━━━━ in any story, character types play a crucial role in driving the narrative, as well as keeping those who are reading engaged. in a warriors story, they all represent the values, conflicts and themes of the universe.

━ protagonist (main character): the protagonist is often the centre character which the story revolves around. this could be an apprentice, or a warrior, with some sort of destiny or internal struggle. they drive the plot forward with their actions and decisions. they are the lens through which readers experience the world. their growth and journey — whether it's about them becoming a leader, understanding their place in the clan, or confronting an external threat — form the backbone of the story. they also embody the themes of the story, which we they may.

━ antagonist (villain): the antagonist stands at the opposite end of the protagonist, and create conflict. in a warriors book, this may be a rival leader, a rogue, or a treacherous clanmate. their motives can range from power hunger to personal vengeance. they challenge the protagonist, pushing them to grow and change. they also highlight the darker aspects of the world, such as the consequences of ambition or the dangers of mistrust. a well—developed antagonist makes the story more compelling by adding tension and stakes.

   ━ deuteragonist (secondary main character): they are the second most important character, often serving as a close friend, mentor, or foil to the protagonist. this might be a littermate, best friend, or a wise mentor. they might share the protagonist's journey or have their own subplot. they provide emotional support and often acts as a sounding board for the protagonist's thoughts and decisions. they can also help introduce subplots that enrich the main narrative and offer a different perspective on the story's themes.

━ tritagonist (third most important character): the tritagonist plays a supportive but significant role in the story. this character could be a medicine cat, an elder with a mysterious past, or a rival who later becomes an ally. they might have a more neutral position in the story, neither fully aligned with the protagonist nor the antagonist, but just present to add a complexity to the narrative, and can bring in different viewpoints. one example may be a medicine cat might struggle with the tension between their healing duties and their loyalty to their clan, offering readers a new perspective on the warrior code.

━ foils: a foil is a character who works well with and contrasts with another, typically the protagonist, to highlight particular qualities of them. in warriors, this could be a cat whose values or actions directly oppose those of the protagonist. they help to sharpen the reader's understanding of the main characters, by comparing and contrasting the protagonist with their foil, readers can better appreciate the protagonist's strengths, weaknesses, and growth. a foil could challenge the protagonist's beliefs, leading to critical turning points in the book.

━ allies: allies support the protagonists goals. they could be clanmates, friends from other clans, or even unexpected companions like loners or kittypets. they have their own reasons for helping, but they do share a common goal with the protagonist. they provide the protagonist with the support they need to overcome challenges. they can offer different skills, perspectives, and resources, making the protagonist's journey more dynamic.

━ rivals: rivals are characters who compete with the protagonist, either for a specific goal or for status and recognition within the clan. unlike antagonists, rivals are not inherently evil but create tension and conflict through competition. this could be another ambitious warrior or a sibling with contrasting views. they help to create internal conflict within the clan and challenge the protagonist to be or do better or, to question their motivations. they add depth to the social structure of the clans, showing that even among allies, there can be tension and competition. this can drive on character growth and lead to significant plot developments.

━ background characters: these are the characters who populate the world of the story but do not play major roles in the plot. these characters might include other warriors, queens, elders... they contribute to the sense of a living clan but remain in the periphery. they might not drive the plot, background characters add depth and realism to the world. they are there to show that the clans are filled with diverse individuals, each with their own lives and stories, even if those stories are not the focus.

━ dynamic vs. static characters: dynamic characters change over the course of the story, undergoing significant development in response to the events they experience. status characters, however, remain largely unchanged, serving as stable figures in the narrative.
dynamic characters are essential for showing growth and the impact of the story's events, particularly in a coming-of-age narrative. static characters provide continuity and stability.

━ tragic characters: tragic characters often have a flaw or face a fate that leads to their downfall. this may be a warrior whose ambition leads them to betray their clan or a leader who makes a grave mistake with dire consequences. they add emotional depth and moral complexity to the story — serving as cautionary tales, highlighting the dangers of certain behaviours.

other roles mentioned could be:
━━ a romantic love interest
━━ a sidekick / confidant