Modus Operandi

Also known as M.O., Mode of Operation; Modus Operandi is the general operations and behavior characteristic to a specific individual or group of individuals. Below is the Modus Operandi and classification of the species of the major magical beings appearing on Charmed who played a pivotal role throughout the series, explaining characteristics the sisters used to differentiate between good and evil.

The Charmed Ones

 * Classification: Good Witches, Protectors of the Innocent
 * Modus Operandi: Use active powers, spell casting and potion making abilities to protect the innocent and eliminate the forces of evil.
 * Invoke the Power of Three to eliminate the Forces of Darkness
 * Notable Example: Piper Halliwell

The Elders

 * Classification: Angelic Beings, High Level Whitelighters
 * Modus Operandi: Appoint, guide and bestow powers upon mortals who they believe are tremendous paragons of Good transforming them into Whitelighters.
 * Bestow vast knowledge of magical beings upon Whitelighters and Good Witches.
 * Notable Example: Ramus

Whitelighters

 * Classification: Angelic Beings, Guardian Angels
 * Modus Operandi: Guide and protect innocents (future Whitelighters) as well as neophyte and high level Good Witches; use their ability of healing to heal an injured party.
 * Notable Example: Leo Wyatt

Good Witches

 * Classification: Magical beings, usually human, Practitioners of Good/White Magic
 * Modus Operandi: Use spell casting abilities and potion making skills to help/protect others or eliminate evil threats. If bestowed with active powers, they will thwart evil beings.
 * Follows the Wiccan Rede, will not use Wiccan powers for Personal Gain.
 * Notable Example: Patricia Halliwell

Ghosts

 * Classification: Spirits, Apparitions
 * Modus Operandi: Guide, watch over, haunt or seek vengence on other beings, human or magical.
 * Can be further classified as Poltergeists, Phantasms, Evil Spirits or merely an apparition.
 * Notable Example of Good: Penny Halliwell
 * Notable Example of Evil: Jackson Ward

Evil Witches

 * Classification: Magical beings, work for the Dark Side, Practitioners of Black Magic.
 * Modus Operandi: Use spell casting abilties, potion making skills and active powers to harm innocents and Good Witches.
 * Will often disempower Good Witches if they are in the way of a goal rather than killing them.
 * Will not hesitate to use powers for Personal Gain and breach the Wiccan Rede.
 * Notable Example: Tuatha

Darklighters

 * Classification: Magical beings, work for the Dark Side, Whitelighter's Evil Counterpart
 * Modus Operandi: Eliminates those mortals capable of becoming future Whitelighters, eliminate Good humans with Touch of Death
 * Destroys Whitelighters with poisoned tip arrows shot from crossbow.
 * Spread evil through impregnation of an innocent.
 * Possibly guide evil witches.
 * Notable Example: Alec

Warlocks

 * Classification: Magical beings, work for the Dark Side, can be half-human.
 * Modus Operandi: Hunt and kill Good or Evil Witches for power, will not hesitate to betray other magical beings.
 * Notable Example: Jeremy Burns

Demons

 * Classification: Magical beings, work for the Dark Side.
 * Modus Operandi: hunt, track and destroy the innocents, the forces of Good and other magical beings; be they human, warlock, witch or demonic.
 * can be further classified as Low-Level and Upper-Level
 * Serve and answer to the Source of All Evil.
 * Notable Example: Belthazor

Vampires

 * Classification: Immortal creatures of the Night, a whole different network of Evil beings.
 * Modus Operandi: Attack humans in human or bat form, draining humans of their blood in hopes of transforming them into Vampires.
 * Serve their Vampire Queen
 * Notable Example: Rowan

The Triad

 * Classification: Virtual Emperors of the Underworld; Cabal of 3 High Level Demons; The Evil Power of Three
 * Modus Operandi: Infiltrate the work of Demons in hopes of successfully eliminating the Charmed Ones and all that is Good.
 * Appear in corporeal or non-corporeal form.
 * Notable Member: Baliel

The Source of All Evil

 * Classification: Demonic Creature, the most vilest of Evil
 * Modus Operandi: Eliminate the Forces of Good - human or witch
 * Eliminates those considered a betrayer or traitor of the Dark Side.
 * Ultimate Goal: To destroy the Power of Three

Angels

 * Classification: Beings of Light
 * Further classified into 3 categories:
 * Guardian Angels - Protection Spirits
 * Modus Operandi: Protect charges with an unseen hand of guidance
 * Act as a charges inner voice, conscience and instinct


 * Angel of Death - Bringer of Death
 * Modus Operandi: Uses power to bestow death upon those who's time it is to die, bringing their soul to it's prospective place in the Afterlife.


