Fantasy Tropes I LOVE | Captured in Words

[@CapturedInWords]

The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/capturedinwords09201 What are some of your favorite fantasy tropes?? They can be as basic or as oddly specific as you like! My video on 'Fantasy Tropes I Hate' will be up next week!

[@ChristmasLore]

Just wishing there were videos more often here 🍃 enjoying the channel quite a lot 🍃 Nothing wrong with old tropes done well, even the chosen one. Also, who doesn't care for the wise old wizard mentor? I feel anti-tropes, reversion of tropes, "morally grey characters" is a trend that will ...soon(?)..sooner or later, come to an end. At this point, it's been done to death. Same for the tireing trend of "hard" magic systems. Nice take on the arc of Dalinar. It's unusual to follow the character at this point of his development, with "only" the flashbacks to discover the beginning of his journey.

[@ChristmasLore]

The first "training session": Highlander!!!

[@isabellanesheiwat8]

This one is really small and not limited to just fantasy, but I love this one: Guard Dude: You cannot enter this sacred place with weapons. The group: *empties pockets and scabbards* *That one member only places a small dagger in the pile* Guard Dude: *glares* That one member: *sighs and empties out 4 more weapons* Guard Dude: *glares harder* Member: Ugh fine. *puts 5 more weapons down* The longer this goes on the funnier it is, and it never gets old

[@CapturedInWords]

Hahaha I love this too! 😂

[@kobbyquayson]

I'm just waiting for this scene with Matt in the WOT show.

[@isabellanesheiwat8]

@@CapturedInWords It’s always hilarious. And it’s even funnier when it’s the character you least expect 😂😂

[@zepwafels]

@@isabellanesheiwat8 /watch?v=gAMPsIAuszA

[@timothyhansen7026]

Yess along the lines of this trope: BrotherhoodWorkshop did a fantastic stop-motion lego short of The Two Towers when Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli leave all their weapons outside Meduseld except for Gandalf’s staff; go watch it now it was hilarious!

[@Celtic_Blade]

I have always loved the pure friend with the sinner friend. “Don’t kill him. It’ll poison your soul! Let me kill him, mine’s already black.”

[@angelamccollister]

"Crouching moron, hidden badass" make me spit out my water. 🤣🤣🤣

[@pinkajou656]

Look up Overly Sarcastic Productions, they did a whole video on it and many other tropes, it’s fantastic and hilariously done.

[@alec187]

Sanderson uses tropes like a champ and still manages to create wholly original worlds, the man is insane

[@TheMichaellathrop]

It's his focus on limitations.

[@dailyplanet354]

The fellowship of people that come from different places, each with his own background and culture has to be my favourite fantasy trope of all.

[@nelisezpasce]

underrated banter

[@carlwilliams9642]

The redemption arc might be my all time favorite, but a couple of my favorites that weren't mentioned would be the Last Stand, and the Noble Sacrifice. I'm a sucker for a character that gives themselves up for the sake of others. It's the ultimate act of selflessness. And I love when a character (or small group) knows they are overwhelmed and have zero chance of survival yet they fight to the very end. Lump all three of these tropes together and you have Boromir's death from LOTR.

[@zigi1524]

Elodin, but he's kind of crazy just cracked me up 😂 and yes, please give me more sanity slippage, 'tis what I crave.

[@CapturedInWords]

Yesss more sanity slippage! Idk why crazy characters are always so fun to read

[@PetrikLeo]

Oh man, the tropes you mentioned here, when they worked well, are some of the things that makes a fantasy book work for me. Loved it! As always, wonderful video!

[@CapturedInWords]

Thanks Petrik! :D

[@Duchess_of_handalore]

My all time favorite trope is “the team normal” or basically the one non-magical character who travels with their magic user/super powered friends, despite not having powers themself, and is just really supportive and doing their best in other ways to help the team. Favorites include: Adolin Kholin in Stormlight Archive, Barley in Pixar’s Onward, and Sokka in AtlA.

