This is the lesson where we got introduced to the fantasy brief or our new project. We went through each slide and discussed the requirements as well as how they were going to be accomplished. The brief is a scenario wherein Netflix have commissioned us to create a pilot for a 2D fantasy series, with R&D, pre-production, skills and development all expected, as well as a 10-second animation to be featured in the film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The brief shows that there are three tasks, split into three categories, the character design, title sequence and animation, and the evidence he must provide to show how each one was completed. We are expected to be thorough and detailed, and show understanding by adding blog posts to each of the three categories – R&D, professional development, and skills and production.

 

The Fantasy Genre

 

“Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction set in a fictional universe, often inspired by real world myth and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and drama”

 

In other words, this genre is not one tied to reality or scientific fact. It features magical and supernatural elements that do not exist in the reality. Some creators choose to juxtapose a real-world setting with fantastical elements, but many create entirely imaginary universes with their own physical laws and logic and populations of imaginary races and creatures. This is what makes fantasy so appealing and popular – people are drawn to the impossible, and seeing it in a film or reading it in a book often ignites the soul.

 

Fantasy sub-genres and types

 

• High or epic fantasy. Set in a magical environment with its own physical laws, with plots and themes on a grand scale, but typically focused on a single, well-developed hero or group of heroes, such as Frodo Baggins and his cohorts in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (1954).
• Low fantasy. Set in the real world but includes unexpected magical elements which can shock characters. In Harry Potter, you might call the world of the muggles ‘low fantasy’, and the Wizarding world ‘high fantasy’. In the world of the muggles, or the ‘rational’ world, magic still exists and has power, it’s just that the vast majority of people have no idea. Another good example is A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.
• Magical realism. Similar to low fantasy, but the characters accept fantastical elements like levitation and telekinesis as a normal part of their otherwise realistic world, like the 2006 movie Pan’s Labyrinth. 
• Sword and sorcery. A subset of high fantasy, it focuses on sword-wielding heroes, like the infamous Jack from 2013’s Jack’s the Giant Slayer.
• Dark fantasy. With an aim to frighten and unnerve the audience, combining horror and fantasy like the Japanese manga series Blue Exorcist. 
• Fables. Fables impart moral lessons using personified animals and the supernatural, as the stories in Aesop’s Fables and Arabian Nights do.
• Fairy Tales. Intended for children, these fairy tales and folk tales are typically set in distant magical worlds (with beginnings like “Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…”) where trolls, dragons, witches, and other supernatural characters are an accepted truth, as in the Brothers Grimm’s Grimm’s Fairy Tales (1812).
• Superhero fiction. Unlike the stories where heroes acquire their special abilities through scientific means, such as exposure to radiation the protagonists in superhero fiction have entirely supernatural powers.

 

How the genre originated

 

Let’s take a quick trip through the history of the genre of fantasy. Fantastical elements have in truth, always been a part of storytelling. We can see this through the gods, monstrous beasts, and magic found in ancient mythologies, folklore, and religious texts around the globe. The genre today differs hugely from its predecessors, mainly due to the fact that both the creators and audiences understand the work to be fictitious. Modern fantasy began in the nineteenth century, following a period of chivalrous European romances and tales whose fantastical elements were still considered somewhat believable. The Scottish author George Macdonald’s novel Phantastes (1858), features a young man drawn into a dream world where he has a series of adventures, and this is credited as the first plainly fictitious fantasy for adults. Later on, Englishman William Morris, who’s known for medieval fantasy and specifically his novel The Well at the World’s End (1896), subsequently broke ground in the genre by completely inventing a fantasy world that existed beyond the known world.

Building upon the legacies of Macdonald and Morris, J. R. R. Tolkien penned the first high fantasy, The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955), which was and still is today, creatively and commercially successful. The epic ushered the genre into the mainstream and influenced countless writers, making Tolkien the undisputed father of modern fantasy. In subsequent decades, the fantasy genre has continued to evolve, growing in popularity and diversity. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels (1997 – 2007) became the best selling book series of all time and many fantasy stories are being adapted into hit films and television shows.

 

My Moodboard

 

Here I have included the link to my fantasy mood board, where I have gathered fantasy art, illustrations and sculptures, character and creature examples as well as a few great fantasy films. I also took notes on a few of the images to show a bit of my thinking process when looking through for inspiration.

