Line #50 Main/SupernaturalAid


1	->''"You got some power in your corner now''
2	->''Some heavy ammunition in your camp!"''
3	-->-- '''The Genie''', ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}''
4
5	[[TheHero Our Hero(es)]] receive gifts from a powerful being, either a reverential figure or a supernatural one. So named by our good friend Joseph Campbell, Supernatural Aid occurs between the beginning and midpoint of [[TheHerosJourney The Hero's Journey]], usually about the time things start getting serious. The gift-giver will usually be either a [[PhysicalGod godlike being]] trying to help the heroes without [[ObstructiveCodeOfConduct intervening directly]], or just [[MentorArchetype a Mentor]]. In the latter case, he may give the gift directly or fall victim to the MentorOccupationalHazard and [[IAmDyingPleaseTakeMyMacGuffin bequeath it upon his death]].
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7	Either way, the item in question will be special, powerful, magical (or the [[AppliedPhlebotinum setting equivalent]]), and [[ChekhovsGun inevitably vital]]. As to its form, it may be a [[SwordOfPlotAdvancement weapon]], [[ProtectiveCharm amulet]], or any other useful item that [[ItMayHelpYouOnYourQuest may help him on his quest]]. If this is the case, the hero is generally told "YouWillKnowWhatToDo" (or, sometimes, "FigureItOutYourself").
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9	Often, the hero will need to pass a SecretTestOfCharacter to win the item (traditional favourites include showing [[SacredHospitality hospitality]] to [[AngelUnaware a beggar]], and helping an old woman cross a river).
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11	SubTrope of ItWasAGift. See also EnigmaticEmpoweringEntity. A special case that needs no introduction is GivingTheSwordToANoob. For the exact opposite, where the hero is noticeably given nothing useful when being assigned a quest, see WithThisHerring.
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13	----
14	!!Examples:
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16	[[foldercontrol]]
17
18	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
19	* The plot of ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is driven by this, with the protagonist's life being saved by a [[MysteriousWaif witch]] granting him powers as part of a [[DealWithTheDevil vague contract]] in the first episode.
20	* In the first episode of ''Anime/StarBlazers'' the Earth is told of a gift that will save the planet, and the season is then all about the journey they have to take to retrieve it.
21	* ''Manga/HayateTheCombatButler'' has the unlucky stones.
22	* ''Literature/ChromeShelledRegios'' is a bit of a twist as [[spoiler: Layfon has ''lost'' his [[InfinityPlusOneSword Heaven's Blade]]]], the anime then plays it straight [[spoiler: when it is returned and combined with his katana]].
23	* ''Manga/FushigiYuugi'' has power-ups given to all the Seishi by Taiitsukun. Arguably, the Shinzaho created by the Priestesses could also qualify.
24	[[/folder]]
25
26	[[folder:Comic Books]]
27	* This is how ComicBook/CaptainBritain of Marvel Comics got his start, with a little help from Merlin. And then subsequently more help, since he's one of those heroes who can't seem to stop dying.
28	* Most of Comicbook/DoctorStrange's mystic artifacts are treasures given by various entities, particularly the Eye of Agamotto. Interestingly, they belong to the office of Sorcerer Supreme, not to him personally, and are passed from holder to holder.
29	[[/folder]]
30
31	[[folder:Fan Works]]
32	* Very much played with in ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached''. The four are told that they received their considerable magic from the Fans and the C'hovite gods so that they'll be equipped to go on the Vasyn quest. However, this is not the true situation at all. John is first [[WingedHumanoid transformed]] because the Fans have to save his life, and Shag intends to change him back as soon as she can figure out how. Then Ringo independently crops up [[PsychicPowers psychic]], and the Fans realize they'd better make sure George and Paul get magic too, or things will be quite awkward amongst the four. It's only after the four are fully empowered that the C'hovite gods notice them and hire them (via the Fans) to go on the Vasyn quest.
33	** [[spoiler: And that's a lie too. What really happened is that over Winter Solstice Vacation, Jeft got ambitious and decided to set the four on the Vasyn quest because it was something interesting for them to do.]]
34	[[/folder]]
35
36	[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
37	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'': When Mulan's ancestors send her a guardian spirit to help her.
38	* In ''WesternAnimation/MulanII'', it is subverted in Mushu's trick.
39	* The Blue Fairy from ''WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}}'' (Note, in the original story, the puppet came to life of his own accord).
40	* In ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'', the fairies give Prince Phillip a Sword of Truth and a Shield of Virtue to fight Maleficent. They even add an extra incantation before the final blow.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder:Films -- Live Action]]
44	* Crossing over with TakeUpMySword, Luke gets his lightsaber from Obi-Wan in ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/ANewHope'', a move straight out of TheHerosJourney. Though oddly, he never uses it until [[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack the second movie]].
45	* In ''Film/TheThreeGodfathers'', just when Creator/JohnWayne is on the ropes trying to save the newborn, he pleads to God for help, and a donkey appears. (Complete with biblical verse lampshading it).
