Poll: Fantasy Stereotypes I try to avoid

[TheIronRuler]

I usually fail miserably at avoiding fantasy stereotypes when I write short stories (i.e. (in my opinion) the best form for writing fiction ). It has become excrutiating to try and avoid these stereotypes because I don't want to write recycled stories (though technically you'll never read a truely original story. NEVER.).
I'll usually have a character make a journey through uncharted territories, trying to find himself/herself closure. In the meanwhile I set all of these stories in the same universe for the sake of avoiding history books about various realms, and simply make you gather information from different dialouges in different stories. Tolkien wrote books about the history of various cities and races that inhabit his fantasy realm, I dare not dwell in that matter.
About my poll - I have found these the most unoriginal and stereotypical ""settings"" of a fantasy universe.
Share you opinions and thoughts with me -
What did you choose?
Why did you choose it?
If you did choose 'all of the above' why did you do that?
Do you have any other stereotypes you have in mind?
Do you think this thread is original or recycled?
And lastly, Do you spread Jam, Butter or Chocolate on your bread or toast? (six options are available therefore I couldn't fit that in my poll).

 

[scw55]

I think dragons and monsters and wizards come to mind really. Which is a shame because they do work if used well. It is a shame we're all having a great time on Tolken's sandpit. It is an AMAZING sandpit but, it's nice to play with some crayons once in a while.

I put Bovril (beef extract, not much) and butter on my toast. OM NOM NOM NOM NOM.

 

[TheIronRuler]

I think dragons and monsters and wizards come to mind really. Which is a shame because they do work if used well. It is a shame we're all having a great time on Tolken's sandpit. It is an AMAZING sandpit but, it's nice to play with some crayons once in a while.

I put Bovril (beef extract, not much) and butter on my toast. OM NOM NOM NOM NOM.

Tolkien created a fantasy universe. We don't have to live there and have all of our imagination drawn from there. I could have a city filled with deformed people that claim they are ancient dwarves. That'd be a laugh.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

The worst stereotypes (coincidentally Tolkien inspired) are the axe wielding dwarf and the longbow wielding elf. Oh, and the human scion who uncovers his destiny.

Other stereotypes include the eccentic, possibly senile wizard and of course the unnamed doom looming over the land. What is it with unnamed doom? Can't we have named doom for a change?

EDIT - Buttered toast.

 

[TheIronRuler]

The worst stereotypes (coincidentally Tolkien inspired) are the axe wielding dwarf and the longbow wielding elf. Oh, and the human scion who uncovers his destiny.

Other stereotypes include the eccentic, possibly senile wizard and of course the unnamed doom looming over the land. What is it with unnamed doom? Can't we have named doom for a change?

It takes time for a writer to think of a proper name for an unnamed doom. Look at darkspawn, DARK-SPAWN. That's original! eh.... semi-original. You need meaning to that threat, but usually lacking a name gives it a mysterious aura. think about "Planescape Torment" a bit. Your character is the "nameless one". By the way, that was mostly original.
Edit: Old wizards are here for the laughs. Whenever I think about senile wizards I have merlin pop in my head from that disney movie.
If I would ever have wizards or witches in my realm (I highly doubt that) I would make them hot and young witches that die in their prime.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Feudalism makes sense, as it was the social order historically in place throughout the periods borrowed from.

Though...why Europe all the time? Why not a Meso-American culture? Preferrably not mixing in Aztecs, Incas and Mayas into one unholy mess...unless they were ancient undead magicians or had time travel or something.

Actually, yeah, you play as Aztecish, fight off Mayanish undead, and travel to the future where your empire is in ruins and everyone lives somewhere else and their all Incaish. Why not?

 

[Jonluw]

Orcs and elves. I get that it's interesting to have other lifeforms with roughly the same level of intelligence as humans in your universe, but does it have to be elves and orcs? Seriously?

I think there is too much room for diversity within the category "mythical creatures" to choose that one, but it comes in at second place.
After that, feudalism.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Feudalism makes sense, as it was the social order historically in place throughout the periods borrowed from.

Though...why Europe all the time? Why not a Meso-American culture? Preferrably not mixing in Aztecs, Incas and Mayas into one unholy mess...unless they were ancient undead magicians or had time travel or something.

Actually, yeah, you play as Aztecish, fight off Mayanish undead, and travel to the future where your empire is in ruins and everyone lives somewhere else and their all Incaish. Why not?

THAT, my friend, is TRUELY original.
Too bad that Stephen King just read that and finished his new book a second ago.
You can try and sue him. You can TRY.

