Villainous Archetype: The Adventurer

With the Buckaroo archetype already in mind, let’s look at its cousin, the Adventurer. Both openly flaunt societal standards and present a self-contained, unapologetic face to the world. They share the enormously attractive integrity, that simple assumption that their place is secure and valid, which brings them almost certain notice and implies a mentality of comfortable power. But where the buckaroo is brash, bluff, and flashy, the adventurer is often a more refined presence, and usually much less forceful in personality.

This archetype has as its prototype the late 19th century gentleman adventurer, one who was driven by a thirst for knowledge and adventure and often by the fame and fortune which can come from exploration. Generally, he was independently wealthy by one means or another, allowing the freedom to pursue that lifestyle. In real examples it was usually some wildly successful business venture or being a member of the landed gentry. In fiction it’s often barely mentioned or skipped entirely. The modern world allows a Proper Villain to adopt the adventurer’s lifestyle with a lot less wealth, thankfully. Between location-independent business, reduction in the price of relevant resources and services, and the availability of passive income to regular Joes, it can be done.

The main trait of the adventurer is exactly that: He adventures. He is full of interesting stories and frequently generates new ones, because he does interesting things that most people simply don’t do. I know that sounds very basic, but the fact is that while everyone wants to have stories to tell, few go to the trouble to make them. His lair contains many artifacts and memoirs, each with a story, however simple. To step into his study (or library, office, suite, or whatever his sanctum happens to be) is to glimpse his history. Without explanation, though, each detail is a small mystery, and the more intriguing for it. One could see these as the trophies of an adventurous life – and they are – but the important thing in acquiring them is to build a life which naturally produces them. An adventurer must not rest on his laurels, but continue to explore for as long as possible. Most importantly of all, an adventurer adventures for the sake of the experience itself, not just to make a story. Without that, the stories will ring hollow, and the desire to do more will flag.

Indiana Jones

 

Adventurers range from the suave to the rough-and-ready, and there are plenty of examples of each. At one end you have Indiana Jones, Rick O’Connell, and Allan Quartermain. At the other is Dr. David Livingston and The Most Interesting Man in the World. Most, naturally, will be somewhere between. Richard Branson is probably the most well-known of the refined end of the scale, in modern times, but thanks to their habits of going where few if any have ever gone before – and few are there to see it – adventurers are known mostly in the circles where they have direct contact. In the recent movie of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, photographer Sean O’Connell is an accomplished, fascinating man who is barely known outside of Life Magazine and nature photographers.

Sean O'Connell

 

The Adventurer archetype is therefore an option for those who have the drive to see and do new things, and who can develop unusual abilities in pursuit of adventure and exploration. Travel is an obvious way to exercise this sort of option, but it doesn’t need to be to war zones or distant, forbidding regions. An interest in white-water rafting, wildlife photography, or paleontology (to give three easy examples) can lead to a habit of adventure. There are actually a huge number of choices, but they share these things: they are out of the ordinary, involve some amount of danger (at least perceived), and require an unusual skillset. Even relatively pedestrian activities can move you toward an adventurous reputation, in the eyes of those who never leave their comfy suburb. Camp for more than a day or two. Hike every peak in your region. Go sea kayaking. Become part of a sailing crew. Learn rock climbing, scuba diving, snowboarding, or wu shu. These are straightforward and easy to begin, but will move you toward a life of confident adventure.

Why should this sort of thing be considered a villainous archetype? Sounds a bit heroic, really, doesn’t it? It turns out that adventurers have always been considered odd, at best, ranging from curious and eccentric to uncouth and unsuitable for feminine company (therefore, of course, being very interesting to same). They may interact with polite society, but it is never their preferred arena. When it becomes tiresome or useless, or whenever the urge to adventure returns, as it must, they will turn away from society and go build new experiences.

Roosevelt's Trophy Room

 

As already mentioned, an adventurer can choose a wide variety of styles, letting him choose the alias – the public face – that best suits him. It’s an archetype that can combine fairly well with others in the same person, in spite of its straightforward nature and disregard for social norms. It also encourages the sort of detached and independent nature a Proper Villain will find very useful, regardless of alias.

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