Glossary: Heroic Fantasy

Heroic fantasy is a genre of high adventure, larger-than-life struggles, and personal sacrifice. It's a world where champions rise from humble beginnings, tyrants fall to those who dare to stand against them, and myths are forged in the fires of conflict. In Order of the Magpie, heroic fantasy emphasizes bold action, moral dilemmas, and the weight of destiny, with characters shaping the world through their choices.

The following glossary defines key terms in heroic fantasy roleplaying. It provides a reference for understanding the themes, mechanics, and storytelling elements that make this genre distinct.

Adventure: A structured journey or series of challenges that characters undertake, involving exploration, danger, and the pursuit of a significant goal.

Archetype: A foundational character concept that defines a hero’s abilities, motivations, and role in the story, like the wandering swordsman, the wise sage, or the vengeful outcast.

Artifact: A powerful, legendary item imbued with magic or historical significance. Artifacts can serve as tools, symbols of authority, or sources of great danger.

Banishment: A magical or divine act that expels an entity from a location, realm, or plane of existence. Often used against supernatural creatures or cursed beings.

Battlefield Control: The strategic use of terrain, positioning, and abilities to shape the flow of combat, dictate enemy movement, and gain tactical advantages.

Beast of Legend: A rare and formidable creature whose existence is tied to myths, prophecies, or the fate of the world. These beasts may be protectors, harbingers of doom, or relics of a forgotten age.

Blood Oath: A binding vow sworn by a character to fulfill a duty, avenge a wrong, or protect another, at great personal cost. Breaking a blood oath may have dire consequences, both worldly and supernatural.

Bonded Weapon: A weapon tied to a character through fate, magic, or heritage. A bonded weapon may grow in power, serve as a conduit for abilities, or refuse to be wielded by anyone unworthy.

Champion: A warrior or chosen figure who embodies the ideals of their people, cause, or deity. Champions are central figures in great conflicts and bear the burden of leadership or prophecy.

Chronicler: A storyteller, bard, or historian responsible for recording the deeds of heroes and the events that shape the world. Chroniclers may spread truth or manipulate history to serve a greater agenda.

Clash of Blades: A prolonged and dramatic exchange of strikes between combatants, where skill, endurance, and determination dictate the outcome rather than raw strength alone.

Cursed Relic: A powerful item tainted by dark magic or a tragic history. Cursed relics grant immense power but at a terrible cost, forcing the wielder to make difficult choices.

Dark Lord: A ruler or sorcerer of immense power who seeks dominion through tyranny, corruption, or destruction. The Dark Lord serves as the ultimate antagonist in many heroic fantasy narratives.

Destined Hero: A character who is foretold to play a pivotal role in history, whether as a savior, destroyer, or catalyst for change. Destiny may be a burden or a guiding force.

Divine Intervention: A moment when gods or celestial forces directly influence events, in response to great devotion, dire need, or the fulfillment of prophecy.

Doom: A predetermined fate, tragic, that hangs over a character, kingdom, or era. A hero’s doom may drive them toward glory or destruction.

Epic Quest: A grand journey undertaken by heroes to achieve a world-changing goal, like retrieving an ancient artifact, overthrowing a tyrant, or sealing away a forgotten evil.

Fated Rival: An opponent bound to a hero through prophecy, bloodline, or personal enmity. Their conflict is inevitable and serves as a defining moment in the hero’s journey.

Forbidden Knowledge: Secret lore that is hidden, suppressed, or protected due to its power and danger. Those who seek forbidden knowledge risk madness, corruption, or divine wrath.

Fortress of Evil: A stronghold of a villainous force, built in a place of power or corruption. It may be a dark citadel, an impenetrable tower, or a cursed ruin filled with horrors.

Glorious Last Stand: A heroic sacrifice where characters face overwhelming odds to protect others, fulfill a duty, or delay an enemy long enough for salvation to arrive.

Grandmaster: A title given to those who have mastered a discipline, whether it be swordplay, spellcraft, or strategy. Grandmasters are sought after for their wisdom, training, or as worthy opponents.

Great War: A conflict that reshapes nations, defines generations, and serves as the backdrop for many heroic fantasy stories. The Great War may be long past, ongoing, or looming on the horizon.

Hero’s Burden: The weight of responsibility, sacrifice, and expectation placed upon those who fight for a greater cause. Some heroes embrace it, while others seek to escape it.

Honor Duel: A formal combat where personal or national pride is at stake. Honor duels are fought to resolve disputes, prove worthiness, or uphold tradition.

Legendary Mount: A beast of extraordinary ability that serves as a hero’s companion, like a battle-steed, a skyborne drake, or an enchanted construct.

Lost Kingdom: A fallen realm whose ruins, survivors, or legacy still influence the present world. Heroes may seek to restore, avenge, or uncover the secrets of a lost kingdom.

Magical Oath: A spoken vow sealed by mystical forces, making its fulfillment or breaking carry supernatural consequences.

Master of Arms: A warrior proficient in all forms of combat, serving as a mentor, champion, or commander.

Prophecy: A prediction of future events, tied to a hero, villain, or world-altering event. Prophecies may be literal or cryptic, leading characters to question their role in fate.

Sacred Blade: A weapon of immense significance, tied to destiny, divine favor, or a great hero of the past.

Shadow War: A hidden conflict fought between spies, assassins, and secret factions beneath the surface of great battles.

The Chosen One: A character marked by fate, divine will, or prophecy to fulfill a great purpose. They may embrace their destiny or struggle against it.

Trial of Worth: A test that determines whether a hero is ready to claim a title, artifact, or power. These trials may be set by deities, ancient orders, or the hero’s own past.

Unbreakable Will: A hero’s defining trait, resisting corruption, enduring suffering, and defying fate itself to stand against overwhelming odds.

Warlord: A military leader who has risen to power through conquest, rebellion, or sheer force of will. Warlords are opposed by heroes seeking to prevent their dominion.

Worldshaking Event: A moment of monumental change, whether it be the return of a long-banished evil, the breaking of a kingdom, or the rise of a new age. Heroes are at the heart of such events, whether as catalysts or preventers.