46	[[/folder]]
47
48	[[folder:Literature]]
49	* In ''Literature/TheDreamsideRoad'', Enoa Cloud inherits her [[MagicStaff staff]] and training equipment from her late aunt, Sucora. Before she died, Sucora intentionally prepared the powerful bequest for her niece’s use.
50	* ''Literature/GhostRoads'': Rose often has to turn to the routewitches or the gods themselves for aid.
51	** In the first book, she goes to their queen's court, where she gets a PowerTattoo that imbues her with the blessing of Persephone, protecting her from Bobby Cross.
52	** In the third book, when she's finally about to confront Bobby, she prays for a weapon, and finds a scythe in the dirt. [[spoiler:It becomes part of her when her act of vengeance turns her into one of the Furies.]]
53	* In the ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'', dragons grant magical powers right off, though it takes some instruction to use them properly. Over time, they also increase all the physical attributes of their rider. Ostensibly, anyway. The only people shown to be bonded with dragons are either very old, and thus have already gone through quite a bit of this, or get a Plot Relevant Upgrade fairly early on. Also, provided both partners aren't killed they'll live more-or-less forever. Technically AgeWithoutYouth, but with enough power, one can look as old or young as they wish.
54	* Galadriel gives the Fellowship parting gifts as they leave Lothlórien in ''[[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', most notably the lembas bread and the light of Eärendil.
55	* [[SantaClaus Father Christmas]] visits the four Pevensie children in ''Literature/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'', bearing a sword and shield for Peter, a bow for Susan, and a vial of healing potion for Lucy. (Edmund doesn't get anything, because he isn't there at the time ... though this is his own fault.)
56	* ''Literature/TheWonderfulWizardOfOz'' gives us a case of this, when the [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Good Witch of the North]] talks Dorothy into the shoes of the Wicked Witch of the East, which Glinda later reveals to be the only way for her to get home.
57	* Myth/TheLadyOfTheLake presenting Myth/KingArthur with his sword (Depending on the adaptation of Myth/ArthurianLegend).
58	* ''Literature/HarryPotter'':
59	** ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'': Harry begins his journey into the wizarding world by receiving a vault full of gold, a messenger owl, a MagicWand, and a flying broomstick.
60	** In ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows,'' Dumbledore bequeaths some magical objects to Harry, Ron and Hermione [[spoiler:from his will]]; these prove essential.
61	* [[Literature/TheElricSaga Elric of Melnibone]] summons Arioch several times for help and information. In return... well, his typical battle cry is "Arioch! Arioch! Blood and souls for my lord Arioch!"
62	* ''Literature/BruceCovillesBookOf Nightmares II'': In ''The Shadow Wood'', a hero vows to set out and conquer the titular forest. Before he goes, an old man offers him a magic candle that, if lit when all else fails, will show him the answer to his problem. In the end, it does help him face off against an army of living shadows, but the final one to appear is unaffected by it.
63	* ''Literature/GoblinsInTheCastle'': When William goes off on his quest, Granny Pinchbottom provides him with some magical items to help, including an amulet that provides light, a hooded invisibility cloak, and the collar that, when used to attach the Goblin King's head to his body, will heal him.
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65	[[/folder]]
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67	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
68	* In ''Series/{{Bottom}}'', when Richie and Eddie are stranded at the top of a Big Wheel ( which will be demolished in the morning), they are rescued by the hand of god. At least, until [[spoiler: they admit they don't actually believe in god, and plummet to their deaths]]. They got better, though.
69	[[/folder]]
70
71	[[folder:Theater]]
72	* Extensively mocked in "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iosIL9Ct95M Dream A Little Harder]]", the first song in ''{{Theatre/Twisted}}'', where the people of the Magic Kingdom know that all it takes to solve your problems is... wait for them to be solved by magic. [[BeautyEqualsGoodness And be good-looking.]]
73	-->''You've got to dream a little harder, when life won't go your way!\
74	Simply dream a little harder, trust me when I say\
75	That when you dream a little harder, you're sure to follow through!\
76	'Cuz if you're good and you're attractive\
77	No need to be proactive!\
78	Good things will just happen to you!''\
79	[...]\
80	''For if you dream a little harder, you'll get what you desire!\
81	Dream a little harder, when things are looking dire\
82	If you dream a little harder, success is guaranteed!\
83	If you are sure of your intention\
84	Some magic intervention\
85	Will give you the edge that you need!''
86	[[/folder]]
87
88	[[folder:Video Games]]
89	* In the ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAlpha'' and ''[[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration Original Generation]]'' continuities, Ryusei Date (whose character arc hews very close to the Campbellian Hero archetype) being made the pilot of the Gespenst T-Link Test Type and later the R-1, mechs made of ImportedAlienPhlebotinum that run on PsychicPowers, could be seen as this.
90	* Teddie/Kuma of ''Videogame/{{Persona 4}}'' initially acts an AdventureRebuff by sending the protagonists back to the real world because of the danger of the TV World. Later, he assists the protagonists by helping them navigate the TV world and giving them glasses that makes it possible to see through the fog.
91	** The residents of the Velvet Room also serve as this throughout the entire franchise.
92	* In all three ''Franchise/DragonAge'' games, Flemeth always manages to arrive precisely when she is needed, saving the lives of both the Warden and Hawke and providing the Inquisitor with [[spoiler:the means to defeat Corypheus]].
