History SoYouWantTo / WriteAHeroicFantasy

!!'''The Epic Fails'''
* TheInheritanceCycle

* The FiveRaces are more common in HighFantasy, but not unknown here. Others just use part of the quintet (humans and elves most of the time). Still others keep humans, often PeopleOfHairColor, but add in [[{{Mythopoeia}} other races all their own]]; this is, in fact, the older form, with such {{Trope Maker}}s and {{Trope Codifier}}s as RobertEHoward, who added [[FrazettaMan ape-men]] and {{Eldritch Abomination}}s to a basically human world, and FritzLeiber who populated Nehwon with humans and "ghouls" -- humanoids transparent except for their bones.

* The FiveRaces are more common in HighFantasy, but not unknown here. Others just use part of the quintet (humans and elves most of the time). Still others keep humans, often PeopleOfHairColor, but add in [[{{Mythopoeia}} other races all their own]]; this is, in fact, the older form, with such {{Trope Maker}}s and {{Trope Codifier}}s as RobertEHoward, who added ape-men and {{Eldritch Abomination}}s to a basically human world, and FritzLeiber who populated Nehwon with humans and "ghouls" -- humanoids transparent except for their bones.

* LeftJustifiedFantasyMap. "Humanity came from a mysterious continent to the east and that's all we know about it; I see no reason to find out more." often translates to TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot. Have the FiveRaces launch a counter-expedition. Or a follow-up expedition.

* An expedition to the newcomer race's ancestral homeland (see above).
* TheMagicComesBack

* LeftJustifiedFantasyMap. "Humanity came from a mysterious continent to the east and that's all we know about it; I see no reason to find out more." often translates to TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot.

** Also make sure you explain where your magic comes from, whether it is created through rituals, a person's emotions, [[{{Mana}} drawn from the Earth]], [[CastFromHitpoints drawn from their life force]], won from {{demon}}s by performing {{Virgin Sacrifice}}, generated by using EyeOfNewt ingredients that you had to cross a MoralEventHorizon just to collect, what have you.

** Decide whether your magic is morally neutral or BlackMagic. Older stories often drew on a BlackAndGrayMorality and portrayed magic as just about always evil. This is less common nowadays.

* LeftJustifiedFantasyMap. "Humanity came from a mysterious continent to the east and that's all we know about it; I see no reason to find out more." translates to TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot.

* {{Revenge}}! The EvilOverlord, the {{Evil Sorcerer}}, the priest (or preistess) of the {{Religion of Evil}} has injured your character. Revenge is called for!

* The FiveRaces are more common in HighFantasy, but not unknown here. Others just use part of the quintet (humans and elves most of the time). Still others keep humans, often PeopleOfHairColor, but add in [[{{Mythopoeia}} other races all their own]]; this is, in fact, the older form, with such {{Trope Maker}}s and {{Trope Codifier}}s as RobertEHoward, who added ape-men and {{Eldritch Abomination}}s to a basically human world, and FritzLeiber who populated Newhon with humans and "ghouls" -- humanoids transparent except for their bones.

* LeftJustifiedFantasyMap. "Humanty casme from a mysterious continent to the east and that's all we know about it; I see no reason to find out more." translates to TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot.

* TheMagicReturns

* LeftJustifiedFantasyMap. "Humanty casme from a mysterious continent to the east and that's all we know about it; I see no reason to find out more." [[TwoWords Cop. Out.]] Have the FiveRaces launch a counter-expidition. Or a followup expidition.

* {{Revenge}}! The EvilOverlord, the {{Evil Sorcerer}}, the priest of the {{Religion of Evil}} has injured your character. Revenge is called for!

** And whatever you do, make sure you ''stick to the rules you set''. Nothing turns people off a series faster than them [[WallBanger breaking their already-defined rules]].

* AvatarTheLastAirbender could possible fall into this genre.

* Magic. You gotta have magic. While in some cases [[Demythtification there isn't any magic altogether]], the vast, ''vast'' majority of Heroic Fantasy has some sort of magic. It's not called Sword And '''Sorcery''' for nothing.

