"high" fantasy

[Kindling]

One thing I have never tried with any of my creations here at the CBG is to create a high-fantasy setting. It's something I'm interested in for my next project, to see if I can create something suitably epic or "high" while still keeping the kind of flavour or moods that I enjoy in the settings I create.

This will be something of a challenge, I expect :)

So, I thought before I begin, or at least while I am in the early stages, I would ask the help of the community at large to help me come up with some kind of definition of high-fantasy for me to work with and, if need be, deform.

As I see it...

There must be an epic quality to the setting, even if it only in terms of scale - an empire to last a thousand years, a desert that stretches into eternity, and horde of countless orcs

There should be opportunity for heroism and villainy on a legendary scale, most probably supported by an absolute and tangible morality

There should be a multiplicity of sentient races (I'm not sure this one is entirely necessary, but in my mind it can definitely contribute to the high-fantasy aesthetic)

Magic should be a powerful force in the world, although probably not exactly commonplace.

Others please help me out by continuing :)

[Nomadic]

The PCs should through their actions be able to dramatically change the world they live in.

[Elemental_Elf]

- Lots and lots of ancient ruins for PCs to explore.
- Lots of Magical places where few dare to tread
- Active Gods
- Lots of tiny kingdoms whose sole existence relies on the existence of super powerful mages and/or equally powerful artifacts.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

An old thread I had on much the same topic. Perhaps some of the discussion there will spark some ideas.

[Steerpike]

- Dragons!  Or something like them.

- Some concept of destiny, fate, or fortune as a tangible force in the world.

[Elemental_Elf]

- A Destiny that is easily manipulated by benevolent and malevolent forces.

[Nomadic]

don't forget cliche names...

- Thurgorm Bronzebeard
- Me'shyka Lilydancer
- Fergurm Coppergears
- Dagan Sneakyblade
- Urgh Smashaxe

[khyron1144]

An entirely fictional start from scratch world.

Examples:
DC Earth and Marvel Earth don't count.
Hyborian Ages (Conan) doesn't count.
Middle Earth does count.
Narnia counts, sort of.
Xanth counts, sort of.
Discworld counts.
Young Kingdoms (Elric) count.
Newhon (Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser) counts.

It doesn't hurt if the world feels like an established real world mythology/religion.

[Steerpike]

I'm interested why you'd reject Conan's Hyborian Age, but accept Newhon as high fantasy.

[Kindling]

If by "entirely fiction start from scratch" you mean "does not draw direct influence from anything in the real world" then Middle Earth, the Discworld and the Young Kingdoms don't actually count... but also, thanks for your feedback, everyone, it's all definitely stuff to bear in mind!

[Llum]

For the power-scale comment. I think the characters have to start out low (like a commoner/squire/woodsman) and eventually become uber. So the power curve is really steep, not just start out uber and doesn't change.

Giant monsters, be it dragons or something else (like Steerpike said) is an important part.

Nothing about space. I find as soon as this is mentioned... the high fantasy vibe is ruined.

[khyron1144]

I'm interested why you'd reject Conan's Hyborian Age, but accept Newhon as high fantasy.

The Hyborian Age is postulated as lost history of our world with a little magic and a few monsters added.

As far as I can remember Newhon was not.

[Steerpike]

Ah - so it's the fact that the setting is technically earth that's the big deal?  Wouldn't that disqualify Middle Earth (also a primordial earth)?  Magic wise there might be a bit less in Conan than in Newhon and Middle  but hardly a vast amount.

[Elemental_Elf]

I'm interested why you'd reject Conan's Hyborian Age, but accept Newhon as high fantasy.

Conan is Sword and Sorcery rather than High Fantasy.

[Mason]

The PCs should through their actions be able to dramatically change the world they live in.

I think that is probably the most important bit.