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* ''Franchise/{{Bionicle}}'' plays this in the earlier arcs with Takua, whose job literally is being the Chronicler. Although he plays a role as a major protagonist, this role is still somewhat relegated to side-character since he is a mere villager. The ''Mask of Light'' movie plays with this further when he and Jaller were called the heralds of the [[TheSixthRanger seventh Toa]], and the switching of responsibilities between who is the herald between the Chronicler and the Captain of the Guard. This ultimately comes to an end when [[spoiler:Takua puts on the Mask of Light and becomes the Seventh Toa.]] From this point on, he is no longer referred to as the Chronicler.
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* ''Franchise/{{Bionicle}}'' plays this ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'':
** This is played with in the earlier arcs with Takua, whose job literally is being the Chronicler. Although he plays a role as a major protagonist, this role is still somewhat relegated to side-character since he is a mere villager. The ''Mask of Light'' movie plays with this further when he and Jaller were called the heralds of the [[TheSixthRanger seventh Toa]], and the switching of responsibilities between who is the herald between the Chronicler and the Captain of the Guard. This ultimately comes to an end when [[spoiler:Takua puts on the Mask of Light and becomes the Seventh Toa.]] From this point on, he is no longer referred to as the Chronicler.
** This is played with in the earlier arcs with Takua, whose job literally is being the Chronicler. Although he plays a role as a major protagonist, this role is still somewhat relegated to side-character since he is a mere villager. The ''Mask of Light'' movie plays with this further when he and Jaller were called the heralds of the [[TheSixthRanger seventh Toa]], and the switching of responsibilities between who is the herald between the Chronicler and the Captain of the Guard. This ultimately comes to an end when [[spoiler:Takua puts on the Mask of Light and becomes the Seventh Toa.]] From this point on, he is no longer referred to as the Chronicler.
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A character who accompanies the other characters with the stated purpose to document, chronicle, compose songs, or otherwise immortalize the adventures that they have.
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A character who accompanies the other characters with the stated purpose to document, chronicle, compose songs, songs about, or otherwise immortalize the adventures that they have.
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The chronicler's relationship with other characters can also vary: they might be TheLoad, a NonActionGuy, or be of limited use as TheSocialExpert. But they can also be or develop into a full-fledged adventurer and peer to the other characters. The key part is what motivates them to [[JumpedAtTheCall go on the adventure]] in the first place--namely, the desire to tell others about it later on.
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The chronicler's relationship with other characters can also vary: they might be TheLoad, a NonActionGuy, or be of limited use as TheSocialExpert. But they can also be or develop into a full-fledged adventurer and peer to the other characters. The key part is what motivates them to [[JumpedAtTheCall go on the adventure]] in the first place--namely, the desire to tell others about it later on.
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* While he is in more of an administrative position, the (ex-)journalist Diethard Reid from ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is essentially this. He didn't need to join the Black Knights, as he was already in a high ranking media position, but upon seeing Zero for the first time, he was immediately entrhalled and impressed and wanted to see how far Zero would go in his plans and did everything to make them reality. [[spoiler: Upon the betrayal of the Black Knights, Diethard switched sides to work with Schneizel to see how far he'd go and was killed by a Geassed Schneizel.]]
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* While he is in more of an administrative position, the (ex-)journalist Diethard Reid from ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is essentially this. He didn't need to join the Black Knights, as he was already in a high ranking media position, but upon seeing Zero for the first time, he was immediately entrhalled enthralled and impressed and wanted to see how far Zero would go in his plans and did everything to make them reality. [[spoiler: Upon the betrayal of the Black Knights, Diethard switched sides to work with Schneizel to see how far he'd go and was killed by a Geassed Schneizel.]]
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* PlayedWith in the ''GotrekAndFelix'' novels: Felix is one of the two main characters but he is also a bard trying to keep up with and sing about the adventures of the dwarf Gotrek, who is trying to find something that can kill him.
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* PlayedWith in the ''GotrekAndFelix'' ''Literature/GotrekAndFelix'' novels: Felix is one of the two main characters but he is also a bard trying to keep up with and sing about the adventures of the dwarf Gotrek, who is trying to find something that can kill him.
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expanding on the Xena example
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* The eponymous heroine of ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess'' usually travels with a bard named Gabrielle.
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* The eponymous heroine of Gabrielle from ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess'' usually travels with a bard named Gabrielle.starts off as this, she goes on to become Xena's almost equal throughout the series.