 

Fantasy Mood Board

 

Conventions

 

I wanted to throw down all of my initial ideas when thinking of fantasy first, so I created a word cloud and wrote whatever popped into my head when thinking of fantasy. I noticed that whilst I was doing this, I was subconsciously taking ideas from fantasy films that I have watched. I’ve also read many fantasy books but I thought of only films, which I think a lot of others relate to as well. The genre is quite imaginative and having visual examples often helps when thinking of fantastical elements.

 

 

But let’s delve deeper now that we know what audience’s generally expect – what kind of conventions do we actually see?

 

Characters

 

In the fantasy genre, there is a broad range of characters that you see, and usually, books, films, anime and movie series each have their own group of characters that are usually included. They often differ slightly but still fit the overall genre and its tropes.

 

The Hero

 

 

 

There is no fantasy story without a hero and a quest that needs undertaking. When it comes to fantasy story structures, the hero can take many forms (they can even be an anti-hero). They could relish in their role, or be a reluctant leader. Usually, we see heroes who are ordinary at first, and then grow and develop through their journey. It could be someone completely unexpected, but finds the strength to save the day. On the other hand, it could also be someone with a secret power that they have to discover, like the common ‘chosen one’ trope which declares the hero and sets out their path in front of them, leaving them in the position to either reject their role or take it out of obligation.

Examples include:

• Frodo Baggins (Lord of the Rings),
• Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz)
• Lucy Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia)
• Harry Potter (The Harry Potter series)
• Alice Liddle (Alice in Wonderland)

 

The Sidekick

 

 

 

Sidekicks in fantasy are brave, skilled and determined, and in many ways, could very well be the hero. The only reason they aren’t is because the actual hero has been anointed in some way as the person who must solve the conflict. And yet, the hero usually wouldn’t get close to a successful resolution if not for the Sidekick. The sidekick doesn’t just help the hero save the day, they also stick to their side through thick and thin, protecting them, reminding them they can complete their task if their courage falters, and also helping the viewers/readers relate to the hero (e.g. if the hero takes on a larger than life quality or just simply the fact that they have a trustworthy friend by their side). Sidekicks should be called partners really – they provide mental and physical support and are just as essential to the story as the hero is.

Examples include:

• Samwise Gamgee (Lord of the Rings)
• Donkey (Shrek)
• Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger (the Harry Potter series)
• Diaval (Maleficent)

 

The Mentor

 

 

 

 

Solving the conflict within a fantasy story usually involves undertaking a dangerous journey – a long road filled with peril. Without someone who is knowledgable and reliable, it would be almost impossible for the story to be resolved. Enter: the mentor. Referring back to popular fantasy structure, the mentor is usually someone who guides the hero out of their comfort zone and sends them on their adventure or quest, or they are someone who welcomes the hero after they accept the call. Other than the chosen one, this is one of the most common tropes of the genre. The mentor is typically familiar with the narrative of the conflict, either having seen it before or being uniquely equipped to help the hero out on their journey. We don’t usually see them staying with the protagonist throughout the majority of their journey, either because they are away helping to clear the path or find out information or because they die along the way. We do see them, however, appear in crucial times of peril.

Examples include:

• Gandalf (Lord of the Rings)
• Professor X (X-Men)
• Aslan (The Chronicles of Narnia)
• Albus Dumbledore (The Harry Potter Series)

 

The Love Interest

 

 

 

The love interest in a fantasy story can fulfil many narrative purposes. They can help humanize the hero by showing a more vulnerable side to them, or they can help raise the sakes when threatened or in danger. We also sometimes see them filling in the ‘saviour’ role: bringing a character back from an evil path, showing them humility and understanding. But, the audience will likely tired of the love interest if their existence is solely a plot device. They need to be a fully fleshed-out person if the viewers are going to care if they are captured or harmed. They need to have thoughts and values of their own (this could contrast to the hero’s way of thinking and provide interesting conflict), be able to stand up on their own two feet and contribute in some way to the story.

Examples include:

• Edward Cullen (Twilight)
• Arwen (Lord of the Rings)
• The Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
• Sara (The Huntsman: Winter’s War)
• Yvaine (Stardust)

 

The Friendly Creature

 

 

 

Sometimes, the hero has a bond with some kind of mythical creature. The creature is often large and intimidating at first glance, and likely to cause great harm if provoked. But they recognise the hero as being on the good side and forms a connection with them, often providing aid on their quest. Animals can create a certain impression about a character – for example, a person with dragons by their side seems powerful and frightening, whilst someone with an owl looks calm, knowledgable and mysterious. They are also a great way to add in emotive scenes and character development like if a faithful creature that has been by the hero’s side for a long time dies in a sacrifice for them, it could help the hero overcome his enemies by unleashing a great power or strengthening their character and adding to their development. Friendly creatures are common to all types of fantasy, but especially children’s fantasy.

