CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

MAGICIAN (ARCHETYPE)



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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:
For magicians, the pursuit of knowledge (in any area, not just magic) isn't enough; fulfillment only comes through understanding and mastery of the seemingly unknowable. While this is similar to the SAGE archetype, magicians differ in that the acquisition of knowledge is meant to increase their own power or achieve their goals. Primarily, their quest for knowledge is meant to benefit themselves more than others.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Sherlock Holmes (the Sherlock Holmes canon), Dr. Strange (the Marvel universe), Voldemort (the Harry Potter series), Anakin Skywalker (the Star Wars franchise), John Locke (LOST)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ADVENTUROUS, ALERT, AMBITIOUS, CENTERED, CONFIDENT, CURIOUS, DECISIVE, DISCIPLINED, FOCUSED, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, INTELLIGENT, METICULOUS, PASSIONATE, PATIENT, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, PRIVATE, RESOURCEFUL, STUDIOUS

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, COCKY, CONFRONTATIONAL, DISRESPECTFUL, FANATICAL, HAUGHTY, KNOW-IT-ALL, OBSESSIVE, OVERSENSITIVE, PARANOID, PERFECTIONIST, POSSESSIVE, REBELLIOUS, SELFISH, STUBBORN, UNCOOPERATIVE, WITHDRAWN, WORKAHOLIC

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being passionate about the area of knowledge they're pursuing
Facing challenges and opposition with confidence; being undaunted
Using highbrow language that isn't easy for laypeople to understand
Preferring to work alone
Being focused; knowing what they want and going after it without hesitation
Believing that things will work out, even when it's hard to see the path forward
Learning from mistakes
Thinking on a higher level than most people
Being very intelligent
Being viewed by others with envy or awe
Prioritizing the object of study above everyone and everything else
Being possessive of their knowledge
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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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