 

[maninahat]

If you want to avoid cliches, spend some time thinking about what story you want to tell. If you could sum up a story in a single theme (paranoia/adventure/corruption/anti-industrialism etc.), then you have a well focused story. If you can't, then your story lacks focus. Some epic stories have multiple themes (Lord of the Rings has all of those), but you should start small and work up to that sort of thing. When coming up with a theme, pick one that interests you in particular, which hasn't already been commonly touched upon, and is of personal relevance.

Once you have a single theme you want to write about, create the story and the setting around it. Don't just default to feudal-Europe, edo-period Japan or a steam-punk Victorian setting. Come up with a setting which best accommodates the theme of the story. If it is a story about self reliance, a harsh jungle or desert setting would be a good idea. If it is a story about deceit, an urban or court setting is sensible. Once you have a location, do something to it to make it unfamiliar of original. This isn't just for aesthetic purposes, it is for best making an intriguing world that reflects the message of the story.

When coming up with characters, grant them at least one characteristic which makes them unique. IT can be literally anything. Just so long as you don't treat a character as an object who provides exposition, or who the hero just has to kill at some point. Perhaps it is an evil enemy general, who has a soft spot for making models of stuff. Perhaps it is a doctor with suicidal tendencies. Practically anything can make them more human. It doesn't have to be kooky, but it can be. These things help avoid creating obvious strawmen or flat 2-d characters. Which aren't necessarily a bad thing, but can be boring if they're sort are already too familiar with the reader. We have already seen plenty of greedy industrialists/barons or sanctimonious, corrupt clerics. If you want to do something interesting, turn it around and make the court jester greedy or the herbologist as sanctimonious.

EDIT: Dry; nothing on it

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

It takes time for a writer to think of a proper name for an unnamed doom. Look at darkspawn, DARK-SPAWN. That's original! eh.... semi-original. You need meaning to that threat, but usually lacking a name gives it a mysterious aura. think about "Planescape Torment" a bit. Your character is the "nameless one". By the way, that was mostly original.
Edit: Old wizards are here for the laughs. Whenever I think about senile wizards I have merlin pop in my head from that disney movie.
If I would ever have wizards or witches in my realm (I highly doubt that) I would make them hot and young witches that die in their prime.

But unnamed doom is the easy way out for a writer. With a bit more effort the encroaching evil can be known but still have that element of mystery. Say you have an invading army, but it's outriders have savagely killed all scouting parties so that their numbers and composition are unknown. Or an infestation or plague that strikes vital areas of the realm, suggesting a sinister guiding force behind it. Or hell, even an interplanar rift that allows strange outsiders (such as the Gith in D&D for example) to come through, and the 'unknown' element lies beyond the rift itself.

There are so many ways of conveying mystery in a story I just don't believe "unnamed doom" to be an acceptable alternative.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Orcs and elves. I get that it's interesting to have other lifeforms with roughly the same level of intelligence as humans in your univers, but does it have to be elves and orcs? Seriously?

I think there is too much room for diversity within the category "mythical creatures" to choose that one, but it comes in at second place.
After that, feudalism.

Like noted before, I'd love to write down the history of a city filled with deofrmed people that consider themselves a superior race, but they are just humans with a mutation.
Most importantly the deformity should be same for all.
Like little people building a city and declaring themselves a superior race, banishing all normal children and accepting all other 'small' outcasts.

 

[OldRat]

Well, my man, you seem to have missed the biggest one. The same goddamn old and tired Chosen One. You know, the boy who is born entitled to be a hero. He's going to get his magic sword and embark on an epic journey to topple the evil empire and become king.
It's tired. It's tripe. It's very much a buzzkiller. The snotty little brat doesn't need to earn anything. He isn't the hero, the protagonist, because of his qualities, he has those qualities because he is the hero. He's the goddamn Chosen One, and from the very first moment you can already see how it will all play out.

No, really. Pick any genero-fantasy novel and try to be suprised when the little brat turns out to be THE LONG LOST HEIR TO THE THRONE or something like that. He has the plot-given right to rise up to glory and be the messiah.

It's just really goddamn boring. As are most teen heroes in general.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Hmm.. This thread seems like it could give me inspiration.. I think I'll hang around here..

Oh, the East-evilness and dragons and greedy dwarves with axes and longbow elves.
Not that they're bad stereotypes, but some fantasies just do them really really bad.
After my ex, she tainted me into liking more sword & sandahl and more gritty realism fantasy than high fantasy.
Not that I complain ^_^

I dislike high fantasy becasue it's high.
maybe its becasue of my hatred for high things, but I don't like it so much.
A different world in a different setting, for example London with magic replacing steam engines in the 18th century would be much better than Dungeons&Wizards.
I would still write about hot and young Witches. Nothing can top that.

