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* Make sure you don't overdo it. Sure, a hapless wench once in a while is to be expected, but don't spend too much time on the lovingly detailed description, and don't shoehorn in {{Gorn}} or GratuitousRape just for shock value. It's one thing to write a bad story, entirely another to deal with accusations of creepy fetishes or extremist politics. Just think twice before you do that. And, God-Emperor help us, we ''do'' hope these weren't your actual beliefs or fetishes. (See also: SoYouWantTo/AvoidUnfortunateImplications)
to:
* Make sure you don't overdo it. Sure, a hapless wench once in a while is to be expected, but don't spend too much time on the lovingly detailed description, and don't shoehorn in {{Gorn}} or GratuitousRape scenes just for shock value. It's one thing to write a bad story, entirely another to deal with accusations of creepy fetishes or extremist politics. Just think twice before you do that. And, God-Emperor help us, we ''do'' hope these weren't your actual beliefs or fetishes. (See also: SoYouWantTo/AvoidUnfortunateImplications)
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* {{Deconstruction}}. You may have noticed that quite a number of elements suggested above are of deconstructive nature, so you may opt to follow this trend. It's been done, but "repetitive", when done well, doesn't have to mean "bad".
* HumansAreTheRealMonsters. Also done, and running a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly. This would require some skill to be pulled off both seriously and well.
* WasItReallyWorthIt Perhaps the heroes end up in a situation so bad, they'd rather just not bother.
* HumansAreTheRealMonsters. Also done, and running a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly. This would require some skill to be pulled off both seriously and well.
* WasItReallyWorthIt Perhaps the heroes end up in a situation so bad, they'd rather just not bother.
to:
* {{Deconstruction}}. {{Deconstruction}}: You may have noticed that quite a number of elements suggested above are of deconstructive nature, so you may opt to follow this trend. It's been done, but "repetitive", when done well, doesn't have to mean "bad".
*HumansAreTheRealMonsters. HumansAreTheRealMonsters: Also done, and running runs a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly. This would require some skill to be pulled off both seriously and well.
well -- it's too easy to make the message [[{{Anvilicious}} overbearing]] or even insulting.
*WasItReallyWorthIt WasItReallyWorthIt: Perhaps the heroes end up in a situation so bad, they'd rather just not bother.
*
*
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* EarnYourHappyEnding. It's only too easy to fail in this world, so if you want a happy ending for yourself, you have to take on the whole world and make it stay your way. Or go for the easy route and do it at the others' expense.
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* EarnYourHappyEnding. EarnYourHappyEnding: It's only too easy to fail in this world, so if you want a happy ending for yourself, you have to take on the whole world and make it stay your way. Or go for the easy route and do it at the others' expense.
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* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. That's probably the most important thing to watch out for in Dark Fantasy. No matter how good you are at making the audience depressed, make sure that they still care about your character. That is, don't invoke dark elements pointlessly, and don't make the characters the reader is supposed to root for, too unlikable (and, presumably, [[DracoInLeatherPants vice versa]]). You don't need to give {{Hope Spot}}s to keep the audience to the end -- sometime they're aware from start that your character won't make it, yet they will continue the story since they want to know how it will end.
* Make sure you don't overdo it. Sure, a hapless wench once in a while is to be expected, but don't spend too much time on the lovingly detailed description. It's one thing to write a bad story, entirely another to deal with accusations of creepy fetishes or extremist politics. Just think twice before you do that. And, God-Emperor help us, we ''do'' hope these weren't your actual beliefs or fetishes.
* Make sure you don't overdo it. Sure, a hapless wench once in a while is to be expected, but don't spend too much time on the lovingly detailed description. It's one thing to write a bad story, entirely another to deal with accusations of creepy fetishes or extremist politics. Just think twice before you do that. And, God-Emperor help us, we ''do'' hope these weren't your actual beliefs or fetishes.
to:
* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. That's probably the most important thing to watch out for in Dark Fantasy. No matter how good you are at making the audience depressed, make sure that they still care about your character. That is, don't invoke dark elements pointlessly, and don't make the characters the reader is supposed to root for, too unlikable (and, presumably, [[DracoInLeatherPants vice versa]]). You don't need to give {{Hope Spot}}s to keep the audience to the end -- sometime they're aware from start that your character won't make it, yet they will continue the story since they want to know how it will end.
end. Angst is to be expected, but try not to put it on [[DeusAngstMachina too]] [[{{Wangst}} thick]].
* Make sure you don't overdo it. Sure, a hapless wench once in a while is to be expected, but don't spend too much time on the lovingly detaileddescription.description, and don't shoehorn in {{Gorn}} or GratuitousRape just for shock value. It's one thing to write a bad story, entirely another to deal with accusations of creepy fetishes or extremist politics. Just think twice before you do that. And, God-Emperor help us, we ''do'' hope these weren't your actual beliefs or fetishes.
fetishes. (See also: SoYouWantTo/AvoidUnfortunateImplications)
* Make sure you don't overdo it. Sure, a hapless wench once in a while is to be expected, but don't spend too much time on the lovingly detailed
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* AntiHero, ExtremistHasAPoint, and related. Perhaps the Great Evil can only be defeated by another kind of Evil. Perfect for disturbing "morals" that, paradoxically, make the reader happy in a twisted way (in the vein of "however bad the world is, Nazism still isn't our only chance").
