Dark Fantasy
Magic tends to be evil. There’s a
lot of overt sexuality and violence i.e. lopped heads, pillage, plunder, rape.
Aristocrats are evil and misuse the lower classes. There is a pronounced horror
aspect. The protagonist may be morally ambiguous.
Gaslamp Fantasy
The story is set in the 19th
century or early 20th century. It does not focus on the technology
of the era but rather in the supernatural elements of technology created during
that time.
High Fantasy
High fantasy will usually include a Dark Lord who wants to conquer the entirely fictional world and is extremely evil. It is characterized by the fact that if the hero does not do something the world will end and politics plays a great role in the plot. They are epic and the novels can draw through numerous series as the struggle against the evil force is usually very grand. The hero is usually more ‘elegant’ i.e. does not need to be a masculine barbarian. He/she will be dragged kicking and screaming into the novel. Usually he/she will have some kind of mystical mentor
High Fantasy
High fantasy will usually include a Dark Lord who wants to conquer the entirely fictional world and is extremely evil. It is characterized by the fact that if the hero does not do something the world will end and politics plays a great role in the plot. They are epic and the novels can draw through numerous series as the struggle against the evil force is usually very grand. The hero is usually more ‘elegant’ i.e. does not need to be a masculine barbarian. He/she will be dragged kicking and screaming into the novel. Usually he/she will have some kind of mystical mentor
Historical Fantasy
Story set in the in an actual
historic geographic location on Earth generally before the 20th
century. The plot may be based on mythology and legends. Fantastic elements in
the book are explained as having been hidden from today’s reader or dismissed
e.g. forgotten myths or superstitions. Non-magical folk cannot see the magic.
Low Fantasy
The setting is minimally supernatural,
usually the real world. There is grey morality in that the good guys can do bad
things or the bad guys do good things. Worlds are populated exclusively by
humans. The victories are achieved through physical combat as opposed to any
specific mental exertion. Magic is often evil, does not exist or is completely
strange.
Magical Land
It is common in children’s
literature. Usually the magic land is a newly discovered place that people from
this world will visit. Often it is ruled by a monarchy, contains magic and sentient
non-human species. The hero is often young and comes to save the world. The
created world features low technology.
Science Fantasy
This combines elements of both
science fiction and fantasy having robots and vampires existing in the same
place.
Sword and Sorcery
Involves the exploits of a sword
wielding hero and their magical companions who help them fight evil or monsters
and recover treasures. Exciting and violent conflicts abound. Romance is often
present and the battles are not world endangering. The sword wielding hero is often from a
humble control and is forced into the role by events not of his making. However
he/she is often eager to abandon his humdrum life for adventure.
Urban Fantasy
This is a story that takes place
in our world real time. It is common for it to take place in a large city here
on Earth rather than in constructed worlds then supernatural elements are
thrown in. The Vampire may work as a night-guard for Versa Corp. Compared to the urban, the magic is minimized. The Urban fantasy explores how the magical and
non-magical folk feel about each other.
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