A recipe for fantasy

[ejaycee]

I thought this could be fun. I've come up with a few ingredients of my own, what can you came up with?

1. The main character must start off as a humble farm-boy/farm-girl of mysterious parentage. He will turn out to be either:
a) the king and queen's long lost child.
b) the son of the Evil Overlord (see below)

2. You must have an evil overlord who wants to do one or more of:

a) Take over the world
b) Destroy the world
c) unleash some ancient vengeful God who was imprisoned long ago.
d) some other suitably evil activity

His motives will be simply that he is evil, and this is what evil people do. If he has any other reasons, it will probably be because he was bullied by the king or some other authority figure when he was a kid. He'll probably say as much during the Main Character's final confrontation with him.

3. There will be a prophecy about the main character. It will be either insanely cryptic, or else it will basically say "He'll kill the bad guy", and probably rhyme. It isn't epic fantasy if there isn't a prophecy. It's mandatory. I'm sorry.

[Judg]

Oh-oh. I'm in trouble.

I do have a bad guy who's essentially a psychopath. And a prophecy which is a little cryptic. The only reason I'm leaving it in there is because the scene shows so much of how the "anti-clerical" attitudes that have developed in the society. The midwife is more impressed that the witch forgot to ask for her blessing fee than by the prophecy itself. It's kind of a fun scene.

Of course, I don't think mine qualifies as epic fantasy. I actually can't think of any sub-genre it does fit, really.

You forgot the all-essential ingredients of supernatural beings and/or magic.

[ejaycee]

Well, just make sure he wasn't bullied when he was little. ^_~

Oh, I've got more, I just want to see what others come up with. For instance:

A good one to make girls swoon is the dark mysterious man who seems to always wear a cloak, probably has knee-height leather boots and black hair, too. He'll probably be a double-crosser, but he'll turn out to be on the good side eventually. Usually he'll befriend the MC and party, double-cross them, then turn up again explain that he's actually double-crossing the bad guys and making them think he's double crossing the good-guys. Which makes him a double-crossing double-crosser. Some people take it further and make him a double-crossing double-crossing double-crossing double-crosser. Or is that a quadruple-crosser? Either way, he's on the good side, he just does it the long and complicated way because, well, if he doesn't he's just not a cool mysterious guy anymore.

[Judg]

LOL! My guy intimidated the bullies when he was little...

Tall, dark, handsome strangers are good in any genre. I confess, my guy is tall and dark. No boots. Usually in robes, but hey, he's a wizard. Until he isn't. His wife thinks he's handsome, but nobody much else comments on it. I refuse to describe any character as handsome or pretty or - blech - gorgeous. But he's not mysterious. Some people consider him traitorous, mind you, something he has a lot of trouble wrapping his mind around.

You're making me dizzy with all the double-crossing.

[ejaycee]

Ah-hah! You're safe then. The thing that most puts me off bad guys is when they're pathetic, and "Bullied when Little" is no. 1 on my list of patheticness. That, and anything along the lines of Anakin Skywalker in the new movies. He annoyed me to no end. *mumbles about broody teenagers*

This is true, but I don't think any genre does Tall Dark & Handsome quite as often as fantasy. Most fantasy books will have at least one.
Good on you for not describing people as being gorgeous. Last thing we need is another Adonis! ^_~

I've read books with more double-crossing than that. Seriously, I have.

[Judg]

Oh, I was talking about the good guy. The bad guy, like any self-respecting sociopath, knew how to be totally charming, so he didn't get bullied either. :D I did write a scene where the good guy has to stay hidden under the bed while his wife beats off one of the former bullies with a broom. He didn't like that one bit, LOL! She kind of shrugged it off.

Warrior princesses. You forgot warrior princesses. I like strong women characters, but I do like something more plausible. A broom, and kicking a guy in the crotch will do. And having a mind of her own without being knee-jerk difficult just on the principle of the thing. And a brain or two is always good.

[ejaycee]

Good on you– non-pathetic good and bad guys!
Ah-hah! Would this be a more comedic piece you're writing? I like the sound of it already. :)

Oh, I agree. Warrior-princesses are awful, especially those of the chain-mail bikini variety. They're more men in a female body than a strong female character. And why is it that so many people think a strong female character means a stubborn one?