Examples include:

• Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon)
• Buckbeak (the Harry Potter series)
• The Ents (Lord of the Rings)
• The Thunderbird, Frank (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)

 

The Villain

 

 

 

 

 

In high fantasy, the villain often lives in some menacing fortress, in a land most would find inhospitable, surrounded by their unfalteringly devoted minions as they plot for total world domination. The story involves the hero trying to bring this character down. They are often recognisable because of their dark clothing, evil expressions and their accessories, like knives or sharp claws. However, the villain is not always like this, and they can take other forms as well. They could be an entity, a concept or even an aspect of human nature. Having a 2D villain is quite boring and only really seen in children’s films. A well-rounded villain that isn’t pure evil is much more interesting, and for us to sympathize with them, we’d need to see their backstory or at least part of it. In my opinion, the best series and films, and books too, divulge information about their villain over time. When we don’t immediately know about their goals and purposes, they are a mysterious threat that builds up the tensions, and over time, as we learn more about them bit by bit, not only are we intrigued, but also conflicted. This seemingly malicious person has been hurt, or perhaps their goal is to seek revenge – to mend an injustice. Suddenly they seem much more human and we are put in a position where we start to root for them too, perhaps. The road to redemption is a difficult one, and not all villains embark upon it. But sometimes being the villain is just a matter of perspective, and that’s why they are some of the most interesting character types in my opinion. Despite all this, however,  the Villain is still the primary antagonist of the story, and they pose some kind of threat to the fantasy world the story takes place in.

Examples include:

• Lord Farquaad (Shrek)
• Lord Voldemort (the Harry Potter series)
• The White Witch (The Chronicles of Narnia)
• Sauron (Lord of the Rings)
• Saruman (Lord of the Rings)
• Hela (Thor: Ragnarok)
• Colonel Miles Quaritch (Avatar)

 

The Evil Creature

 

 

 

While the friendly creature sees the good in the hero and creates a bond with them, the evil creature cares about, well no one really. They often seem to be in co-operation with the “bad guys” but this only occurs if it further’s the evil creature’s agenda, which is often to destroy. Evil creatures could take just about any form and are often seen lurking in the shadows, or the dark world of the villain. The viewer instantly recognises them as evil because of their murderous traits and lack of reason (often killing the innocent without mercy).

Examples include:

• The Balrog (Lord of the Rings)
• The Shelob (Lord of the Rings)
• The Dementors (the Harry Potter series)
• The Kraken (Clash of the Titans)
• The Megalodon Sharks (The Meg)
• The Other Mother (Coraline)

 

The Reluctant Villain

 

 

There are many potential aspects of this character. Perhaps, having faced numerous difficulties and fallen on hard times, they are lured by the antagonist with promises of a better future if only they commit certain (bad) deeds. Or maybe they were raised by people with the wrong agenda and would lose everything if they turned away from them. Perhaps they are being threatened and don’t have a choice. Either way, they are an antagonistic force that is committed to the bad side to a degree. What differentiates them from the villain is that they hesitate with every bad move they do. They know, deep down that what they are doing is wrong, but they have simply strayed too far from the right path, due to their experiences and people around them.

Examples include:

• Bayard (Alice in Wonderland)
• Draco Malfoy (the Harry Potter series)
• The Henchman (Coraline)
• Theon Greyjoy (Game of Thrones)
• Count Dracula (Blood for Dracula)

 

The Elven Archer

 

 

 

Now, I am aware that this isn’t really a character type, but when I say ‘elven archer’, it doesn’t mean the archer has to be an elf, or the elf be an archer. It’s a way of grouping together a popular fantasy character/group. Elves are graceful, precise and serene. They have pointed ears, long hair and beautiful features, and are lither and precise than humans, as well as typically being more connected to nature and more acute in their senses. Often, when there is a group of heroes, there is an elven archer amongst them and is often a skilful and invaluable member of the team. The Lord of the Rings movie series is the most popular and well-known series with elven warriors. However, other films that include them are Narnia, Throne of Elves and Warcraft.

