More Character Archetypes

The Hero Traditionally the protagonist of a story Often his past is a mystery He is the champion, king, leader or savior of many Endures pain and sorrow that all lead to a greater good

Mentor Serve as a teacher or counselor to the initiate or future hero Role Model Sometimes a Father or Mother figure

The Initiates Young heroes who must endure training Must complete some type of quest They are innocent and often wear white

Young man from the Provinces A hero is spirited away as a young man and raised by strangers Later returns home where he is a stranger who looks to find a solution to problems

Hunting group of companions Loyal to the hero Group willing to face dangers in order to be together

Earthmother Symbolic of abundance, fertility, and knowledge Offers spiritual and emotional advice or nourishment to those she meetsIn

Temptress Sensuous with beauty The hero is physically attracted to her but she will ultimately bring about his downfall

The Unfaithful Wife Woman, married to a man she sees dull Attracted to a more interesting or handsome man Commits an act of InfidelityHelen

Damsel in Distress Vulnerable woman who must be rescued by the hero She is often used as bait to trap the hero

Star-Crossed Lovers These two characters are engaged in a love affair Fated to end tragically Society, family, or friends do not approve of the relationship

Loyal Retainers Somewhat heroic Similar to a servant with hero-like qualities Duty: Protect the Hero

The Outcast Banished by society or a social group Destined to become a wanderer Moves from place to place

The Friendly Beast Shows characteristics of the hero Finds villains threatening and may attempt to warn the hero Loyal only to the hero & the hero’s companions

Evil figure w/ ultimately good heart A redeemable devil Saved by the love or faith of a hero May have started out good, then through a fall becomes evil, but returns to good in the end

Creature of a Nightmare A monster usually summoned from the deepest, darkest parts of the mind Threatens the life of the hero Often a perverse or desecrated form of human

The Scapegoat Human or animal Public death is a sin of the community Death makes him a more powerful force than when he lived

Devil Figure Evil incarnate Offers worldly goods Will tempt, cheat, steal, lie, and destroy anyone or anything he comes into contact with

The Friend archetypes are those characters who are generally supportive, but may (for good or bad reasons) do things to hinder the Hero.

Magi An advisor much wiser and more experienced than the Hero, may be hard to win over as a potential source of information or help. may mislead or manipulate the Hero as a form of "teaching."

Best Friend The Hero's confidant, always ready to lend a hand – may hold the Hero back out of fear for his safety or fear for the loss of their close friendship.

Lover A "secure base" and a shoulder to cry on, the character the Hero should be closest to by the end of the story. Need not be a mate per se; may be a child or a pet.

The Rival archetypes characters who mostly hinder the Hero, without necessarily meaning him ill; a Rival is not a Villain, may be a form of Antagonist.

Joker Uses verbal humor and practical jokes to keep everything on a comedic rather than dramatic level, may prevent people from getting down to discussing important issues. Craves attention and may lie or mislead others for the fun of it.

Jester Well-intentioned but clumsy, or otherwise capable of causing physical havoc without meaning to ("What does this button do?"). Most times the Hero can't even bring himself to scold the character.

Nemesis Consciously tries to mess things up for the Hero – true rivalry here when things really get bad might even lend a hand to get things back to normal. Would not enjoy life nearly as much if the Hero weren't around to spar with.

Investigator Asks questions, demands details, generally slows things down and saps the Hero's patience. Has little understanding of "acceptable risk" doesn't want the Hero to make decisions based on limited data, even in a time crunch.

Pessimist Points out everything wrong with the Hero's plan, and everything that could possibly go wrong, completely undermining the Hero's confidence. Doesn't believe anything will ever work, so never gives anything a try. Is a natural Devil's Advocate.

Psychic At her best, uses predictions to guide the Hero (thus almost a type of Magi); usually, however, she withholds information and masks the truth, may seek to be acknowledged for her unique powers. Needn't be a real psychic; can be, for example, a psychologist or behavioral analyst who can predict what people are going to do next.