Atempters

Atempters is a term used in fictional, literary, and scholarly contexts to describe agents or entities that present temptations designed to influence the behavior or choices of others. An Atempter may operate as an individual person, a collective, a supernatural being, or a systemic prompt that challenges a decision. The concept focuses on the mechanism of temptation—the proposition, offer, or situation intended to entice a target toward a particular course of action, often involving a moral or ethical choice.

Historically, tempters appear in myths, religious narratives, and fables; the archetype of the tempter is a common device to explore virtue, self-control, and consequences. In modern fiction, Atempters are often used as antagonists or test-cases for protagonists, presenting opportunities for growth or downfall.

In psychology, temptation is studied as a trigger for self-control; researchers examine how individuals respond to Atempters and what factors promote resistance or concession. The term is used more as a functional label than a strict category, emphasizing the interaction between external prompts and internal decision processes.

Video games and RPGs frequently employ Atempters as non-player characters or events that force players to consider trade-offs, loyalty, or risk. The concept provides a framework for analyzing how choices are framed, the perceived costs and benefits, and the long-term effects of yielding to or resisting temptation. See also Temptation, Moral psychology, Self-control.