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*Sun from ''FanFic/KyoshiRising'' is a WanderingMinstrel whose life long dream is to write the Avatar's biography. He's the first member of Kyoshi's group, meeting her six days into her journey to master the Elements, and grows to being something of a Confidant and morality chain in case Kyoshi gets too stressed or slips into being a KnightTemplar.
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* Hurdy in FanFic/TheTaintedGrimoire joined Clan Gully so he can base his next masterpiece on them.
* The narrator in TheBlackCompanyInMiddleEarth is the Annalist, whose job it is to record the history of the Black Company.
* The narrator in TheBlackCompanyInMiddleEarth is the Annalist, whose job it is to record the history of the Black Company.
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* Hurdy in FanFic/TheTaintedGrimoire ''FanFic/TheTaintedGrimoire'' joined Clan Gully so he can base his next masterpiece on them.
* The narrator inTheBlackCompanyInMiddleEarth ''Fanfic/TheBlackCompanyInMiddleEarth'' is the Annalist, whose job it is to record the history of the Black Company.
* The narrator in
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* The narrator in TheBlackCompanyInMiddleEarth is the Annalist, whose job it is to record the history of the Black Company.
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* [[MeaningfulName Tag]] in the 1989 InteractiveFiction game ''Journey'' is nominally the merchant of the group, but acts more as a chronicler for the adventure. He survives every GameOver and records your HaveANiceDeath as his reminiscing, which also includes hints on how to win next time (framed as his thoughts in hindsight).
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* While he is in more of an administrative position, Diethard Reid from ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is essentially this. He didn't need to join the Black Knights, as he was already in a high ranking media position, but upon seeing Zero for the first time, he was immediately entrhalled and impressed and wanted to see how far Zero would go in his plans and did everything to make them reality. [[spoiler: Upon the betrayal of the Black Knights, Diethard switched sides to work with Schneizel to see how far he'd go and was killed by a Geassed Schneizel.]]
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* While he is in more of an administrative position, the (ex-)journalist Diethard Reid from ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is essentially this. He didn't need to join the Black Knights, as he was already in a high ranking media position, but upon seeing Zero for the first time, he was immediately entrhalled and impressed and wanted to see how far Zero would go in his plans and did everything to make them reality. [[spoiler: Upon the betrayal of the Black Knights, Diethard switched sides to work with Schneizel to see how far he'd go and was killed by a Geassed Schneizel.]]
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* While he is in more of an administrative position, Diethard Reid from ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is essentially this. He didn't need to join the Black Knights, as he was already in a high ranking media position, but upon seeing Zero for the first time, he was immediately entrhalled and impressed and wanted to see how far Zero would go in his plans and did everything to make them reality. [[spoiler: Upon the betrayal of the Black Knights, Diethard switched sides to work with Schneizel to see how far he'd go and was killed by a Geassed Schneizel.]]
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* ''Series/WarpZoneProject'' has ComicBooksAreReal as part of the setting, which makes authors fall into this trope. Despite them being an important part of the setting, only Death Toy's has been shown so far.
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* ''Series/GenerationKill'': Evan Wright is a reporter from Rolling Stone Magazine who embedded with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the United States Marine Corps during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Both the book and the TV miniseries are based on his experiences during the invasion.
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* Varric Tethras from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' and ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' is both TheSpymaster and TheStoryteller; he talks for a living as well as to entertain. In ''II'', he provides the game's FramingDevice, having turned the controversial events surrounding Hawke into a world-famous tale.
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* Varric Tethras from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' and ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' is both TheSpymaster and TheStoryteller; he talks for a living as well as to entertain. In ''II'', he provides the game's FramingDevice, having turned the controversial events surrounding around Hawke into a world-famous tale.
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* Varric Tethras from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' and ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' is a rare non-bardic example: instead, he is TheSpymaster, who talks for a living but not to entertain people.
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* Varric Tethras from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' and ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' is a rare non-bardic example: instead, both TheSpymaster and TheStoryteller; he is TheSpymaster, who talks for a living but not as well as to entertain people.entertain. In ''II'', he provides the game's FramingDevice, having turned the controversial events surrounding Hawke into a world-famous tale.
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* Jiminy Cricket from ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts''. He's tasked by King Mickey to find Sora and record his journey. In the second game, not only he records your journey, he also gives you a hint of where to go/what to do in a world. Being an actual cricket, he mostly hides in Sora's hoodie.