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* AntiHero, ExtremistHasAPoint, TheExtremistWasRight, and related. Perhaps the Great Evil can only be defeated by another kind of Evil. Perfect for disturbing "morals" that, paradoxically, make the reader happy in a twisted way (in the vein of "however bad the world is, Nazism still isn't our only chance").
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* Who are the gods of this sad world? Do they exist at all? Are they [[JerkassGods assholes of the highest calibre]] only interested in [[PassThePopcorn sitting back and watching humanity fail]]? Maybe the [[VillainsActHeroesReact only active god]] is the [[GodOfEvil one trying to destroy everything]] with TheLegionsOfHell.
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* Who are the gods of this sad world? CrapsackWorld? Do they exist at all? Are they [[JerkassGods assholes of the highest calibre]] only interested in [[PassThePopcorn sitting back and watching humanity fail]]? Maybe the [[VillainsActHeroesReact only active god]] is the [[GodOfEvil one trying to destroy everything]] with TheLegionsOfHell.
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* Chances of success - it's rather safe to assume [[TheBadGuyWins the heroes rarely win]], or if they do, then [[PyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves. Defeating the Great Evil once and for all would hardly make the story dark -- unless, of course, you aren't averse to ending the story on an optimistic note. Just don't do it before you complete the story, or else we'd be left with a GenreShift.
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* Chances of success - it's rather safe to assume [[TheBadGuyWins the heroes rarely win]], or if they do, then [[PyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves. Defeating the Great Evil once and for all would hardly make the story dark -- unless, of course, you aren't averse to [[EarnYourHappyEnding ending the story on an optimistic note. note.]] Just don't do it before you complete the story, or else we'd be left with a GenreShift.
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* Before we begin, we may ponder what are we trying to achieve. For a story to count as Dark Fantasy, it needs to be fantasy, and it has to be dark. After all, we aren't trying to write sci-fi or drama, and making it happy and upbeat isn't our goal either. This is obvious, but it is good to remind ourselves of that before we go on to discussing the specific necessary elements.
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* Moral ambiguity - this is an important point, and it's here in the end to highlight that. Often the simplest way -- albeit not always in the sense of amount of work necessary -- to make the story dark isn't about magic or world-building or whatever, but about doing away with cheap BlackAndWhiteMorality. Once you take out the comfort of knowing at first glance who's right and who's wrong, things suddenly become a lot dimmer. BlackAndGrayMorality is not uncommon, as it allows to create less-than-perfect heroes and still make their victory preferable.
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* Your hero could be, at the best, a KnightInSourArmor or maybe someone [[AntiHero darker and more morally ambiguous]] considering the setting its unlikely he/she will win in the end and may even end up [[FaceHeelTurn joining]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters the villain]].
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* Your hero could be, at the best, a KnightInSourArmor or maybe someone [[AntiHero darker and more morally ambiguous]] considering ambiguous]]. Considering the setting its unlikely setting, how likely it is that he/she will win in the end and may even end up end? How about [[FaceHeelTurn joining]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters the villain]].villain]]? And then, perhaps, the "hero" is a VillainProtagonist from the start.
* Let's stary by bringing up the fantasy element again. For example, in High Fantasy and Heroic Fantasy, take care when making maps of your world. It is quite easy to slip into ArtisticLicenseGeography. Looking at real world maps and plate tectonics can definitely help you avoid this. Many of the problems of this kind are shared with other fantasy genres, so it is advisable to study their potential pitfalls.
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* Like in High Fantasy and Heroic Fantasy, take care when making maps of your world. It is quite easy to slip into ArtisticLicenseGeography. Looking at real world maps and plate tectonics can definitely help you avoid this.
* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. That's probably the most important thing to watch out for in Dark Fantasy. No matter how good you are at making the audience depressed, make sure that they still care about your character. That is, don't invoke dark elements pointlessly. You don't need to give {{Hope Spot}}s to keep the audience to the end -- sometime they're aware from start that your character won't make it, yet they will continue the story since they want to know how it will end.
* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. That's probably the most important thing to watch out for in Dark Fantasy. No matter how good you are at making the audience depressed, make sure that they still care about your character. That is, don't invoke dark elements pointlessly. You don't need to give {{Hope Spot}}s to keep the audience to the end -- sometime they're aware from start that your character won't make it, yet they will continue the story since they want to know how it will end.
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this needs a big improvement, I can\'t do the entirety of it
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Unlike HighFantasy or HeroicFantasy, Dark Fantasy is based at the far end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism. It is often the product of standard fantasy meeting a [[CrapsackWorld craptastic world]] with extra suck stirred in, standard fantasy tropes are usually [[DeconstructedTrope deconstructed]], [[InvertedTrope inverted]] or [[GoneHorriblyRight played straight]] to the darkest tone possible.
Dark fantasy may sometimes cross into ScienceFiction usually with a [[{{Dystopia}} dystopian]] style world like the kind seen in Orwellian-style fiction.
Dark fantasy may sometimes cross into ScienceFiction usually with a [[{{Dystopia}} dystopian]] style world like the kind seen in Orwellian-style fiction.
