Characters
There are 16 pre-written characters for the game Wise Women. Each has some defined points of history, a set of motivations, and some positive and negative relationships with the others. Brief outlines are presented here, and you should feel free to contact us if you have any questions about them.
The 17th participant is an understudy- and have no pre-written character. The participant taking the understudy role will be offered one of the other characters if a participant should drop-out close to the date of the event. If there are no drop-outs, we will create a 17th Wise Woman and weave together some connections for them closer to the event. If you are interested in the understudy role, you should feel free to reach out with any questions!​
RANKING THE CHARACTERS
When you sign up for this game you will be asked to rank these 16 characters in oder of preference. When we carry out our weighted lottery to select participants, this ranking will affect your chances of being offered a particular character. You should rank as many of the characters as you are willing to play.
You will know which character you have been offered before we ask for any money.​
The Leader
Morag MacLeod 78 yrs
Leader of the Wise Women and matriarch of the influential MacLeod family.
Themes: entrenched views, tradition, manipulation of the bloodlines, strained relationship with daughter Catriona, growing older, rejecting modernity. Son and grandsons at risk at sea.​​
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Relationships: Mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother to other characters.
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"Being a Wise Woman means being made of stone. Catriona is such a lazy girl, and Jessie is a wet dishcloth. At least I have my Sorcha."​​
The Stoic
Fiona Grant 65 yrs
Head of the Grant family who lives with her partner Mairead; many believe they are 'just good friends'.
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Themes: bisexual/gay, quiet resilience, long-held personal grief/guilt over sacrificing her husband in Bargain 34 years ago, estranged from daughter Ailsa. Two sons and a grandson at risk at sea.
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Relationships: partner, mother, and mother-in-law to other characters.
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"Never make a bargain if you are not prepared to pay the price yourself."
The Burdened
Mairead McRae 67 yrs
Partner of Fiona Grant, who you have loved since you were young and she was married. ​
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Themes: gay, guilt over involvement in sacrificing Fiona's husband, fear that it was a selfish act, hatred of the Talent, regret over not guiding Eilidh well. Nephew and great-nephews at risk at sea.
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Relationships: partner and aunt to other characters.
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"Having the Talent means being twice cursed! We live through pain and terror that will never be, and then we feel the grief we inflict in its place."
The Healer
Kathleen McKay 58 yrs
Renowned healer and mediator, striving to bring everyone together.​​​
Themes: mediation, helping others, guiding her wayward nieces Sarah & Iona, guilt over her husband surviving the incident that claimed Fiona's husband. Two sons and a brother at risk at sea.
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Relationships: aunt to other characters.
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"The purpose of the Talent is to bring balance. Why then do so many of us fail to find peace?"
The Dutiful
Jessie MacLeod 45 yrs
Ardent disciple of The Leader who assumed she would be next in line. Now becoming disillusioned and asking questions.
Themes: disillusionment, reassessing relationships, strained relationship with daughters Isla & Sorcha. Husband at risk at sea.​​
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Relationships: daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, and mother to other characters.
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"Old Morag promised me everything, but really she just wanted strong grandchildren."​​​
The Modernist
Catriona Grant 40 yrs
Caught between progress and family loyalty. A bridge between the bloodlines.
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Themes: excited about modern ideas, uses electricity, modern comforts, distance from mother Morag, jealous of Jessie's favoured position. Brother and son at risk at sea.​​
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Relationships: daughter, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and aunt to other characters.
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"I live with one foot in the past and one in the future. If my daughter does not show the Talent, will I be relieved?"
The Deserter
Ailsa Grant 44 yrs
Fled the island 20 years ago after finally confronting her mother about father's death. ​
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Themes: reluctant reunions, estranged from mother Fiona, anger over father's sacrifice, awkwardness with Catriona who has taken your place. Two brothers and a nephew at risk at sea.
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Relationships: sister-in-law, and daughter to other characters.
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"I didn't think the dreams would find me all the way over in Glasgow. Perhaps I should have gone further!"
