Challenge: Create an Archetype

[dannnex male]

So, we all know that the fantasy genre is riddled with stereotypes. The same magical species and cultures can be found in all sorts of books, while being interpreted very differently from each other. 

My challenge to all you writer-y people is this: Create a fantasy species that is unlike any other basic archetype (e.g. Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, etc.) but still vague enough to be interpreted many many different ways. The trick here is that the species must still have some distinctive features about it that make it recognizable no matter how any given author chooses to portray them. 

For example, Dragons are a staple of the fantasy genre. However, they can be implemented in a story in many different ways. Some stories have them as little more than big lizards, while other stories have them as great and ancient deities, more akin to some Lovecraftian Eldritch Horror. But, both versions are still easily recognizable as dragons. This is because dragons have a few distinctive characteristics. Usually they fly. They can sometimes breath fire. They are reptilian.
The same goes for elves, dwarves, all the classic and most basic fantasy creatures. (Elves are usually related to nature, dwarves are related to rock, etc.)

This is the challenge.
1. Make a species that is completely different from the other basic fantasy archetypes. 
2. Have it be open-ended enough to be interpreted in drastically different ways.
3. Be sure to have enough distinctive characteristics tied to the core of the species that it can be easily recognized, however any given author might choose to use it. 
4. Give some examples of how the species could be interpreted by different writers in different ways. (Like the dragon example from earlier.)

Excited to see what y’all come up with!  I’ve found it surprisingly hard.

Edited August 16, 2023 by dannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnex

[Guest Somebody from Scadrial]

A snake-like plant that grows from a central body, but still moves like a snake.

It can be interpreted many ways as it can be big and small, all different colors, and at it's core is just a plant that moves like a snake.

[bmcclure7]

On 12/7/2020 at 2:57 AM, dannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnex said:

So, we all know that the fantasy genre is riddled with stereotypes. The same magical species and cultures can be found in all sorts of books, while being interpreted very differently from each other. 

My challenge to all you writer-y people is this: Create a fantasy species that is unlike any other basic archetype (e.g. Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, etc.) but still vague enough to be interpreted many many different ways. The trick here is that the species must still have some distinctive features about it that make it recognizable no matter how any given author chooses to portray them. 

For example, Dragons are a staple of the fantasy genre. However, they can be implemented in a story in many different ways. Some stories have them as little more than big lizards, while other stories have them as great and ancient deities, more akin to some Lovecraftian Eldritch Horror. But, both versions are still easily recognizable as dragons. This is because dragons have a few distinctive characteristics. Usually they fly. They can sometimes breath fire. They are reptilian.
The same goes for elves, dwarves, all the classic and most basic fantasy creatures. (Elves are usually related to nature, dwarves are related to rock, etc.)

This is the challenge.
1. Make a species that is distinctive from the other basic fantasy archetypes. 
2. Have it be open-ended enough to be interpreted in drastically different ways.
3. Be sure to have enough distinctive characteristics tied to the core of the species that it can be easily recognized, however any given author might choose to use it. 

Excited to see what y’all come up with!  I’ve found it surprisingly hard.

 

 

Name 1000 eyes

 

 A shadow creature covered in eyes, Vaguely humanoid but with ability to change shape, Different interpretations can have them more human-like or more Monstrous.

 

The basic architect is that the powerful but shy and very curious  They realize their appearance makes people frightened of them so They keep their distance.

 

 

[Edema Rue she/her]

A plant that grows near any source of consistent, but extreme, heat. Doesn’t matter what else it needs to survive, but it can be found near volcanoes, in deserts, or in fires that have been around a long time.

[The Stormfather He/Him]

A lizard who’s feet are so big that it stomps it’s prey before slurping it up through its anteater like snout.

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

Half - Angel

known for there deific presence, and almost seem to glow with radiance, Their blood smells of what you want the most, Also have golden eyes, and can after training consciously keep there small halo from showing. 

 

Half Demon

Known for their terrible presence, and eyes seem to suck in all light around them. Blood smells like the thing you hate the most, and can grow horns and tail on command 

[Edema Rue she/her]

What if what you want the most is also what you hate the most?

Actually wait you could do some really fun character development and trauma with that…

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

10 minutes ago, Edema Ruh said:

What if what you want the most is also what you hate the most?

Actually wait you could do some really fun character development and trauma with that…

I was thinking some other things to add, but then it might make them to powerful, so I decided to keep it a bit more simple. 

[Edema Rue she/her]

Just now, Scars of Hathsin said:

I was thinking some other things to add, but then it might make them to powerful, so I decided to keep it a bit more simple. 

Yeah, fair fair. 

…but now my brain is creating a character who smells the same thing for both types of blood.

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

Just now, Edema Ruh said:

Yeah, fair fair. 

…but now my brain is creating a character who smells the same thing for both types of blood.

It is not impossible, because if you want revenge on someone, because you hate them so much...

[Edema Rue she/her]

I know it’s not! That’s why it appeals to me so much!

[Scars of Hathsin he/him]

Thanks

[Ookla de los Cuervos he/him]

A dragon, but only breathes death. if you look at it for too long or stand in its breath, you shrivel.