@Playforfun
Some are available to get from quests like Coral (I think she`s on the elven map), possibly Axiu too.

Only if you pick it at start. You can get another epic chars from island missions.

can you get these guys in game if you don't start with them? or are they only available if you pick them at the start?

Oh, no, I completely understand, I was talking about his description in the game set up section -- it never mentions him as a mage of any kind, either explicitly or implicitly, so I was surprised when I saw him with a staff when I first picked him.

Like, for example, Sun Wukong being a Warrior make obvious sense, and I can infer that Sophia is a mage, even if it's only by guessing, but Jackson's own description says that he "used to be the bravest WARIOR..." so I had that he was a melee guy

In this trable i list only start parameters for adventurer. Jackson have staf and mage manual, i think his role is mage.
Info only for begginers. Developers did not consider it necessary to provide full information about characters on start new game.

Man, it's weird that Jackson is a mage, his backstory makes him sound like a warrior

The skillset listed here as 'Night Fork Gun' was translated as 'Yaksha Spear Art'. There's no hidden/unique moveset here.

I recommend Axiu - she has AOE spells and can progress quickly.

nice table, much appreciated