities their dreams will never be a reality.

Conclusion

While Type Nature explains an overall pattern in personalities, Type Instinct zooms in on specific Classes to describe the flavor of each Class. Let us learn more about this in the next part.

Read next part → Type Instinct [Origin]