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* Jiminy Cricket from ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts''.''Franchise/KingdomHearts''. He's tasked by King Mickey to find Sora and record his journey. In the second game, not only he records your journey, he also gives you a hint of where to go/what to do in a world. Being an actual cricket, he mostly hides in Sora's hoodie.
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* Downplayed with Pia from ''VideoGame/ADanceWithRogues'' is a bard who travels with the Princess, particularly in part two. She is motivated mainly by her protectiveness towards the Princess, but her professional pride still shines through from time to time, such as when she suddenly starts composing a song after a BossBattle to immortalize their victories.
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* Downplayed with Pia from in ''VideoGame/ADanceWithRogues'' is with Pia, a bard who joins the Princess on her travels with the Princess, particularly (particularly in part two. She is motivated two) mainly by her protectiveness towards the Princess, but to protect her--but her professional pride still shines through from time to time, such as when she suddenly starts composing a song after a BossBattle to immortalize their victories.
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* Pia from ''VideoGame/ADanceWithRogues'' is a bard who travels with the Princess, particularly in part two. However, in the CrapsackWorld of the game, she does not get to display her singing abilities all that often.
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* Downplayed with Pia from ''VideoGame/ADanceWithRogues'' is a bard who travels with the Princess, particularly in part two. However, in She is motivated mainly by her protectiveness towards the CrapsackWorld of the game, Princess, but her professional pride still shines through from time to time, such as when she does not get suddenly starts composing a song after a BossBattle to display her singing abilities all that often.immortalize their victories.
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* Varric Tethras from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' is a rare non-bardic example: instead, he is TheSpymaster, who talks for a living but not to entertain people.
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* Varric Tethras from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' and ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' is a rare non-bardic example: instead, he is TheSpymaster, who talks for a living but not to entertain people.
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* Dr. Watson chronicles the cases of Franchise/SherlockHolmes in universe.
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* Dr. Watson chronicles the cases of Franchise/SherlockHolmes in universe.in-universe, even though he is not a professional writer from the start.
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* St. Matthew in ''Literature/TheLastTemptationOfChrist''. Subverted in that [[spoiler:most of what Matthew writes down was dictated to him by an angel]].
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* St. Matthew in ''Literature/TheLastTemptationOfChrist''. Subverted in that [[spoiler:most of what Matthew writes down was dictated to him by an angel]].
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* Dr. Watson chronicles the cases of Franchise/SherlockHolmes in universe.
* St. Matthew in ''Literature/TheLastTemptationOfChrist''. Subverted in that [[spoiler:most of what Matthew writes down was dictated to him by an angel]].
* St. Matthew in ''Literature/TheLastTemptationOfChrist''. Subverted in that [[spoiler:most of what Matthew writes down was dictated to him by an angel]].
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** Hahli took on this role briefly to accompany Takanuva. However, soon after she too became a Toa, and the Chronicler title was assigned to Kopeke. So far, he hasn't done any tagging-along.
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Adding in Perjour for RS (he\'s dead now but he was still a tagalong chronicler)
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* Perjour from ''VideoGame/RuneScape'' chronicled everything he saw, heard or thought in a book he was magically bound to before his death.
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Supertrope to TagalongReporter. Compare IShouldWriteABookAboutThis and TheStoryteller. If this character is a FourthWallObserver, then he's an AllKnowingSingingNarrator.
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Supertrope to TagalongReporter. Compare IShouldWriteABookAboutThis IShouldWriteABookAboutThis, TheStoryteller, and TheStoryteller.FirstPersonPeripheralNarrator. If this character is a FourthWallObserver, then he's an AllKnowingSingingNarrator.
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language and grammar fixes
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The chronicler's relationship with other characters can also vary: they might be a TheLoad, a NonActionGuy, or can be useful as TheSocialExpert. They can also be or develop into a full-fledged adventurer and peer with the other characters. The key part is what motivates them to [[JumpedAtTheCall go on the adventure]] in the first place--namely, the desire to tell others about it later on.
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The chronicler's relationship with other characters can also vary: they might be a TheLoad, a NonActionGuy, or can be useful of limited use as TheSocialExpert. They But they can also be or develop into a full-fledged adventurer and peer with to the other characters. The key part is what motivates them to [[JumpedAtTheCall go on the adventure]] in the first place--namely, the desire to tell others about it later on.