[@thomasray]

Oh hey look another video from the most impressive booktuber of all

[@KellyReads]

I also agree that Zuko's story is such a great redemption arc! There were so many new realizations rewatching ATLA as an adult! Just as a side note, I really love the editing of this video & the thought you put into for some of the trope titles!

[@CamWolfeAuthor]

Watching characters go mad will never get old 👌

[@pinkajou656]

T r u e

[@nohelanikh6788]

Lost civilizations and powerful artifacts are two of my favorite tropes ☺️

[@Christopherjamesmurphy21]

I really liked the odd simplicity of john wicks dog issue

[@myribstellmesheslying]

Zuko is, like, the bar for redemption arcs.

[@CapturedInWords]

Agreed!

[@santihagne8151]

I litterally gasped when I saw the notification !!! I really needed this video !!! Dalinar has the most beautiful redemption arc ever. This is not opinion, it's fact. I am not taking any argument about it.

[@CapturedInWords]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! :D Dalinar is awesome!!

[@yasspanda2559]

I've been trying to make my friends read Stormlight so I can boldly say this fact to them.

[@Luke-nn4pm]

Have you read A Song of Ice and Fire?

[@joepickin6313]

I love descriptions of music and songs. The kingkiller chronicles do this incredibly!

[@1994abh]

I like when characters explore off map in fantasy worlds, but it almost never happens. Usually no one even questions what's out there. I also love fantasy books with no impending evil, just characters moving along in the world, like the Way of Kings.

[@moev29]

You make such solid videos. I’m sure you’re busy, but I do wish you put them out more often. They’re very thorough and high quality.

[@77789star]

I actually really love "The Chosen One" Trope, where a "kid" (yes, an actual young teen or adult) finds out he/she is something big to words he/she never knew excited and has to fulfil a long known and awaited prophesy. Like in my book (Legends and Warriors: The Chosen One by Mandy Lynn) I guess the reason is, I never felt very important in my day-to-day life and wish something extortionary would happen to me. So I really connect to characters who find out they are just that. So I like to read and write books that fill the void I wish my life was... (I was the kid even the bullies didn't want to waste their time with) and felt so invisible. So really, I just like to write whether or not it is or isn't an "overly done" trope I like to look at it like, "You can't please everyone, if someone loves it or hates it, you're on the right track." Because at least there is something to hate or love about it and the fact they read it at all to give that point is all that matters to me. I love me a good literature Kerren. They actually help me to improve without even knowing it. Edit: However, I do try to be original and creative when I do these tropes though and try not to give off the... been-there-done-that... vibe :) but reading was very hard for me to do with my eye condition, if it wasn't for the fact I wrote my own book, I can promise you I wouldn't be able to read it either. But now a-days they have dyslexic font. ;)

[@thefastmagician]

Sentient weapons goes back to RA Salvatore and Liveship Traders. Definitely one of my favorite tropes. Hidden worlds/schools is up there too. Harry Potter, the Magicians, Narnia etc.

[@malcomalexander9437]

Stormbringer predates RA Salvatore, as does the Kullervo myth.

[@asfaloth12]

All great tropes! I adore the Fellowship trope, and can never get enough of it. I totally agree that Prince Zuko is a fantastic example of the redemption trope. Thanks for sharing this :)

[@cybersketcher1130]

Peridot was also pretty good.

[@asfaloth12]

@@cybersketcher1130 , From Steven Universe? Oh, that is a good example!

[@cybersketcher1130]

@@asfaloth12 yup Steven Universe

[@loveonick1]

I love secret libraries and archives where all the hidden lore resides, there is probably hidden misteries, laberynths, lock doors and hallways. I never get tired of that trope. Love it in harry potter, and in the Kingkiller chronicle e.g.

[@rockstarknight4331]

Training montages is necessary for every story. It never gets old.

[@gdragon9338]

Samwise Gamgee is the single best character in all of fiction, and nothing will ever change my mind.

[@bethpace6936]

Thank you for including Zuko from ATLA! You just made me subscribe to your channel.

