skepticism in fantasy

TheRob1 · May 17, 2013

Ok, so I'm writing a fantasy that's set in another world. Magic exists as does some supersciency stuff. The overall tech level of the world would be roughly consistent with the 1880s.

The hero is traveling with a wizard and hunting a demon.

Here's the thing:
1)The MC and the wizard split up
2) The hero is recently out of the hospital after a psychotic episode.

So, here's the thing. He's trying to play the whole "I'm hunting a demon" thing close to the vest, but he does have to tell a few people. Not all of those people know about his hospitalization, but by and large everyone he's telling is taking the news with a large dose of disbelief.

I'm worried about whether or not that works or not. Magic exists and there's a healthy amount of demon lore in the world, but demons are a rare thing.

So, is it reasonable for people in a fantasy world to not believe that some of the more fantastic elements are occurring? I'm just not sure.

Honest Bill · May 17, 2013

I'd say it depends on how you set it up. If you are sure to allude to the rarity of these demons, and there isn't one 'living' on every street, then it's fine. YOu can create a lot of mystery like that. You can set it up as though the demons are known myths, in fact the people's skepticism about their existence would only serve to strengthen the impact.

I feel you bring your world closer to the real world that way, and consequently, it makes your fantastic elements a bit easier to swallow. Everyone can relate to hearing rumours and myths about unbelievable things.

It's all in the set-up. Establish that they don't really exist, so we can be surprised along with your characters when we find out they have been among us all the time.

rwm4768 · May 17, 2013

I think it's perfectly plausible that people in a world of magic won't believe that some things exist if they haven't seen those things themselves. If you make demons rare enough, you should be able to pull it off. I've read a fantasy where people don't believe in certain legends.

RichardGarfinkle · May 17, 2013

Are the people skeptical about the existence of demons or about the claim that the hero is hunting one.

If demons are rare and dangerous, then presumably demon hunting is hardly a common calling. Might people react to the claim with the same skepticism one might give some person's claim to be a CIA operative?

In particular, such a claim would be hard to credit if the person making it should signs of psychosis.

lilyWhite · May 17, 2013

If fairies were and always were a part of our world, would that mean that our world wouldn't be skeptical of other supernatural beings such as vampires or sirens? Or do people in real life believe the existence of Bigfoot because they know about other wild animals/evolution/relatives to humans?

If magic is a natural part of their world, then that doesn't mean that "magical" things like demons can't still be perceived as unnatural and nonexistant things in their world/culture/individual viewpoints.

rwm4768 · May 17, 2013

An example relating to this just popped to my mind. In Harry Potter, you have all kinds of magical creatures, but very few people believe in the strange creatures that Luna Lovegood and her father believe in. There's no outright statement in the series as to whether any of these creatures actually exist.

JRehnay · May 17, 2013

As long as your readers are made to understand that while the world has many magical properties, demons are considered either legendary or make-believe, I think you should be fine.

The only way it wouldn't work is if you have people talking about how common demons are and THEN they don't believe your MC.

The Luna Lovegood example from rwm4768 is a great one.

Brightdreamer · May 17, 2013

I'd think it would be fine. It should be reasonably easy to slip in a few lines about how your world views demons - very rare, maybe something most people consider extinct. (You might even have a popular "new science" movement trying to explain away demons as some other unrelated magical phenomenon, misinterpreted by less intelligent ancestors: they didn't really understand this force called magic like we do, so they slapped labels like gods and demons on things. Nothing to worry about, no demons or bogeymen in the closet... oh, wait...)

For a real-world comparison, CIA agents are real, but do you automatically believe some stranger who tells you he's an undercover agent tracking down one of Interpol's most wanted fugitives? Throw in the history of psychosis (and the fact that your world recognizes mental illnesses that alter one's perception of reality), and it would be perfectly reasonable for people to wonder if he's simply off his meds instead of actually hunting demons.

Buffysquirrel · May 18, 2013

UFOs? Loch Ness Monster? Bigfoot? Chupacabra? Ghosts? Angels?

TheRob1 · May 18, 2013

Ok, I guess some more information is required to illustrate the world view. Demon's are considered real, but highly rare. Like many fantasy worlds this one is kind of post apocalyptic. There was an incredibly advanced society of wizards (kind of techno-necro-mancers if you will) that brought their own downfall through the overuse of powerful magic (They essentially weaponized demons. If you could imagine a demon that was bound to nuclear weapon). This caused an event which was named for a powerful Demon called Avek-Hen. Avek-Hen had sons and daughters who basically ran rough-shod over the world for more than a century before humanity finally beat them back.

Fast forward some 800 years and my story is taking place. Demons are known to exist and some minor ones are encountered from time to time. However, the big ones are done and gone. That's where the skepticism comes in. The demon in my story is one of the sons of Avek-Hen.