* Magic. You gotta have magic. While in some cases [[LowLowFantasy there isn't any magic altogether]], the vast, ''vast'' majority of Heroic Fantasy has some sort of magic. It's not called Sword And '''Sorcery''' for nothing.

** Also make sure you explain where your magic comes from, whether it is created through rituals, a person's emotions, [[{{Mana}} drawn from the Earth]], [[CastFromHitpoints drawn from their life force]], won from {{demon}}s by performing {{Virgin Sacrifice}}, generated by using EyeOfNewt ingredients that you had to cross a MoralEventHorizon just to collect, what have you. And whatever you do, make sure you ''stick to the rules you set''. Nothing turns people off a series faster than them [[WallBanger breaking their already-defined rules]].

Since this genre is oftentimes build around classic tropes, it is suggested you read [[SoYouWantTo/WriteAStory So You Want To Write A Story]] first before you check out the tips on this page.

* Magic. You gotta have magic. While in some cases [[LowLowFantasy there isn't any magic altogether]], the vast, ''vast'' majority of Heroic Fantasy has some sort of magic. It's not called Sword And Sorcery.

HeroicFantasy, the genre of wizards, dragons, and magic. Almost everyone has thought about writing one of these at some point in time. Due to this, there are massive amounts of [[SturgeonsLaw good and poorly written books in this genre]] sitting on the shelves of your local bookstore. What you want to do, however, is write one that stands out from the pack, and this is just the page to use to get some tips.

* Magic. You gotta have magic. While in some cases [[LowLowFantasy there isn't any magic altogether]], the vast, ''vast'' majority of Heroic Fantasy has some sort of magic. If you do decide to have magic, the next thing you have to do is [[MagicAIsMagicA create a set of rules for it]]. They don't have to be explicitly stated in the book, but at least be sure you make it consistant. Also make sure you explain where your magic comes from, whether it is created through rituals, a person's emotions, [[{{Mana}} drawn from the Earth]], [[CastFromHitpoints drawn from their life force]], what have you. And whatever you do, make sure you ''stick to the rules you set''. Nothing turns people off a series faster than them [[WallBanger breaking their already-defined rules]].
* You'll need to do some {{worldbuilding}}. A ''lot'' of {{worldbuilding}}. Since you are essentially describing a world that none of your readers can lay their eyes upon, readers of this genre expect you to include a map within the first few pages of your book. Build up the environments of your world, as well as its ecosystems, the cultures that inhabit it, and their history. Don't worry if it doesn't seem like all this will go well with the book -- [[AllThereInTheManual that's what writing the separate world guide is for]].
* Last but not least, HeroicFantasy needs an adventurer to do the advernturing required by the genre. Originally, a la ConanTheBarbarian, a mighty warrior with an endless love of InHarmsWay, providing an occasion for his endless adventures against {{Evil Sorcerer}}s, {{Sorcerous Overlord}}s, [[ReligionOfEvil Religions Of Evil]], and monsters of every kind, and a distinct tendency to AntiHero-dom, mitigated only by the absolute nastiness of his foes. Sometimes a woman warrior; Jirel of Joiry was the first character (not just female character) to follow in Conan's footsteps.\\
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While your hero may do incidental good deeds -- saving the VirginSacrifice is a favorite -- most heroes are looking out for their own interests in HeroicFantasy.\\
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Making the character magically oriented, less blood-thirsty, and morally less gray are all options that have been followed over the years.

* The FiveRaces are more common in HighFantasy, but some people just go with this, others just use part of the quintet (humans and elves most of the time), while others keep humans, but add in [[{{Mythopoeia}} other races all their own]]. A scant few even go all the way, and attempt to write HeroicFantasies without [[{{Xenofiction}} any humans at all]]. Others, such as Howard, go for a purely human world (usually with PeopleOfHairColor) probably with a few {{Eldritch Abomination}}s floating about.

