As readers, we find comfort and delight in the familiar themes, devices, and narrative conventions that populate this genre. In this blog post, we unveil a comprehensive list of common tropes that have enthralled us time and again within the realms of fantasy fiction. Whether you’re a fan seeking to uncover the essence of your favorite stories or an aspiring writer seeking inspiration, this collection will transport you to the heart of the fantastical and ignite your imagination.
Definition: A trope is a recurring or common theme, device, or narrative convention used in storytelling that has become familiar or expected by audiences.
Here’s a list of some commonly used tropes in fantasy fiction:
1. Chosen One: A protagonist with a special destiny or unique abilities.
2. Epic Quest: A grand journey undertaken by a group of characters to achieve a significant goal.
3. Magic School: A setting where characters learn and develop magical abilities.
4. Dark Lord: An ultimate antagonist or embodiment of evil.
5. Prophecy: A foretelling of events that guides the characters’ actions.
6. Sword and Sorcery: Focuses on action-packed adventures with warriors and magic.
7. Hidden Artifact: A powerful or mystical object sought after by various factions.
8. Hero’s Journey: A narrative structure that follows a hero’s transformation through challenges and growth.
9. Creatures and Races: The inclusion of mythical creatures (dragons, elves, dwarves, etc.) and diverse races.
10. Lost Civilization: Characters explore the remnants of an advanced or ancient society.
11. Portal Fantasy: Characters enter or discover a gateway to a different world.
12. Magic System: The rules and limitations governing the use of magic in the story.
13. Magical Artifact: A powerful object with mystical properties that drives the plot.
14. Cursed Character: A character afflicted with a supernatural curse or affliction.
15. Court Intrigue: Political maneuverings and power struggles within a royal court or kingdom.
16. Mentor’s Death: The mentor figure dies, motivating the protagonist to continue their journey alone.
17. Forbidden Knowledge: Characters pursue or encounter dangerous, forbidden knowledge.
18. Time Travel: Characters travel backward or forward in time, influencing events.
19. Magical Creatures as Allies: Characters form alliances with mythical creatures to aid their cause.
20. Lost Heir: The rightful heir to a throne or lineage is hidden or unknown.
21. Magic vs. Technology: A clash between magical forces and advanced technology.
22. Battle at the End of the World: A climactic battle that determines the fate of the world or realm.
23. Fall from Grace: A character’s downfall from a position of power or virtue.
24. Secret Identity: A character leads a double life, concealing their true identity.
25. Resurrection: A character returns from death or near-death experiences.
26. Elemental MacGuffin: Characters must collect or protect elemental objects for their magical properties.
27. Time Loop: Characters find themselves trapped in a repeating sequence of events or a specific time period.
28. Dystopian Society: A society marked by oppressive social, political, or environmental conditions.
29. Fate vs. Free Will: The concept of predetermined destiny clashing with characters’ ability to make choices.
30. Resistant Rebellion: Characters join or lead a rebellion against an oppressive regime or ruling power.
31. Ancient Prophesied Evil: A long-prophesied evil force or entity threatens the world or realm.
32. Hidden Villain: A character initially portrayed as an ally or unassuming figure is revealed to be the true antagonist.
33. Symbolic Animals: Animals in the story represent specific traits, virtues, or cultural symbols.
34. Secret Society: Characters belong to a hidden organization with its own agenda and rituals. 35. Dual Worlds: Characters navigate between two parallel worlds or dimensions.
36. Fate Manipulation: Characters have the ability to alter or defy predetermined destinies.
37. Enchanted Forest: A mystical forest with magical creatures, hidden realms, or transformative properties. 38. Sacrificial Ritual: Characters must undergo a ritualistic sacrifice to achieve a desired outcome.
39. Vanishing Kingdom: A kingdom or realm that mysteriously disappears or becomes inaccessible.
40. Rogue Thief: A skilled and cunning thief who navigates through treacherous landscapes.
41. Eldritch Abomination: A terrifying, otherworldly entity that defies comprehension.
42. Magical Mentor: A wise and experienced character who guides and instructs in the ways of magic. 43. Heroic Team: A group of diverse characters with complementary skills who band together for a common cause. 44. Noble Savage: A character from a primitive or tribal background who possesses innate wisdom and purity. 45. Astral Projection: Characters can project their consciousness into the astral realm.
46. Unseen Threat: An invisible or intangible enemy that poses a significant danger.
47. Faustian Bargain: A character makes a pact or deal with a supernatural being at a great cost.
48. Mythical Weapon: A legendary or enchanted weapon of great power or significance.
49. Elemental Convergence: The convergence or alignment of elemental forces leads to a pivotal event. 50. Guardian Beast: A powerful creature bound to protect a specific person, place, or artifact.
51. False Prophecy: A prophecy that misleads or manipulates characters’ actions and expectations.
52. Haunted Location: A place imbued with lingering spirits, ghosts, or supernatural phenomena.
53. Seafaring Adventure: Characters embark on perilous journeys across vast seas and oceans.
54. Protagonist’s Journey Home: A story centered around the protagonist’s quest to return to their homeland. 55. Lost Technology: Ancient or advanced technology that has been lost or forgotten over time.
56. Hidden Passage: A concealed route or secret passage that aids characters in their quest or escape. 57. Elemental Balance: The need to restore or maintain harmony between the elements to prevent catastrophe. 58. Mechanical Companion: A sentient or anthropomorphic mechanical being that accompanies the characters. 59. Noble Quest: Characters undertake a noble mission to restore justice, honor, or balance.
60. Arcane Library: A vast repository of magical knowledge, spells, and ancient texts.
61. Bardic Magic: Magic derived from the power of music, songs, or storytelling.
62. Shadowy Organization: A secret group pulling strings from the shadows, often with sinister motives. 63. Supernatural Romance: A love story involving supernatural or magical beings.
64. Spirit Guide: A benevolent spiritual entity that offers guidance and protection to characters.
65. Elders Council: A council of wise elders who hold authority and make important decisions.
66. Legendary Bloodline: Characters belong to a lineage with extraordinary powers, abilities, or responsibilities. 67. Rune Magic: Magic that utilizes ancient symbols or runes for spells and enchantments.
68. Buried Treasure: Characters search for hidden riches, artifacts, or lost treasures.
69. Elemental Guardians: Powerful beings or creatures embodying and protecting specific elements. 70. Cursed Land: A region afflicted by a supernatural curse, causing misfortune or decay.
71. Forest Spirit: A benevolent or mysterious entity dwelling within the depths of the forest.
72. Astral Conflict: Battles or conflicts that occur within the astral realm. 73. Magic Council: A governing body that oversees and regulates the use of magic.
74. Stealing Time: Characters have the ability to manipulate or steal time itself.
What other fantasy tropes can you think of?
Be well : )