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minor edits; add example
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A character who accompanies others with the stated purpose to document, chronicle, compose songs, or otherwise immortalize the adventures that they have.
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A character who accompanies others the other characters with the stated purpose to document, chronicle, compose songs, or otherwise immortalize the adventures that they have.
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* ''Discworld/TheLastHero'' has a bard who travels along with the Silver Horde to document their last adventure and turn it into an epic tale.
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* ''Discworld/TheLastHero'' has a bard who travels along with In ''Discworld/TheLastHero'', the Silver Horde abducts a minstrel to document follow them as they assault the Gods, so he can create a saga about their last adventure glorious deaths. He is unnamed through the entire tale, and turn it into an epic tale.ends calling himself "The Singer".
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* Lampshaded and PlayedForLaughs in ''[[Literature/JoesWorld Forward the Mage]]''. The book is ostensibly put together by the Alfredae, chronicling lice who live in the hair of the protagonist Shelyid. They are frequently disdainful of everyone else and extremely snobbish, die quite frequently causing shifts in how they narrate, and complement their own narrative with other sources (which they often think are untrustworthy and biased). They are very much an UnreliableNarrator, but so is everyone else.
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[[folder:Fanfiction]]
* Hurdy in FanFic/TheTaintedGrimoire joined Clan Gully so he can base his next masterpiece on them.
[[/folder]]
* Hurdy in FanFic/TheTaintedGrimoire joined Clan Gully so he can base his next masterpiece on them.
[[/folder]]
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* In ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'', this was the purpose of Remembrancers during the Great Crusade.
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* In MercedesLackey's ''[[HeraldsOfValdemar Vows and Honor]]'' series, Tarma and Kethry have a bard called Leslac following them around, who keeps, ahem, "embellishing" the details of their adventures, much to their irritation.
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[[AC:Anime and Manga]]
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[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
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[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
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[[folder:Multiple Media]]
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[[folder:Literature]]
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[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
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[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
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[[AC:Video Games]]
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[[folder:Video Games]]
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[[folder:Webcomics]]
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[[AC:Web Original]]
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[[folder:Web Original]]
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A character who accompanies others with the stated purpose to document, chronicle, compose songs, or otherwise immortalize the adventures that they have.
Their motivation for this may vary from trying to make a name as a [[TheStoryteller famous storyteller]], through insatiable curiosity, to coercion by other characters. It may also simply be their job. In HeroicFantasy, the chronicler is often a [[TheBard Bard]], a WanderingMinstrel, a scholar, etc. Professional journalists fall under the TagalongReporter subtrope.
The chronicler's relationship with other characters can also vary: they might be a TheLoad, a NonActionGuy, or can be useful as TheSocialExpert. They can also be or develop into a full-fledged adventurer and peer with the other characters. The key part is what motivates them to [[JumpedAtTheCall go on the adventure]] in the first place--namely, the desire to tell others about it later on.
Sometimes overlaps with NarratorAllAlong and InDefenceOfStoryTelling. Out of universe, it can be a manifestation of MostWritersAreWriters and WriteWhatYouKnow.
Supertrope to TagalongReporter. Compare IShouldWriteABookAboutThis and TheStoryteller. If this character is a FourthWallObserver, then he's an AllKnowingSingingNarrator.
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!!Examples:
[[AC:Anime and Manga]]
* In the anime adaptation of ''VisualNovel/TearsToTiara'', Taliesin joins [[TheHero Arthur]] and Co. after they prove themselves to him, and then serves as a rather competent SpoonyBard, whose skills with the sword match Arthur and whose discovery and usage of [[spoiler:Song Of Creation]] is pivotal in proceeding to the VeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon for the finale.
[[AC:Film -- Live-Action]]
* In ''Film/AKnightsTale'', William Thatcher and his sidekick, Roland, come across the naked and penniless Geoffrey Chaucer. Chaucer accompanies them to their next joust, and delivers a lengthy (if fictional) reading of Thatcher's pedigree to allow him to enter the competition.
* In ''Film/{{Unforgiven}}'', English Bob has a dime novelist following him around chronicling his exploits for the folks back east. When Bob is thrown out of town by sheriff Little Bill, the novelist chooses to stay in order to write about him instead.
* Parodied in ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail'' with Sir Robin's minstrels, who follow him around and make up impromptu songs about him. However, since his a chronic coward, their task often proves quite difficult.