* [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Dragons]]. [[HereThereBeDragons There will most likely be dragons]]. If you do include dragons in your story, there are a lot of necessary decisions to make. Are the sentient? Do they [[BreathWeapon breathe fire]]? Do they bring rain? Do they hoard treasure? Are they good, AlwaysChaoticEvil, or does it vary based on individual? [[DinosaursAreDragons Are they descended from dinosaurs]]? Do people [[DragonRider ride them]]? And honestly, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

* Making [[PlanetOfHats Races of Hats]]. All too often fantasy setting have [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame dwarves be...]] [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin exactly alike]], [[OurElvesAreBetter elves be stuck up snobs]], [[strike:Hobbits]] [[{{hobbits}} halflings]] be child-like or tricksters, and such. While [[LordOfTheRings Tolkien]] did show there were different kinds of people in each race [[AllThereInTheManual in the manual]], others have copied these designs to the point where they have become cliche. Nowhere in nature is there an entire race of stuck up snobs (well, maybe [[CatsAreMean cats]]). This is easily avoided if you are making races from scratch, but if you are using mythical races, [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch showing races aren't all clones of one person]] (that is, unless they [[CloningBlues are all clones of one person]]) is a good idea.
** On the same note, making a race AlwaysChaoticEvil. [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orcs]] and other "[[{{Mook}} cannon fodder]]" races are always shown as violent barbarians, willing to [[BloodKnight kill]]/[[RapeAsDrama rape]]/[[ImAHumanitarian eat]] any other creatures they come across. However, this trope has essentially become [[DiscreditedTrope discredited]], for as the trope entry says...
---> "even in the most toxic culture, '''someone''' will choose [[DefectorFromDecadence decency]]".

* Revolt! the Orcs and/or Beastmen are bloody sick of being herded off to die in their thousands, and it's time for a change! Who is this upstart champion of the downtrodded and musclebound? None other than your character!

* A FiveManBand is the most common way to arrange the protagonists, oftentimes so that each member of the cast is one of the FiveRaces.

* Revolt! the Orcs and/or Beastmen are bloody sick of being herded off to die in their thousands, and it's time for a change!

* You'll need to do some {{worldbuilding}}. A ''lot'' of {{worldbuilding}}. Since you are essentially describing a world that none of your readers can lay their eyes upon, readers of this genre expect you to include a map within the first few pages of your book. Build up the environments of your world, as well as its ecosystems, the cultures that inhabit it, and their history. Don't worry if it doesn't seem like all this will go well with the book, [[AllThereInTheManual that's what writing the separate world guide is for]].

* Last but not least, HeroicFantasy needs an adventurer to do the advernturing required by the genre. Originally, a la ConanTheBarbarian, a mighty warrior with an endless love of InHarmsWay, providing an occasion for his endless adventures against {{Evil Sorcerer}}s, {{Sorcerous Overlord}}s, [[ReligionOfEvil Religions Of Evil]], and monsters of every kind, and a distinct tendency to AntiHero-dom, mitigiated only by the absolute nastiness of his foes. Sometimes a woman warrior; Jirel of Joiry was the first character (not just female character) to follow in Conan's footsteps.\\

* The adventurer! Originally, ala ConanTheBarbarian, a mighty warrior with an endless love of InHarmsWay, providing an occasion for his endless adventures against {{Evil Sorcerer}}s, {{Sorcerous Overlord}}s, {{Religion of Evil}}, and monsters of every kind, and a distinct tendency to AntiHero-dom, mitigiated only by the absolute nastiness of his foes. Sometimes a woman warrior; Jirel of Joiry was the first character (not just female character) to follow in Conan's footsteps.\\

* The FiveRaces are more common in HighFantasy, but some people just go with this, others just use part of the quintet (humans and elves most of the time), while others keep humans, but add in [[{{Mythopoeia}} other races all their own]]. A scant few even go all the way, and attempt to write HeroicFantasies without [[{{Xenofiction}} any humans at all]]. Others go for a purely human world (usually with PeopleOfHairColor) probably with a few {{Eldritch Abomination}}s floating about.