 

The Princess

 

 

 

 

Again, when I saw ‘princess’, I don’t mean she has to be a princess. She could be a queen or the daughter of some high ranking official, but typically she is a member of royalty. The princess character can be seen in older films in books as a “damsel in distress” and mainly served the purpose of the love interest. However, in the modern ages, the princess role has changed immensely, and we now see a strong powerful woman who trains to be a ruler and typically feels confined because of it, eager to go onto the battlefield and aid with the war against evil. She is the embodiment of female power shows viewers that you can be beautiful, elegant, strong and deadly if you wish it. Ladies like Hermoine Granger from Harry Potter, Tauriel from Lord of the Rings, and Diana, or Wonder Woman, fit this role perfectly.

 

Settings

 

The conventions of fantasy settings can be hard to pin down because fantastical worlds are not tied down to anything and they can be basically whatever the creator chooses. There are, however, certain types of places you see in these made-up worlds.

 

Treetop Society

 

 

 

 

In fantasy, it’s not uncommon to see a group of people or an entire species living in the trees. Usually, creatures like elves who are more connected to nature love to build their homes in the treetops, and this provides a beautiful sanctuary for our heroes. They usually have glowing lights/lanterns, homes primarily made of wood, waterfalls, lots of flowers and plants, elaborate bridges, statues and entire gardens and squares carved into the tree trunks. The inhabitants are usually quick and stealthy, able to manoeuvre the forests with ease. They could also be some sort of fairy species as they are often seen to live in woodland/forests.

 

The Village

 

 

 

Ah, the fantasy classic, the village. Usually, we see normal dwellings clustered around a palace, places where folk live, usually under the rule of their king and/or queen. They don’t necessarily have to be part of a kingdom though – some are small and without a ruler, usually scattered about in the countryside. Villages provide a great opportunity to showcase what kind of rulers a kingdom has, and also provide a pitstop for the hero(es). If the people are cold, distant, shut-off and the towns are lifeless, it usually means that the ruler either has no care for his citizens, or he is a tyrant who makes them suffer. Or perhaps, they are simply scared, and this could lead to a tragic tale of how they were terrorised or betrayed. On the other hand, if there are children running around and playing, lively town squares with stalls and merchants, festivals and music, it means that the people are happy and the rulers are probably adept at taking care of those under their domain. The creator could go in a completely different direction and make the heroes stumble into an uprise or angry mob of villagers rebelling, or even fighting amongst themselves. The options are limitless.

 

The Castle

 

 

 

With villages, there usually comes a castle of some sort to accompany them. But even if it is alone, a grand palace could be a key part of any fantasy story. They are enormous, magnificent buildings, with turrets, balconies and hundreds of different rooms. Royalty has the privilege of living in them, albeit the crown is often a heavy burden, and we do not see them enjoying their home too often. Castles are almost the symbol of a kingdom. They are like the fortitude of the people, a giant target, a way to retreat, a place to defend, a source of pride and hope. Castles can serve many a purpose, but mostly they exist to make the boring or plain extraordinary. We don’t usually see castles anymore, but villages do exist, and that is why in fantasy, having a kingdom, monarchy and their giant palace ramps up the fantasy factor. That being said, we usually see them in medieval fantasy, but they can be a part of any subgenre and any world.

 

The Ruins

 

 

 

Ruins are another prominent setting seen in the genre. They could be the remnants of an ancient city, a tale of woe echoing through their crumbling walls, or maybe just a place for the heroes to rest. Either way, they can create a mysterious and magical atmosphere, and lead the audience curious about their past, about the history of the world. A good way to establish a derelict building as a ruin is to add plants both inside and out, wild, climbing the walls, broken paintings or objects gathering dust, a caved-in ceiling and holes in the walls.

 

The Fortress

 

 

 

 

The villains have to live somewhere as well! They most likely have a fortress in some bleak landscape, probably in a volcanic or mountainous area, or a barren wasteland. The fortresses of fantasy worlds are often as large as the castles if not bigger, but instead of peaceful villagers, the tents and holes of their minions, like orcs, surround the towering spikes. They look dark, menacing and can be seen accompanied by thick fog and a circle of vicious bird-like creatures patrolling the skies. If it is up to the heroes to kill the villain, their fortress would be their ultimate destination, and the most dangerous place they visit – crawling with servants of the enemy and difficult to both infiltrate and escape from. At this point in the story, the hero and/or his group would have to have gone through enough development to be strong enough to face their final challenge. That’s not to say that it will go smoothly, however; many heroes are lost along the way, but even the strongest who make it could very well die in sacrifice for their goal. So, the fortress should be filled with dangers like traps and giant creatures to face.