 * Angel of Destiny
 * Modus Operandi: Charts and formulates destinies in accordance to the Grand Design.
 * Will chart a new destiny for those who are lucky enough to achieve their previous.

Avatars

 * Classification: Neutral Beings, neither Good nor Evil
 * Modus Operandi: Persuade High Level Beings of Good into their way of thinking
 * Eliminate those considered a threat to ultimate goals.
 * Originally the Avatars were assigned names; Avatar of Force, Avatar of Power, Avatar of Strength - later changed to Letters of Greek Alphabet
 * Will create a Utopia no matter the costs.
 * Notable Example: Alpha

Bunyip

 * Classification: Monstrous Creature
 * Modus Operandi: Lies in waters of the Australian Outback
 * It is said to bring disease and will bring a human to death through drowning if he or she disturbs it's source of food.

Cleaners

 * Classification: Ethereal Neutral Beings
 * Modus Operandi: Will prevent the exposure of Magic no matter the costs
 * If magic is exposed amongst the non-magical populous, Cleaners will erase memories, alter events and even roll back the hands of time and remove a magical being they consider a risk to the secrecy of magic
 * Ultimately a Cleaner will rewrite history if need be

Cupids

 * Classification: Angelic Beings
 * Modus Operandi: Use their Rings of Love to create relationships through Telepathic Suggestion
 * Uses Ring to travel through, decelerate, accelerate Time; slowing it down or reversing it.
 * Notable Example: Coop

Muses

 * Classification: Beings of Pure Light
 * Modus Operandi: Guide their charges with an Unseen Hand of Inspiration
 * Inspire a charge's Passion and Creativity
 * Notable Example: Melody

Firestarters

 * Classification: Neutral Magical being, can be persuaded to Evil
 * Modus Operandi: Use power to set ablaze objects or incinerate other beings, human or magical
 * If persuaded to Evil, they are often found as Bodyguards of the Source or high level demons such as the Triad
 * Notable Example of Good: Tyler
 * Notable Example of Evil: Christy Jenkins

Furies

 * Classification: Demonic Women
 * Modus Operandi: Act as Judge, Jury and Executioner to anyone they consider an "evil doer"
 * Will disable a victim using their sharp talons
 * Use smoke to make victim's hear the cries of all his or her former victims
 * Use smoke to seek out portals of unexpressed fury in witches converting them into Furies

Nymphs

 * Classification: Magical Beings
 * Modus Operandi: Always found in the company of a Satyr
 * Tree sprites found frolicking and dancing around in wooded, grassy areas
 * Use power to access the Eternal Spring
 * Notable Example: Daisy

Valkyries

 * Classification: Demigoddesses
 * Modus Operandi: Scout the battlegrounds for dying warriors/soldiers
 * bring souls to Valhalla in preparation for the Final World Battle
 * Notable Example: Freyja

Conjurers

 * Classification: Magical beings, often Witches
 * Modus Operandi: Will use power to create or magnify objects, non-living beings, elements, etc ultimately bringing them to life
 * Using what already exists such as areas of water or the winds they will magnify it causing storms and tidal waves
 * Using illustrations found in books, they will bring literary beings to life.
 * Notable Examples: Evil Enchantress, Wyatt Halliwell

Alchemists

 * Classification: Demonic Scientists
 * Modus Operandi: create life essences used to possess innocents
 * will use unique power to transform the Dead into the Living and vice versa
 * Notable Example: Kierkan

Familiars

 * Classification: Magical Creatures
 * Modus Operandi: Often found in feline form but can be dogs, horses, snakes, etc.
 * Guide witches protecting them while they learn the Craft.
 * Naturally attuned to the seasons and phases of the Moon
 * Will teach a young witch a heightened awareness of her environment.
 * Notable Example: Kit

Gargoyles

 * Classification: Magical Statues
 * Modus Operandi: Will often be found as part of architecture on sacred grounds or homes of magical beings
 * Will detect ant demonic acitivity, coming to life weakening and warding off even the most vilest of demons

Genies

 * Classification: Magical Tricksters
 * Modus Operandi: Found within magical lamps, bottles, containers, etc.
 * Will offer 3 wishes to anyone who releases him/her from their lamp.
 * They often grant a wish that has a hidden consequence attached.
 * Notable Examples: Genie, Jinny