93	* Common throughout ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series. Not even counting the optional [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric]] sidequests, the PlayerCharacter usually receives some form of divine aid during the main quest. To note:
94	** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', you are ([[TheUnchosenOne supposedly]]) the prophesied {{reincarnation}} of [[FounderOfTheKingdom St. Nerevar]], as foretold by the Daedric Prince Azura, Nerevar's patron deity. About halfway through the main quest, after fulfilling the first portion of the prophesy and finding the secret Cavern of the Incarnate, Azura gifts you Nerevar's [[RingOfPower Moon-and-Star ring]]. Forged by the ancient [[OurDwarvesAreDifferent Dwemer]] and blessed by Azura herself to kill anyone that tries to wear it except for Nerevar, it serves as a symbol identifying you as the [[YouAreTheTranslatedForeignWord Nerevarine]] and allowing you to fulfill the rest of the prophesy.
95	** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'':
96	*** Averted in the main quest, where it is [[HiddenBackupPrince Martin]] who receives [[spoiler:the aid of Akatosh, the Aedric God of Time]] at the end. You spend most of the main quest as Martin's [[TheLancer Lancer]] and HypercompetentSidekick. However, you are also the HeroOfAnotherStory (two, in fact)...
97	*** In the ''Knights of the Nine'' expansion, you are seeking the blessed equipment of the [[LongDeadBadass ancient hero]] (and [[SociopathicHero psychopathic]] [[FantasticRacism racist]] [[TheBerserker berserker]]), Pelinal Whitestrake. Pelinal's ancient enemy, [[BigBad Umaril the Unfeathered]] has returned and is seeking to destroy the [[SaintlyChurch Nine Divines]] for supporting his enemies thousands of years ago. Throughout the expansion's main quest, you are guided by the mysterious Prophet in retrieving these artifacts. [[spoiler:It's strongly implied that the Prophet is really Talos, the DeityOfHumanOrigin Ninth Divine, in disguise]].
98	*** In the ''Shivering Isles'' expansion, you enter the [[EldritchLocation titular realm]] at the behest of its master, Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of [[MadGod Madness]]. He serves as your divine patron throughout as you [[spoiler:attempt to end the EternalRecurrence destruction of his realm by his ArchEnemy Jyggalag, the Daedric Prince of [[ControlFreak Order]]]]. The situation ends up being a ''bit'' more complicated that Sheogorath lets on, and at the end, [[spoiler:he passes the mantle of Mad God [[AGodIsYou onto you]]]].
99	** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'':
100	*** As a [[TheChosenOne Dragonborn]], you are a mortal gifted with [[OurAngelsAreDifferent immortal Aedric soul]] of a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragon]] by Akatosh himself. However, this gift does not reveal itself until there are actually dragons present, which happens very early in the main quest. Those who are Dragonborn come with an innate understanding of the [[MakeMeWannaShout Thu'um]], the draconic LanguageOfMagic which allows for small scale [[RealityWarper Reality Warping]]. When a dragon is slain, a Dragonborn can [[YourSoulIsMine absorb its soul]], [[ResurrectiveImmortality permanently killing]] the dragon while boosting the powers of the Dragonborn.
101	*** In the ''Dragonborn'' DLC, your patron (whether you like it [[UnwittingPawn or not]]) is [[EldritchAbomination Hermaeus Mora]], the Daedric Prince of [[KeeperOfForbiddenKnowledge Knowledge]]. In exchange for performing services for him, he teaches you the final word of the "Bend Will" shout, which allows you to ''ride dragons''. By the end of the DLC's main quest, Mora [[spoiler:sees you as his new champion]]. Again, whether you like it or not...
102	[[/folder]]
103
104	[[folder:Webcomics]]
105	* ''Webcomic/EvilDiva'' when Diva is presented with her wand.
106	* Immortals in ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'' [[ObstructiveCodeOfConduct work almost exclusively by empowering or advising humans]]. Story-wise, when Nanase and Susan ran into trouble in France, two Immortals arrived the same evening and gave the girls as much magic as they could.
107	* In a literal case of the call twinking someone, ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'''s Eridan finds Ahab's Crosshairs, "just about the most powerful weapon [the riflekind] specubus will allow." It was left by his Ancestor, and due to the nature of the game he was probably set up to get it long before he entered the game proper.
108	* Dragonfly, the legendary hero of ''Webcomic/{{Archipelago}}'', is long past his heroing days. His biggest contribution to the story present is gifts: AmplifierArtifact for TheHero, a prophecy for TheLancer, an old memory to the member of the team with a complicated case of TraumaInducedAmnesia, RedStringOfFate for the member who wants to find his TrueLove and some RequiredSecondaryPowers for the member who's going to need them soon.
109	[[/folder]]
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111	[[folder:Western Animation]]
112	* Subverted in ''WesternAnimation/ReBoot''. One episode had the User send Mainframe a new file upgrade that is supposed to help the heros. When Bob takes the upgrade inside the Principal Office to install it, Megabyte pops out of it and seizes control of the core control chamber.
113	[[/folder]]

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