Heroic fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy which chronicles the tales of heroes and their conquests in imaginary lands. Stories tend to be intricate in plot, often involving many peoples, nations and lands. Grand battles and the fate of the world are common themes, and there is typically some emphasis on a universal Good versus Evil conflict.
Frequently, the protagonist is reluctant to be a champion and is of low or humble origin, and frequently ha...
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Heroic fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy which chronicles the tales of heroes and their conquests in imaginary lands. Stories tend to be intricate in plot, often involving many peoples, nations and lands. Grand battles and the fate of the world are common themes, and there is typically some emphasis on a universal Good versus Evil conflict.
Frequently, the protagonist is reluctant to be a champion and is of low or humble origin, and frequently having royal ancestors or parents but not knowing it. Through events usually beyond his control, he is thrust into positions of great responsibility where his mettle is tested in a number of spiritual and physical challenges. Although it shares many of the basic themes of Sword and Sorcery the term 'Heroic fantasy' is often used to avoid the garish overtones of the former.
Initially indistinguishable from the early fantasies of ER Eddison and CS Lewis and the pulp fiction of Robert E Howard, it began to assume its own identity following the...
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