Dissecting Epic Fantasy Tropes and Modern Twists

Fantasy has long been a cornerstone of imaginative storytelling, and at its heart are tropes. But what are tropes? Tropes are recurring themes or plot devices that make a story recognisable to fans of the genre. But while these storytelling tropes are familiar, modern authors frequently breathe fresh life into them, giving us new perspectives and unexpected twists. 

Evolution of Epic Fantasy Tropes 

Most classic epic fantasies used to follow a certain formula: the brave hero, the really bad villain, and of course, the inevitable quest. While such tales formed a very strong foundation for modern fantasy, readers in the current world want more complexity. 

Authors have responded by taking these traditional tropes of storytelling and twisting them, creating layered characters and morally ambiguous worlds. It has grown to include not just tales of good against evil, but even stories dealing with human nature, structures of society, and even philosophical questions.

What are Tropes in Fantasy ? 

We see many recurring tropes entwined in the fantasy archetype. They are the building blocks of characters and plots and include many themes we all love. Some common fantasy tropes examples: 

5 Popular Fantasy Tropes Examples

1. The chosen one. This is one of the most common tropes in fantasy and we can see it in the Lord of the Rings to The Lightning Thief to the Hunger Games. This trope involves an ordinary character who is revealed to have a special destiny, often linked to saving the world. 
2. The mentor. This is a character who shows the main character the ropes, they impart important knowledge or guidance that helps the hero in their quest. Examples include Haymitch Abernathy from The Hunger Games or Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series. 
3. The Ragtag Team. This trope features a group of misfits or diverse characters that have to work together. Whether it be the Fellowship of the Ring or Geralt’s companions in The Witcher, this trope is all about teamwork coming in to save the day. 
4. The Magical Artefact. One of the most obvious examples of this is the One Ring from the Lord of the Rings. Often this magical artefact can be used as a metaphor.
5. The Dark Lord. This trope is the stereotypical villain who wants to destroy the world or gain power. The best example is Voldemort from the Harry Potter series, or as he is also called “the Dark Lord”. In recent years, fantasy authors have blurred the lines, offering more layered antagonists with understandable motives, making the reader question what truly constitutes evil.

Classic Epic Fantasy Tropes with a Twist

Classic epic fantasy tropes are still loved today, but the modern author is mixing it with some surprising twists in order to shape the genre.

One such trope is that of the Reluctant Hero. Unlike the traditional Chosen One, who is all about embracing his destiny, the reluctant hero usually has little to no enthusiasm or interest in his function. These characters might well refuse the call for adventure and thereby actually attest to their skills or even refuse to be a hero. 

Another evolving trope is that of The Sympathetic Villain. Gone are the days of just the Dark Lord, pure evil; nowadays, villains are written in a much deeper and multi-dimensional way. Sometimes motives can be achieved through such means as revenge, loss, or the pursuit of some misguided greater good.

This shift now further blurs lines of what is good and bad by introducing moral ambiguity, allowing the readers to empathise with the antagonist’s perspective.

Another popular trope is Subverting Destiny. Whereas the traditional fantasy heroes are usually bound by prophecy or fate, modern narratives tend to buck that trend by allowing the character to rebel against their destiny.

Characters can act contrary to prophecies, decline their roles, and even change the course of their predicted fate. This plot twist grants more power to the characters and makes the story less about fate but more about free choice and personal responsibility.

An Example: In All Jest Series 

The In All Jest series inserts some of those familiar tropes of fantasy into its creative and engaging storyline, offering new insights into already told elements of storytelling. Situated against the backdrop of a vividly realised world in Scurra, the story focuses on a secret society of Jesters toiling behind the scenes to maintain the balance of power.

The series starts with A Fool’s Errand, whereby we meet Lani, a young woman who unexpectedly becomes entangled in the mysterious world of the Jesters after a dying member of their order has entrusted her with vital information. With a powerful amulet that had been hidden for 800 years, Lani stumbles on a chain of events that threatens to disrupt the balance of power in the world of Dharatan. You can read the series to find out which trope Lani fits into and the other characters within this rich series.

Discover More Fantasy Tropes 

From the classic storytelling tropes  to the modern twists, fantasy never fails to disappoint. Whether you’re reading a classic epic or a contemporary novel that turns tradition on its head, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of fantasy storytelling tropes.Discover more twists and tropes in fantasy! Dive into epic vs high fantasy and discover some great book recs!