Another one that gets me is the sage/wizard/fool/talking raven that knows everything about the plot, but refuses to tell anyone anything (or if they do, it's in the form of cryptic hints and, in the case of the raven and the fool, annoying couplets) for their own obscure reasons. I honestly don't understand what they add to a story.

[defcon6000]

Oh, I agree. Warrior-princesses are awful, especially those of the chain-mail bikini variety. They're more men in a female body than a strong female character. And why is it that so many people think a strong female character means a stubborn one?
It's probably based on all the times their wives insisted on them taking out the trash. ;)

How about the useless bard who tags along on the journey merely for the purpose of comic relief?

[Misa Buckley]

How about the useless bard who tags along on the journey merely for the purpose of comic relief?

Why am I suddenly reminded of Monty Python? :D

[ejaycee]

Yup, that bard who will burst into song by the campfire and sing of doomed love between Mortal Man and Immortal Elf, or a tale of kings, or, occasionally, some drinking song about a milkmaid.

The thing that never fails to amuse me is the stew. It would appear that not only did they eat nothing else on their travels (except anonymous nuts and berries that they picked off handily nearby bushes) but they have this miraculous way of cooking it up in five or so minutes and often doing so while short of water. The Gods must truly be on their side if they can achieve such culinary feats.

[Cliff Face]

"How about the useless bard who tags along on the journey merely for the purpose of comic relief?"

Wow, I have just about 7 of those in my books... but then it's supposed to be a comedy, and they're not all useless... at least not all the time.

What about the obligatory elf who is trying to win back the honour of his family? And his dwarf "companion" (come on, you all know they have a thing for each other!)?

Cloaks are far too prevalent aswell. So all you need is a elf in a cloak winning back honour and a useless dwarf bard and then the absolutely necessary human who has a prophecy about killing the bad guy and becoming King.

*slaps head* Never mind I said that, the idea is mine, all mine, and I'm going to write it, over and over again, mwuhahhahaha! [/sarcasm] :)

Cliff

[ejaycee]

Seven? Not all in the same book, I hope? :D
Hmm... Now that would be the perfect premise for a satirical fantasy... *steals idea*

The standard garb for Fantasy would have to be knee-high leather boots, a deep-cowled cloak, tunic fastened with leather belt, and a pendant given by a dead lover/tutor/wizard which is actually magical and probably has something to do with a prophecy.

[Freelancer]

And why is it that so many people think a strong female character means a stubborn one?World reality check... <whispering> because strong (in soul) and intelligent women are used to be damned stubborn in the reality. My beloved girlfriend is the best example for this. :D

[JimmyB27]

3. There will be a prophecy about the main character. It will be either insanely cryptic, or else it will basically say "He'll kill the bad guy", and probably rhyme. It isn't epic fantasy if there isn't a prophecy. It's mandatory. I'm sorry.
There's another type of prophecy/riddle; the one that's impossible until teh Heroes come along. Think of the door to Moriah - I mean, come on, how secure was that? They might as well have said 'Speak, friend and, incidentally, there's a spare key under the doormat.'

[IdiotsRUs]

A good one to make girls swoon is the dark mysterious man who seems to always wear a cloak, probably has knee-height leather boots and black hair, too.

*looks at Ilf*

It's good to make girls swoon when you're writing fantasy romance :tongue

[defcon6000]

World reality check... <whispering> because strong (in soul) and intelligent women are used to be damned stubborn in the reality.
To some degree we're all stubborn (yes, even you men :tongue).

I got another one:
The kid/teen who finds an egg, incubates it and out hatches a dragon whom they end up befriended and get to ride on in all sorts of adventures.

[Dicentra P]

Well, just make sure he wasn't bullied when he was little. ^_~

Oh, I've got more, I just want to see what others come up with. For instance:

A good one to make girls swoon is the dark mysterious man who seems to always wear a cloak, probably has knee-height leather boots and black hair, too. He'll probably be a double-crosser, but he'll turn out to be on the good side eventually. Usually he'll befriend the MC and party, double-cross them, then turn up again explain that he's actually double-crossing the bad guys and making them think he's double crossing the good-guys. Which makes him a double-crossing double-crosser. Some people take it further and make him a double-crossing double-crossing double-crossing double-crosser. Or is that a quadruple-crosser? Either way, he's on the good side, he just does it the long and complicated way because, well, if he doesn't he's just not a cool mysterious guy anymore.
In other words Rhett Butler in tights?