 

The Cave

 

 

 

It feels as though there are not that many caves are seen in fantasy, but I can think of several films and movie series which include them, as they are an interesting setting to add to the variety of the world. Caves can stray from the normal structures and contents within them that we are used to, and can take on a variety of forms within a fantasy world. They could glow with an eerie light from within. They could be filled with crystals or hanging vines, or giant cobwebs, or even dead bodies. You could also add abandoned buildings, waterfalls, staircases and winding paths within them – or what about a labyrinth! Anything could be a part of the caves, and their versatility makes them a great location to add to a journey or adventure. It all depends on the creator, what atmosphere they want to instil, and what sub-genre the story is.

 

Sacred Temple

 

 

 

Some of the best journeys, in my opinion, included a visit to a sacred temple. When the adventure is well underway, and the heroes have fought off enemies and battled the weather, they arrive at a hidden building, hushed, sanctified and calm. Usually, their journey requires them to go there in order to retrieve an important object or piece of information, and it just adds that little something which makes the adventure that much better. The state of the temple and its appearance are entirely up to the creator – it could be abandoned but preserved, with old, faded paintings and massive columns, or it could be protected, or even inhabited by monks or winged guardians, which would mean that the heroes have to explain themselves, or even pass a test to enter.

 

Dungeons

 

 

 

Alas, the heroes stumble upon their enemies or fail in trying to rescue somebody. They are captured and sent to the dungeons. A conventional setting in a fantasy film is definitely the area where prisoners are kept – it is a necessity for any castle or fortress, and often, the place is cold, dark and gruesome. This is a chance to showcase the cruelty of the villain, of the harshness of a ruler. Often, we see torture devices and chains adjoining the prison cells, and if the dungeons are large, several levels with varying degrees of punishment. The creativity is not limited here either, and in films like LOTR, we see how this type of place can really be experimented with to reflect the situation of the heroes or their host.

 

The Path

 

 

 

 

 

You cannot have a journey or an adventure without there to be a path the hero embarks upon. “The Path” refers to all of the general landscapes the hero passes on their way, and it usually changes depending on their destination. Valleys, forests, rocky and snowy terrain, underground pathways, rivers and waterfalls and much more. Films love to show this setting in particular because a montage of the hero and his allies traversing a pathway with epic music in the background is always an awesome scene that hypes up the audience. Bonus points if they come across a ledge and look out to their destination, as the wind dramatically billows their cloaks!

 

Examples

 

I have included pictures of a few settings I’ve loved in fantasy movies. Some of the conventions mentioned above can definitely be seen, and for most of them, the colours and the buildings are big indications to the atmosphere, the world and the fact that it is a part of the fantasy genre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plot

 

The plot is the chain of events that comprise the narrative arc. Let’s take a look at some tropes and archetypes within the fantasy genre.

1) The Waiting Evil

Long ago, an evil force is defeated in battle and locked away, stripped of their powers and never to be seen again. That is, of course, until now. Having bided its time, the evil entity breaks free with an eye for vengeance and starts wreaking havoc on the world once more. This waiting evil may have broken free of its own accord, or because of a certain occurrence in time that might have heightened its power (like a blood moon). They also may have been released by an avid supporter, that is usually disposed of after some time, or even accidentally by some passerby.

Examples: In The Seventh Son of the Seventh Son, Mother Malkin, the queen of witches, is trapped in a pit on top of the mountain. After much time has passed, Malkin morphs into her beastly form and breaks free from her confinement in anticipation of the Red Moon.

2) Here Comes the Cavalry

All is lost. The villain and their armies or minions are too strong, and despite a noble fight, the heroes cannot hold off the opposition any longer. It seems as though they are all about to die…but wait. There is a faint sound that is growing louder – it’s the heroes friends! Showing up just in time to save the day – all is not lost after all!

Examples: The Lord of the Rings movies do this better, and more, than anything else. There are several examples – where Isildur defeats Sauron just before he defeats the alliance, where Boromir saves Pippin and Merry from death-by-orc, or when the elves came to rescue during the Battle of Helm’s Deep. And who can forget when the eagles save Frodo and Sam from being swallowed by lava after destroying the rin at the end of the series.

