General Terms:
* Trickster: This is a broad term for a character who uses cunning and deception to achieve their goals, often with a playful or mischievous intent.
* Deceiver: This term emphasizes the character's dishonesty and manipulation.
* Schemer: This term suggests a more calculated and long-term plan involving deception.
* Manipulator: This term highlights the character's ability to influence and control others through subtle methods.
* Con artist: This term specifically implies the character is using deception for personal gain, often financial.
More Specific Terms:
* Rogue: This term suggests a character who operates outside the law and uses cunning to survive.
* Swindler: This term emphasizes the character's ability to con others out of money or valuables.
* Charlatan: This term suggests a character who uses elaborate lies and false claims to gain power or influence.
* Imposter: This term emphasizes the character's use of disguise and false identities.
* Spy: This term implies the character is using deception to gather information or influence events for a specific purpose.
Archetypes:
* The Trickster: This archetype is often a playful and mischievous figure who challenges social norms and exposes hypocrisy.
* The Villain: A villain often uses deception to achieve their evil goals.
* The Anti-hero: An anti-hero might employ deception for their own ends, but they may not be entirely evil and can even be morally ambiguous.
The best term to use will depend on the specific character and their actions. For example, a character who uses disguises to steal valuable artifacts could be called a "rogue," while a character who uses lies to manipulate someone into investing in a fraudulent business scheme could be called a "con artist."
Ultimately, the most important thing is to create a compelling character who uses their wit and deception in interesting and engaging ways.