[@jessicastein5155]

One I would add is darkest hours, when done well. So satisfying when the character claws out of the pit.

[@CapturedInWords]

That's a good one! I really enjoy that as well

[@jd9720]

You should read Discworld! The City Watch books are amazing!

[@gilliandrysdale5306]

you mean he hasn’t! that’s odd

[@giannimanzano9266]

Otik's Spicy Potatoes from The Inn of the Last Home, Dragonlance Chronicles.

[@seanwelch71]

Zuko is the best arc. Damn, we got characters in common, even though you've read more modern fantasy than me.

[@alexnieves]

Great video as always, Jay! Fantasy tropes exist for a reason, and when done well they can really make a book great to read. Some of what you've said here, mainly around Stormlight and Wheel of Time, really show how awesome these tropes can be.

[@CapturedInWords]

Totally agree! Tropes become popular because they work, especially when the author adds their own flavor to it. Thanks for watching!

[@AlinaTheGoblin]

Definitely one of my favorite Jay videos, your editing keeps climbing to greater and great heights. And thanks, I always tear up a bit when I see the Riders of Rohan scene, brilliantly executed trope right there!

[@dheemidheemi]

Love the videos, man! Great editing and music.

[@SuperDoctor9]

Got to love a good ol' wise wizard! I'm also partial to the farm boy to hero trope. Always great to see an upload from Jay!

[@mana948]

Your videos make me wanna read every fantasy book that exists Never gonna be able to do it 😅

[@CapturedInWords]

That is my lifelong impossible goal 😅

[@thefrenchbookdreamer7745]

Oh my gosh, I loved your video! I a 100% agree with everything you said! And thanks for giving exemples with each trope ;)

[@jakelewis1752]

Another great video 👌 please keep them coming

[@rahmahmeligy8033]

The amount of editing you do is just impressive. Welcome back

[@RoccoGuyBoiThing]

Damn man. I think I'm more excited for your videos when I see them than any other KZbinr right now. Whether it's about kkc or not. Your production quality is great.

[@serastewan1664]

Your videos are some of the few I really sit down for to watch and not just mostly listen to. They're well made and I love your editing. Another great video! Curious to see what tropes you dislike. I'm personally very much a fan of the found family trope. Hope your mom can get the treatment she needs!

[@jamesalphonse2125]

Wooooww the quality of your video it’s a 10000 out 10.Excellent.👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@wordedworld3010]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING!!!!!!!

[@janhavi1977]

I always get so excited when you post a new video! The lost civilization trope is one of my favorite tropes, I love it so much! I think one of the best series for that is The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington, I'd highly recommend it. And the food descriptions in Harry Potter are so delicious! I'm also obsessed with inns for some reason, lol. Really looking forward to your "hated tropes" video now! :D

[@aaliala9494]

I like everything about these tropes that you mentioned

[@jeremyfee]

Awesome video, as always.

[@Fayeluria]

I didn't even think about how much I enjoy the sentient weapon trope. It was great in Warbreaker, and if we count a ship as a weapon, it was also great in Starsight. It's usually very interesting, adds in some comical aspects and I get weirdly attached to objects in books anyway 😂 Great video as usual! 💜

[@CapturedInWords]

M-Bot from Starsight definitely has to count, he's awesome 😂Dang it I want to see more sentient weapons in books!

[@ZamWeazle]

In the Elric Stories, his Sword; Stormbringer (the black blade) is sentient and nasty. 😳

[@Fayeluria]

@@CapturedInWords I love M-Bot so much, he was probably my favourite character 😂😂

[@Fayeluria]

@@ZamWeazle I have yet to read that!

[@heatherkline6766]

​@@CapturedInWords my favorite sentient weapon from fantasy is Gonturan from the books The Hero And The Crown and The Blue Sword both by author Robin McKinley

[@inkfeats1143]

I LOVE Letters from Father Christmas! I listened to the audiobook for the first time last year and it’s definitely become a Christmas tradition.

[@TheRebelGM56]

Great video Jay! I have been thinking about tropes in fantasy recently and I love them as well, when done right it can really make a fantasy book.