* Gilbert of Glockenspur carries quills and parchments galore like a Medieval serial Tweeter in ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'' as he chronicles the heroics of KnightErrant Sir Bowen and his EnemyMine dragon, Draco.
[[AC:Multiple Media]]
* ''Franchise/{{Bionicle}}'' plays this in the earlier arcs with Takua, whose job literally is being the Chronicler. Although he plays a role as a major protagonist, this role is still somewhat relegated to side-character since he is a mere villager. The ''Mask of Light'' movie plays with this further when he and Jaller were called the heralds of the [[TheSixthRanger seventh Toa]], and the switching of responsibilities between who is the herald between the Chronicler and the Captain of the Guard. This ultimately comes to an end when [[spoiler:Takua puts on the Mask of Light and becomes the Seventh Toa.]] From this point on, he is no longer referred to as the Chronicler.
[[AC:Literature]]
* Dandelion the Bard is Geralt's best friend and more or less personal chronicler in ''Franchise/TheWitcher'' novel series.
* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', after running into Rand and the others, Loial continues to follow them around at least in part so he can gather material for the book he plans to write about the time of the Dragon Reborn. Of course, given the [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters many main characters]] and [[FourLinesAllWaiting diverging plotlines]] he quickly loses track of key groups and has a lot of catching up to do whenever they meet.
* The ''Literature/HorusHeresy'' novels mention that the Legiones Astartes were accompanied by remembrancers, scribes whose duty was to write down the battle reports chronicle the legions' conquests. Some of the books feature them quite prominently.
* PlayedWith in the ''GotrekAndFelix'' novels: Felix is one of the two main characters but he is also a bard trying to keep up with and sing about the adventures of the dwarf Gotrek, who is trying to find something that can kill him.
* ''Discworld/TheLastHero'' has a bard who travels along with the Silver Horde to document their last adventure and turn it into an epic tale.
* ''Literature/RedCountry'' has the infamous mercenary Cosca encountered by a dime novelist, in a ShoutOut to ''Film/{{Unforgiven}}'' (the novel is a [[SpaceWestern Fantasy Western]]). As in the film, the novelist gets caught up in his subject's nasty behavior [[spoiler: although unlike the film, the novelist here eventually has enough and kills Cosca, and at the end of the book, is about to start chronicling a famous Mountain Man who has been [[FakeUltimateHero built up as a larger-than-life hero]] throughout the book]].
* In ''Literature/MountainsBeyondMountains'', the author, Tracy Kidder, met Paul Farmer early in the novel and wrote about things that happened during his time with Farmer.
* In the novel ''Literature/PrinceOmbra'' by Roderick [=MacLeish=], the forces of Good fight the forces of Evil every generation or so, and every EternalHero has a "Rememberer", whose job it is to tell the story afterward.
[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
* The eponymous heroine of ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess'' usually travels with a bard named Gabrielle.
[[AC:Tabletop Games]]
* This is usually the role of the bard class in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' {{player part|y}}ies.
* Members of the Great Society of the Trouping Jays in ''TabletopGame/{{Ehdrigohr}}'' are this, since their mission is to compose and perform songs that inspire others and they often join groups of warriors (e.g. the Crows) on their travels.
[[AC:Video Games]]
* The bard Iolo [=FitzOwen=] was one of the mainstays of the ''Franchise/{{Ultima}}'' series, although he could first be recruited into the Avatar's party in ''VideoGame/UltimaIV''. In the same game, however, the Avatar could be a bard himself (combining both roles), in which case Iolo never joined him.
* In the first ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' expansion pack ''Shadows of Undrentide'', you can recruit a kobold bard named Deekin Scalesinger as a henchman. The second expansion ''Hordes of the Underdark'' reveals that Deekin wrote a book about your character's exploits in Undrentide, leading to both him and [[PlayerCharacter your character]] becoming minor celebrities in the realms.
* Dandelion reprises his role as Geralt's chronicler in ''VideoGame/TheWitcher'' video game adaptation.
* Pia from ''VideoGame/ADanceWithRogues'' is a bard who travels with the Princess, particularly in part two. However, in the CrapsackWorld of the game, she does not get to display her singing abilities all that often.
* Leliana in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' is ultimately revealed to have been a bard before becoming a nun. Of course, in [[Franchise/DragonAge this setting]], bards are just as much assassins/burglars for hire as they are {{Wandering Minstrel}}s, so she is definitely not TheChick.