So, I'm banking on people being exceptionally skeptical of this because fo the demon in question.

benbenberi · May 18, 2013

In the real world, there are plenty of people who are skeptical of all sorts of things that are demonstrably true, never mind the stuff that's actually fringe-y or faith-based. So I'd certainly buy it that people in a fantasy world might be skeptical of a demon-hunter even where demons were once-upon-a-time a known thing.

Buffysquirrel · May 19, 2013

Didn't Pratchett pretty much do this in Guards, Guards!? With the dragon? Everyone knew there were little dragons but nobody believed in big ones any more.

Russell Secord · May 21, 2013

You could actually have a little fun with this.

"A rogue demon hunter, eh? (Just out of the sanitarium, is he?) I'd be glad to help you find that demon, but right now I'm looking for a herd of unicorns."

"Nuclear-class demons, you say? Let me fetch my nuclear-class spectacles." <slaps knee>

"No demons here. We have someone come in once a month. <snicker>"

kyocrisis · May 21, 2013

TheRob1 said:
Ok, I guess some more information is required to illustrate the world view. Demon's are considered real, but highly rare. Like many fantasy worlds this one is kind of post apocalyptic. There was an incredibly advanced society of wizards (kind of techno-necro-mancers if you will) that brought their own downfall through the overuse of powerful magic (They essentially weaponized demons. If you could imagine a demon that was bound to nuclear weapon). This caused an event which was named for a powerful Demon called Avek-Hen. Avek-Hen had sons and daughters who basically ran rough-shod over the world for more than a century before humanity finally beat them back.

Fast forward some 800 years and my story is taking place. Demons are known to exist and some minor ones are encountered from time to time. However, the big ones are done and gone. That's where the skepticism comes in. The demon in my story is one of the sons of Avek-Hen.

So, I'm banking on people being exceptionally skeptical of this because fo the demon in question.

Why does this remind me of Naruto lol.

Anyway, it's perfectly plausible for there to be some skepticism. As others have said, is it because of the rarity of the demon, or just because it is such a daunting task that no one would believe he could do it? Or both? Those are questions to think about.

It sounds to me like you are going for both. I'd say first make the skepticism just be about the rarity/non-existence of the creature. Eventually, after coming to terms with its existence, maybe then there can be some "Whoah, you really think you're going to hunt THAT!?" going on.

/2 cents.

Maxx · May 21, 2013

TheRob1 said:
Ok, I guess some more information is required to illustrate the world view. Demon's are considered real, but highly rare. Like many fantasy worlds this one is kind of post apocalyptic. There was an incredibly advanced society of wizards (kind of techno-necro-mancers if you will) that brought their own downfall through the overuse of powerful magic (They essentially weaponized demons. If you could imagine a demon that was bound to nuclear weapon). This caused an event which was named for a powerful Demon called Avek-Hen. Avek-Hen had sons and daughters who basically ran rough-shod over the world for more than a century before humanity finally beat them back.

Fast forward some 800 years and my story is taking place. Demons are known to exist and some minor ones are encountered from time to time. However, the big ones are done and gone. That's where the skepticism comes in. The demon in my story is one of the sons of Avek-Hen.

So, I'm banking on people being exceptionally skeptical of this because fo the demon in question.

This may be a little off-topic, but I had a moment when the MC was working on some magic and the helpful orcs with whom he was hitching a ride did not doubt there was magic at hand, but they were concerned that he didn't know what he was doing and that maybe he needed more training or more brain drugs or both. One also suggested that they detour to a more reputable magic book store to cross-check some of his information. Since the MC kept lying about various things, the helpful orcs were legitimately puzzled and did in fact express a lot of skepticism about everything, though it had more to do with concern than complete disbelief. Similarly when discussing Avek-Hen and such, minor characters might suggest the MC isn't doing something healthy or practical.

Max Vaehling · May 21, 2013

Sounds like one of those real-world people who think the government is running a conspiracy against them and that's why Kennedy had to die.

Maybe it's a common delusion? Except in your protagonist's case?

skepticism in fantasy

TheRob1

Trained by the soft master

Honest Bill

practical experience, FTW

rwm4768

practical experience, FTW

RichardGarfinkle

Second Edition and Second Laughter

lilyWhite

Love and Excitement

rwm4768

practical experience, FTW

JRehnay

My cats don't let me sleep.

Brightdreamer

Benign Lurker, Doomed Lardlump

Buffysquirrel

TheRob1

Trained by the soft master

benbenberi

practical experience, FTW

Buffysquirrel

Russell Secord

nearly perfect

kyocrisis

Einherjar

Maxx

Got the hang of it, here

Max Vaehling