CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

KNIGHT ERRANT



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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:
This knight is searching for adventures and quests through which they can show their mettle, highlight their skills, and right wrongs. While this trope is popular in fantasy stories, the associated qualities and motivations can be applied to characters in any genre.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Sir Lancelot (The Once and Future King), Brienne of Tarth (A Song of Ice and Fire), Don Quixote (Don Quixote), Roland Deschain (The Dark Tower)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADVENTUROUS, AMBITIOUS, CONFIDENT, COURAGEOUS, COURTEOUS, DISCIPLINED, FOCUSED, HONEST, HONORABLE, HUMBLE, IDEALISTIC, JUST, KIND, LOYAL, OBEDIENT, OBSERVANT, PATRIOTIC, PROPER, RESPONSIBLE, SIMPLE, UNSELFISH

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
CHILDISH, COCKY, CONFRONTATIONAL, FANATICAL, FOOLISH, GULLIBLE, HUMORLESS, INFLEXIBLE, IMPULSIVE, IRRATIONAL, MACHO, MARTYR, OBSESSIVE, PERFECTIONIST, RECKLESS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, SUBSERVIENT, VINDICTIVE, VIOLENT

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Having a strong sense of justice
Preferring to work alone
Living by a strong moral code
Being stoic
Valuing honor and chivalry
Enjoying adventure
Being committed to doing their duty
Honoring their commitments
Risking their lives to uphold what they believe in
Putting others' needs before their own
Being skilled in combat
Fighting fair
Following orders
Enjoying the nomadic life
Being virtuous
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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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UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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