CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

SACRIFICIAL MYSTIC



Never struggle with Show-and-Tell again. Activate your free trial or subscribe to access the Character Type And Trope Thesaurus, or visit the Table of Contents to explore unlocked entries.

CHOOSE MY PLAN

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 character has a rare and incredible psychic, supernatural, or spiritual ability. But to obtain it, they've had to give up something valuable of their own.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Adam Parrish (The Raven Cycle), the Graeae (Greek mythology), Dinah Bellman (The Langoliers), Eli (The Book of Eli)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
COURAGEOUS, EMPATHETIC, FOCUSED, GENEROUS, HONORABLE, IDEALISTIC, INSPIRATIONAL, INTELLIGENT, KIND, LOYAL, OBSERVANT, PASSIONATE, PERCEPTIVE, PROTECTIVE, RESOURCEFUL, RESPONSIBLE, SENSIBLE, SPIRITUAL, SUPPORTIVE, TALENTED, UNSELFISH, WISE

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ANTISOCIAL, COCKY, CONTROLLING, DEVIOUS, FANATICAL, INFLEXIBLE, IRRATIONAL, IRRESPONSIBLE, KNOW-IT-ALL, MANIPULATIVE, MARTYR, OBSESSIVE, PUSHY, RECKLESS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, SUPERSTITIOUS, SUSPICIOUS, UNETHICAL

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being mindful of the effect their actions and words have on others
Wanting to help people
Speaking words of wisdom
Remaining calm in the face of chaos
Viewing their powers with humility (not being driven by ego)
Having profound thoughts about life
Being a good listener
Standing up for what they believe in
Being introspective; thinking a lot about things
Moving at a sedate pace; not wanting to be rushed
Easily reading people and situations
Following their intuition
Being open-minded
Believing in things that can't be seen
Being mystical or spiritual
...

FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
...

SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
...

INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
...

CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
...

TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
...

CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
...

...