FANTASY CHARACTERS - Terrible Writing Advice

[@inferno0020]

the Darklord should major in electrical engineering if he wants more power....

[@teddyhaines6613]

I think he'd first have to be smart enough to pass a high school physics class. It could take a while.

[@SharowbladyeGaymerPorate]

@@teddyhaines6613 but with the power of Skillshare you too can pass high school and become the greatest villain in the world.

[@teddyhaines6613]

@@SharowbladyeGaymerPorate But he can never keep his hands on Skillshare for more than three minutes at a time. It's a Catch-22.

[@champ1159]

@@SharowbladyeGaymerPorate nice one

[@roaringbeardragon4531]

This is amazing

[@JarNO_WAY]

this makes lord of the rings sounds like the ultimate cliché, until you realise lord of the rings created the cliché.

[@novaterra973]

And often actually avoids the cliche, either by actually explaining why, or just outright averting it.

[@viniciusvyller9458]

He's also really clear about his quest for the throne from the start, which kills a lot of tropes

[@celihenry3227]

This is the sinfeild effect, where everyone steals from them and make the original look cliché when the original made all those clichés

[@novaterra973]

@@celihenry3227 I think it is also a Word of Dante effect as well since a lot of cliches people associate with Tolkien and old fantasy works actually came from DnD.

[@j2dragon109]

@@novaterra973 Well DnD got a LOT of inspiration from old (to us) fantasy works.

[@michaeljurss4861]

I think for my fantasy characters I just exaggerated my own characteristics until it turned him into a psychopath.

[@commander31able60]

same but I didn't need to exaggerate.

[@classarank7youtubeherokeyb63]

Is there a way to play rogues other than as murder hobos?

[@CatherineCheng]

D o n ' t y o u d a r e t o e x p o s e m e

[@hekaterinedragon8776]

I feel called out.

[@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457]

@Ian Yoder So, you're one of those *authors.* now, if you'll excuse me, I have long-lasting dream of strangling like authors like you, please do not resist.

[@everestcanyon5647]

I like a Bad Guy who doesn't always discipline his Minions for failing because he realizes his Minions aren't inadequate, but the Heroes are just more competent than expected.

[@renard6012]

That trope really is stupid... The minions keep consistently failing, and the big bad hasn't realized that maybe it's the fault of the idiot that keeps sending them.

[@everestcanyon5647]

Let's face it, when you're going one on one, the odds are roughly going to be 50/50 no matter how you cut it. Failure does not make you incompetent if you're going up against a fully competent adversary, and I'm sorry, but that is something the villain needs to realize and deal with rather than put it on the minions.

[@Kartoffelkamm]

Other idea: Sensible villains. Like, sure, he's the ruler of hell, the dark lord, the ancient evil, but he cares about his subjects. The only thing I've seen that comes close is The Devil Is A Part-Timer, a kind of reverse isekai anime where the devil gets sent to Earth and works at a fast food place to pay for food and stuff. The half-angel hero who follows him doesn't understand why he's no longer evil, but in actuality, he was never actually evil. He just cared about his people and wanted them to be safe, and the humans were a threat to his people, so he decided to remove them. But now that he's a human himself, and works with humans, he cares for humans. It'd be great to have an enemy who looks like they're pure evil, but in actuality they just want their subjects to live in peace, and humans started attacking them because they look scary. Then the hero kills one too many of his subjects, and the dark lord gets personally involved and beats the crap out of the hero and captures him. The hero then has to live in the underworld, where he realizes that those monsters, demons and goblins have lives and families like the people he defended, and then he feels horrible about killing them all.

[@renard6012]

@@Kartoffelkamm My big bad villain is a generic dark lord only in the niche he fits in. He's actually very pragmatic and prefers to do everything personally. He only hires henchmen when he's too busy wreaking havoc elsewhere to take things in his own hands. So, maybe apart from evil mindless creatures he can summon from the Void he comes from, he has no minions... Unless anyone who he convinced to join his cause for one reason or the other counts as a minion...

[@ArcstoneBionicle]

I like the idea of a Villain who, instead of killing his henchman for failing, promotes his henchman for coming closer to catching the heroes than every other buffoon they've employed. Self-aware baddies are amazing.

[@pickledjellochronicles3029]

Actually the elite minions do have one difference, a single one of them will challenge the entire group of heroes on their first appearance, but on their second appearance they will be as easy as the normal minions to kill.

[@pickledjellochronicles3029]

A great example of this is zombie land 2.

[@mr.jitterspam9552]

*ahem ahem* pacifistas *ahem ahem*

[@spectrum8966]

Hearing you say "truck-kun" made me choke so bad I got isekai'd to a fantasy world

[@HasekuraIsuna]

Nice, you lucky bastard! What kind of isekai and what kind of ladies in your isekai? (　･ิω･ิ)

[@lamarepository248]

“I died watching terrible writing advice, now I need to survive in a world made using all of his advice” Oh wait, that’s just regular isekai

[@HasekuraIsuna]

@Jack Empire You're a masochist, but your reward will be aplenty. Respect!

