Does anyone like epic fantasy?

[zephyrtrillian]

"Epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that features grand scale stories, expansive world-building, and high stakes, often involving a world-ending conflict or a quest to save a nation or even the world.

It typically includes a large cast of characters, complex plots, and explores themes of good versus evil, heroism, and sacrifice."

Yes, no, maybe so?

 

[SeaJay]

I like the first part of the definition. The second part, not so much.
So I guess I'm in the maybe so category.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

It's good.

 

[Eldoria]

I used to love epic and/or dark adventure and fantasy stories to the point that I read hundreds of similar novels/comics. But after all that, I felt empty; I felt like these stories had no relevance to my life, so I started to slowly distance myself. I even took a long hiatus from reading One Piece. Nowadays, I prefer heartfelt, emotional and philosophical stories about the meaning of life, usually around family dynamics (mother-daughter/ son, father-daughter/son, siblings) and how they survive in a fantasy world. Stories like this can make me cry.

 

[DarkCosmos]

love these kinds of stories, especially if they involve mysteries and not just good vs evil.

 

[kosamsel]

Hmm… I’ve certainly read and enjoyed epic fantasy, absolutely! It’s just not usually what draws me to a novel in the first place; I tend to be drawn in by mention of an interesting character, relationship, or worldbuilding mechanic, and the epic fantasy trappings are more like sprinkles on top.

Hmm… I’ve certainly read and enjoyed epic fantasy, absolutely! It’s just not usually what draws me to a novel in the first place; I tend to be drawn in by mention of an interesting character, relationship, or worldbuilding mechanic, and the epic fantasy trappings are more like sprinkles on top.

Ah, for example, I definitely did start reading ASOIAF exclusively for Dany and her dragons; The Traitor Baru Cormorant for tragic lesbians; The Fifth Season for fascinating worldbuilding; Gideon the Ninth for a wonderful authorial voice and lovely characterization, etc etc.

 

[Arkus86]

I don't care much for overt "save the world" quests, but epic fantasy with expansive worlds, large cast and scale, and high stakes? Absolutely.

 

[Golden_Hyde]

me! me! me!

I absolutely love it!

 

[CodeCrisis]

Yes! Though, it isn't my preferred fantasy. I prefer super dark fantasy honestly. But an epic fantasy is always a nice pallette cleanser.

 

[Arch9CivilReactor]

I’m planning one as we speak. Around 12 arcs or so.

 

[Cipiteca396]

"Epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that features grand scale stories, expansive world-building, and high stakes, often involving a world-ending conflict or a quest to save a nation or even the world.

It typically includes a large cast of characters, complex plots, and explores themes of good versus evil, heroism, and sacrifice."

Yes, no, maybe so?

Pretty much no. I like big worlds and grand stories, but I prefer a more slice-of-life feel with low stakes and little to no conflict.

 

[SternenklarenRitter]

Some of my favorite stories have been epic fantasy. Other times I find them thoroughly off-putting. It strongly depends on the protagonist for me. If the protagonist is ruthless and destructive in the pursuit of their grand goal, then I get sick of them quickly. Same if they are too busy preparing for the final showdown to bother helping the people right in front of them. I absolutely prefer an archetypally heroic protagonist, although most readers today prefer one who carves their own justice into the world through blood and vengeance.

 

[Supperset]

Maybe, yes. Just not too cheesy where only the stories focus is one random guy who is just well random. I like multiple POVs when the the stories is supposed to be EPIC. Since focus on only one charactor or a party just makes it an adventure type Fantasy, which have been done to death that I can't even differentiate between two story of that genre.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Usually (even writing one, though I may have to take it down from this site, sadly)

 

[zephyrtrillian]

Usually (even writing one, though I may have to take it down from this site, sadly)

Why? ? What's wrong?

Some of my favorite stories have been epic fantasy. Other times I find them thoroughly off-putting. It strongly depends on the protagonist for me. If the protagonist is ruthless and destructive in the pursuit of their grand goal, then I get sick of them quickly. Same if they are too busy preparing for the final showdown to bother helping the people right in front of them. I absolutely prefer an archetypally heroic protagonist, although most readers today prefer one who carves their own justice into the world through blood and vengeance.