Demi-Gods and Demi-Goddesses

 * Classification: Magical Beings, Half Gods
 * Modus Operandi: The child of a God and a human
 * Trained to be Gods & Heroes amongst men, acquire minor magical power from parent God
 * Bestowed guardianship of parent God's Kingdom
 * Notable Example: The Valkyries

Gods and Goddesses

 * Classification: Powerful Magical Beings
 * Modus Operandi: Rule Lands, Elements, Emotions, etc.
 * They rule their designated land, element, emotion, etc with a power associated to their name.
 * Some may abuse their title such as The Titans
 * Notable Example: Gaia, the Goddess of the Earth

Gypsies

 * Classification: Semi-Magical Beings
 * Modus Operandi: Belong to Tribes
 * Often excercise their Romany culture
 * May be bestowed with powers similar to those of Witches; Spell casting, potion making, etc.
 * If bestowed with active powers, such as Foresight they will use it to help/advise others
 * May invoke powers from magical artifacts
 * Notable Example: Ava Nicoli

Lords of War

 * Classification: Malevolent Immortal beings
 * Modus Operandi: Lead armies in wars to achieve goals – usually related to the acquisition of power
 * Attacks a victim with his Crystal Sword – which captures magical powers
 * Notable Example: Gabriel Statler

Nexi

 * Classification: Point of immense Spirtual or Wiccan Energy
 * A Wiccan Nexus: Further Classified as a Magical Battleground for Good & Evil
 * Modus Operandi: Found at a point equidistant from the 5 Basal Elements: Earth, Fire, Metal, Water & Wood
 * located at a center of a Pentagram
 * Home to the Shadow
 * Called a Suxen in a spell so demons wouldn't use it.
 * Notable Example: The Halliwell Nexus

Phoenix Witches

 * Classification: Elite Assassin Witches
 * Modus Operandi: Descendents of those witches burned in the 17th century Salem Witch Trials
 * They have no allegiance to anyone or anything but their vengence
 * They will kill any bounty that they are hired to take down
 * Identification: Born with a distinctive birthmark of a Phoenix rising from the Ashes

Oracles

 * Classification: Neutral Magical Being, Male or Female
 * Modus Operandi: Use power to foresee the future to advise other magical beings
 * Can be found under the employ of upper-level demons or advising power magical beings, good or evil.
 * Notable Example: The Source's Oracle (Evil), Oracle seen at Manor in Oh My Goddess! Part 1

Priests and Priestesses

 * Classification: Magical beings; High or Dark
 * Modus Operandi: Will use their knowledge of rituals to perform ceremonies such as Handfasting, Wiccanings, funerals, wakes, marriages, etc for other magical beings.
 * Powerful witches can become High Priestesses after Death
 * Notable Example of Good: Penny Halliwell
 * Notable Example of Evil: Dantalian

Seers

 * Classification: Demonic Being
 * Modus Operandi: Uses her ability to see the future to advise other magical beings
 * Skilled potion and tonic makers
 * Will only kill if necessary
 * Notable Examples: The Seer, Kyra

Soothsayers

 * Classification: Magical Healers, Good or Evil
 * Modus Operandi: Often sought out by magical creatures who have survived an attack
 * Can offer council to those who need advice
 * Apply their knowledge of ancient remedies and elixirs to help the wounded
 * Do not possess any power except their wisdom

Witch Doctors

 * Classification: Magical Beings, Watchdogs of Evil
 * Modus Operandi: Banish evil spirits from demonic footholds
 * Use unknown magic rituals to find and destroy evil beings
 * Interpret magic used in a questionable manner as evil
 * Ultimate Goal: To eliminate evil in all it's shifting guises

Witch Hunters

 * Classification: Humans, may possess magical abilities
 * Modus Operandi: Often descendants of a generation/family of other Witch Hunters or humans who may have been wronged by a witch
 * Will seek to lure and destroy any witches
 * Consider all witches evil and unnatural
 * May pose as innocents
 * Notable Example: Jackman

Wizards

 * Classification: Magical Tricksters
 * Modus Operandi: use ability to create Illusions to achieve personal goals
 * Will betray anyone to get what they seek
 * Possess an array of vast magical power
 * Notable Examples: Wizard, Rathmere

Zotars

 * Classification: Demonic Beings
 * Modus Operandi: Belonging to the Demonic Bounty Hunter breed of Demons, Zotars possess more advanced powers than a regular Bounty Hunter
 * Usually hired to track down fugitive demons
 * They infiltrate and intercept a fugitive demon's work or call
 * May offer to work with Good Magical Beings if their goal is the same
 * They track magical beings by honing in on their bounty's scent
 * Notable Example: Krell