chosen one
Prophesied savior figure
A chosen one is a person selected by fate, prophecy, or divine will to fulfill a special destiny—typically saving the world or defeating evil.
The concept pervades mythology, religion, and popular fiction: Harry Potter is the chosen one destined to defeat Voldemort.
Used ironically for anyone treated as uniquely special or destined for greatness: Oh, so you're the chosen one who's going to fix the department?
Prophesied liberator figure
- redeemerOne who saves another
- saviorOne who rescues another
- anointedBlessed with sacred oil
- delivererOne who brings goods
liberator · salvation · emancipator · prophet · avatar · incarnation · intercessor · blessed
Top competitor, or advocate
- heroOne admired for courage
- warriorOne skilled in combat
- defenderOne who guards another
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
savior · protector · knight · paladin · valor · courage · bravery · quest
Story's central figure
- heroOne admired for courage
- arcCurved line segment
- journeyTravel from place to place
- backstoryCharacter's past narrative
underdog · reluctant · destiny · burden · mentor · training · origin · transformation
Foretelling of future events
- foretoldPredicted future events
- destinyPredetermined course of events
- fatePredetermined course of events
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
predestined · fated · preordained · omen · augury · divination · seer · soothsayer
messiah
Prophesied liberator figure
deliverer · liberator · salvation · emancipator · prophet · avatar · incarnation · intercessor · blessed · holy
champion
Top competitor, or advocate
guardian · savior · protector · knight · paladin · valor · courage · bravery · quest · trial
protagonist
Story's central figure
backstory · underdog · reluctant · destiny · burden · mentor · training · origin · transformation · growth
prophecy
Foretelling of future events
- foretoldPredicted future events
- destinyPredetermined course of events
- fatePredetermined course of events
oracle · predestined · fated · preordained · omen · augury · divination · seer · soothsayer · kismet
elect
Choose by vote
selected · appointed · vote · delegate · designate · successor · heir · anointed · handpicked · favored
- fantasy fictionepic fantasy, high fantasy, low fantasy, dark fantasy, urban fantasy
- myth & legendquest, hero journey, dragon slaying, treasure hunt, epic voyage
- fantasywizard, witch, magic, dragon, elf
- fantasy elementsdragon, wizard, witch, spell, wand
- family entertainmentanimated films, cartoons, G-rated, happy endings, happily ever after
- Dystopia1984, Nineteen Eighty-Four, dystopian fiction, totalitarianism, Brave New World
chosen onepassed over
Bypassed for selection
unchosen · overlooked · discarded · excluded · cast aside
chosen onenobody
Inconsequential person
everyman · commoner · average Joe · mere mortal · unremarkable
one, choice, choose, chosen, choosing, chooses, choices, chooser