melancholic

• emotionally sensitive, perfectionistic introverts

perfectionistic

• idealists who wish for things to be a certain way, and they get distressed when they are not.
• they hold themselves and others to unrealistically high standards, and get distressed when these standards are not met. this leads to them being self-deprecating - because they do not meet their own standards - and critical of others - because those others do not meet their standards.
• melancholics wish to learn and to understand, to know the details of every little thing, because to be ignorant is to stray from perfection. they are not content to just accept things the way that they are.
• they are inquisitive and ask specific questions in order to come to a clearer understanding. this leads many of them to be overanalytical, neurotic worriers.
• very stubborn, because they try very hard to stick to their own carefully considered views and standards of perfection, and are not easily shifted from this path. they do not go with the flow.
• they are tenacious and cannot let things go, because 'good enough' is not good enough. they strive for perfection.
• very pessimistic, and assume the worst due to these unrealistic standards.
• think and plan before they act; they are not the types who will resort to rash, impulsive behaviour, and will panic if they are unable to plan in advance.
• easier for them to reject and hate things than it is for them to love and embrace them. Their interests and tastes are picked carefully, and they give a lot of attention to each one, and hold them close to their hearts, rather than having many fleeting interests that change quickly and often.
• complain a lot, in a 'whinging' kind of way rather than a 'put down' or 'demanding' kind of way.
• tend to argue, because they cannot simply let things be if they seem wrong. They argue using reason, evidence, logic, and explanations, delivered analytically or with pleading. They only argue to set wrongs right, rather than to assert dominance. The argument is about the issue, not about them.
• respond poorly to compliments, often 'rebutting' them by saying that they're not so great after all.
• will blame themselves for mistakes, because they are acutely aware of their own imperfection.
• tend to prefer things to be tidy, organised in some way or another. This doesn't necessarily mean 'neat' as such; often they have very idiosyncratic organisation methods.
• are idealists, who imagine perfect fantasies and feel upset when things don't live up to these fantasies.
• prefer to tackle the heart of the matter, which can lead to them avoiding 'beating around the bush'.

introverted

• melancholics are the most introverted of the temperaments in that they crave time alone, and are most at ease in their own company.
• picky about the sorts of people that they associate with; people who meet their standards and share their outlook. People that don't will make them uncomfortable; they do not wish to talk to 'anyone and everyone'.
• very wary of making friends. Unlike sanguines, it can take them a very long time for them to consider someone they're familiar with a 'friend', but once they've reached this point, they will likely stick with that person loyally.
• can be seen as selfish, because they prefer to be alone with their thoughts, to have their own things, rather than sharing time or possessions socially with others.
• usually very possessive about the things that they own and are reluctant to let others borrow or use them, because they treat their own things well, care about everything deeply, and will worry that others will not look after them with the same level of care.
• could be described as 'intense', rather than 'easy-going'.

sensitive

• are very emotional. They are moved deeply by beauty, and by distress. They are very easily hurt, because of their perfectionistic tendencies.
• Often their moods are like delicate glass sculptures; built up slowly, deliberately, and carefully, but easily broken, and hard to repair once shattered.
• respond to things that they dislike with misery and with tears rather than with rage.
• are very slow to 'snap', but will hold onto emotions for a very long time. They hold grudges, because people who have failed to meet their standards, who have hurt them, will not just suddenly meet those standards without changing drastically.
• can become very 'moody', and they can be difficult to interact with because they are so easily hurt.
• are not aggressive, and wish to flee from things that cause them distress.
• If they want to get back at another person, they are more likely to make them feel guilty than to insult them bluntly.
• are 'thin-skinned'.

role

• In our distant ancestors, the melancholic members of a pack may have been the analysts, the information gatherers. They scouted for potential danger, or for food, and reported back to the pack leader. The more accurate their findings were, the better; this led to a trend towards perfectionism, as the 'analysts' closer to perfection survived better than those that made sloppy mistakes.
• In current society, they often tend towards analytical roles such as scientists, analysts, programmers, logicians, and so on. In fantasy settings, they may be wizards or sages