Creating a different band of heroes.

As a background, these are the characters...

Roberto - Learned and true leader, an Obi-Wan like character in his middle ages. Well learned in both a bow and sword, certainly not a master though. His real skill comes with charisma and

Caelan - An unsure, developing character. Initially depends on Roberto to learn what she is doing. Unknowingly has divine heritage, with crippling flaws as a result, but this heritage makes her more important as the Hero /after/ the band forms. Prefers a sword, then a bow like her teacher. She lacks cultural awareness, as well as refined teachings. Caelan dislikes killing people, but this changes as soon as Roberto dies.

Dawn - Originally acting as a tempting love interest to Caelan, (Bi the way...) she later reveals to be the cruel, heartless Evil Sorceress of the Big Bad of the story. Her murder of Roberto throws off the group chemistry.

Davide - Not extremely bright, he's blinded by honour and tradition. He's a capable enough leader, but tends to think with his emotions rather than his book smarts. Picture him as the Red Oni. Leans toward a spear with a sword side-arm. The stronger Bigbad's Dragon tried to have him killed.

Ae'Kel - A Blood Knight if there ever was one. He thinks combat is an art, ironically as his own culture speaks. They love art, from sculpture, architecture, and painting, to tattooing, scarring, and duelling. Picture him as the Blue Oni. Prefers a Pollaxe, then a sword sidearm. The weaker Big Bad's former Dragon.

Lamya - A Ranger who fills the role of the Smart Guy, she was formerly with the Isolationists, only to rebel against hiding from the issues the world faces. Lamya is trained to focus well enough to notice kinks in armour and abstract puzzle solutions, and keeps a very cool head; it's what she's trained to do. However, she isn't very book smart, or culturally aware.

Olivia - A Medic, and a Booksmart character, she joins after her father is corrupted by the Big Bad into his Brute. Held against his will, she wishes to help the group to end his suffering.

Story wise, Roberto and Caelan are the initial founders, Leader and Sidekick initially. As the problem reaches larger issues, and is found to be starting global, international wars, Roberto and Caelan recruit Davide, and Ae'Kel to the team alongside the booksmart Dawn. Dawn realises she's in the company of four people aware of her master's plans, as well as a Nature Spirit's daughter. Finding a solution easily, she becomes a Hero Killer, slaying Roberto as soon as her master's Dark Chick brings some Elite Mooks with her. Thinking the kill team successful enough to throw off group dynamics, our "Sixth Ranger" Lamya interferes with with the Elites, enough to drive them off.

Olivia joins last, after being found and saved by the group.

I just need help identifying what, Trope-Wise, is going on here to look at examples of similar team set-ups. It's not a five man-band, there is certainly is too many people to be a Power-Trio, and they aren't exactly Rag-Tag either.

If more information is needed on the Lesser Big Bad Band, or the Bigger Big Bad Band, please just ask. :P

The best option is probably to not think of this using tropes. Trying to fit everything into a category isn't usually the best thing to do while writing a story.

edited 10th May '14 7:19:25 PM by BiggerBen

Just write naturally. Tropes tend to follow.

Long story short: Unless you're deliberately going for a certain team theme/dynamic. Don't bother Shoehorning Ensembles into a specific, well, Ensemble.

Just because they're a group doesn't mean they have to fit into an existing trope, there's The Team for that.

For the record, i've never seen an actual Five Bad Band, who acts like, you know, Five-Man Band only evil. there's never actual teamwork on hierarchical villains. The only actual "team" there is the Big Bad and The Dragon. the rest? generals at best, maid and butler at worst.

Now for what i mean about "team theme/dynamic"

Remember Fantastic Four? Four-Element Ensemble, team? check. dynamic (play off each others' personalities)? check. (wind(sue) moves water(Mr F), rock(Thing) resists fire(Torch), water quenches fire, rock holds water, etc.)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Four-Temperament Ensemble. team? check. dynamic? check. (as seen in the Four-Temperament Ensemble page)

Star Trek The Original Series. Freudian Trio. team? not quite, but close in terms of hierarchy. dynamic? just look at each individual pages for The Kirk, The Spock, and The McCoy, they all clearly work together, like you know, your brain on Id, ego, Superego.