The Outcast
Isobel Murray 32 yrs
Shunned by the Wise Women after causing a Bargain to fail during vigil 10 years ago.
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Themes: pride vs admission of wrongdoing, actions impacting her sister Rose, estranged family, isolation within village, possible reconciliation. Husband and brother-in-law at risk at sea.
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Relationships: sister, niece, and cousin to other characters.
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"I yearn for forgiveness, yet I am still not sure that I was wrong to act as I did."
The Stalwart
Rose McRae 29 yrs
Striving to step out of the long shadow cast by her sister's mistake 10 years ago.​
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Themes: something to prove, sensitivity over insults to family, always agrees with Morag to prove herself loyal. Two nephews and brother-in-law at risk at sea.
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Relationships: sister, niece, and cousin to other characters.
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"My sister and my cousin may have abandoned our ways, but I have Talent enough to make up for their loss!"
The Unbeliever
Eilidh Cameron 40 yrs
Raised at a distance from the Wise Women and suspects the Talent is the Devil's work!​​
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Themes: fear of the Talent, urge to save souls, reluctant participant in the vigil. Close to her cousin Isobel. Two sons and brother-in-law at risk at sea.
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Relationships: cousin and niece to other characters.
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"The Talent is just another word for the touch of Satan himself! Perhaps I can make these women see sense and bring them back to the church."
The Rebel
Sarah Buchan 32 yrs
Quick tempered and with little patience for the Vigil. Inherited the largest cottage from mother.​
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Themes: recent death of mother, passionate, outspoken, frustrated, unsure of her place or future. Unable to fill her mother's shoes. Jealous of friend Isla's travelling. Two cousins and uncle at risk at sea.
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Relationships: cousin, and niece to other characters.
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"If one more person tells me how fantastic my mother was, I'm going to scream."
The Dreamer
Iona Buchan 30 yrs
Deeply connected to the ocean, often to the point of losing touch with reality.​​
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Themes: fulfilment of destiny, curiosity, belief in fate, peaceful acceptance, helping others to find peace within the Talent. Father and two cousins at risk at sea.
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Relationships: cousin, and niece to other characters.
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"Sometimes I wander at night to the edge of the dark waters. I am unafraid, and perhaps that itself should frighten me more."
The Initiate
Isla MacLeod 25 yrs
Late bloomer assumed not to possess the Talent. Always felt invisible next to her sister. Has experienced freedom as a travelling herring gutter.​
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Themes: jealousy of sister Sorcha, distance from mother Jessie, everything is changing, out of her depth. Father at risk at sea.
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Relationships: sister, daughter, niece, granddaughter to other characters.
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"Today is my birthday. One more day without the Talent and I would have been free."
The Prodigy
Sorcha MacLeod 23 yrs
The youngest girl to ever show the Talent at 6 yrs old. Moulded by her grandmother.​
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Themes: grandmother's favourite, groomed to be leader, lack of freedom, jealousy of sister Isla and her travels, distance from mother Jessie. Father at risk at sea.
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Relationships: sister, daughter, niece, granddaughter to other characters.
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"I've been told exactly who I am for my entire life. How do I know if it's true?"
The Newcomer
Alice Wilson 28 yrs
On a quest to find her father.​ Unprepared for all that she discovers!​
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Themes: recent death of mother and discovery of unfaithful finance. City girl at heart, out of her comfort zone, discovery of magic, exposure of her father's infidelity. Father and cousins at risk at sea.
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Relationships: half-sister, niece, and granddaughter to other characters.
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"I had no idea my presence would cause such a stir..."
The Stranger
Rachel Stewart 37 yrs
Family tragedy at sea awakens the Talent in a woman not of the bloodlines.​
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Themes: recent death of both parents, recent injury and convalescence. Discovery of magic, upsetting the accepted wisdom by her presence. No relations at risk at sea.
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Relationships: no blood ties to the other characters.
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"At first I thought I was going quite mad. It still doesn't seem real."
