Character Archetypes
Here are various character archetypes/stereotypes to help you get an idea of the roles of various types of characters and what they are usually like and the traits they possess.
Main Protagonist/Hero
Generally the main protagonist (or Hero) of a story in fantasy/science-fiction is a young-ish boy about the age of 17.
Quite frequently he has a kind nature always willing to help people and has a strong sense of justice. He cannot abide intolerance and accepts everyone for who or what they are.
He can be quite rash and quick to anger when people do things he thinks isn't right and can say things other people can't because even though they are often offensive, the honesty of his words and his complete ignorance to social differences is found endearing by the very people he insults. He doesn't intend to offend anyone but speaks his mind and will not let anyone tell him to speak otherwise.
He uses a sword as his main weapon, although when he gets one he isn't particularly skillful at all and wins his first few fights with it by sheer luck. He becomes more skilled with his weapon over time and tries hard but because he isn't battle hardened he panics a little in battle and he does not like to kill.
The use of a sword is an indicator of his personality because the sword is viewed as an honourable weapon. His youth adds to his naivete, honesty and purity.
Quite frequently he has a kind nature always willing to help people and has a strong sense of justice. He cannot abide intolerance and accepts everyone for who or what they are.
He can be quite rash and quick to anger when people do things he thinks isn't right and can say things other people can't because even though they are often offensive, the honesty of his words and his complete ignorance to social differences is found endearing by the very people he insults. He doesn't intend to offend anyone but speaks his mind and will not let anyone tell him to speak otherwise.
He uses a sword as his main weapon, although when he gets one he isn't particularly skillful at all and wins his first few fights with it by sheer luck. He becomes more skilled with his weapon over time and tries hard but because he isn't battle hardened he panics a little in battle and he does not like to kill.
The use of a sword is an indicator of his personality because the sword is viewed as an honourable weapon. His youth adds to his naivete, honesty and purity.
Anti-hero/Secondary or Tertiary Protagonist
The anti-hero is always an older guy usually aged about 30-40. This guy fights on the right side for the good of humanity but he has an attitude problem. He will say what he wants to who he wants and if they want a fight about it he is more than happy to oblige because he likes a scrap. He is rough with gruff voice and is muscular. He either wields a sword or in more extreme scenarios giant blades, hammers or axes no matter what he wields though as his main weapon he wields it with great skill.
The reason for his martial skill often comes from being an ex-soldier of some kind and has been trained by the Master-of-arms to a high level.
An unfortunate circumstance or disapproval of the changes within the leadership force him to leave service either as a deserter or from being chased away. Still hunted he is suspicious of all and seeks answers to the questions his mysterious past gave him.
He often wears some kind of armour or wears ordinary clothes so as not to attract attention to himself, however his gait often gives him away as someone trained to fight but he can pass off as a mercenary and he is never far from his sword.
He has much to teach the Hero but is unwilling to open up to him and expects the Hero to listen to and do what he says because he is trying to protect the Hero.
Knowing the truth of war and battle he often gets angry at the Hero and thinks of him as lazy because he does not take training as seriously as the anti-hero believes he should.
Being well travelled the anti-hero knows the customs of many places as well as the citizens that reside their. He has contacts within various towns, usually a merchant he once saved or a female inn keeper who took a shine to him.
The reason for his martial skill often comes from being an ex-soldier of some kind and has been trained by the Master-of-arms to a high level.
An unfortunate circumstance or disapproval of the changes within the leadership force him to leave service either as a deserter or from being chased away. Still hunted he is suspicious of all and seeks answers to the questions his mysterious past gave him.
He often wears some kind of armour or wears ordinary clothes so as not to attract attention to himself, however his gait often gives him away as someone trained to fight but he can pass off as a mercenary and he is never far from his sword.
He has much to teach the Hero but is unwilling to open up to him and expects the Hero to listen to and do what he says because he is trying to protect the Hero.
Knowing the truth of war and battle he often gets angry at the Hero and thinks of him as lazy because he does not take training as seriously as the anti-hero believes he should.
Being well travelled the anti-hero knows the customs of many places as well as the citizens that reside their. He has contacts within various towns, usually a merchant he once saved or a female inn keeper who took a shine to him.
Friend to the Hero/Secondary or Tertiary Hero
Often the friend to the Hero is a girl about the same age as the Hero, maybe a little younger. They have a deep bond of friendship with no romantic feelings at all towards each other, it is more like a brother-sister relationship. This friendship is often derived from a tragedy that had befallen either the hero the friend to the Hero. She is happy-go-lucky with a positive outlook on all things. If ever she is in trouble she believes with unyielding faith that the Hero will come to help her, although she will try to escape herself.
Sometimes she is captured by the enemy and used in a 'damsel in distress situation' but she has been known to save the Hero from capture, demonstrating her skill and independence.
She wears brightly coloured clothes in the fashion of her home town and prefers not to use a weapon but she does carry a dagger just in case. Sometimes she is in possession of a rather unique weapon like an umbrella that she makes effective use of against attackers. In other circumstances she may be in possession of a rare artifact or object the enemy wants which is the reason for her capture.
She is one of the few people who can argue with the Hero or anti-hero without fear of their actions. She is truthful but does not want to hurt anyone's feelings so she tries be polite and kind, even when giving criticism.
Sometimes she is captured by the enemy and used in a 'damsel in distress situation' but she has been known to save the Hero from capture, demonstrating her skill and independence.
She wears brightly coloured clothes in the fashion of her home town and prefers not to use a weapon but she does carry a dagger just in case. Sometimes she is in possession of a rather unique weapon like an umbrella that she makes effective use of against attackers. In other circumstances she may be in possession of a rare artifact or object the enemy wants which is the reason for her capture.
She is one of the few people who can argue with the Hero or anti-hero without fear of their actions. She is truthful but does not want to hurt anyone's feelings so she tries be polite and kind, even when giving criticism.