Masters arise from trigger events involving isolation, alienation, exile or betrayal.[3] It should be noted that the loss of a loved one can be considered a Master trigger, one with a singular, focused sense of loss and isolation.[17]

Feeling isolated from a single individual tends to feed into having a single fixed minion, while feeling isolated from society tends to result in numerous and/or variable minions.[18]

Tinkers arise from problems without solutions that take place over long periods, culminating in crisis moment.[2] The elements of the trigger build up over weeks or months and are inexorably tied into the moment the character triggers.[24]