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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Classic fantasy versus urban fantasy


Classic fantasy

  • Lots of walking or horse riding dotted with long ocean voyages
  • Swords
  • Bows and arrows
  • Knights on horses
  • Magic systems involving geosystems
  • Old and wise magicians
  • Classic creatures like dwarves, elves, fairies and pixies etc.
  • Wicked witches and the occasional good witch
  • Magic is usually part of the person although it can be a natural occurrence within the land itself
  • The handsome and/or golden hearted hero
  • Fantasy maps
  • Wide landscapes
  • A natural setting
  • Old buildings and building styles
  • Feudal systems
  • Evil overlords
  • Beautiful heroines with or without the ability to defend themselves or support others
  • A smattering of fighting skills, usually European in origin but sometimes, just sometimes, martial arts based fighting skills
  • Mystical realms
  • An easily accessible alternate dimension or afterlife
  • The possibility of an old-world setting instead of an alternate world
  • 'Old' technology reminiscent of new technology
  • Magic wands
  • Mythical giant monsters frequently appear
  • A wide variety of creatures referenced
  • Leathers
  • More day than night
  • Important magical charms or objects
  • The end of the world is always nigh
  • Saving the world is only temporary
  • Slim chance of nakedness



Urban fantasy

  • Short trips in fast cars or on motorbikes dotted with the occasional plane ride or use of magical teleportation
  • An urban setting (a necessity) as the main setting
  • The possibility of rural through to city settings
  • Swords
  • Sometimes there are bows and arrows but mostly there are modern crossbows
  • Knights in leathers and body armour who ride on motorbikes
  • Magic systems involving geosystems
  • Old wise woman or man, magical or knowledgable
  • A range of strange creatures from different mythological origins crammed together in a single setting
  • Good witches and the occasional wicked witch
  • Magic is usually part of the person
  • The handsome and/or golden hearted hero
  • Tight or small landscapes and a feeling of claustrophobia
  • Grey cityscapes or buzzing and colourful life
  • A range of new and old architectural styles
  • Evil businessmen or crime lords
  • Ancient creatures machinating within modern day politics
  • Beautiful heroines likely to deal out grievous bodily harm
  • Fighting skills usually of Eastern origin but occasionally or European
  • Mystical realms
  • An easily accessible alternate dimension or afterlife
  • The possibility of an steampunk or Victorian setting instead of an alternate world
  • Modern weapons or modern versions of ancient weapons
  • Magic wands
  • Mythical giant monsters rarely appear
  • Fewer types of creatures mentioned unless it is allowable within the constructed world (rarer)
  • Leathers
  • More night than day
  • Important magical charms or objects
  • The end of the world is sometimes nigh but the main character/s is definitely in peril
  • Saving the world is only temporary as is surviving
  • High chance of nakedness

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