Though some fantasy worlds may stagnate technologically, the majority experience some that can fundamentally affect every aspect of everyday life. For instance, a world that depends largely on horses for transportation and when automobiles are developed, these four-legged animals are replaced as its main means of getting around. Such technological leaps couldn’t be possible without the occupation of the fantasy scientist.
Scientists in fantasy get a bad reputation largely because the mass media depict them as madman but that only applies to a small minority. The typical scientist is constantly conducting experiments to make the world around himself better and invent new ways of doing things to help people not have to work so hard.
To assist in his research endeavors, the fantasy scientist uses several things. The trusty paper is an invaluable tool since it is the thing he documents everything on. From small drawings showcasing the size of his new invention to detailing each mistake he makes, the paper helps him keep track of his progress.
A smart scientist questions many of the things the world takes for granted. He conducts experiments to assess the validity of them in order to increase the breadth of knowledge for everyone. Experiments to determine whether a watery area is poisonous or to measure the wind speed helps people learn more about the world they live in.
The number one goal of the typical fantasy scientist is to help the world become a better place for everyone to live in. The experiments he does could one day lead to a breakthrough that raises everyone’s standard of living and let them live longer and more fulfilling lives.
This is the twenty-seventh article in the series chronicling the different types of fantasy occupations. For more, take a gander at our blog page where you should have no problem finding one that catches your eye!
The scientist in fantasy is thirsty for knowledge. He wants to learn as much as he can about the world around him but he knows he cannot do it alone. Instead, he relies on several tools to help him; these tools are so integral in his scientific endeavors that there is no way he could do them without them.
The number one tool at his disposal is none other than his mind. He sees things the vast majority of people don’t. He has a great willingness to question things. To figure out how to get to the bottom of them, he uses his mind to create and develop experiments that he hopes will yield him answers.
Another essential tool, or rather tools, is the pen and paper. The fantasy scientist will spend hours meticulously documenting every aspect of his questions, the experiments he’s working on, and so on all using the pen and paper. It’s hard to keep all that information in his head without forgetting something. The pen and paper enables him to easily refer back to them when needed.
Depending on the world, the scientist utilizes several contraptions, some of which he personally made himself, to help him. They range in scope from being an unique heat source where he can see how long it takes for something to melt down to a source of energy like wind or plasma that generates the power for him to conduct his experiments. The beauty of this is you can come up with your own creations! Just be sure to provide a good reason for their existence. Doing this helps your audience immerse themselves more into your world.
All scientists have a lab for them to work in and the lab is chock full of instruments that perform a variety of functions. From beakers to pliers, each one of them is used in various experiments that help solve the question the scientist is attempting to answer.
If there’s one fun thing about being a scientist, it’s doing experiments. Experiments take up a great bulk of the scientists’ time and are their way of solving the question they’ve taken it upon themselves to answer. Many times, they have to take an outside-the-box approach when it comes to designing them.
So what kind of experiments does the fantasy scientist undertake? The world in which he dwells dictates the type of experiments he’ll do. For instance, a scientist in a medieval world will focus on those that will increase the longevity of the species as opposed to one in a futuristic world where he’ll look at those that will increase the speed a starship flies at. Matching the right type to the right world makes it easier for your audience to immerse themselves in it!
A large number of fictional worlds take place in the medieval era, which means that experiments that make everyone’s lives easier are number one here. Experiments such as those that unlock the power of wind or water pave the way for them to be used as a power source. Figuring out how to make food like fruits and vegetables last longer without going bad enables them to be transported across long distances, reaching new markets where people will eat them for the first time.
If people start getting sick all of a sudden, the fantasy scientist will study their symptoms and attempt to piece together the source of the mysterious illness. He works to find the common denominator through a mixture of questions and various experiments. If it is an outside source, like a lake that’s suddenly become poisonous, he will take a water sample and test its toxicity. The bottom line is, he wants to find out the cause and works to pinpoint it with the aim of saving lives.
The scientist works to understand the awesome power of the weather. Experiments like using a metal rod to attract lightning and cups to collect raindrops are commonly used to help him learn more about it. These experiments help him learn more about how weather affects the world and what can be done to minimize the damage it causes. The knowledge he amasses in his research efforts can be shared with the world to invent a myriad of things such as a new type of roof that makes it easy for rainwater to slide off, weatherproofing buildings so that they don’t get severely damaged during a vicious thunderstorm, and so on.
Lots of people in fantasy worlds have hard lives. They work long hours to give their children a better life and the number one reason why people become scientists is to make the world a better place.
Through his numerous experiments, the fantasy scientist conducts research that will lead to an invention that will revolutionize the world. Such an invention will make things better for everyone, especially the people who need it the most. For instance, air conditioning enables people to be cool during the hot days of summer, dramatically reducing the chances of dying from heatstroke or other heat-related problems.
While he does most of his work in the lab, there’ll be occasions where he’ll have to travel to other places where he can do them. This is because the conditions he needs for them to work cannot be replicated in the lab, experiments like determining whether a volcano is poised to erupt. Conducting experiments out in the world helps him learn more about it.
The scientist has a network of colleagues he collaborates with on various endeavors. In some cases, he’ll work with several on certain experiments since they have more knowledge in the field. Other times, he’ll be asked to assist in research, documenting the information his colleagues gather from their experiments.
A fantasy scientist has a deep thirst for knowledge of the world. He wants to learn as much as he can about it and the experiments he does helps him unravel some of its mysteries. He shares that knowledge with the world, hoping that the research he does throughout his career will lead to an even greater understanding of how it works.
The occupation of the scientist is a fascinating addition to the world. The burning desire to unlock the world’s secrets can usher in a period of unprecedented technological change with the potential to alter every aspect of it. Through his tireless efforts, the knowledge he gathers from his work has the chance to make everybody’s lives better.
A fantasy scientist doesn’t do all the work alone. The arsenal of tools he uses ranges from beakers to the ever-faithful writing instrument and paper. Using a combination of them helps him safeguard the info he collects without it fading away due to the long march of time.
Throughout the course of his career, the scientist will do various experiments, depending on the subject he’s studying. Some work on increasing the length of time food remains healthy and edible whereas others focus on understanding more about the weather and how it affects the world.
The scientist wants to help make the world a better place. His experiments are the vehicle he hopes to help make it happen, for the information he gathers from his work will be used to help make everyone happier and lead more fulfilling lives.
Including the occupation of the fantasy scientist in your world is a great way to show your audience that though they may not necessarily see them in a prominent role, they get to see that there’s a lot more to the world that they’ve seen thus far. It’ll make them want to learn more about it!
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