The document outlines common archetypes that are often present in the hero's journey narrative structure. These include the initiate/hero, a mentor who provides guidance, loyal retainers who help the hero, magical gifts bestowed upon the hero, faithful companions, allies along the journey, places of safety or refuge, symbols of hope and renewal, a herald that kicks off the journey, friendly beasts, noble warriors, enchanted castles, evil adversaries that must be defeated, enemies, creatures of nightmares, towers representing evil, the underworld, wilderness dangers, symbols of darkness and cold, whirlpools representing nature's power, supernatural interventions, damsels in distress to be rescued, threshold guardians, crossroads

1. Initiate
Young hero or heroine who must
face challenges and temptations
in an effort to reach his/her goal

2. Mentor
Counselor, teacher and role
model for the hero
Provides assistance, guidance,
and a gift (weapon, food, magic,
information, etc)

3. Loyal Retainer
Somewhat like a servant who is
heroic
Duty is to protect the hero and
reflect his nobility

4. Magic Weapon
Usually given by the Mentor
Only the hero can use it to its
fullest potential

5. Faithful Companions
Loyal companions who are willing
to risk or face any number of
perils in order to be together

6. Allies
Provide assistance and direction
for the initiate
Appear throughout the journey

7. Haven
A place of safety
The opposite of wilderness

8. Light
Symbolizes and/or suggests hope,
goodness, knowledge, renewal

9. Herald
Issues the call which begins the
hero’s journey
Can be a person or a piece of
information
Upsets the balance of the hero’s
world

10. Friendly Beast
An animal which befriends man

11. Warrior
Noble, honorable, courageous,
self-reliant
A protector; quick to aid those in
distress
Stands against unfair authority
Must at some time fight own inner
dragons

12. Castle
A strong place of safety
May hold treasure, princess
May be enchanted or bewitched

13. Evil Adversary
Represents the forces of evil and
is almost as strong as the hero
Offers worldly goods, fame, or
knowledge to the hero in an effort
to bring him/her over to the evil
side
Must be destroyed or neutralized

14. Enemies
Seek to hinder the Hero on his
journey and/or do harm to him
and his allies

15. Creature of Nightmare
Some sort of monster-like
creature that threatens the life of
the hero

16. Tower
A strong place of evil
Likely to be the headquarters of
the evil adversary

17. Underworld
A place of death or great evil

18. Wilderness
A place of danger and lawlessness
Threatens life / survival

19. Darkness
Symbolizes the unknown,
ignorance, evil, despair

20. Ice / Snow
Symbolizes lack of feeling, death,
indifference

21. Whirlpool
Symbolizes the destructive power
of nature

22. Supernatural Intervention
A supernatural force intervenes
on the side of the hero – and
sometimes against him

23. Damsel in Distress
Vulnerable woman who must be
rescued by the hero
Often used as a way to trap the
hero

24. Threshold Guardians
People, beings or situations which
block the hero’s passage into the
journey
They have two functions:
Protect the hero from taking
journeys before he is ready
Once hero is ready, point the way

25. Crossroads
A time or place of decision
When a realization is made and a
change or penance results

26. Evil Figure with the Ultimately
Good Heart
An evil figure saved by the nobility
or the love of the hero

27. Outcast
A figure who is banished from a
group from some crime
Usually destined to become a
wanderer from place to place

28. Unhealable Wound
Can be physical or psychological
and cannot be fully healed
Causes suffering and pain

29. Battle Between Good & Evil
Represents the battle between
the two most important forces in
life
Goodness often encounters great
odds in its battle with evil

30. Water
Usually symbolizes creation, birth,
growth, restoration of life,
purification