---> "even in the most toxic culture, '''someone''' will chose [[DefectorFromDecadence decency]]".

* The FiveRaces. Most Heroic Fantasies will [[LoadsAndLoadsOfRaces be stocked to the brim with non-human races]], but for the most part the classic [[HumansAreSpecial human]]-[[OurElvesAreBetter elf]]-[[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame dwarf]]-[[{{Hobbits}} hobbit]]/[[OurGnomesAreWeirder gnome]]-[[OurOrcsAreDifferent orc]]/[[AllTrollsAreDifferent troll]] quintet is the most common. Some people just go with this, others just use part of the quintet (humans and elves most of the time), while others keep humans, but add in [[{{Mythopoeia}} other races all their own]]. A scant few even go all the way, and attempt to write HeroicFantasies without [[{{Xenofiction}} any humans at all]]. Others go for a purely human world (usually with PeopleOfHairColor) probably with a few {{Eldritch Abomination}}s floating about.

HeroicFantasy is oftentimes described as pertaining to a certain aspect of fantasy (or alternatively, swords and sorcery fantasy), but its actually a rather blurred line between this genre and some of the other genres of fantasy. In general, HighFantasy is said to focus more on the events of the world and its overarching plots rather than on the characters, HeroicFantasy is said to focus more on the actions of the characters and their [[CharacterDevelopment development]], and Low Fantasy is said to be more of a [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism very cynical]] take on the whole fantasy genre as a whole. But because the boundaries between the three subgenres are so fluid, this page may work as well for a HighFantasy or a LowFantasy as a Heroic Fantasy.

* The FiveRaces. Most Heroic Fantasies will [[LoadsAndLoadsOfRaces be stocked to the brim with non-human races]], but for the most part the classic [[HumansAreSpecial human]]-[[OurElvesAreBetter elf]]-[[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame dwarf]]-[[{{Hobbits}} hobbit]]/[[OurGnomesAreWeirder gnome]]-[[OurOrcsAreDifferent orc]]/[[AllTrollsAreDifferent troll]] quintet is the most common. Some people just go with this, others just use part of the quintet (humans and elves most of the time), while others keep humans, but add in [[{{Mythopoeia}} other races all their own]]. A scant few even go all the way, and attempt to write HeroicFantasies without [[{{Xenofiction}} any humans at all]].

* Number of Books. Ever since [[LordOfTheRings Tolkien]], people have practically expected their Heroic Fantasy series to come in trilogies. However, its up to you if you only want to write a single book, a trilogy, or a whole series.\\
Many heroic protagonists love InHarmsWay and would

* In HeroicFantasy, the protagonist is nearly always the same: some young kid living out in the frontier of TheEmpire or whatever power is in charge, who ends up being drawn into a complex web of danger and treachery through bad luck. You see this in LordOfTheRings (though Frodo is more of an adult, he's still "the child" for the purpose of the narrative), TheInheritanceCycle, the CodexAlera, heck, even ''StarWars'' does this! Why not try for a protagonist coming from a different background, like a wizards apprentice forced to take up his master's mantle after his death, a street punk from the "imperial capital", or a war veteran forced to once again take up his sword to protect others.

* A common element in heroic fantasy is to have some sort of magical, long-lost item (commonly a crystal or gem) that the heroes must find A) because it's the only way to stop a Big Bad or B) because they must reach it before the Big Bad does (and often times they don't, only to realize the power was within them the whole time.)

* Every HeroicFantasy needs a BigBad. An EvilOverlord or dark wizard are the most commonly used. Less common, but still present is the idea of the BigBad being an EldritchAbomination that was sealed away during the TimeAbyss.

* Number of Books. Ever since [[LordOfTheRings Tolkien]], people have practically expected their Heroic Fantasy series to come in trilogies. However, its up to you if you only want to write a single book, a trilogy, or a whole series.

* LordOfTheRings