The Wiseman

Alternate Titles: Patron, Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, Vizier

The Wiseman is the giver of bad advice, the false teacher, the master who leads his students to their own destruction. He is evil in one of it's subtler forms, the serpant whispering to Eve that if she eats the fruit of the Tree she will not die. His teachings often appear attractive, or even good, on the surface, but when they are put into practice they lead into error and cause the dissolution of one's prospects or moral character. In plots where the Magus is also present, the counsels of the Wiseman will always seem to be the easier road, and even the more sensible course: he tells the listener what they want to hear and offers alternatives that are too good to be true.
His is the wisdom of the world, but it is not the wisdom of God. He will often style himself as a realist, or a street-smart helper who is willing to assist the idealistic characters on the upper half of the square to divest themselves of their foolish and impractical notions. This is the man who justifies immorality by the claim that "This is how things work in the real world..."
In stories where this character is well done, he often comes accross as extremely charming, sympathetic or appealing; the effect that he has on other characters is communicated to the viewer and even though we know that his philosophy is wrong we can see why he is able to draw people in. Lord Henry gets all the good lines in Dorian Gray and the voice of Saruman the wise holds all listeners enthralled.
When he takes someone under his wing, he enters into a relationship where his protege seems to be deeply indebted to him, but where he has no responsibility for the consequences of his actions. Often, he uses his pupils as pawns in his own schemes under the pretext of helping them.

Archetypal Events: Bad Advice, Mesmerize

Common Plots:

Down Goes the Disciple: The Wiseman finds a promising Disciple, possibly already under the guidance of a wise Magus, and lures him in with promises of an easier path to glory. The Disciple follows the Wiseman's bad advice and is ultimately destroyed by it, falling to Disgrace and often to death.

Lets Kill the Children: A Wiseman and a Medea get together and destroy (physically, or metaphorically) their children, students, proteges, etc. In the process they come to hate and despise one another with greater and greater fervor. Their violence towards one another may be largely psychological and intellectual (as in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?) or terrifyingly gory (as in Antichrist.)

Obsessive Ambition: The Wiseman is in the pursuit of some accolade or honour, a championship, a promotion, a Nobel prize. He sacrifices everything in his life, especially his relationships and loyalties, in order to win. It turns out, once he gets it, that the object of his desire is nothing but vainglory.

The Better to See You With: The Wiseman tricks an Orphan into ignoring the wise advice of her mother. He lures her into his lair and gobbles her up.

The Pederast's Love Story: The Wiseman falls for and seduces a Disgrace, under the pretext of mentorship. (This story is the entire basis for Greek pederasty.)

Foxhole: The Wiseman's home is a den where he squirrels away his secrets, and where he is protected from exposure and the moral consequences of his actions. Often a hidden alchemist's laboratory.
I Don't Believe You Anymore: The Wiseman's power derives from his credibility, his ability to keep his real agendas and nature secret. Once he is found out, his golden lies are worthless.
Weapon: A
The Cloak of Authority: A Wiseman dresses in some garment that will give him authority and credibility, often a magician's robes, a bathrobe, a lab-coat, a fancy business suit, etc.
Prize: Secrets
Monument: A
Minor Symbols: A

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