[Freelancer]

To some degree we're all stubborn (yes, even you men :tongue).Oh, I know that. :) I'm also damned stubborn and defiant. But I don't deny that.

[Irishgirl]

World reality check... <whispering> because strong (in soul) and intelligent women are used to be damned stubborn in the reality.

Why is it if it's a woman, she's 'stubborn', but if it's a man he's 'determined'? :D
- Sorry I'm 'stubborn' and I couldn't let this go without comment.

Also, you forgot that the super evil bad guy needs to spout soliloquies like Trevi fountain.

[Freelancer]

Why is it if it's a woman, she's 'stubborn', but if it's a man he's 'determined'? :D
- Sorry I'm 'stubborn' and I couldn't let this go without comment.

:D Now that's a good question. I believe being determined and being stubborn is a quite different thing.

[M.Austin]

Is it bad that I want to post the Hero with a 1,000 Faces guidelines?


THE HERO IS INTRODUCED IN HIS ORDINARY WORLD.
THE CALL TO ADVENTURE.
THE HERO IS RELUCTANT AT FIRST.
THE HERO IS ENCOURAGED BY THE WISE OLD MAN OR WOMAN.
THE HERO PASSES THE FIRST THRESHOLD.
THE HERO ENCOUNTERS TESTS AND HELPERS.
THE HERO REACHES THE INNERMOST CAVE
THE HERO ENDURES THE SUPREME ORDEAL.
THE HERO SIEZES THE SWORD.
THE ROAD BACK.
RESURRECTION.
RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR.

[Judg]

Good on you– non-pathetic good and bad guys!
Ah-hah! Would this be a more comedic piece you're writing? I like the sound of it already. :)
No, it's not comedic. But if the essence of comedy is truth and pain, I do try to have both of those. And if I disrupt expectations while doing so, so much the better. So I think there are parts that are rather amusing, but I didn't write them specifically to be amusing. I figure the moment I start trying to be funny, it will turn out pathetic.

Maybe it's time this thread turned from recipes for epic fantasy to recipes for urban fantasy. There certainly seems to be some pretty standard elements there, but seeing as I haven't read enough of the genre, I'll leave it up to someone more knowledgeable to tackle it.

[ejaycee]

Hahah, add ingredients for anything. ^_~ Sci-fi too, if you like. Federations and Empires, for instance.

Hum. I think there's a difference between being determined and being stubborn simply for the sake of being stubborn. And And often the female leads are just that, which puts me off to no end.

[RSD]

You need vampires. Lots and lots of vampires. Even civilizations of vampires with dark vampires, not so dark vampires, sparkly vampires, pale skinned emo vampires, vampires that play baseball, and of course the day walkers. No story is complete without vampires, especially a fantasy story.

And hell, while you're at it throw in a dragon vampire. You know the dragons that aren't evil, but they were hunted and it made them mad, so they made a pact with the baseball-playing vampires for immortality, but were stuck needing to feed on blood for the rest of their lives, which is forever because they're immortal.

It's best if the villian is a bad vampire that enslaves the vampire dragon and uses it for his own evil purposes. Then the hero can come and encounter said vampire dragon, and challenge its vampireness, but ultimately become friends and make a blood pact (pardon the pun) with the vampire dragon, in exchange for the vampire dragon's help in defeating the evil vampire that enslaved him.

Together they go on a quest to find the legendary vampire baseball bat, which was stolen from the baseball-playing vampires by the day walkers. They took it back to their day walking lair, which some time in history was overthrown by the emo vampires. When the hero arrives he runs into the bard vampire for plucky comic relief, and together they fight hordes of emo vampires who attack by wristing themselves and spraying their toxic blood at the heroes.

In the end they find the vampire baseball bat and use it to defeat the evil dark vampire that reveals he's a not so dark vampire in the end. And the vampire dragon dies, but not before devouring the vampire bard.

Yeah... vampires own!

[ebenstone]

It's funny this is a topic because I've often thought of my novels as cakes that required recipes. The present one, Winter's Discord, I think of in terms of this:

2 heaping cups of GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire
1 cup of Greg Keyes Kingdom of Bone and Thorn
2 TSPs of Elizabeth: The Golden Age or Elizabeth I
1/2 cup each of Degrassi: The Next Generation, The Hills, Beverly Hills 90210, or teen drama of your choice
2 TSPs of John Flanagan's Ranger Series
1 cup of Tamora Pierce's Alanna Series
A dash of The Wheel of Time
1/3 cup of The Gentlemen Bastards
A dash of A Knight's Tale

Blend and bake(adding voice), and you've got Winter's Discord.

