Fantasy Discussion Board

[Lormegil]

Well, it's time for me to come out... I'm a hardcore fantasy freak. I admit I have a problem. But I can't help it. I spend my free time thinking up teensy little details about my fantasy world. Like what height the different species of elves should be... the genetic information of dragons... debating on whether or not I should get surgery on my ears to make them pointy (just kidding... or am I?)

Anyway, since I can't seem to get away from the obsession, I figure I'll see what you all picture when you think "fantasy." Have you invented any original races? Do you picture dryads to be more like elves or more like faeries? Have you had plastic surgery on your ears?

Tell me what you think on this thread, and ask me any questions you have on fantasy.


DISCLAIMER: The opinions I share on this thread are my opinions and are not based on any factual information. If you have a problem with what I say, then either post a polite article on this thread or pm me... NO FIGHTS OVER WHO"S RIGHT OR WRONG!!!

 

[SpectralDragoon]

Hiiii Lormegil!

Fantasy.

What is fantasy? To me fantasy can be anything.

A castle with flags flying in the breeze. An old man in a laboratory pondering over things written on scrolls in a forgotten language. A woman standing in the shadows of a tavern wondering whose purse she'll cut next. A dragon stretching after a few years sleep upon its hoard. A high elf helping a unicorn that has been shot with an arrow. I think that any of those would fit "fantasy".

But, what seperates fantasy from sci-fi?

Technology?

And dryads are more like faeries darnit!

 

[Guest]

Fantasy and Sci-Fi

Well, unlike the two above posts, When I go into my little fantasy world, I usually go into the future. Apocalypse, space ships and super heroes are three favorites. I guess that explains why I play in a Star Trek RPG through e-mail.

As for what seperates fantasy from Sci-Fi, very little. I guess, it's a simple matter of when and where it takes place.
If it takes place in the apparent past with Dragons and Elves and Dwarves, then it's fantasy.
If it takes place in the future with Martians and Klingons then it's sci-fi.
Maybe someone should combine the two... "ELVES IN SPACE!!!!!!!" Why not? Vulcans have pointy ears, Elves have pointy ears. Dragons are green, Martians are green. (Why are Martians green, and Mars red? Wouldn't they clash?)

That's my two cents.

 

[Lormegil]

Fantasy vs Sci-Fi

I think what separates fantasy from sci fi is when it takes place. In my mind, anything in the future, or incorperating advanced technology is sci-fi. Anything in the past, or incorperating magic or primitive technology is fantasy.

However, I do know of people who do not separate the two. There are some who believe that sci-fi is merely a subcatagory of fantasy. Take Final Fantasy games for instance. Some have advanced technology while including magic in the characters' line-ups. So it's all up to you. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[PmTick]

I think the main difference involves technology. Pure fantasy includes the use of magic and invovles more rudimentary items, like swords, axes, etc. Sci Fi uses equipment that is so hi-tech they seem magical.

Another thing would be government too. Usually in sci-fi it's like there's an emperor or ruler of a planet. Fantasy it's usually restriected to land.

Of course when you have stuff like Final Fantasy or Star Wars you have a fantasy or sci-fi story sharing eachothers aspects.

 

[poohlive]

Hee hee.
English major at your service. It is actually a fine line between science fiction and fantasy, but they do have big differences.
From my recent years of studying things, one professor gave me this explanation, and it really worked for me.
Science Fiction usually has society embracing (or depending on) technology, for better or worse.
Fantasy is where society rejects (or doesn't know about) technology, for better or worse.

There can be combinations, something like Star Wars, where there's not only huge spaceships and wonderous dogfights, but also the force that allows you to simply move things with your mind.
Ok, there you are.

 

[PmTick]

I think my HS English teacher told me something like that too. With everything of course their are exceptions.

 

[Lormegil]

Hmm...

I like that definition, pooh. It seems to fit fairly well. Of course, as PmTick said, there are exceptions depending on who writes the story. For instance, in FF games, the developers have a thing for airships and mechs, but since they have to keep the game fantasy based, they can usually only incorpserate them into a small part of the plot. (with exceptions for 7, of course)

So it still boils down to who's in charge of the story.
By the way, nice posts. I like the input. Keep in mind that anyone who feels the need to share an idea of a realm, or a story, you can post it here. Hopefully nobody will steal it

 

[PmTick]

I think i'm gong to start a fantasy thread soon. Kind of like an apocolypse but taking place in a midevil society. I think it's intersesting because usually apoloyptic plot lines deal more with a future or present time frame.

 

[Ambrosious]

I personally would LOVE to fly in on a dragon while shooting my laser pistol. That would be cool.