[@CapturedInWords]

Thanks Peter!

[@alexanderfyock9042]

Love your videos!

[@CapturedInWords]

Thank you, glad you like them! :D

[@Amanda_the_Librarian]

I absolutely love your videos. You have such a talent and I can appreciate the time it must take you to complete one. They are a work of art. In the trope discussion, I love the descent into madness trope, I am currently reading The Great Hunt and the character slowly going insane is fascinating but he is an idiot so it’s warranted

[@CapturedInWords]

Thank you, I really appreciate it! :D Surprisingly I was able to get this video done in just 2 days, but usually it takes me a lot longer 😅 Glad you enjoyed it! Ahh the Great Hunt is an awesome book, I love the descent into madness trope

[@excellent.side.characters]

These are some truly great tropes :). I would maybe add the clever animal companion trope to my list of favourites. I'm thinking of the wolves in WoT, Vin's wolfhound (although I guess he is a spin on that trope) and Hedwig, Fawkes and Crookshanks in HP.

[@eo6435]

Amazing video as always. One of my favorite tropes is the magic school trope

[@CapturedInWords]

Thanks! ahh that's a good one, I love me a magic school as well

[@llywyllngryffyn8053]

The Clerver Trap Reversal... When the Hero secretly spots the Trap setup, secretly makes a plan to thwart it or even seemingly bumbles into it, and then when the villain springs the trap, the villain learns the hard way that the trick was seen coming from a long way off and the Hero is the one who played the villain like a fiddle. The most recent example of this was in the book The Wisdom of Crowds by Joe Abercrombie... I wont spoil what it was, but I spotted it happening from the beginning and I loved watching it unfold. Many Kudos to Joe for writing that one so well and just tipping us off enough to watch it happen and not fall for it, like the bad guy did.

[@kobbyquayson]

Glad to see the wait was worth it. I wonderful work as always.

[@CapturedInWords]

Thank you very much!

[@Rogue_VI]

But it was too short! However, a short video is better than no video...

[@CapturedInWords]

@@Rogue_VI I cut out a bunch of the video since I didn't want it to be too long, kind of wish I didn't do that now 😂 there was like 4 other tropes i mentioned that I cut

[@Rogue_VI]

@@CapturedInWords Put it back!

[@Daijinthetripod]

Hey man Love your videos, wish you and your mom all the best.

[@CapturedInWords]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@maraltbrown]

OK, I've finished watching your video for the second time (the first time is just to marvel at what you have to say and the second is to take notes of books you mention!), so now I can comment. I still haven't got the chance to get my hands on The Stormlight Achives (not many copies available at the library and always on loan!), but have been reading Brandon Sanderson's books all year long. And yes, he's really good with tropes, I've got to admit that. But look, (and here I come again) Robin Hobb's trilogies (The Farseer, The Tawny Man and Fitz and the Fool) have all the tropes you mentioned, except for the Cavalary! You really should have a go at them again. I'll keep taking onboard all suggestions of books you give, but it's going to be hard to take her out of my #1 place. Hope your mom is doing well. Cheers from Australia.

[@whimsydearest]

Zuko truly is the hallmark of how to write a good villain redemption arc. Captain Barbosa and (major Wheel of Time Spoiler below) Ishamael are good examples too. At least I'd like to consider the Betrayer of Hope partly redeemed at the end.

[@ruben2574]

3:46 Dalinar is such a good character. One of the main reasons I'm still reading the stormlight archive

[@Westly.3]

Trope time I love it! Mentor trope is one of my own personal favourites. I am a sucker for a chosen one aswell, some might hate it.

[@olemissguy200]

Tolkien himself said that Sam was the hero of lord of the rings

[@joshcabrera7212]

Great vid pretty interesting

[@CapturedInWords]

Thanks!

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

I was thinking that Wheel of Time had 2 mentors before you spelled it out. I also think of Allinon and the reformed Else Witch from Shannara.

[@safinan8008]

Great video!!