Hopefully I can get the baking right and someday you'll all get to read it.

[M.Austin]

You need vampires. Lots and lots of vampires. Even civilizations of vampires with dark vampires, not so dark vampires, sparkly vampires, pale skinned emo vampires, vampires that play baseball, and of course the day walkers. No story is complete without vampires, especially a fantasy story.

And hell, while you're at it throw in a dragon vampire. You know the dragons that aren't evil, but they were hunted and it made them mad, so they made a pact with the baseball-playing vampires for immortality, but were stuck needing to feed on blood for the rest of their lives, which is forever because they're immortal.

It's best if the villian is a bad vampire that enslaves the vampire dragon and uses it for his own evil purposes. Then the hero can come and encounter said vampire dragon, and challenge its vampireness, but ultimately become friends and make a blood pact (pardon the pun) with the vampire dragon, in exchange for the vampire dragon's help in defeating the evil vampire that enslaved him.

Together they go on a quest to find the legendary vampire baseball bat, which was stolen from the baseball-playing vampires by the day walkers. They took it back to their day walking lair, which some time in history was overthrown by the emo vampires. When the hero arrives he runs into the bard vampire for plucky comic relief, and together they fight hordes of emo vampires who attack by wristing themselves and spraying their toxic blood at the heroes.

In the end they find the vampire baseball bat and use it to defeat the evil dark vampire that reveals he's a not so dark vampire in the end. And the vampire dragon dies, but not before devouring the vampire bard.

Yeah... vampires own!

=*(((((((((( I just puked.

[MGraybosch]

You need cats. Especially if they talk. :)

[Judg]

Vampires. *sigh* One of the main reasons I don't read urban fantasy. Zombies and werewolves don't help. Just not my cuppa.

I agree about the difference between determined and stubborn. Determination and perseverance are stubbornness with a purpose, in the service of something worthwhile. Being headstrong and willful is just an adolescent desire to say "You're not the boss of me." I can handle adolescent heroes if their adolescence isn't something that's glorified and if it actually gets them into trouble, like it does in real life. A character that is learning and growing is engaging. One that's locked into permanent teenage defiance is a pain. I've met enough real people like that. I won't waste precious reading time on them. I mean, I'm supposed to be enjoying myself.

[bearilou]

You need vampires. Lots and lots of vampires. Even civilizations of vampires with dark vampires, not so dark vampires, sparkly vampires, pale skinned emo vampires, vampires that play baseball, and of course the day walkers. No story is complete without vampires, especially a fantasy story.

And hell, while you're at it throw in a dragon vampire. You know the dragons that aren't evil, but they were hunted and it made them mad, so they made a pact with the baseball-playing vampires for immortality, but were stuck needing to feed on blood for the rest of their lives, which is forever because they're immortal.

It's best if the villian is a bad vampire that enslaves the vampire dragon and uses it for his own evil purposes. Then the hero can come and encounter said vampire dragon, and challenge its vampireness, but ultimately become friends and make a blood pact (pardon the pun) with the vampire dragon, in exchange for the vampire dragon's help in defeating the evil vampire that enslaved him.

Together they go on a quest to find the legendary vampire baseball bat, which was stolen from the baseball-playing vampires by the day walkers. They took it back to their day walking lair, which some time in history was overthrown by the emo vampires. When the hero arrives he runs into the bard vampire for plucky comic relief, and together they fight hordes of emo vampires who attack by wristing themselves and spraying their toxic blood at the heroes.

In the end they find the vampire baseball bat and use it to defeat the evil dark vampire that reveals he's a not so dark vampire in the end. And the vampire dragon dies, but not before devouring the vampire bard.

Yeah... vampires own!

=*(((((((((( I just puked.

While I am anxiously awaiting this book! :D

[ejaycee]

the masters of urban fantasy are neil gaiman and charles de lint, period. anyone who wants to read good urban fantasy should read them.

i look forward to a good satirical urban fantasy. i really do. but i think it would be hard to do that without throwing in a lot of pop culture references to twilight, which would put me off, i think.

[Nivarion]

Oh here's one I've been brewing for a while.