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Unlike HighFantasy or HeroicFantasy, Dark Fantasy is based at the far end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism. It is often the product of standard fantasy meeting a [[CrapsackWorld craptastic world]] with extra suck stirred in, standard fantasy tropes are usually [[DeconstructedTrope deconstructed]], [[InvertedTrope inverted]] or [[GoneHorriblyRight played straight]] to the darkest tone possible.
possible. Dark fantasy may sometimes cross into ScienceFiction usually with a [[{{Dystopia}} dystopian]] style world like the kind seen in Orwellian-style fiction.fiction.
Why write such a thing, you ask? Well, don't look at us, it's you who just came in here. Some authors do it, for lack of a better word, naturally, when they suffer CreatorBreakdown. Others do it as an exploration of some world-building concept. Others yet do it tongue-in-cheek, piling misfortune upon misfortune upon his or her characters as a sort of a meta-BlackComedy. If you belong to the first two, you probably don't really need any of our lessons. Nevertheless, we'll try to provide you with a quick round-up of things that a writer of Dark Fantasy may consider.
Why write such a thing, you ask? Well, don't look at us, it's you who just came in here. Some authors do it, for lack of a better word, naturally, when they suffer CreatorBreakdown. Others do it as an exploration of some world-building concept. Others yet do it tongue-in-cheek, piling misfortune upon misfortune upon his or her characters as a sort of a meta-BlackComedy. If you belong to the first two, you probably don't really need any of our lessons. Nevertheless, we'll try to provide you with a quick round-up of things that a writer of Dark Fantasy may consider.
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* WorldBuilding - like in Heroic Fantasy and High Fantasy, is extremely important especially if you are planning a series. The world the characters inhabit can help build on the already dark tone of the story especially through the history and atmosphere you create. Getting the world right can make writing the rest of the work easier.
* Scale – Dark Fantasy can have a scale as large as High Fantasy or a slightly smaller scale seen in UrbanFantasy.
* Magic – not strictly necessary but a definite bonus. The magic seen in Dark Fantasy is, as you would imagine, [[MagicIsEvil not]] [[BlackMagic nice]]. It could include grisly prices such as a DealWithTheDevil or HumanSacrifice and those who use this kind of magic are [[VainSorceress not]] [[BlackMage nice]] [[EvilSorcerer people]] [[WickedWitch either]].
* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves.
* Scale – Dark Fantasy can have a scale as large as High Fantasy or a slightly smaller scale seen in UrbanFantasy.
* Magic – not strictly necessary but a definite bonus. The magic seen in Dark Fantasy is, as you would imagine, [[MagicIsEvil not]] [[BlackMagic nice]]. It could include grisly prices such as a DealWithTheDevil or HumanSacrifice and those who use this kind of magic are [[VainSorceress not]] [[BlackMage nice]] [[EvilSorcerer people]] [[WickedWitch either]].
* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves.
to:
* WorldBuilding - like in Heroic Fantasy and High Fantasy, it is extremely important highly important, especially if you are planning a series. The world the characters inhabit can help build on the already dark tone of the story story, especially through the history and atmosphere you create. Getting the world right can make writing provide the proper background for the story, in turn making it easier to set the mood for the rest of the work easier.
work.
* Scale – Dark Fantasy can have a scale as large as HighFantasy Fantasy, or as low as UrbanFantasy or HeroicFantasy. How big you make it is up to you, although it reflects on the world building and plot options you will have to take. A depressing story of a slightly smaller scale seen in UrbanFantasy.
StreetUrchin's life probably won't involve the (inevitably grim) fate of the entire world.
* Magic – it is fantasy we speak of, after all. It is not strictly necessarybut a definite bonus. The to do anything specific with magic seen in your story, but it's got a great potential. Many Dark Fantasy is, stories, as you would imagine, [[MagicIsEvil not]] [[BlackMagic nice]]. take the opportunity. There's a reason tropes like MagicIsEvil and BlackMagic exist. You may build upon real-world stories and legends, which offer plenty of examples to pick from. It could include grisly prices such as a DealWithTheDevil or HumanSacrifice and those who use this kind of HumanSacrifice, or just as well, magic users are [[VainSorceress not]] [[BlackMage nice]] [[EvilSorcerer people]] [[WickedWitch either]].
either]]. Anyway, even without all of that, it's pretty much given it won't be about harmless joy and helping upstart heroes.
* Chances of success - it's rather safe to assume [[TheBadGuyWinsThe the heroes rarely win]] win]], or if they do do, then [[PyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves.
themselves. Defeating the Great Evil once and for all would hardly make the story dark -- unless, of course, you aren't averse to ending the story on an optimistic note. Just don't do it before you complete the story, or else we'd be left with a GenreShift.