 

[Guest]

What do you all think??

Okay, lets see...

This started by discussing the differences between SciFi and fantasy. So we need to combine those.

We have LOTS of people intrested in both and we have Ambrosious Wanting to ride in on a dragon.

How about this:

The world as we know comes to an Apocalyptic end. Yes, ladies and gents, all these myths and fantasies we have heard and dreamt about for centuries are true. How did the world end? The Magic came back!!!! All these witches and warlocks, and magicians, dragons and elves and Gnomes and Goblins all strike out. Mad that their world is being put on a back-burner by the rest of the world. One Mad, powerful wizard casts a spell and the war begins. OUR science against their magic. The world is devastated.

The Magics are winning. There are now only small groups of TRUE humans left (That's us). Fighting feverishly to find and defeat the powerful wizards who have taken over as the ruling caste. The Elves and the Dwarves have begun a civil war of their own. The elves, having fallen in with the wizards fight on the side of the devil. The Dwarves, who initially fought with the Elves and the Magics, now fear the power the Magics have attained and now fight against it. The Dragons fight all by themselves wanting the entire thing for themselves.

Each player assumes a character. Good Guy human, Bad guy magic or a Traitorous magic who has switched sides. MAybe even a traitorous human who has switched sides and now works for the magics. Elf, dwarf, Goblin, dragon or human .

We'd need lots of good dedicated writers. We could create our OWN world to play in. None of the old rules apply. IT's not SciFi, It's not fantasy. It's both!!! It's lasers against fireballs. It's sleep spells against sleeping gas. It's goblins against gunfire. What do you all think??

 

[Mirror868]

Brilliant, Doffy, absolutely brilliant.

By the way, I am a HS English teacher, and coincidentally, I proposed the fantasy vs. sci-fi question to my grade 9 class last Wednesday. They determined that fantasy can be basically anything drawn from imagination, and sci-fi is the same except it also incorporates science and facts - a set of rules that govern the world (or universe).

The line between fantasy and sci-fi is fine, and personally I love the idea of meshing the two together. Anything is fair game when it comes to spinning the webs that ensnare our imaginations through stories of what was, what is, and what may yet come to be (a la R.J.).

Cheers.

 

[PmTick]

That's interesting Mirror. Have you been in any threads yet?

I also have another question, I was taught that "it's" meant it is and "its" is used to show posession. I was informed by my cousin this recently has changed for some reason. What's the story?

 

[Guest]

Here's another story idea.

See what you think of this one: Anyone out there ever watch "Doctor Who?"

1) It starts in the future with ONE player who, by pure chance, has his own time/space machine and all kinds of wonderful future technology..

2) This player with the time/space machine hears about a time problem and travels or is sent back in time to stop it.

3) Realizing this is much to big a job for him alone, he stops to pick up a few friends. Possibly starting in the present day and continuing on back to the wild west and then back to the Robin Hood days and finally back to pre-history. Back when, possibly, just possibly, a few elves and dwarves and maybe a dragon or two live. He then picks up a friend in the DISTANT past, a caveman!

4) The Future man and his Time crew then gather together to beat some enemy who is about to destroy the timestream or the planet, or maybe just CHANGE the timestream to his or her advantage.

You can play a character, almost any kind of character you want. (It will need to be Pre-cast before the game begins so we know when and where to stop the time/space machine.) Any race, even an alien, from anytime. What do you all think???

 

[PmTick]

It sounds like a lot of work for one person. Also if your gone for more than a few days, because your character (i'm presuming) is the only one who can move throughout time, the time machine will probably either get stolen or the thread itself might get hijacked.

I announced in another thread I'm kicking ideas around about a caveman thread.

 

[Guest]

1) I don't want the lead in the story. I'm new around here, I don't have that much guts. As for the problem, it could always start with two people way in the future. That way if one vanishes, the other could take over. If they both vanish... well, do a little creative editing.

2) As for the Caveman, I know. I subscribe to that thread also. I originally wrote the post over there, decided it fit better over here though.

 

[Guest]

TICK

One more thing, I didn't mean to offend. I wasn't trying to steal your storyline or anything. Your post about the caveman storyline INSPIRED this storyline idea. Sorry if you took it that way.

 

[PmTick]

none taken man

 

[Mirror868]

Hey, I am currently writing in The Lush Forest thread. Check it out and join in, if you like.

As far as I know, the rules for its/it's are still the same. The only time "it's" is used is for representing "it is."

Cheers.