[@CapturedInWords]

Thanks!

[@barmy8219]

One that I have been seeing recently and really liked is difficult forgiveness

[@coreydinardo5525]

Great video, man! I too love these tropes. There's a book series (a top 10 for me) that you didn't mention which includes most, if not all of these tropes: the MEMORY, SORROW, & THORN trilogy by Tad Williams. Have you read it? If not, I highly recommend it. The first book in the original trilogy is called THE DRAGONBONE CHAIR.

[@atlasprime6193]

I sometimes like the Underdog trope. I say “sometimes” because it just depends on when I get tired of another trope and would want to go back to this trope. Anyway, best example I know is Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon from both the book and movie series.

[@CapturedInWords]

I can relate, I usually like the underdog but sometimes I want something different. Great example, Hiccup is a great character!

[@vtrproductions8994]

yet another amazing video one of my favorite tropes is the school/academy trope like in poppy war kingkiller harry potter etc. how do you feel about it?

[@anthonywritesfantasy]

My fave cavalry moment is in Tigana, because Brandin (the bad guy) is himself, all alone, the cavalry. And the heroes are suddenly pinned and desperate. It's a good emotional setup for that final, epic twist.

[@walternate2914]

Lost Civilizations-You gotta read Michael Sullivan's Riyria Revelations series. It's amazing. One of the best.

[@CapturedInWords]

I got them on my shelf and have been tempted to start them for awhile now... hmm I didn't know the series had lost civilizations, looks like I'll bump it up higher on my list of next series to start!

[@walternate2914]

​@@CapturedInWords Oh yeah. At first it's more of a background, sub plot in Theft of Swords, but as the series continues it continually builds and there are major payoffs in the last books. One of my favorite endings for a series. the finale is Sanderson-level satisfactory. And some of my favorite characters in all of fantasy. Can't recommend it enough and I don't know why the series doesn't get more hype.

[@ofbooksanddreams3097]

Sanity slippage and training sequences are some of my favessss. Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter does both of these very well.

[@FebbieG]

Wayne from Mistborn it's one of my favorite "crouching morons".

[@heatherkline6766]

Hoorah! Someone else has traveled to Redwall!

[@evilgenius97]

Training is a great point for exposition

[@victoriamangieristeelheart7449]

I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL

[@CapturedInWords]

[@natasagajic1061]

I don't think that anyone will try to change your mind on the _Sam is the real hero_ point 😁 On the other hand, and this probably a controversial opinion but, _a wise old mentor_ is one of my least favorite fantasy tropes, right along with _the resurrection_ and _the chosen one_ trope (Darn you Tolkien for popularizing all those tropes in fantasy! -shake my fists in helpless disapproval- 😂) Dumbledore, Gandalf, Chade from the Farseer trilogy, those wizards from the Earthsea series, etc, easily make the list of my least favorite characters in fantasy 😅🤷‍♀️ I can only think of a single _a wise old mentor_ character that I really like - Jiraiya from Naruto. Oh! And Syrio Forel from ASIOAF! But... he's not really presented as _old_ and _wise_ , so I'm not sure if he counts? But hey, I totally agree with _the redemption arc_ and _the lost civilization_ (Did someone say _One Piece_ ? 😉) being fantastic tropes that I cannot get enough of 😁

[@seanwelch71]

Sam is really the main character of the Fellowship, because it is through him and his descendants that the Red Book becomes the source of ancient stories.

[@garlantyrellthegallant9507]

Nice to be first. I’m really hyped for this video.

[@CapturedInWords]

Hope you enjoyed it! :D

[@garlantyrellthegallant9507]

@@CapturedInWords You can bet I did. I discovered your channel 2 days ago and I adore your videos so I binged them.

[@locolima279]

Alternate realms- you'd love some Malazan.

[@CapturedInWords]

I've been recommended Malazan so much, I'll definitely have to start it soon

[@sethkeown5965]

Looking good man. Have you been watching Daniel Greene for editing shake-ups?

