"high" fantasy

[DungeonMaster]

You watched that D&D movie too many times...or too many red suited star trek fellas...nope...if there's a npc called "sacrifice", I'm not a subscriber.

[Nomadic]

You watched that D&D movie too many times...or too many red suited star trek fellas...nope...if there's a npc called "sacrifice", I'm not a subscriber.

I was referring more to people like samwise gamgee. Of course if Hu Mon Sakrofays wants to be the heroes sidekick who am I to stop him.

[DungeonMaster]

Sam was the icon of uber-loyal side-kick and co-protagonist...shame on you.

[Elemental_Elf]

You watched that D&D movie too many times...or too many red suited star trek fellas...nope...if there's a npc called "sacrifice", I'm not a subscriber.

I was referring more to people like samwise gamgee. Of course if Hu Mon Sakrofays wants to be the heroes sidekick who am I to stop him.

Samwise is the glue that kept Frodo's mind intact. If not for Samwise, Frodo would have become another Golem. Plus, we all know Pippin and Merry were pretty useless until the last fight. I think they're more of the character archetype you're looking for.

[Nomadic]

You watched that D&D movie too many times...or too many red suited star trek fellas...nope...if there's a npc called "sacrifice", I'm not a subscriber.

I was referring more to people like samwise gamgee. Of course if Hu Mon Sakrofays wants to be the heroes sidekick who am I to stop him.

Samwise is the glue that kept Frodo's mind intact. If not for Samwise, Frodo would have become another Golem. Plus, we all know Pippin and Merry were pretty useless until the last fight. I think they're more of the character archetype you're looking for.

Merry and Pippin definately fit the bill. However Sam WAS 'seemingly' useless. Don't think about it from the perspective of a reader who can look in and see things from a whole ton of angles the characters can't. Look at it through the eyes of some character meeting Sam and Frodo for the first time. Could you honestly look at those two and think this little hobbit gardener would make a difference in helping his master succeed in his quest against the most powerful being in middle earth? Will he in the end? Heck yes, but not in any way you would probably imagine. Thus at first he would seem quite laughably useless in this apparently hopeless quest.

[Elemental_Elf]

Ah yes from that perspective, Samwise would seem out of place and not much more than a meatshield.

[Drizztrocks]

He hit the orcs with a frying pan....

[Nomadic]

He hit the orcs with a frying pan....

He took improved improvised weapon

[Drizztrocks]

Sam is my favirote character in the lord of the rings (Along with Aragorn, Legolas, Frodo, Gandalf, Faramir and Pippin). He was a very interesting character, and made a big difference even though he barely ever did much fighting. I absolutely love two parts specifically: Sam talking to Frodo after Osgiliath fell talking about the great stories and those folk didn't give up, and when Gollum set up Sam saying that he ate the bread and Frodo told him to stay behind.

 The first represents how inspirational Sam is, and his amazing bravery in the face of huge danger despite his lack of skills or experience. I think this helped make for a great story, and may be an important part of high fantasy. That one character who "steps up" and helps the rest of the world through sheer bravery. Although such a thing is very unrealistic in the real world, it works very well in high fantasy.

 That mixed with destiny can also be very interesting.

[Nomadic]

Sam is my favirote character in the lord of the rings (Along with Aragorn, Legolas, Frodo, Gandalf, Faramir and Pippin). He was a very interesting character, and made a big difference even though he barely ever did much fighting. I absolutely love two parts specifically: Sam talking to Frodo after Osgiliath fell talking about the great stories and those folk didn't give up, and when Gollum set up Sam saying that he ate the bread and Frodo told him to stay behind.

 The first represents how inspirational Sam is, and his amazing bravery in the face of huge danger despite his lack of skills or experience. I think this helped make for a great story, and may be an important part of high fantasy. That one character who "steps up" and helps the rest of the world through sheer bravery. Although such a thing is very unrealistic in the real world, it works very well in high fantasy.

 That mixed with destiny can also be very interesting.

It happens in the real world too, bravery can inspire incredible things. I wouldn't discount it in the real world.