The antihero trope has been a serious trend recently. I get the appeal after years of Superman-esque characters, but I also don't like that everything seems to gravitate that way. I really like heroes who seem real. They can be antihero-esque but they need some real, heroic attributes to matter to me, you know?

Yes! Though, it isn't my preferred fantasy. I prefer super dark fantasy honestly. But an epic fantasy is always a nice pallette cleanser.

Like...post-apocalyptic, eat-your-own-leg kind of dark? What kind of dark? ?

I don't care much for overt "save the world" quests, but epic fantasy with expansive worlds, large cast and scale, and high stakes? Absolutely.

What really annoys me nowadays is games/books where the poor hapless NPC/side characters are like "Please save my chickens!!!"

Save your own damn chickens, lady, I have a larger-scale problem to solve and I can't be running after Mr. Cluckers because you can't be arsed.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Why? ? What's wrong?

PocketFM is calling it "Self Plagiarism" and thus breach of contract. Debating whether to delete it or say "stuff them." Have until Tuesday I think to decide.

 

[Arkus86]

Save your own damn chickens, lady, I have a larger-scale problem to solve and I can't be running after Mr. Cluckers because you can't be arsed.

But Mr. Cluckers is the only remaining chicken in the kingdom laying magical eggs, which you need for the magical ritual to unseal an ancient ruin, which is hiding one of the powerful tablets you need to unlock the holy sword to defeat the demon lord...
Or what you could call one step in a long chain of fetch quests posing as the main sotryline, designed to train the village idiot into a dangerous combatant and the world's last hope.

 

[SwordSong]

I love the aesthetics of epic fantasies, but I don't always like reading them.

I really dislike having to keep up with hundreds of characters and factions and made up terminology, and large-scale conflicts don't interest me unless the actual main characters are central to it, and have personal stakes in the matter.

That said, a lot of the ones I come across online don't really give a good first impression. They either begin with a giant infodump about the worldbuilding and lore, or drop you in the middle of some high-stake battle/conflict with no context, and they never hook me to continue past the first chapter.

And, yes, I do prefer stories with one central POV, rather than, say, five main characters from competing sides playing mind games with each other.

 

[zephyrtrillian]

But Mr. Cluckers is the only remaining chicken in the kingdom laying magical eggs, which you need for the magical ritual to unseal an ancient ruin, which is hiding one of the powerful tablets you need to unlock the holy sword to defeat the demon lord...
Or what you could call one step in a long chain of fetch quests posing as the main sotryline, designed to train the village idiot into a dangerous combatant and the world's last hope.

We must start at the beginning. First, we must teach him to put on his pants, one leg at a time. Then his shoes! Then to brush his teeth, preferably twice a day, but we can't really complain if he doesn't, right?

Eventually, we will teach him how to chase chickens, like a good farm boy. While he's at it, he can muck out the stables...

PocketFM is calling it "Self Plagiarism" and thus breach of contract. Debating whether to delete it or say "stuff them." Have until Tuesday I think to decide.

I...have never heard of "self plagiarism" before. I'm fascinated and disturbed. Is PocketFM a good place otherwise?

 

[CharlesEBrown]

We must start at the beginning. First, we must teach him to put on his pants, one leg at a time. Then his shoes! Then to brush his teeth, preferably twice a day, but we can't really complain if he doesn't, right?

Eventually, we will teach him how to chase chickens, like a good farm boy. While he's at it, he can muck out the stables...

I...have never heard of "self plagiarism" before. I'm fascinated and disturbed. Is PocketFM a good place otherwise?

I think their issue was that I submitted it to a contest on their site after it had been up here for a year... And they only found out when I mentioned it in the contract document (because they did not say it had to be new or original, just new to them in the contest brief). But since I have yet to be paid for my first story with them, I'm starting to get a bit frustrated. I'm giving them two more weeks before I make a real decision. Right now, I'm honestly not sure if they are a good place or not, but I remain cautiously optimistic...