[@sumaiyaparveen8476]

"Ancient Lovecraftian ruins that the protagonists can Indiana Jones their way through.." 👏👏

[@VicRibeiro777]

Have you read "Legend" by David Gemmell? You'll find a couple of the tropes you like in that classic heroic fantasy book. Unfortunately not that many booktubers talk about David Gemmell, and that's a shame.

[@CapturedInWords]

I haven't read Legend, but David Gemmell has been on my list of authors to read for quite awhile! I'll definitely have to give it a read at some point

[@clispyleaf]

I gotta say I love an antihero. The best one I've seen written is Kennitt from Robin Hobb's Liveships trilogy.

[@FaithOriginalisme]

My best friend's brother is named Elric, because of those books

[@ZamWeazle]

Nice one Jay, People do need to check out Michael Moorcock's Elric books. The Eternal champion saga is some of the great, original sword and sorcery tales written in the 70s'- 90's The character of Elric has pretty much inspired just about every Elf/Vampire/ Anime/manga hero in most mediums from Alucard to Drizzt to Geralt. Talking of sentient weapons, Elric's sword Stormbringer is sentient but also pretty nasty. 😱

[@malcomalexander9437]

Sadly most booktubers rarely talk about the classic stuff, and when they do, it's always fucking Tolkien, and never Robert E. Howard, Poul Anderson, or Michael Moorcock.

[@arieljr.caldit5608]

I love redemption arcs as well! :D

[@yasspanda2559]

Animal companion trope, chosen one (done right, of course), and different races.

[@seesidex3230]

I'm bit late but one of my favourite are corruption arc, negative character arc. Unfortunately they aren't many well writen.

[@tristandukes5548]

Was that an objectivism reference I caught? You saucy boy

[@michaelswartz8689]

Do you have any videos that feature Raymond E Feist?

[@MazBreh]

have you thought about doing a bookshelf tour? I always get distracted by your beautiful bookshelf in the background lool

[@CapturedInWords]

I have thought about it! I made one a long time ago but it's probably about time I make an updated bookshelf tour...hmm I'll do that soon

[@MazBreh]

@@CapturedInWords awesome. can't wait to see your collection.

[@user-pg3pe4gx4p]

Better trope would be a group of regular guys who don’t necessarily know each other group together to go on adventure to battle evil.

[@bplspamo9846]

I am working on my Fantasy Series and I have some your list. Hidden Badass, Redemption, Legendary Weapons, Magic, Dimensions, and Training... And I am planning to write it like MCU style. Writing multiple books with their Own plots and protagonists and will be related to the Main Plot or the (Avengers movies) thingy. and the Final Book will be like (Avengers Endgame) that will bring all of those characters together fighting the common enemy to save the world.

[@asmaad9667]

I don't if anyone has already mentioned it but a never too old trope is that certain character everyone loves/hate that supposedly died, you're giving by the author all sort evidence to prove his death just so in the most critical moment of the plot they make their entrance in a remarkable way 😂😂

[@nonchi5113]

6:51 that was cute af

[@harisali3011]

Waiting for your Rhythm of war review

[@adamahrens9507]

If you like alternate dimensions in your fantasy, may I point you towards the Kelvin of Rudd series. There’s a good mix of fantasy and sci fi, though I will give fair warning the chosen one trope is also present; thankfully though it is sort of satirized even if none of the characters can shut up about how this incredibly stupid and lucky farmboy turned hero is apparently the saviour of the land. Got to give props as well for the interesting world building. I’d also recommend the Spellsinger series for the isekai like story, interesting, if vague, magic systems, and some clever trope subversion and world building. Seriously, where else can you find a Marxist dragon?

[@thejohnsanger]

My favorite mentor is Gar from The Faithful and The Fallen

[@CapturedInWords]

I've been meaning to get to that series!

[@bookimecorner8715]

Why this Legendary Booktuber, making video very late. !!!!

[@bumpsy]

Shelob wasn't killed by Sam :S only injured

[@CapturedInWords]

Ahh good point, my memory was a bit fuzzy there!