Standard Fantasy Setting: Difference between revisions

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You know it. The "default" fantasy setting, as codified by ripping off JRR Tolkien and/or [[Dungeons and Dragons]] (with a few going for the [[Warhammer Fantasy]] angle).
You know the one. The "default" fantasy setting, as codified by ripping off [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and/or [[Dungeons and Dragons]], with a few going for the [[Warhammer Fantasy]] cum Central European fantasy angle.


[[Image:Generic_Fantasy_Map.jpg|thumb|right|]]
[[Image:Generic_Fantasy_Map.jpg|thumb|right|Typically features the generic fantasy map. You know, the one with oceans on the left, land on the right, some long mountain ranges splitting good from evil.]]


The usual distinguishing factors include:
The "distinguishing" features of the standard fantasy setting include:  


* [[Elf]]s, [[Dwarf | Dwarves]], Humans, [[Orc]]s, [[Troll]]s, or their equivalents. [[Halfling]]s and other races optional.
* [[Elf|Elf/ves]], [[Dwarf|Dwarf/ves]], [[Human|Humans]], [[Orc|Orcs]] or their trademarkable equivalents. [[Halfling|Halflings]] and other races are optional, depending on the decade it was made.
** There's usually at least one [[Always Chaotic Evil]] race; if not Orcs, then some kind of Demon.  
** There's usually at least one [[Always Chaotic Evil]] race; if not Orcs, then some kind of [[Demon]].  
* [[Dragon]]s, usually intelligent.
* [[Dragon|Dragons]], usually intelligent.
* [[Undead]], usually evil.
* [[Undead]], usually evil.
* [[Medieval Stasis]], with heavily schizophrenic technology levels.
* [[Medieval Stasis]], with heavily schizophrenic technology levels the further from the center of the map you get.
* Magic enough that "[[wizard]]" is a viable career path.
* Magic enough that [[Wizard]] is a viable career path.
* Some kind of Evil Overlord, although he does not have to feature in this story.
* Some kind of Evil Overlord, although he does not have to feature in the story or campaign.
* Fantasy versions of real world cultures.
* Fantasy versions of real world cultures. Typical are [[Al-Qadim|Arabia]], [[Kara-Tur|The Middle Kingdom]], and some variant on [[Native Americans|Maztica]].
* Either a "Dung Ages" or "Excessively Romanticized" approach to what the world looks like, sometimes both.
* Either a "Dung Ages" or "Excessively Romanticized" approach to what the world looks like, sometimes both depending on its level of humor/seriousness.
* Gods, usually with enough evidence for them (including Priests with actual miracles on call) that they can be said, objectively, to exist.
* [[God|Gods]], generally [[Religion|active enough]] that there is no doubt of their existence.


There's also a Gothic variant, where Angels and Demons are a thing, and Sword And Sandal versions, which are very Bronze Age; both are more likely to skimp on the Elves and Orcs (although in the latter case, the equivalents would be something like [[nymph]]s and [[Frazetta Man]]).
Common variations of the Standard Fantasy Setting include:
*Gothic: Adds angels and demons, black-white ethical framework, and Gothic architecture
*Swords & Sandals: Very [[Bronze Age]]-esque.
Most will eschew Tolkien tropes in favor of pulpier or slightly more obscure races/visual themes, like [[Nymph|nymphs]] and [[Frazetta Man|Frazetta Men]].


Note that this is slightly more rare in written media nowadays; the likes of Dennis L. McKiernan and Terry Brooks have mined the Literature side to exhaustion, and [[Fantasy Heartbreaker]]s have similarly exhausted the Tabletop RPG side. [[Isekai]] still has plenty of 'em, but most Isekai is garbage.
This has become more rare in literature; the likes of Dennis L. McKiernan and Terry Brooks have mined it to exhaustion, while others like Terry Pratchett and G.R.R. Martin have satirized, parodied, or deconstructed what was left. [[Fantasy Heartbreaker|Fantasy Heartbreakers]] have similarly exhausted the tabletop RPG side. [[Isekai]] still has plenty of 'em, but most Isekai are garbage.


That being said, since most people can be assumed to be familiar with it, it's popular with other media, including but not limited to [[Anime]], [[Video games|Vidya]], and Board and Card games.
[[Image:Generic_Fantasy_Cities.jpg|thumb|right|Yes, they are all the same city, slightly retouched.]]
 
Since most people are familiar with the Standard Fantasy Setting, it remains popular in [[Anime]],[[Video Games|Vidya]], and board games.


[[Category:Gamer Slang]]
[[Category:Gamer Slang]]

Revision as of 21:59, 8 February 2020

You know the one. The "default" fantasy setting, as codified by ripping off J.R.R. Tolkien and/or Dungeons and Dragons, with a few going for the Warhammer Fantasy cum Central European fantasy angle.

Typically features the generic fantasy map. You know, the one with oceans on the left, land on the right, some long mountain ranges splitting good from evil.

The "distinguishing" features of the standard fantasy setting include:

  • Elf/ves, Dwarf/ves, Humans, Orcs or their trademarkable equivalents. Halflings and other races are optional, depending on the decade it was made.
  • Dragons, usually intelligent.
  • Undead, usually evil.
  • Medieval Stasis, with heavily schizophrenic technology levels the further from the center of the map you get.
  • Magic enough that Wizard is a viable career path.
  • Some kind of Evil Overlord, although he does not have to feature in the story or campaign.
  • Fantasy versions of real world cultures. Typical are Arabia, The Middle Kingdom, and some variant on Maztica.
  • Either a "Dung Ages" or "Excessively Romanticized" approach to what the world looks like, sometimes both depending on its level of humor/seriousness.
  • Gods, generally active enough that there is no doubt of their existence.

Common variations of the Standard Fantasy Setting include:

  • Gothic: Adds angels and demons, black-white ethical framework, and Gothic architecture
  • Swords & Sandals: Very Bronze Age-esque.

Most will eschew Tolkien tropes in favor of pulpier or slightly more obscure races/visual themes, like nymphs and Frazetta Men.

This has become more rare in literature; the likes of Dennis L. McKiernan and Terry Brooks have mined it to exhaustion, while others like Terry Pratchett and G.R.R. Martin have satirized, parodied, or deconstructed what was left. Fantasy Heartbreakers have similarly exhausted the tabletop RPG side. Isekai still has plenty of 'em, but most Isekai are garbage.

File:Generic Fantasy Cities.jpg
Yes, they are all the same city, slightly retouched.

Since most people are familiar with the Standard Fantasy Setting, it remains popular in Anime,Vidya, and board games.

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