Every story set in a fictional world needs a character who the audience likes and roots for from the beginning to the end. A character who has his own flaws and fears he must overcome if he is to defeat the villain and save the world. This character is none other than the fantasy hero and there’s a reason why he appears in every great tale of the genre.
At first glance, making the hero seems simple on paper but that simplicity is deceptive, for doing so is far more nuanced than you think. One crucial detail in crafting a great hero is fleshing out his qualities and traits. These two elements illuminate who he is at heart and serve as the basis for the rationale for the decisions he makes throughout the plot.
In order for the audience to identify with the fantasy hero, he must be relatable. That is, he shouldn’t come off as perfect, knowing everything there is to know about everything. Rather, he must have his own strengths and weaknesses and through his eyes and perspective, the audience learns more about the world and the other characters since the two are on a journey together.
The hero doesn’t adventure alone. He has a group of people who accompanies him or those who he crosses paths with. How these interactions go shape the remainder of the plot for good or ill. The best tales have a number of fantastic characters who have different personalities and outlooks, some that lead to great friendships or mutual enmity.
This is article number twenty in the series delving into the various fantasy characters. If you want to peruse our other articles, you can find them on our blog page!
Whether you’re creating a video game, a graphic novel, or novel, the hero ought to be one of the first things to focus on. Thus, it is imperative that you compose one that possesses qualities and traits that make him interesting for both your audience and the other characters. What you use for him will play an important role in the plot so having the right ones is important.
The typical fantasy hero comes in many shapes and sizes. One might be as large as a ox but be timid whereas another might be as small as a mouse but have great courage. Many stories feature the hero as an everyday person who gets swept up in events beyond his control. His physical appearance mirrors that of the community he’s from — think of Frodo Baggins from LOTR — right down to how he speaks and his mannerisms.
One common trait all heroes have is kindness. They are nice to everyone who they interact with and go out of their way to help those who need it. Some even make friends with the local animals! Their kindness makes it easy for them to see the good in others, notably those who other characters fail to notice or believed to be beyond redemption.
The fantasy hero’s positive outlook on the world enables him to be upbeat even during tumultuous times. This positivity is infectious, giving the others more hope that things can still turn around when when the prospect of victory seems far from certain. Though he himself may despair at times, his optimism will eventually reassert itself and give him the strength to go on.
A generous number of stories showcase the hero having grown up in a tough environment. It could be a house in disrepair, difficult family dynamics, or poor economic conditions. These hardships make make him stronger and capable of weathering anything which will serve him well in the plot.
If there’s one thing the audience loves about the hero, it’s the fact that they can easily relate to him. It’s because they see things in him that they have themselves or have seen in other people. Having him be relatable makes it easier for the audience to cheer for when the chips are down and he has to choose between picking himself up or admitting defeat.
It’s imperative to have the fantasy hero have strengths and weaknesses and fears as well. They help make him more rounded and interesting than one who has no flaws or weaknesses at all. For instance, a protagonist who has a fear of water will eventually have to face his fear whenever he has to cross a great river and the audience will clamor for him to face it so that he can become stronger.
Another way the audience identifies with the hero is when he experiences growth during the course of the plot. He is a different person at the end than he was at the beginning and they want to see how he grows and how his newfound growth shapes the decisions he makes later on.
Just like in real life where people experience both victory and defeat, so does the fantasy hero. It wouldn’t be a good story if the protagonist simply crushes all the obstacles and challenges the plot throws at him without breaking a sweat. The audience wants to see how he copes when he faces a devastating setback that causes him to question what he believes in.
Another vital element of the hero that makes him relatable is what he believes in. His belief system one aspect that influences his decision-making. For instance, if he values family above everything else, it’ll affect every decision he makes and cause him to do things he might not otherwise do, especially if he believes his family is threatened.
The story would be boring if it was just the hero and he had no interactions with any other character. One of the most fascinating aspects of the plot is showcasing the relationships he has with the others. Take Frodo from LOTR as an example. He’s friends with Merry, Pippin, Sam, and Gandalf. The relationship he has with each one of them is different and reveals a side of him which is explored more as they journey together.
Some tales focus on establishing the friendships the fantasy hero has at the beginning of the plot. The audience spends time with them before the inciting incident that shifts everything into high gear. These relationships will pay off later on when times become tough and the characters are forced to make difficult decisions they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.
Other stories have the hero start off alone and he meets people throughout his quest. Some become stalwart allies, others fierce enemies who attempt to sabotage him every step of the way. The protagonist must decide who he can trust and he’ll also have to learn how to gauge a person’s trustworthiness. This can make for a compelling storyline, especially if he is slow to trust.
Having the fantasy hero socialize with the other characters is a golden opportunity for him (and the audience) to learn about how they perceive the world and other people. How they see things is shaped by what they’ve experienced in their lives. In this vein, the protagonist can discover something that may prove crucial down the road.
The relationship dynamics between the hero and the others aren’t static. They change over time, either to the detriment or the betterment of the plot which influences how it progresses, notably in the latter stages. For instance, a strong friendship at first may weaken due to a character’s ever-growing jealousy that spurs him to betray the protagonist.
The fantasy hero is a staple of the genre. When building one for your own story, take as much time as you need considering you only have one chance to make a solid impression to create one your audience can’t get enough of!
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