Take a group of 6 characters that know they're in a fantasy story.
A grumpy narrator, with supreme power.
A lout mouthed MC.
A hobbit, being chased by Reywals.
A full heaping cup of cliche.
An evil overlord made in response to one of the mouthy MC's.
And toss in a useless bard.

Bake for about six months at low heat, or until you've achieved the desired amount of comedy.


Another one.

Take a strong anti-hero, with poor morals.
Send him on an adventure to defeat the insane big bad.
Have him tell the old man/woman to go and shove it.
Kill the big bad.
Take the big bad's power, and crown himself supreme overlord of the whole world. where he rules in peace and iron fisted justice.

I made the second one up on the fly. :D

[RSD]

While I am anxiously awaiting this book!

Now I'm almost tempted to write it. Almost...

I just can't think of a good name for the vampire baseball team. Maybe the Vamps? I don't know. It's a working idea.

[Pyrohawk]

2. You must have an evil overlord who wants to do one or more of:

a) Take over the world
b) Destroy the world
c) unleash some ancient vengeful God who was imprisoned long ago.
d) some other suitably evil activity

His motives will be simply that he is evil, and this is what evil people do.


Does anyone else have trouble avoiding this? I can think of lots of creative and interesting, even unique...reasons for why they do one of those 3. And even unique ways of how they do it. But can't seem to think of anything else they COULD do. I mean....those are kind of the only things of serious enough bad to be the antagonist in an epic story.

Murder,enslavement, or evil god/event that will do one of the other or both.....thats about it. Or am I just not being creative enough? I can even make them not evil (I love a sympathetic antagonist where you understand their reasoning , good vs. good).

So what can you guys think of for "d." What other suitable evil actions can people do.


If I can solve this my novel will have all its weak ends tied up.

[ejaycee]

Does anyone else have trouble avoiding this? I can think of lots of creative and interesting, even unique...reasons for why they do one of those 3. And even unique ways of how they do it. But can't seem to think of anything else they COULD do. I mean....those are kind of the only things of serious enough bad to be the antagonist in an epic story.

I know! It's the mad scientist syndrome. You can hardly have them just trying to steal the MC's girlfriend. Well, you could, but they'd probably end up seeming pathetic.

Let me try for a few ideas of what else he could do...

- He could be manipulating the government in ways that mean he'll receive, in one way or another, a great amount of wealth at various intervals. This could be taking away from the civilians, sort of feeding off them. Doesn't seem like a huge Evil Bad Guy thing, though.

- Literally feeding off civilians. He could be inhuman, and need to feed off humans to survive. He does so subtly, and perhaps he's got good enough in him to only choose the sick and aged. Or maybe he's a Ruthless Fearsome Creature. Depends.

- He could be sending tons of chain letters to everyone. The no-internet version of spam. That's bad enough to warrant Evil in my books. :)

[JimmyB27]

2. You must have an evil overlord who wants to do one or more of:

a) Take over the world
b) Destroy the world
c) unleash some ancient vengeful God who was imprisoned long ago.
d) some other suitably evil activity

His motives will be simply that he is evil, and this is what evil people do. If he has any other reasons, it will probably be because he was bullied by the king or some other authority figure when he was a kid. He'll probably say as much during the Main Character's final confrontation with him.

Does anyone else have trouble avoiding this? I can think of lots of creative and interesting, even unique...reasons for why they do one of those 3. And even unique ways of how they do it. But can't seem to think of anything else they COULD do. I mean....those are kind of the only things of serious enough bad to be the antagonist in an epic story.

Murder,enslavement, or evil god/event that will do one of the other or both.....thats about it. Or am I just not being creative enough? I can even make them not evil (I love a sympathetic antagonist where you understand their reasoning , good vs. good).

So what can you guys think of for "d." What other suitable evil actions can people do.


If I can solve this my novel will have all its weak ends tied up.
I don't think it matters too much what they're trying to achieve. Problems, for me, start when the don't have a good reason for their actions. This is why b & c bother me the most. You want to destroy the world, huh? You do know that you live here too, right?

[MattW]

My recipe is:

2 tons of dirt
1 hogshead of sewage

Smear on characters. Repeat until they die or rise to the occasion.

[ejaycee]

That I love. :D I really feel sorry for those characters of yours.

[Nivarion]

Now I'm almost tempted to write it. Almost...

I just can't think of a good name for the vampire baseball team. Maybe the Vamps? I don't know. It's a working idea.

The Transylvania Sluggers, or The Bloodsucking Basemen, or The Batters.