 

[Madcap]

Sci-fi/Fantasy

Hey folks,

Reading this discussion got me thinking that I had read a book that deals with this very issue. Turn's out, I had. It's called 'Eccos of the Forth Magic' by R.A. Salvatore.
I recomend reading it, as it incorporates many of the issues you've already discussed.

Just thought I'd let ya know it was out there.

 

[Snork Maiden]

Anyway, since I can't seem to get away from the obsession, I figure I'll see what you all picture when you think "fantasy." Have you invented any original races? Do you picture dryads to be more like elves or more like faeries? Have you had plastic surgery on your ears?

Tell me what you think on this thread, and ask me any questions you have on fantasy.


DISCLAIMER: The opinions I share on this thread are my opinions and are not based on any factual information. If you have a problem with what I say, then either post a polite article on this thread or pm me... NO FIGHTS OVER WHO"S RIGHT OR WRONG!!!

Ok, I absolutely sympathize with you Lormegil, I think Fantasy RPG and Novels are something that get under your skin. Just like poison ivy.

I haven't as such invented any major races although I have a couple of doozie characters and monsters.

I alway thought the Paladin Class was a little sucky, you know like total do goody gooder. I not that way inclined when it comes to thinking, I don't think any character can be so totally nice. Anyway, raving as I do, I thought there was need for balance, just as there is a Paladin so there must be 'The Anti Paladin'. Oh boy what a dude. All that Paladin stuff but in reverse, you just want to be one of these guys. Cause Light Wounds instead of Heal just by touching WOW!!

Monsters I came up with this perfectly fabulous creatur based on the Tribble thing out of Star Trek. Only these things didn't purr or eat grain and multiply. They actually feed on damage. The more you hit them the bigger they get (untill they multiply) the only way to kill them is to stroke them nicely Sad aren't I If you can imagine the combined effects of an Anti Paladin + (a Mimble, Thats what they were called by the way) well.

Fantasy versus Sci Fi. This is how I see it, I'm not saying its how it is.

In my mind at least. Science Fiction deals generally with the Future or Present with Technology that doesn't exist.

Fantasy deals with things which are beyond time, almost ageless but generally based in Legend or Lore.

Snork
Sci Fi and Fantasy I guess can be combined

 

[Madcap]

Hey, is anything going to come of Doffy's idea of Technology vs. Magic? I would love to participate in a story line like that.

 

[Lormegil]

Sorry for not posting in a while... school finally caught up with me.
That's a very good idea, Doffy. I like the concept of magic vs technology (although I just know I've read a book like that before...) We need to get some of us experienced writers together and start it up - unless you were planning on doing that yourself, Doffy.

BTW - If anyone out there has any ideas for a good fantasy side-story, I need some ideas for the latest book I'm writing. So you can post them here if you want... I'll post the main plot for reference.

 

[Lormegil]

The Plot

Here's the basics for my main storyline.

A long time ago, the world of Miria was at peace, and was governed by a High Council of the races. There existed 5 stones of great magical power, representing the four basic elements and what is known as the "fifth element" (not like the movie) which is Spirit, or the energy that governs life.
The Dark Lord Morimir amasses a huge army of demons and monsters to claim the stones as his own, and sends the dark forces against the Elven capitol of Eldamir. However, before he can seize them, the High Queen uses them to destroy Morimir's army, but in doing so, destroys the City of Light and part of Miria as well.
The story takes place 1000 years later, and the world has been restored to order. Unfortunately, Morimir has returned and is searching for the stones once again. A young elf named Darion is drawn into a journey to find the stones, and he doesn't have much time. He must travel all over the world to recover the stones from the strongholds where they are kept.

Here is a cast of characters (at least, the important ones anyway)

Darion: main character, an elven ranger from the woods of Silmir
Michael: Darion's older brother, a warden (druid) of the emerald order
Ruiniel: a fire nymph, trained as an assassin and guardian of the Fire Stone
Morimir: Dark Lord of the Northern Wastes, and enemy of all that is good

There are more characters, but that should be a good basis. Just post any ideas, and maybe you'll see them in print someday. Then you can say, "Hey, that's my idea... he ripped me off!" and sue me for everything I'm worth

 

[Firesprite]

Re: Here's another story idea.

See what you think of this one: Anyone out there ever watch "Doctor Who?"
......
3) Realizing this is much to big a job for him alone, he stops to pick up a few friends. Possibly starting in the present day and continuing on back to the wild west and then back to the Robin Hood days and finally back to pre-history. Back when, possibly, just possibly, a few elves and dwarves and maybe a dragon or two live. He then picks up a friend in the DISTANT past, a caveman!
.......

I like this idea... sounds like you've recently seen Bill & Ted's Excellent adventure This'd be fun