* Varric Tethras from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' is a rare non-bardic example: instead, he is TheSpymaster, who talks for a living but not to entertain people.
* After the intro missions of ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa3'', you stumble upon a Minstrel in a bar, who recites a poem and proclaims that he feels that you inspire him to write a new one, joining your party.
* Jiminy Cricket from ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts''. He's tasked by King Mickey to find Sora and record his journey. In the second game, not only he records your journey, he also gives you a hint of where to go/what to do in a world. Being an actual cricket, he mostly hides in Sora's hoodie.
[[AC:Webcomics]]
* Jaine from ''Webcomic/MeatShield'' joined Dhur in order to chronicle his exploits, basically as a school project for the bardic conservatory she was attending. In a twist, she's easily the smartest character in the party, and quite useful in a fight as well.
[[AC:Web Original]]
* This is Wren's job in ''WebVideo/JourneyQuest''. In a slight variation, she is tasked with following the questing party rather than actually joining it; indeed rule number one is observation only, and ''no interfering with the story''.
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Their motivation for this may vary from trying to make a name as a [[TheStoryteller famous storyteller]], through insatiable curiosity, to coercion by other characters. It may also simply be their job. In HeroicFantasy, the chronicler is often a [[TheBard Bard]], a WanderingMinstrel, a scholar, etc. Professional journalists fall under the TagalongReporter subtrope.
The chronicler's relationship with other characters can also vary: they might be a TheLoad, a NonActionGuy, or can be useful as TheSocialExpert. They can also be or develop into a full-fledged adventurer and peer with the other characters. The key part is what motivates them to [[JumpedAtTheCall go on the adventure]] in the first place--namely, the desire to tell others about it later on.
Sometimes overlaps with NarratorAllAlong and InDefenceOfStoryTelling. Out of universe, it can be a manifestation of MostWritersAreWriters and WriteWhatYouKnow.
Supertrope to TagalongReporter. Compare IShouldWriteABookAboutThis and TheStoryteller. If this character is a FourthWallObserver, then he's an AllKnowingSingingNarrator.
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!!Examples:
[[AC:Anime and Manga]]
* In the anime adaptation of ''VisualNovel/TearsToTiara'', Taliesin joins [[TheHero Arthur]] and Co. after they prove themselves to him, and then serves as a rather competent SpoonyBard, whose skills with the sword match Arthur and whose discovery and usage of [[spoiler:Song Of Creation]] is pivotal in proceeding to the VeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon for the finale.
[[AC:Film -- Live-Action]]
* In ''Film/AKnightsTale'', William Thatcher and his sidekick, Roland, come across the naked and penniless Geoffrey Chaucer. Chaucer accompanies them to their next joust, and delivers a lengthy (if fictional) reading of Thatcher's pedigree to allow him to enter the competition.
* In ''Film/{{Unforgiven}}'', English Bob has a dime novelist following him around chronicling his exploits for the folks back east. When Bob is thrown out of town by sheriff Little Bill, the novelist chooses to stay in order to write about him instead.
* Parodied in ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail'' with Sir Robin's minstrels, who follow him around and make up impromptu songs about him. However, since his a chronic coward, their task often proves quite difficult.
* Gilbert of Glockenspur carries quills and parchments galore like a Medieval serial Tweeter in ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'' as he chronicles the heroics of KnightErrant Sir Bowen and his EnemyMine dragon, Draco.
[[AC:Multiple Media]]
* ''Franchise/{{Bionicle}}'' plays this in the earlier arcs with Takua, whose job literally is being the Chronicler. Although he plays a role as a major protagonist, this role is still somewhat relegated to side-character since he is a mere villager. The ''Mask of Light'' movie plays with this further when he and Jaller were called the heralds of the [[TheSixthRanger seventh Toa]], and the switching of responsibilities between who is the herald between the Chronicler and the Captain of the Guard. This ultimately comes to an end when [[spoiler:Takua puts on the Mask of Light and becomes the Seventh Toa.]] From this point on, he is no longer referred to as the Chronicler.
[[AC:Literature]]
* Dandelion the Bard is Geralt's best friend and more or less personal chronicler in ''Franchise/TheWitcher'' novel series.
* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', after running into Rand and the others, Loial continues to follow them around at least in part so he can gather material for the book he plans to write about the time of the Dragon Reborn. Of course, given the [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters many main characters]] and [[FourLinesAllWaiting diverging plotlines]] he quickly loses track of key groups and has a lot of catching up to do whenever they meet.
* The ''Literature/HorusHeresy'' novels mention that the Legiones Astartes were accompanied by remembrancers, scribes whose duty was to write down the battle reports chronicle the legions' conquests. Some of the books feature them quite prominently.
* PlayedWith in the ''GotrekAndFelix'' novels: Felix is one of the two main characters but he is also a bard trying to keep up with and sing about the adventures of the dwarf Gotrek, who is trying to find something that can kill him.
* ''Discworld/TheLastHero'' has a bard who travels along with the Silver Horde to document their last adventure and turn it into an epic tale.
* ''Literature/RedCountry'' has the infamous mercenary Cosca encountered by a dime novelist, in a ShoutOut to ''Film/{{Unforgiven}}'' (the novel is a [[SpaceWestern Fantasy Western]]). As in the film, the novelist gets caught up in his subject's nasty behavior [[spoiler: although unlike the film, the novelist here eventually has enough and kills Cosca, and at the end of the book, is about to start chronicling a famous Mountain Man who has been [[FakeUltimateHero built up as a larger-than-life hero]] throughout the book]].
* In ''Literature/MountainsBeyondMountains'', the author, Tracy Kidder, met Paul Farmer early in the novel and wrote about things that happened during his time with Farmer.
* In the novel ''Literature/PrinceOmbra'' by Roderick [=MacLeish=], the forces of Good fight the forces of Evil every generation or so, and every EternalHero has a "Rememberer", whose job it is to tell the story afterward.
[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
* The eponymous heroine of ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess'' usually travels with a bard named Gabrielle.
[[AC:Tabletop Games]]
* This is usually the role of the bard class in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' {{player part|y}}ies.
* Members of the Great Society of the Trouping Jays in ''TabletopGame/{{Ehdrigohr}}'' are this, since their mission is to compose and perform songs that inspire others and they often join groups of warriors (e.g. the Crows) on their travels.
[[AC:Video Games]]
* The bard Iolo [=FitzOwen=] was one of the mainstays of the ''Franchise/{{Ultima}}'' series, although he could first be recruited into the Avatar's party in ''VideoGame/UltimaIV''. In the same game, however, the Avatar could be a bard himself (combining both roles), in which case Iolo never joined him.
* In the first ''VideoGame/NeverwinterNights'' expansion pack ''Shadows of Undrentide'', you can recruit a kobold bard named Deekin Scalesinger as a henchman. The second expansion ''Hordes of the Underdark'' reveals that Deekin wrote a book about your character's exploits in Undrentide, leading to both him and [[PlayerCharacter your character]] becoming minor celebrities in the realms.
* Dandelion reprises his role as Geralt's chronicler in ''VideoGame/TheWitcher'' video game adaptation.
* Pia from ''VideoGame/ADanceWithRogues'' is a bard who travels with the Princess, particularly in part two. However, in the CrapsackWorld of the game, she does not get to display her singing abilities all that often.
* Leliana in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' is ultimately revealed to have been a bard before becoming a nun. Of course, in [[Franchise/DragonAge this setting]], bards are just as much assassins/burglars for hire as they are {{Wandering Minstrel}}s, so she is definitely not TheChick.
* Varric Tethras from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' is a rare non-bardic example: instead, he is TheSpymaster, who talks for a living but not to entertain people.
* After the intro missions of ''VideoGame/RomancingSaGa3'', you stumble upon a Minstrel in a bar, who recites a poem and proclaims that he feels that you inspire him to write a new one, joining your party.
* Jiminy Cricket from ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts''. He's tasked by King Mickey to find Sora and record his journey. In the second game, not only he records your journey, he also gives you a hint of where to go/what to do in a world. Being an actual cricket, he mostly hides in Sora's hoodie.
[[AC:Webcomics]]
* Jaine from ''Webcomic/MeatShield'' joined Dhur in order to chronicle his exploits, basically as a school project for the bardic conservatory she was attending. In a twist, she's easily the smartest character in the party, and quite useful in a fight as well.
[[AC:Web Original]]
* This is Wren's job in ''WebVideo/JourneyQuest''. In a slight variation, she is tasked with following the questing party rather than actually joining it; indeed rule number one is observation only, and ''no interfering with the story''.
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