Or you could just ignore me, I'm having bad ADHD.

[RSD]

The Transylvania Sluggers, or The Bloodsucking Basemen, or The Batters.

Or you could just ignore me, I'm having bad ADHD.

And I'll need a clever pun about a "bat boy" in there somewhere to really ice it. Because vampires turn into bats... yeah...

[ejaycee]

Tis true, a book is only as good as its puns.

Cuz, you know, a book without puns is just lame. ;)

[Rambling]

So what can you guys think of for "d." What other suitable evil actions can people do.


Some very fine examples of 'evil villain plots' can be found in contemporary conspiracy theories:
- creating a STD to punish promiscuity.
- creating a disease to get rid of poor people.
- accidentally creating a disease during immoral medical experimentation.
- faking a branch of science to turn everyone away from religion.
- faking a religious miracle to turn everyone away from science.
- faking a major national achievement to 'get one over' a rival nation.
- arranging an unspoken rule to prevent a group from ever achieving anything.
- starving other nations by farming food too cheaply.
- destroying other cultures by selling them luxuries too cheaply.

There's also evil in degree:

Avenge his parents -
Wants to arrest, humiliate and execute the soldier who killed people his own side ... who did it only because of a massive miscommunication that wasn't his fault, and who has since gone on to be the best future leader they've ever had.

Save a loved one -
Wants to get all the healers researching new cures for his sick little sister ... at the expense of everyone dying from other things.

Correct an injustice -
Wants to stop the persecution of a minority ... by persecuting the majority instead.

It's that thing with ruling the world - sure, the power's nice, but have you seen the paperwork?

[ejaycee]

You've got some good motives up there. The best bad guys are the good bad guys, in my opinions. THat ones that have good intentions, but go about it wrong, kind of thing. Or they believe they're right and good, anyway.

[The Otter]

If he has any other reasons, it will probably be because he was bullied by the king or some other authority figure when he was a kid. He'll probably say as much during the Main Character's final confrontation with him.

I personally love villains with angsty pasts. Though I do prefer it be something a little more creative than just "he was picked on as a kid." I mean, lots of people were picked on as kids and never became evil overlords.

Come to think of it, it's probably difficult to write a villain who doesn't have some sort of angst in his past without making him "evil for no reason." I mean, you could just have someone who's very selfish and has no empathy toward others, but such people tend toward more petty forms of evil. They don't want to take over the world, because who needs that headache?

You can also have altruistic villains--the ones who are trying to create some sort of utopia, but the only way to do that is by doing really vile things. Sort of a "killing millions to save future billions" philosophy. That's probably a cliche as well, but then, I'm not sure there's anything that isn't cliche at this point, heh.

[defcon6000]

Some very fine examples of 'evil villain plots' can be found in contemporary conspiracy theories:
- creating a STD to punish promiscuity.
Interesting. Some say AIDS was created; it's one of those diseases that sprung up out of nothing. Not sure if it's true though, but I wouldn't put it pass someone to really create it either.

Villain don't necessarily have to be "villainous" unless they're the egocentric, apathetic towards everyone kind...then again, that's just a dick. Everyone views the world differently; some hold beliefs that are extremely skewed and ill representing of the real world (like taking everything really personal) and others just lack common sense (i.e. rigging your roof so that anything that touches it will be zapped (http://www.theage.com.au/national/harassed-truckie-boobytrapped-house-20090508-axad.html)). Ultimately, it comes down to intent: did your villain actually mean to kill millions for the greater good or at least was aware of that wee drawback?

[Smiling Ted]

Now I'm almost tempted to write it. Almost...

I just can't think of a good name for the vampire baseball team. Maybe the Vamps? I don't know. It's a working idea.

Obviously, it would be what they thought was most scary.
The Transylvania Stakes.

[Etola]

I am kind of surprised that no one has yet mentioned the ever-necessary "plot coupons." Remember, a special, magical, possibly-prophecized magic item is VITAL to the hero's success, whether he has to collect it, wield it, or destroy it.

[JimmyB27]

I am kind of surprised that no one has yet mentioned the ever-necessary "plot coupons." Remember, a special, magical, possibly-prophecized magic item is VITAL to the hero's success, whether he has to collect it, wield it, or destroy it.
You mean a MacGuffin?

[Etola]

You mean a MacGuffin?

A MacGuffin is a type of plot coupon, so yes :)