 

[Jonluw]

Orcs and elves. I get that it's interesting to have other lifeforms with roughly the same level of intelligence as humans in your univers, but does it have to be elves and orcs? Seriously?

I think there is too much room for diversity within the category "mythical creatures" to choose that one, but it comes in at second place.
After that, feudalism.

Like noted before, I'd love to write down the history of a city filled with deofrmed people that consider themselves a superior race, but they are just humans with a mutation.
Most importantly the deformity should be same for all.
Like little people building a city and declaring themselves a superior race, banishing all normal children and accepting all other 'small' outcasts.

Hum...
I don't think such a scenario would realistically take place unless the normal people for some reason are the ones who spark it; thinking there is something divine about them and worshipping them or something.

Edit: Jeez, what's with me and missing letters today?

 

[TheIronRuler]

Well, my man, you seem to have missed the biggest one. The same goddamn old and tired Chosen One. You know, the boy who is born entitled to be a hero. He's going to get his magic sword and embark on an epic journey to topple the evil empire and become king.
It's tired. It's tripe. It's very much a buzzkiller. The snotty little brat doesn't need to earn anything. He isn't the hero, the protagonist, because of his qualities, he has those qualities because he is the hero. He's the goddamn Chosen One, and from the very first moment you can already see how it will all play out.

No, really. Pick any genero-fantasy novel and try to be suprised when the little brat turns out to be THE LONG LOST HEIR TO THE THRONE or something like that. He has the plot-given right to rise up to glory and be the messiah.

It's just really goddamn boring. As are most teen heroes in general.

Thank you very much, mate. I'll add that to the poll.
people, all hail the newly born Dovahkiin- the chosen dragon slayer that gathers souls of dragons like currency! HURRAH!

 

[Illesdan]

I prefer 'the ripple in the pond' type of evil. The type of evil where one person/one small group has had a negative impact on one thing, and now its up to a chosen few to rectify the problem.

In a D&D campaign I've been running off and on for eight years, the first part of the campaign was quite easy: Go to this out-of-the-way farming/trading goods community and see why no one has gotten any shipments of goods from them in over three weeks. All was going well until one of the party members epic-failed a wish. He rolled so bad (100%) that his wish killed his character instantly and had the exact opposite effect of what he intended to do. Now for the past hundred+ odd years now, various people have had to step up and clean up some of the aftermath one step at a time.

So, yeah, I chose 'all of the above'.

 

[TheIronRuler]

If you want to avoid cliches, spend some time thinking about what story you want to tell. If you could sum up a story in a single theme (paranoia/adventure/corruption/anti-industrialism etc.), then you have a well focused story. If you can't, then your story lacks focus. Some epic stories have multiple themes (Lord of the Rings has all of those), but you should start small and work up to that sort of thing. When coming up with a theme, pick one that interests you in particular, which hasn't already been commonly touched upon, and is of personal relevance.

Once you have a single theme you want to write about, create the story and the setting around it. Don't just default to feudal-Europe, edo-period Japan or a steam-punk Victorian setting. Come up with a setting which best accommodates the theme of the story. If it is a story about self reliance, a harsh jungle or desert setting would be a good idea. If it is a story about deceit, an urban or court setting is sensible. Once you have a location, do something to it to make it unfamiliar of original. This isn't just for aesthetic purposes, it is for best making an intriguing world that reflects the message of the story.

When coming up with characters, grant them at least one characteristic which makes them unique. IT can be literally anything. Just so long as you don't treat a character as an object who provides exposition, or who the hero just has to kill at some point. Perhaps it is an evil enemy general, who has a soft spot for making models of stuff. Perhaps it is a doctor with suicidal tendencies. Practically anything can make them more human. It doesn't have to be kooky, but it can be. These things help avoid creating obvious strawmen or flat 2-d characters. Which aren't necessarily a bad thing, but can be boring if they're sort are already too familiar with the reader. We have already seen plenty of greedy industrialists/barons or sanctimonious, corrupt clerics. If you want to do something interesting, turn it around and make the court jester greedy or the herbologist as sanctimonious.

EDIT: Dry; nothing on it

I'm currently trying to set most of it in one universe to try and flesh out the actual surroundings because I know for a fact that I can't convey the entire feel of the land unless I do that in more than one short story.

 

[InnerRebellion]

I guess the Evil East.

See, in my story, the nation to the West well, controls the world. Why? Because the planet needs life energy to keep itself stable, and guess what? The Westerners are the only ones who can give the planet that energy because they're bloody meisters. The nation the main character is from has a reputation for getting addicted to magic, and many people claim being around a Westerner is bad for your health; so are the Westerners truly evil? To the main character and his people, yes, but to the reader, only time will tell.