* Scale – Dark Fantasy can have a scale as large as High
* Magic – it is fantasy we speak of, after all. It is not strictly necessary
* Chances of success - it's rather safe to assume [[TheBadGuyWins
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* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Likely, their darker side will be brought to light. Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or when they aren't, they might have been [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out. Dwarves' love of gold means they're greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else. Hobbits may have been wiped out, or are just plain evil. HumansAreTheRealMonsters. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
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* Let's start with world building details. For example, let's assume it's a StandardFantasySetting. Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present present, then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Likely, The answer is that, likely, their darker side will be brought to light. Elves are usually [[OurElvesAreBetter Standard tropes of the Elves]] allow them to be portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or when rather easily - and going further, we get at [[TheFairFolk their original depiction]], where they aren't, they might have been can easily become just plain inhuman. Or you can turn them on their heads, make the Elves [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out. Dwarves' love of gold means they're greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else. Hobbits may have been wiped out, or Hobbits, even if they are just plain evil. still the merry small folk, are probably keeping a monumental collection of skeletons in their closets. Still, it's pretty likely that HumansAreTheRealMonsters. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
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* The gods -- if they exist at all -- are most likely [[JerkassGods assholes of the highest calibre]] only interested in [[PassThePopcorn sitting back and watching humanity fail]]. Maybe the [[VillainsActHeroesReact only active god]] is the [[GodOfEvil one trying to destroy everything]] with TheLegionsOfHell. Any religious organisations are [[CorruptChurch corrupt beyond belief]] or actively trying to help bring about the EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt.
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* The Who are the gods -- if of this sad world? Do they exist at all -- are most likely all? Are they [[JerkassGods assholes of the highest calibre]] only interested in [[PassThePopcorn sitting back and watching humanity fail]]. fail]]? Maybe the [[VillainsActHeroesReact only active god]] is the [[GodOfEvil one trying to destroy everything]] with TheLegionsOfHell. TheLegionsOfHell.
* Any religious organisations are [[CorruptChurch corrupt beyond belief]] or actively trying to help bring about theEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt.
EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. This is so prevalent, there's pretty much no discussion on this one. You can spice up things, by making them NecessarilyEvil or throwing in a single relatively decent confession. In the latter case, likely with too low influence to improve things on a bigger scale.
* Any religious organisations are [[CorruptChurch corrupt beyond belief]] or actively trying to help bring about the
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* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. No matter how good you are at making the audience depressed, make sure that they still care about your character. That is, don't invoke dark elements pointlessly. You don't need to give {{Hope Spot}}s to keep the audience to the end -- sometime they're aware from start that your character won't make it, yet they will continue the story since they want to know how it will end.
to:
* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. That's probably the most important thing to watch out for in Dark Fantasy. No matter how good you are at making the audience depressed, make sure that they still care about your character. That is, don't invoke dark elements pointlessly. You don't need to give {{Hope Spot}}s to keep the audience to the end -- sometime they're aware from start that your character won't make it, yet they will continue the story since they want to know how it will end.
* Make sure you don't overdo it. Sure, a hapless wench once in a while is to be expected, but don't spend too much time on the lovingly detailed description. It's one thing to write a bad story, entirely another to deal with accusations of creepy fetishes or extremist politics. Just think twice before you do that. And, God-Emperor help us, we ''do'' hope these weren't your actual beliefs or fetishes.
* Make sure you don't overdo it. Sure, a hapless wench once in a while is to be expected, but don't spend too much time on the lovingly detailed description. It's one thing to write a bad story, entirely another to deal with accusations of creepy fetishes or extremist politics. Just think twice before you do that. And, God-Emperor help us, we ''do'' hope these weren't your actual beliefs or fetishes.
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* HumansAreTheRealMonsters. Also done, and running a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly.
to:
* HumansAreTheRealMonsters. Also done, and running a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly. This would require some skill to be pulled off both seriously and well.
* WasItReallyWorthIt Perhaps the heroes end up in a situation so bad, they'd rather just not bother.
* AntiHero, ExtremistHasAPoint, and related. Perhaps the Great Evil can only be defeated by another kind of Evil. Perfect for disturbing "morals" that, paradoxically, make the reader happy in a twisted way (in the vein of "however bad the world is, Nazism still isn't our only chance").
* WasItReallyWorthIt Perhaps the heroes end up in a situation so bad, they'd rather just not bother.
* AntiHero, ExtremistHasAPoint, and related. Perhaps the Great Evil can only be defeated by another kind of Evil. Perfect for disturbing "morals" that, paradoxically, make the reader happy in a twisted way (in the vein of "however bad the world is, Nazism still isn't our only chance").
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* [[CorpseLand An eternally corpse-strewn, blood-soaked ancient battlefeild where undead soldiers play out their final moments again, and again forever]].
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* [[CorpseLand An eternally corpse-strewn, blood-soaked ancient battlefeild battlefield where undead soldiers play out their final moments again, and again forever]].
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* Take CostumePorn and swap the "porn" for "{{gorn}}". Rags, mud, dirt, and diseases of skin and mouth are what you will need. Upper classes are somewhat exempt, though.
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* Take CostumePorn and swap the "porn" for "{{gorn}}". Rags, mud, dirt, and diseases of skin and mouth are what you will need. Upper classes are somewhat exempt, though.
though. At least in the clothing department.
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* ''TheCthulhuMythos'' is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention.
* ''ASongOfIceAndFire'' and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of surviving characters.
* ''ASongOfIceAndFire'' and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of surviving characters.
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* ''TheCthulhuMythos'' is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention.
attention. As it is set in our world, it is however lacking in general nastiness.
* ''ASongOfIceAndFire'' and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of survivingcharacters.characters.
* ''{{Warhammer}} Fantasy Roleplay'' certainly deserves a mention, especially in the older editions, before heroics started to leak in from the battlegame.