3) The Quest

The hero, and usually a handful of secondary characters, set out on a quest with a specific goal. This ranges from saving someone, defeating a villain, destroying a corrupt artefact, finding someone and quite often, saving the world in general. Often, the inner journey of the character is just as focused upon as their objective, and this usually allows them to complete their goal. A lot of the times, the hero embarking upon the quest is not a soldier or warrior or even adventurer at first – like a farm boy or, we all know him  – a little hobbit that doesn’t want to leave his home at first. Eventually, their character development allows them to progress and become strong, and they carry out their journey to the end.

Example: The Percy Jackson series follows Percy, a boy who didn’t even know of his powers, and his demi-god friends as they fight mythological monsters on their quest to defeat Kronos, King of Titans.

4) Stranger to Saviour

An ordinary person or group of people stumble into a fantasy world by accident, one which is most likely in the middle of an all-out war. Sometimes there is a prophecy that those people are destined to save the land/world, but sometimes they help out with the cause themselves. The character(s) are often times scared, confused and angry, and deny the prophecy and sometimes even their reality. Eventually, though, they grow accustomed to the world, start liking the people, and fighting for their cause. In the end, they turn out to be a valuable and loved warrior who is fond of the world. They go home with a completely new outlook on life, with their values, beliefs and traits having been changed for the better, as well as important lessons being learned that are useful to them in their world.

Example: Disney’s take on Alice in Wonderland revolves around Alice, the girl who falls into Wonderland through a rabbit hole. Except, she’s actually been there before and only thinks it a dream. She questions her self and denies that she will be the one to slay the Jabberwocky. In the end, however, after spending a lot of time in Wonderland and meeting all of its inhabitants again, she steps up to the role and eventually returns home a new person.

5)  The Group Comes Together

We all know this one – we’ve seen it many times before. A group of individuals that join together to defeat a common enemy. Usually, the group is comprised of different types of people and even different species. They each have their own unique skill set that helps the group overall, and when they come together, they are unstoppable and can defeat any evil.

Example: In Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, four teenagers who seem like they would never be friends in real life discover a video game from the ’90s whilst in detention. When they try to play it, they are transformed into the game characters they selected and dropped into the jungle world of Jumanji. Together, they discover their character’s skills and their goal in the game and eventually manage to save the virtual world.

 

Some more fantasy tropes

1. The hero has a mysterious parental figure. But, never an actual parent. They are there to guide them on their journey and offer advice.
2. The character is a peasant.
3. Of course, secretly they are also the descendent of the long lost king with a birthmark to prove it.
4. The hero is trained by a master swordsman/magician.
5. Real heroes have magic swords.
6. Real heroes don’t cast spells. That’s the wizard’s job.
7. The hero is bored with their life and wants to make a name for themselves in the wide world.
8. The hero loves their home town and never wants to leave but those orcs/trolls/goblins/wizards/invaders destroy this idyllic life and they are forced to right this injustice.
9. The hero gets caught up in circumstances that soon take over their life and makes them believe in a greater cause.
10. They are captured and their love interest has to mount a rescue for them.
11. The love interest is actually a princess, but her father mysteriously refuses to aid her in her rescue, so she must gather allies on her own and infiltrate the enemy castle.
12. Whilst locked up, the hero finds the magical object they need to save the world.
13. There is a secret underground race.
14. They live as savage beasts or in wild tribes.
15. There are elvish warriors in the forest.
16. Glowing red eyes follow the hero on their journey.
17. A mysterious shadow that follows the hero – and they eventually notice and confront them.
18. They turn out to be an ally who wants to guide them to safety.
19. Or, they turn out to be a stealthy assassin come to collect the bounty on the hero’s head.
20. Someone wants to help the hero with knowledge.
21. The knowledge comes at a price.
22. An ancient power is discovered, probably in a cave or temple.
23. The hero wins but dies in the process.
24. The hero loses, leaving room for a sequel.
25. The hero wins, doesn’t die, retires and raise a family with their loved ones.
26. Actually, was that real or a dream? Cliffhanger!
27. A child is kidnapped by the villain.
28. A child discovers they have secret power and flee from their ruined home on a path to revenge.
29. Magical beasts prowl the wood.
30. Guardians stand at the door of a temple/castle/hideout.
31. Statues with ways to press them to enter, or a password to be said.
32. After the battle is won, everyone goes home and farewells are said.
33. It is time the heroes settle down but they are haunted by a call to adventure.
34. The heroes reunite on a new quest but are never satisfied.
35. The heroes reunite, realising a new enemy has risen.
36. The cycle begins anew, and the next generation will probably defeat the villain when they are at the height of their power and after the first generation fail.

 

Themes