CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

FALSE PROPHET



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HELPFUL TIP:

Using a trope or archetype helps readers quickly understand a character, but stopping there creates a weak and predictable figure. Instead, add depth with a unique backstory, emotional wounds, and related fears and flaws. You can also break expectations with an unusual job, relationship, secret, or positive trait.
DESCRIPTION:
A religious character—or someone posing as one—who deceives people into following them or a more powerful figure. Whether their religious beliefs are real or a façade, those ideals typically become twisted over time to support the pursuit of the character's goals. 

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Shift the Ape (The Last Battle), Nathan Price (The Poisonwood Bible), Leon Fortunato (the Left Behind series), Lancaster Dodd (The Master)


COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADAPTABLE, AMBITIOUS, BOLD, CHARMING, CONFIDENT, DECISIVE, ENTHUSIASTIC, EXTROVERTED, IMAGINATIVE, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, INTELLIGENT, OBSERVANT, PASSIONATE, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, RESOURCEFUL, SPIRITUAL

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
CONTROLLING, DEVIOUS, DISHONEST, DISLOYAL, EVASIVE, EVIL, EXTRAVAGANT, FANATICAL, GREEDY, HYPOCRITICAL, IRRESPONSIBLE, MANIPULATIVE, MATERIALISTIC, OBSESSIVE, PUSHY, SELFISH, SLEAZY, SUSPICIOUS, UNETHICAL, VAIN, VERBOSE

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Knowing how to read a room
Anticipating problems before they arise
Having great charisma
Being persuasive
Believing their own lies
Manufacturing miracles or supernatural acts
Being a nonconformist
Thinking quickly on their feet
Believing they have all the answers
Easily manipulating others
Making promises they have no intention of keeping
Sensing other people's weaknesses and exploiting them
Being a chameleon—all things to all people
Challenging accepted belief systems
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FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
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SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
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INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
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CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
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TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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