* ''ASongOfIceAndFire'' and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of surviving
* ''{{Warhammer}} Fantasy Roleplay'' certainly deserves a mention, especially in the older editions, before heroics started to leak in from the battlegame.
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* TheCthulhuMythos is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention.
* ASongOfIceAndFire and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of surviving characters.
* ASongOfIceAndFire and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of surviving characters.
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* TheCthulhuMythos ''TheCthulhuMythos'' is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention.
*ASongOfIceAndFire ''ASongOfIceAndFire'' and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of surviving characters.
*
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* Swords, guns or functional magical objects can all be included, but exact details would depend on the setting. EvilWeapon is a choice to consider.
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* Your hero could be, at the best, a KnightInSourArmor or maybe someone [[AntiHero darker and more morally ambiguous]] considering the setting its unlikely he/she will win in the end and may even end up [[HeelFaceTurn joining]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters the villain]].
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* Your hero could be, at the best, a KnightInSourArmor or maybe someone [[AntiHero darker and more morally ambiguous]] considering the setting its unlikely he/she will win in the end and may even end up [[HeelFaceTurn [[FaceHeelTurn joining]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters the villain]].
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It's quite easy to look at the Tropes in {{Fantasy}} and twist them to suit the darker tone. Maybe a retelling of a classic fairy tale like Literature/{{Snow White|and the seven dwarfs}} or SleepingBeauty but adding a darker flavour to the tale? Some AlternateCharacterInterpretation can play into this, a previously good character could quite easily be twisted into a {{Chessmaster}} villain who is simply putting on a [[BitchInSheepsClothing cute and innocent act]] to [[BatmanGambit achieve their own ends]].
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It's quite easy to look at the Tropes in {{Fantasy}} and twist them to suit the darker tone. Maybe a retelling of a classic fairy tale like Literature/{{Snow White|and the seven dwarfs}} or SleepingBeauty Literature/SleepingBeauty but adding a darker flavour to the tale? Some AlternateCharacterInterpretation can play into this, a previously good character could quite easily be twisted into a {{Chessmaster}} villain who is simply putting on a [[BitchInSheepsClothing cute and innocent act]] to [[BatmanGambit achieve their own ends]].
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It's quite easy to look at the Tropes in {{Fantasy}} and twist them to suit the darker tone. Maybe a retelling of a classic fairy tale like SnowWhite or SleepingBeauty but adding a darker flavour to the tale? Some AlternateCharacterInterpretation can play into this, a previously good character could quite easily be twisted into a {{Chessmaster}} villain who is simply putting on a [[BitchInSheepsClothing cute and innocent act]] to [[BatmanGambit achieve their own ends]].
to:
It's quite easy to look at the Tropes in {{Fantasy}} and twist them to suit the darker tone. Maybe a retelling of a classic fairy tale like SnowWhite Literature/{{Snow White|and the seven dwarfs}} or SleepingBeauty but adding a darker flavour to the tale? Some AlternateCharacterInterpretation can play into this, a previously good character could quite easily be twisted into a {{Chessmaster}} villain who is simply putting on a [[BitchInSheepsClothing cute and innocent act]] to [[BatmanGambit achieve their own ends]].
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Dark fantasy may sometimes cross into ScienceFiction usually with a dystopian style world like the kind seen in Orwellian-style fiction.
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Dark fantasy may sometimes cross into ScienceFiction usually with a dystopian [[{{Dystopia}} dystopian]] style world like the kind seen in Orwellian-style fiction.
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* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Likely, their darker side will be brought to light. Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or when they aren't, have been either [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out completely. Dwarves' love of gold means they're are greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else. Hobbits may have either been wiped out, or are just plain evil from the beginning. HumansAreTheRealMonsters. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
to:
* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Likely, their darker side will be brought to light. Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or when they aren't, they might have been either [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out completely. out. Dwarves' love of gold means they're are greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else. Hobbits may have either been wiped out, or are just plain evil from the beginning.evil. HumansAreTheRealMonsters. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
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* Swords, guns or functional magical objects can all be included, but exact details would depend on the setting.
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* Swords, guns or functional magical objects can all be included, but exact details would depend on the setting. EvilWeapon is a choice to consider.
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* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Likely, their darker side will be brought to light. Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or when they aren't, have been either [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out completely. Dwarves' love of gold means they're are greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else. Hobbits may have either been wiped out, or are just plain evil from the beginning. HumansAreBastards. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
to:
* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Likely, their darker side will be brought to light. Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or when they aren't, have been either [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out completely. Dwarves' love of gold means they're are greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else. Hobbits may have either been wiped out, or are just plain evil from the beginning. HumansAreBastards.HumansAreTheRealMonsters. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
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* HumansAreBastards. Also done, and running a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly.
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* HumansAreBastards.HumansAreTheRealMonsters. Also done, and running a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly.
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* Scale – Dark Fantasy can have a scale as large as High Fantasy or a slightly smaller scale seen in UrbanFantasy
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* Scale – Dark Fantasy can have a scale as large as High Fantasy or a slightly smaller scale seen in UrbanFantasyUrbanFantasy.
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* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves
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* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves
themselves.
