The TVTropes Trope Finder is where you can come to ask questions like "Do we have this one?" and "What's the trope about...?" Trying to rediscover a long lost show or other medium but need a little help? Head to Media Finder and try your luck there. Want to propose a new trope? You should be over at the Trope Launch Pad.
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openMortals Hired by Gods Literature
Hello, Is there a trope that involves mortals working for gods? A story where a mortal has been hired by a god or gods to complete a task, to perform a service? In which the mortals are not believers but have been promised some tangible reward for their time and efforts?
I looked for this but can't find it - although I figure I was searching using the wrong terms!
thanks!
openSupernaturally Nutritious or Power Up Food? Literature
In the world of KonoSuba, the flesh of Golden and White Dragons is a renowned power-enhancer for those who eat it. For example, it's mentioned in the 10th volume is that Gold Dragon flesh instantly raises the eater's level, whilst it's blood can be used as an ingredient in the creation of skill-up potions — valuable elixirs that instantly grant the consumer points to improve their skills and ability scores. This has led to both species being hunted to near-extinction to harvest their enhancing flesh and blood. However, both breeds of dragon can achieve full sapience — a minor character is a White Dragon who spends much of her time shapeshifted into human form. So, do they count as an example of Supernaturally Nutritious And Delicious or as Power-Up Food?
openRomantasy Literature
I work with a lot of authors off of Tv Tropes, and one thing I've learned that the most popular, and most profitable, genre is romance, and that fantasy romances (or "Romantasy") is gigantic... but we don't have a trope for it? Fantastic Romance isn't this, and I thought it was, but... I'm just a bit perplexed as to why we don't have this trope. Paranormal Romance is related, but also not the genre I'm looking for.
Edited by PhyrexianAjani95openTranslation detail contradicted in subsequent installment Literature
The first Harry Potter book mentions a "Blaise Zabini", no reference if this is a boy or a girl. While this works well in English, some languages require a gender even for this brief reference—for example, the Hebrew translation said this student is a girl. Then, book 6 makes it clear that Blaise Zabini is actually a boy.
openAgainst propaganda Literature
Is there a trope where diplomatic representatives denouncing false propaganda from repressive regimes?
- In Chapter 57 of Mass Effect's fanfic story MassEffectThe Bridge Between, when representatives from Citadel Council species, Krogan and Quarian, learned that a pro-human movement made a false narrative about Shepard being a traitor, they denounced it, refusing to consider such falsehood.
openSon vanished from story Literature
Early in the second book of Samuel, King David's oldest 6 sons are listed in birth order. Later, after the death of David's oldest, the third son acts in a way which only makes sense if he were the oldest surviving son—and so does David's fourth son in the first book of Kings (the third son already having died in Samuel). There is no mention of David's second son anywhere after his listed birth.
openMagical Weapon Literature
I've been unable to find a trope on this. Specifically I'm thinking about an enchanted sword, but the weapon could be anything really. Do we actually just not have a trope for magical weapons? I find that odd if so.
openIn the Country of Last Things Literature
Is there a page about the book In the Country of Last Things by Paul Auster?
Using the search bar I can't find anything on either the book or the author.
openWhat do you think is normal?! Literature
A character has a reaction of extreme disbelief and confusion towards a character who displays insane abilities or powers, often ones that — while theoretically possible in the context of the world — are so beyond what anyone would expect or think of that it leaves the observer floored. Frequently found in fanfictions involving the MC gaining end-game abilities early, having knowledge that they absolutely should not, or other problem-solving abilities that can invalidate many plots. This response is often a Blank Stare, Flat "What", Faint in Shock, Face Palm or Head Desk, Jaw Drop, Stunned Silence, or other such not necessarily verbal expression of befuddlement.
The one example that I can currently find is Legendarily Popular by Saphroneth on AO 3
Edited by LordFelidaeopenMentioning a character not by name Literature
Is there a trope for when a character is offhandedly mentioned by another character in the same media, but they are not reffered to by name, so you have to infer who they're talking about?
like someone saying something like "Oh yes, I saw some writer guy with a blue hat sniffing around here" and the exact details are not mentioned, but you can infer that it's an established character in the same work
openA major character is given no physical description for no apparent reason Literature
I.e what they look like isn't some kind of Plot Twist or Tomato Surprise or anything. The author just never describes them.
Edited by BootlebatopenMy sympathies, but I must enforce the law Literature
In a book where the protagonist had just helped with the Underground Railroad, a local Marshal says:
Could the Marshal in question be categorized as a Sympathetic Inspector Antagonist ? If not, what trope would fit him?
Edited by Someone1981openReference no longer accessible to audiences Literature
Is there any particular trope where some trivia or an off-hand remark, obvious at the time of writing, might be completely lost to the audience a few decades/centuries later? Sort of like with Aluminum Christmas Trees, except it's more about something becoming obscure over the years, rather than sounding ridiculous.
openThere's just one last thing I don't understand, inspector... Literature
Usually part of golden age detective fiction. The murder has been solved, and almost everything is wrapped up. Except, one of the characters suddenly realizes, one last thing. They ask the inspector who explains this final detail.
In the worst case this results from the writer realizing a plot hole at the last minute. In other cases, it's a red herring, that can be cleared up now that the murder has been revealed.
I can't think of any straight examples, although I think it pops up often in Agatha Christie novels. I do remember it was parodied in an episode of Hamish and Dougal.
openHistorical friends Literature
Bob and Pat (both male) are in love and in a relationship together. They are clearly depicted as lovers through paintings, writtings, ect. However, thousand of years laters an historian discovers those paintings/writtings only to conclude that Bob and Pat were just really close friends.
So, is there a trope name for this? Where two people of the same sex is clearly meant to be a couple, only for someone else to brush it off as them being just good friends?
Example: Aquiles and Patroclus were lovers, and there's no denying that, but some historians brushed their relationship and concluded that "oh, they just where really good friends!"
Edited by Semituraopenonly known by a pseudonym Literature
Only Known by Their Nickname's description excludes characters who are only known by an explicit pseudonym. So what trope should I use instead?
Thinking of characters like Motoko Kusanagi (said to be a pseudonym in several continuities) and Oliver Horn (concealing his real surname for Myth Arc reasons: his parents' surnames are Groves and Halford).
openSince the dawn of time... Literature
It's a pretty stock opening in non-fiction books, films, and shows about space exploration and it goes a little something like this...
"Since the dawn of time, humans have looked at the stars..."
Variants include have dreamed of traveling to the heavens, gazed at the stars with longing, etc. The general idea is that humans have wanted to go to space since the stone age.
openFine! But I'm doing it for THEM, not YOU. Literature
Character A is trying to get Character B to do something — take on a quest, do them a favor. Character B agrees, but makes her motivation very clear: "Fine, A. I'll do it. But I'm doing it for [names some other characters]... not for YOU!"
Edited by crittermonster

In the Book of Judges, it says (in the original Hebrew) that the grandson of Moses (משה) became a priest for an idol. In order to protect Moses's reputation, there is a "fix" in his name to Menashe (מנשה), but the added letter is written above the main line, making it clearly an addition.