What's your favorite stereotypical fantasy character? - Page 2

ShortNCuddlyAm · 11-25-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayrad

Oh, this thread reminds me of Diana Wynne Jones' incredibly funny The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, a ruthless dissection of the generic quest fantasy.

I love that book

I voted for number 5, except I was thinking more in the way of female characters of that type, as per some of Mary Gentle's characters

ChipnDale · 11-25-2008, 05:20 PM

Other: The Mad Scientist - Very frumply dressed, usually quite old, usually forgetful/absent-minded, brilliant mind but socially akward, usually solitary, pictured as having glasses and crazy hair.

I like MS becaue they can be good or evil, male or female, human or other...it usually depends on the author and where s/he is going with the story.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 11-25-2008, 05:20 PM

How could I have forgotten mad scientist?

montsnmags · 11-25-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayrad

...
Here's a simultaneous sendup of Tolkien and Eddings:
"ANGLO-SAXON COSSACKS live in the Steppes and breed HORSES. They try to look like HORSES themselves by wearing their hair in ponytails. They ride often, expertly and acrobatically. In fact, they show off rather."

If I remember rightly (it was over 20 years ago), they feature in the Thomas Covenant Chronicles too, though Donaldson had a variation: the "anglo-saxon cossacks" never actually rode the super-sized horses?

Cheers,
Marc

dcbcreative · 11-25-2008, 06:10 PM

Gosh... ...I voted for "Capable Captain or Mercenary" but has to say after reviewing other folks responses (That will teach me to be less poll impulsive in the future) that "mad scientist" or "tavern wenches" are easy favorites as well.

Actually they kind of all go together- Every good swashbuckler/captain/mercenary/privateer needs a competent "mad scientist" to supply him/her with their gadgets when not keeping the majestic airship aloft and what good is an adventure without a bawdy "tavern wench" with a heart of gold to keep the swashbuckler/captain/mercenary/privateer gallant in spite of themself.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 11-25-2008, 06:12 PM

Air/sky pirate + mad scientist is a very good combo. Who else but a mad scientist can come up with the weaponry to blast air kraken out of the way?

JSWolf · 11-25-2008, 06:18 PM

I voted for other because I like some of the stereotypical characters Terry Pratchett uses in Discowrld and his take on them.

dcbcreative · 11-25-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I voted for other because I like some of the stereotypical characters Terry Pratchett uses in Discowrld and his take on them.

Oh, excellent point... ...Terry Pratchett creates or expands on stereotypical characters wonderfully.

Who doesn't have delusional aspirations of being Lord Havelock Vetinari some day (Just finished reading "Making Money" a week back)? Even if by nature they are more like Rincewind and are so lazy that their prime motivation for working out is so its easier to carry their own body weight.

=X= · 11-25-2008, 06:42 PM

Can't believe you've omitted the classic most traditional arch type

Cavalier /Don Quijote Type: Bound by duty and honor to protect the poor and defenseless, to rescue fair maidens.

Anyhow that is how I cast my vote for, but the wise wizard is a close second.

=X=

Steven Lyle Jordan · 11-26-2008, 02:36 PM

Wise old mentor, chose I did. My favorite, always he was. Wise old mentors you should underestimate not!

Slite · 11-27-2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Wise old mentor, chose I did. My favorite, always he was. Wise old mentors you should underestimate not!

Bend over to feel the force, you must!

tHeFiRsTiDioT · 11-27-2008, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcbcreative

Oh, excellent point... ...Terry Pratchett creates or expands on stereotypical characters wonderfully.

Who doesn't have delusional aspirations of being Lord Havelock Vetinari some day (Just finished reading "Making Money" a week back)? Even if by nature they are more like Rincewind and are so lazy that their prime motivation for working out is so its easier to carry their own body weight.

I vote for the cynical 'I-am-not-a-hero' hero a la Sam Vimes? Maybe can be called the reluctant hero.

vivaldirules · 11-27-2008, 09:55 AM

I really like your summary of character stereotypes, Tracy. These rang loud and clear for me. I think their use or overuse may be a large part of the reason that most fantasy, and fiction in general, no longer appeal to me as much as they once did.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 11-27-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slite

Bend over to feel the force, you must!

Not while standing behind me you are...

View Poll Results: What's your favorite stereotypical fantasy character?
Wizard/Wise old guy serving as mentor	9	23.68%
Grumpy warrior/fighter	6	15.79%
Teenage Princess	2	5.26%
Teenage boy of apparently humble birth	2	5.26%
Capable Captain or Mercenary	7	18.42%
Nerdy Cleric or Religious Devotee	1	2.63%
Amazon	1	2.63%
Other?	10	26.32%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

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11-25-2008, 05:20 PM	#17
ChipnDale Rescue Rangers Posts: 109 Karma: 2144082 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Visitor from another planet Device: IPad	Other: The Mad Scientist - Very frumply dressed, usually quite old, usually forgetful/absent-minded, brilliant mind but socially akward, usually solitary, pictured as having glasses and crazy hair. I like MS becaue they can be good or evil, male or female, human or other...it usually depends on the author and where s/he is going with the story.

11-25-2008, 05:20 PM	#18
ShortNCuddlyAm WWHALD Posts: 7,879 Karma: 337114 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mitcham, Surrey, UK Device: iPad. Selling my silver 505 here	How could I have forgotten mad scientist?

11-25-2008, 06:10 PM	#20
dcbcreative Window shopper... Posts: 23 Karma: 188 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Device: Interested in the iRex Digital Reader	Gosh... ...I voted for "Capable Captain or Mercenary" but has to say after reviewing other folks responses (That will teach me to be less poll impulsive in the future) that "mad scientist" or "tavern wenches" are easy favorites as well. Actually they kind of all go together- Every good swashbuckler/captain/mercenary/privateer needs a competent "mad scientist" to supply him/her with their gadgets when not keeping the majestic airship aloft and what good is an adventure without a bawdy "tavern wench" with a heart of gold to keep the swashbuckler/captain/mercenary/privateer gallant in spite of themself.

11-25-2008, 06:12 PM	#21
ShortNCuddlyAm WWHALD Posts: 7,879 Karma: 337114 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mitcham, Surrey, UK Device: iPad. Selling my silver 505 here	Air/sky pirate + mad scientist is a very good combo. Who else but a mad scientist can come up with the weaponry to blast air kraken out of the way?

11-25-2008, 06:18 PM	#22
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,897 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I voted for other because I like some of the stereotypical characters Terry Pratchett uses in Discowrld and his take on them.

11-25-2008, 06:42 PM	#24
=X= Wizard Posts: 3,671 Karma: 12205348 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Galaxy S, Nook w/CM7	Can't believe you've omitted the classic most traditional arch type Cavalier /Don Quijote Type: Bound by duty and honor to protect the poor and defenseless, to rescue fair maidens. Anyhow that is how I cast my vote for, but the wise wizard is a close second. =X=

11-26-2008, 02:36 PM	#25
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Wise old mentor, chose I did. My favorite, always he was. Wise old mentors you should underestimate not!

11-27-2008, 09:55 AM	#28
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	I really like your summary of character stereotypes, Tracy. These rang loud and clear for me. I think their use or overuse may be a large part of the reason that most fantasy, and fiction in general, no longer appeal to me as much as they once did.