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* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or have been either [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out completely, Dwarves are greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else, Hobbits have either been wiped out completely or are just plain evil from the beginning and [[HumansAreBastards humans are portrayed much more kindly than everyone else]]. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
to:
* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Likely, their darker side will be brought to light. Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or when they aren't, have been either [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out completely, Dwarves completely. Dwarves' love of gold means they're are greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else, else. Hobbits may have either been wiped out completely out, or are just plain evil from the beginning and [[HumansAreBastards humans are portrayed much more kindly than everyone else]].beginning. HumansAreBastards. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
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* If there is a religion in your world then the gods are most likely [[JerkassGods assholes of the highest calibre]] only interested in [[PassThePopcorn sitting back and watching humanity fail]]. Maybe the only active god is the [[GodOfEvil one trying to destroy everything]] with TheLegionsOfHell. Any religious organisations are [[CorruptChurch corrupt beyond belief]] or actively trying to help bring about the EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt
to:
* If there is a religion in your world then the The gods -- if they exist at all -- are most likely [[JerkassGods assholes of the highest calibre]] only interested in [[PassThePopcorn sitting back and watching humanity fail]]. Maybe the [[VillainsActHeroesReact only active god god]] is the [[GodOfEvil one trying to destroy everything]] with TheLegionsOfHell. Any religious organisations are [[CorruptChurch corrupt beyond belief]] or actively trying to help bring about the EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt
EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt.
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* {{Reconstruction}}. It may turn out this world is like ours -- most would say that, with time and effort, it improved, so the same can happen in fiction.
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* {{Deconstruction}}. You may have noticed that quite a number of elements suggested above are of deconstructive nature, so you may opt to follow this trend. It's been done, but "repetitive", when done well, doesn't have to mean "bad".
* HumansAreBastards. Also done, and running a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly.
* EarnYourHappyEnding. It's only too easy to fail in this world, so if you want a happy ending for yourself, you have to take on the whole world and make it stay your way. Or go for the easy route and do it at the others' expense.
* HumansAreBastards. Also done, and running a risk of alienating the audience, but if you feel you can take it, the theme of the story can be that it's a part of human nature to treat others badly.
* EarnYourHappyEnding. It's only too easy to fail in this world, so if you want a happy ending for yourself, you have to take on the whole world and make it stay your way. Or go for the easy route and do it at the others' expense.
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* A common location for this is a {{Dystopia}} of some kind. Maybe the RuinsOfTheModernAge or a ScavengerWorld
* The StandardFantasySetting can also work well in Dark Fantasy
* [[CorpseLand An eternally corpse-strewn, blood-soaked ancient battlefeild where undead soldiers play out their final moments again, and again forever]]
* The StandardFantasySetting can also work well in Dark Fantasy
* [[CorpseLand An eternally corpse-strewn, blood-soaked ancient battlefeild where undead soldiers play out their final moments again, and again forever]]
to:
* A common location for this is a {{Dystopia}} of some kind. Maybe the RuinsOfTheModernAge or a ScavengerWorld
ScavengerWorld.
* The StandardFantasySetting can also work well in DarkFantasy
Fantasy.
* [[CorpseLand An eternally corpse-strewn, blood-soaked ancient battlefeild where undead soldiers play out their final moments again, and againforever]]forever]].
* The StandardFantasySetting can also work well in Dark
* [[CorpseLand An eternally corpse-strewn, blood-soaked ancient battlefeild where undead soldiers play out their final moments again, and again
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* Swords, guns or functional magical objects can all be included but it would depend on the setting
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* Swords, guns or functional magical objects can all be included included, but it exact details would depend on the setting
setting.
* Chances are, there'll be above-average need for torture and execution devices.
* Chances are, there'll be above-average need for torture and execution devices.
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* Take CostumePorn and swap the "porn" for "{{gorn}}". Rags, mud, dirt, and diseases of skin and mouth are what you will need. Upper classes are somewhat exempt, though.
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* TheCthulhuMythos is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention
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* TheCthulhuMythos is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attentionattention.
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* A [[WretchedHive big sprawling city]] where the [[CityNoir the crime rate is through the roof] [[ViceCity and everyone is either corrupt or psychotic and violent criminals]].
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* A [[WretchedHive big sprawling city]] where the [[CityNoir the crime rate is through the roof] roof]] [[ViceCity and everyone is either corrupt or psychotic and violent criminals]].
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* A [[WretchedHive big sprawling city]] where the [[CityNoir the crime rate is through the roof] [[ViceCity and everyone is either corrupt or psychotic and violent criminals]].
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* [[CorpseLand An eternally corpse-strewn, blood-soaked ancient battlefeild where undead soldiers play out their final moments again, and again forever]]
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----
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{{Narm}} is the general pitfall here. It’s easy to think something is being dark but actually will provoke laughter and eye rolling. The subtle approach tends to be the best when trying to avoid this.
Like in High Fantasy and Heroic Fantasy, take care when making maps of your world. It is quite easy to slip into ArtisticLicenseGeography. Looking at real world maps and plate tectonics can definitely help you avoid this.
DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. No matter how good you're at making the audiences depress, make sure that they still care about your character. That is, don't invoke dark element pointlessly. You don't need to give HopeSpot to keep the audiences to the end, sometime they're aware from start that your character won't make it - yet they will continue the story since they want to know how it will end.
to:
* Like in High Fantasy and Heroic Fantasy, take care when making maps of your world. It is quite easy to slip into ArtisticLicenseGeography. Looking at real world maps and plate tectonics can definitely help you avoid
* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. No matter how good
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What? Making people sad or depress is acceptable goal when writing Dark Fantasy. Rewording...
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DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. If the story's too dark, people will get sad and/or offended and quit.
to:
DarknessInducedAudienceApathy. If No matter how good you're at making the story's too dark, people audiences depress, make sure that they still care about your character. That is, don't invoke dark element pointlessly. You don't need to give HopeSpot to keep the audiences to the end, sometime they're aware from start that your character won't make it - yet they will get sad and/or offended and quit.
continue the story since they want to know how it will end.
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DarknessInducedAudienceApathy
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* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PhyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves
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* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PhyrrhicVictory [[PyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves
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* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PhyrricVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves
to:
* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PhyrricVictory [[PhyrrhicVictory it’s usually at a high cost]] or because they are not saints themselves
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* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then it’s usually at a high cost or because they are not saints themselves
to:
* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then [[PhyrricVictory it’s usually at a high cost cost]] or because they are not saints themselves
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* TheCthuluMythos is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention
to:
* TheCthuluMythos TheCthulhuMythos is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention
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It's quite easy to look at the Tropes in {{Fantasy}} and twist them to suit the darker tone. Maybe a retelling of a classic fairy tale like SnowWhite or SleepingBeauty but adding a darker flavour to the tale. Maybe some AlternateCharacterInterpretation can play into this, a previously good character could quite easily be twisted into a {{Chessmaster}} villain who is simply putting on a [[BitchInSheepsClothing cute and innocent act]] to achieve their own ends.
!'''Departments'''
!'''Departments'''
to:
It's quite easy to look at the Tropes in {{Fantasy}} and twist them to suit the darker tone. Maybe a retelling of a classic fairy tale like SnowWhite or SleepingBeauty but adding a darker flavour to the tale. Maybe some tale? Some AlternateCharacterInterpretation can play into this, a previously good character could quite easily be twisted into a {{Chessmaster}} villain who is simply putting on a [[BitchInSheepsClothing cute and innocent act]] to [[BatmanGambit achieve their own ends.
!'''Departments'''ends]].
!'''Departments'''
!!'''Set Designer/Location Scout'''
* A common location for this is a {{Dystopia}} of some kind. Maybe the RuinsOfTheModernAge or a ScavengerWorld
* The StandardFantasySetting can also work well in Dark Fantasy
!!'''Props Department'''
* Swords, guns or functional magical objects can all be included but it would depend on the setting
!!'''Costume Designer'''
!'''Extra Credit'''
!!'''The Greats'''
*TheCthuluMythos is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention
* ASongOfIceAndFire and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of surviving characters.
!'''Departments'''
!'''Departments'''
!!'''Set Designer/Location Scout'''
* A common location for this is a {{Dystopia}} of some kind. Maybe the RuinsOfTheModernAge or a ScavengerWorld
* The StandardFantasySetting can also work well in Dark Fantasy
!!'''Props Department'''
* Swords, guns or functional magical objects can all be included but it would depend on the setting
!!'''Costume Designer'''
!'''Extra Credit'''
!!'''The Greats'''
*TheCthuluMythos is a great of this genre with [[EvilGod evil gods]] and EldritchAbominations galore. Whilst magic isn't present, it doesn't mean that the wrong word won't attract unwanted attention
* ASongOfIceAndFire and the HBO series GameOfThrones with AnyoneCanDie in full swing. The list of dead characters is longer than the list of surviving characters.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
It's quite easy to look at the Tropes in {{Fantasy}} and twist them to suit the darker tone. Maybe a retelling of a classic fairy tale like SnowWhite or SleepingBeauty but adding a darker flavour to the tale. Maybe some AlternateCharacterInterpretation can play into this, a previously good character could quite easily be twisted into a {{Chessmaster}} villain who is simply putting on a [[BitchInSheepsClothing cute and innocent act]] to achieve their own ends.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
DarkFantasy, the DarkerAndEdgier cousin of standard fantasy. Where there are [[GoodIsNotNice no]] [[SociopathicHero heroes]], TheBadGuyWins and GrayAndGrayMorality rules the day.
Unlike HighFantasy or HeroicFantasy, Dark Fantasy is based at the far end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism. It is often the product of standard fantasy meeting a [[CrapsackWorld craptastic world]] with extra suck stirred in, standard fantasy tropes are usually [[DeconstructedTrope deconstructed]], [[InvertedTrope inverted]] or [[GoneHorriblyRight played straight]] to the darkest tone possible.
Dark fantasy may sometimes cross into ScienceFiction usually with a dystopian style world like the kind seen in Orwellian-style fiction.
!'''Necessary Tropes'''
* WorldBuilding - like in Heroic Fantasy and High Fantasy, is extremely important especially if you are planning a series. The world the characters inhabit can help build on the already dark tone of the story especially through the history and atmosphere you create. Getting the world right can make writing the rest of the work easier.
