What Makes a Story "High Fantasy"?
- It is set in a completely fictional world with a rich history, culture, and geography, languages, and mythologies. This secondary world is internally consistent and immersive, giving the reader the feeling of stepping into another reality.
- The narrative revolves around a grand, often world-altering quest or conflict, with high stakes. Traveling across the fictional world, facing challenges, and overcoming obstacles to achieve a heroic goal. The quest usually has world-altering stakes, with the fate of the realm often hanging in the balance.
- There is a clear distinction between good and evil, with moral themes and heroic values at the forefront
- Magic, fantastical creatures, and supernatural forces are woven into the fabric of the world. A world where the mythic and wondrous things are real
- The characters often follow mythic archetypes, with quests for honor, heroism, and self-sacrifice.
- The story explores epic themes like destiny, the struggle for power, the price of corruption, and the resilience of hope.