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One of the essential components of constructing a fantasy world from scratch is populating the world with all kinds of people who perform different functions. Even if they appear in the story for just one scene, they are nevertheless part of the world. Each person in the world plays his own role and that is more evident when it comes to that of the fantasy king.
Reflecting his real-world counterpart, the king in fantasy is one of the most powerful people in both the realm he reigns over and the world at large. The monarch may sit on a throne within the hallowed halls of a castle but the policies he puts into law permeates all over the kingdom for good and bad. Though his primary goal is to advance his country’s interests, the king also has his own set of goals to pursue that might not necessarily be in the best interests of his kingdom.
There is not just one singular type of fantasy king. There are may different kinds, each dictated on his personality and upbringing. Some rule the realm benevolently, choosing to always put the welfare of their people ahead of their own whereas others have an iron grip on power and use it in malevolent ways to the detriment of their people.
Officially considered the head of the state, the king is one of the most powerful people in the world. With just one word, he can sentence dissidents to death or order his country to mobilize for war against a hostile nation. Monarchs have a wide latitude in which to exercise their powers and a great many use them to their advantage.
This is the first article in the series chronicling the various characters of the world. If you’d like to see what else we have, you can find them on our blog page!
Kings are an integral part of the fantasy genre, appearing in many works. Some are depicted as kindly men who work tirelessly to keep their people safe from harm, a stark contrast to those who have no qualms about using them to advance his goals. Regardless if they’re good or bad, all kings have several core functions that they share.
The typical fantasy king commands great power. As the sovereign of the realm, he is enshrined with enormous power at his disposal that he can use at all times. The powers he wields range from administrative to executive to judicial. Whatever he proclaims becomes the law of the land and all those who violate it will be punished accordingly.
As the head of the state, the king is tasked with enforcing the realm’s laws. He does so in a number of ways from using the military to stamp out resistance, quell an uprising that threatens his rule, and implement order in lawless towns and cities. The monarch doesn’t want to rule over a nation that is coming apart at the seams or one where criminals run amok.
Another function a fantasy king has is presiding over official ceremonies and events dear to the realm. It could be the anniversary of the founding of the country, a holiday celebration like harvest, or a grand event like a ball. Holding sway over all these gatherings helps cement people’s loyalty to the realm and foster connections that will persevere in the midst of tumultuous times.
When it comes to making decisions that affect the country, the king customarily has a royal council who serve him. His advisers each specialize in one part of the royal government such as the treasury or the military and they issue their opinion on the matters of the day. The wisest kings listen to what they have to say and make the decision he feels is right for the realm whereas others essentially run roughshod over his advisers and do whatever he wants.
The people of a fantasy world come in all shapes and sizes, each one with their own personality. The same holds true when it comes to the fantasy king. What makes this individual different than most others is that the type of person he is will dictate how things go across the realm and the world.
Some works showcase a benevolent king, a grandfatherly figure if you will. He sits on the throne, listening to his people as they voice their concerns on the state of the realm. He understands that he has a responsibility to ensure that his people are happy and safe and he works constantly to make it happen.
On the opposite end of the spectrum sits a tyrannical monarch. This fantasy king wields his powers much like an autocrat, ordering all dissidents to be rounded up and put in prison. He uses the military to maintain order and eliminate all his rivals, for he will brook no opposition to his rule.
Many stories focus on a monarch who sits somewhere in that spectrum. He endeavors to be both loved and feared by his people. He exercises his powers to keep them safe from outside threats but he won’t hesitate to use them against his own people. This type of king is willing to let dissidents voice their opinions but he draws the line when they move beyond words.
Another type of fantasy king that also appears in a variety of works is one who is aloof to the going-ons of the world. He is unconcerned about things that are transpiring within the country’s borders, caring only about fulfilling his needs. He lets the chief minister run the show, only appearing when he has to make a decision. Unfortunately, due to his aloofness and neglect in running the country, people are more likely to commit crimes and get away with it because nobody believes he will actually do something about it.
Due to his position as the leader of a country, the king sits among the most powerful people in the world. With his position comes a great assortment of powers that he can use to shape the world in both positive and negative ways. He does so by making decisions that affect either his kingdom or the world or both.
A fantasy king interacts with other heads of state to discuss all sorts of matters. Some are simply trade agreements, military alliances, and so on. When relations break down between his nation and another one, he can issue a declaration of war and call his military to mobilize quickly. Each decision he makes with foreign leaders will reverberate throughout the realm.
The best kings work to advance their goals and aims using a number of options at their disposal abroad. Some resort to subterfuge whereas others seek open and fair cooperation. In extreme cases, they funnel funds and other resources to try to oust leaders who pose a threat to their ambitions.
When it comes to domestic issues, whatever the fantasy king dictates goes no matter what. He can enact new laws and regulations, make changes to both his tax and economic policies, and work to curb the power of his most outspoken opponents. These decisions can make him popular or hated among the mass populace.
The king’s decisions don’t just impact the world, they too shape the story. The protagonist experiences the fateful consequences firsthand by seeing people living happy and prosperous lives or dwelling in the doldrums of despair. Witnessing them will spur him to make a choice that could very well affect not just his fate but that of the realm and the world by extension.
There’s a reason why so many stories and worlds within the fantasy genre involve at least one king. They show him in different lights and how he is perceived drives many plot lines. How he governs his country and leaves it at the end of his reign will determine how he’s remembered in the history books.
The typical fantasy king has several core functions that he must fulfill. He works to enforce the laws of the realm, preside over social functions that help keep his people united, and deal with hostile actors both inside and out. A good monarch always listens to the members of his council for input so he can have as much information as he needs in order to make a decision that affects a great number of people.
There is not just one type of king. There are some who are benevolent, always wanting nothing less than the best for their people, and there are some who inspire fear in them. The latter uses his considerable powers to squelch opposition and imprison dissidents and others opposed to his rule.
On the world stage, a fantasy king plays a great role. He is able to negotiate treaties of all kinds, from economic to military, that if in the best interests of his people will be a boon to the realm. Worsening relations between his kingdom and another nation can escalate to war that can have debilitating effects on both countries.
The king is an instrumental part of building a fantasy world, notably one set in medieval times. If your story takes place in such a time, you can’t go wrong with bringing this type of character in it!
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