* Scale – Dark Fantasy can have a scale as large as High Fantasy or a slightly smaller scale seen in UrbanFantasy
* Magic – not strictly necessary but a definite bonus. The magic seen in Dark Fantasy is, as you would imagine, [[MagicIsEvil not]] [[BlackMagic nice]]. It could include grisly prices such as a DealWithTheDevil or HumanSacrifice and those who use this kind of magic are [[VainSorceress not]] [[BlackMage nice]] [[EvilSorcerer people]] [[WickedWitch either]].
* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then it’s usually at a high cost or because they are not saints themselves
!'''Choices, Choices'''
* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or have been either [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out completely, Dwarves are greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else, Hobbits have either been wiped out completely or are just plain evil from the beginning and [[HumansAreBastards humans are portrayed much more kindly than everyone else]]. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
* Your hero could be, at the best, a KnightInSourArmor or maybe someone [[AntiHero darker and more morally ambiguous]] considering the setting its unlikely he/she will win in the end and may even end up [[HeelFaceTurn joining]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters the villain]].
* If there is a religion in your world then the gods are most likely [[JerkassGods assholes of the highest calibre]] only interested in [[PassThePopcorn sitting back and watching humanity fail]]. Maybe the only active god is the [[GodOfEvil one trying to destroy everything]] with TheLegionsOfHell. Any religious organisations are [[CorruptChurch corrupt beyond belief]] or actively trying to help bring about the EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt
!'''Pitfalls'''
{{Narm}} is the general pitfall here. It’s easy to think something is being dark but actually will provoke laughter and eye rolling. The subtle approach tends to be the best when trying to avoid this.
Like in High Fantasy and Heroic Fantasy, take care when making maps of your world. It is quite easy to slip into ArtisticLicenseGeography. Looking at real world maps and plate tectonics can definitely help you avoid this.
!'''Potential Subversions'''
*The CrapsaccharineWorld ends to be a subversion of this. It is very dark and very creepy when you really look at it, but nobody inside the work will usually notice or care.
!'''Writers’ Lounge'''
!!'''Suggested Themes and Aesops'''
!!'''Suggested Plots'''
!'''Departments'''
Unlike HighFantasy or HeroicFantasy, Dark Fantasy is based at the far end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism. It is often the product of standard fantasy meeting a [[CrapsackWorld craptastic world]] with extra suck stirred in, standard fantasy tropes are usually [[DeconstructedTrope deconstructed]], [[InvertedTrope inverted]] or [[GoneHorriblyRight played straight]] to the darkest tone possible.
Dark fantasy may sometimes cross into ScienceFiction usually with a dystopian style world like the kind seen in Orwellian-style fiction.
!'''Necessary Tropes'''
* WorldBuilding - like in Heroic Fantasy and High Fantasy, is extremely important especially if you are planning a series. The world the characters inhabit can help build on the already dark tone of the story especially through the history and atmosphere you create. Getting the world right can make writing the rest of the work easier.
* Scale – Dark Fantasy can have a scale as large as High Fantasy or a slightly smaller scale seen in UrbanFantasy
* Magic – not strictly necessary but a definite bonus. The magic seen in Dark Fantasy is, as you would imagine, [[MagicIsEvil not]] [[BlackMagic nice]]. It could include grisly prices such as a DealWithTheDevil or HumanSacrifice and those who use this kind of magic are [[VainSorceress not]] [[BlackMage nice]] [[EvilSorcerer people]] [[WickedWitch either]].
* [[TheBadGuyWins The heroes rarely win]] or if they do then it’s usually at a high cost or because they are not saints themselves
!'''Choices, Choices'''
* Will the FiveRaces be present? If they are present then how corrupted/evil will each race be? Elves are usually portrayed as [[ScrewYouElves absolute asses]] or have been either [[EnslavedElves enslaved]] or wiped out completely, Dwarves are greedy and couldn’t care less about everyone else, Hobbits have either been wiped out completely or are just plain evil from the beginning and [[HumansAreBastards humans are portrayed much more kindly than everyone else]]. TheFairFolk might be present and they aren’t nice at the best of times.
* Your hero could be, at the best, a KnightInSourArmor or maybe someone [[AntiHero darker and more morally ambiguous]] considering the setting its unlikely he/she will win in the end and may even end up [[HeelFaceTurn joining]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters the villain]].
* If there is a religion in your world then the gods are most likely [[JerkassGods assholes of the highest calibre]] only interested in [[PassThePopcorn sitting back and watching humanity fail]]. Maybe the only active god is the [[GodOfEvil one trying to destroy everything]] with TheLegionsOfHell. Any religious organisations are [[CorruptChurch corrupt beyond belief]] or actively trying to help bring about the EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt
!'''Pitfalls'''
{{Narm}} is the general pitfall here. It’s easy to think something is being dark but actually will provoke laughter and eye rolling. The subtle approach tends to be the best when trying to avoid this.
Like in High Fantasy and Heroic Fantasy, take care when making maps of your world. It is quite easy to slip into ArtisticLicenseGeography. Looking at real world maps and plate tectonics can definitely help you avoid this.
!'''Potential Subversions'''
*The CrapsaccharineWorld ends to be a subversion of this. It is very dark and very creepy when you really look at it, but nobody inside the work will usually notice or care.
!'''Writers’ Lounge'''
!!'''Suggested Themes and Aesops'''
!!'''Suggested Plots'''
!'''Departments'''