[@peacefulexistence_]

that reminds me of konosuba, the MC got isekaied, cuz he jumped in front of a slow tractor, and peed himself to death or smth like dat.

[@majorblitz3846]

@@peacefulexistence_ peed himself, then died of heart attack.

[@hilman567]

The mascot creature can also become emergency food.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Excel Saga intensifies.

[@supermysterious66]

"EHE TE NANDAYO!"

[@joshshrum2764]

Chopper.

[@TheRezro]

Or is actually a main villain who manipulate and spy over team or is actually a deep character witch unusual look. I was actually disappointed with his comment, as in recent years we have few exceptionally good examples of this archetype. Rocket the Racoon or Kyubey from Madoka Magica.

[@Titanic_Tuna]

*Paimon has left the chat.*

[@ravenclawesome9093]

Idea for a terrible writing advice video: Redemption Arcs Because when done badly, it's just either a) A character having to learn the exact same lesson over and over, making the protagonists looking stupid for trusting them or b) A complete 180 in personality for little to no reason

[@ramenbomberdeluxe4958]

Ah, Steven Universe! Because the three horrible Diamonds (White, Yellow, and Blue) who committed countless genocides resulting in a nigh immeasurable bodycount, supported an oppressive system and brainwashed their people to be tainted by it, and are generally awful people in personality (assuming White has an identifiable one since, you know, she's an eldritch horror), TOTALLY did nothing wrong, nope, nothing beyond mild meanie things...apparently...according to the fandom and the cop-out show. But Pink, who rebelled against her sisters to save a planet she loved, and slowly grew less selfish and patronizing to organics and, despite her sins (which mostly come from negligence, accidents, or her otherwise rash young nature, pretty much anything BUT malicious intent) was an infinitely better person than her sisters, is somehow TOTALLY deserving of constant demonization by the fans and show! I DO NOT FORGIVE OR FORGET THE POST-MORTEM SLANDER, *FUTURE!!*

[@theflickchick9850]

When I was watching the new She-Ra, I groaned when Catra was legit spending all her time planning to murder Adora and take over but she has once conversation with Glimmer and then she’s like- “Oop guess I’m good now”

[@joshuabrown7815]

A whole video about how not to write Zuko

[@cortomaltese5206]

Basicly, just write without ever considering humanity or any sort of psichological depth or realism

[@sirkillalot9892]

I think the idea with the Diamonds is that they never reformed, but the Crystal Gems only tolerate them because they were the solution to uncorrupt the other Gems and as well as avoid fighting another threat. Steven revealing to not forgive the diamonds and taking anger out on them in Future. But shouldn't this been the general reaction for our heroes to begin with? Also the hug scene with Monster Steven is basically them portraying the Diamonds as more sympathetic weirdly. It should have just been the Crystal Gems and Cluster. It really feels off that ever since the reveal PD is treated as this horrible being ignoring almost everything she done as just Rose, who actually tried to change herself.

[@baranxlr]

10:24 "Love Triangle Victory Chances: 0%" The writers of Shrek would like a word with you.

[@ayrtonbarmecide4912]

The writers of Shrek clearly didn't follow terrible writing advice

[@squilliamfancyson1080]

Ok but Shrek is unironically one of the best deconstructions of the fantasy genre to ever hit the big screens.

[@fattytan1377]

Nonono, he is right *After all you need 3 characters to form a love triangle* *To my knowledge dragon and donkey make line*

[@Archon3960]

The Love Triangle is Life... x)

[@higueraft571]

Thank god i wasnt the only one thinking that. Also Bloodborne. You possibly wont believe the amount of thirst for that pries dog

[@cosmicsailor8733]

The sponsor subplot is giving me ideas for a story that starts out a a generic “defeat the evil” story, but it’s quickly revealed that there are multiple different evils who are all fighting each other instead of the heroes

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

So basically 40k…

[@RacingSnails64]

Love that. A simple story at the start that grows to become sprawling and morally grey, with the heroes' innocence lost and as they realize they're in over their heads trying to deal with so many threats.

[@platinumchromee3191]

No good,just war. Hmm,no one wants to throw in Warhammer ocrs here?

[@plushy_doctor2299]

And the reason they need to be stopped is because their fighting is having awful repercussions on the innocent

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

Do “cool characters” terrible writing advice because I’ve seen so many bad ideas of “cool” that come off as a failed Devil May Cry knockoff

[@skyblade7438]

You mean the DMC reboot?

[@jacques4703]

Every Sonic OC ever created

[@LynSpoon]

Good idea

[@lr-]

I absolutely hate it when voice actors try to do deep voices for no reason. You can be menacing without sounding like a kid threatening someone in TF2.

[@merrittanimation7721]

Like the main character from Hunt Down the Freeman

[@AbelDuviant]

6:34 "Who appoints his horse to the position of chief economic advisor" Glitterhoof does his bloody job better than anyone else ever could don't you dare besmirch her name.

[@austonvarner9142]

"His bloody job" "Her name" I could assume that's a typo, but I like the idea that the horse is not only a competent economist, but also genderfluid, so I'm going with that

[@Frendlu]

Time to play some medieval ploting game, with the expectation to have near all your family with the culture "horse".

[@ΓιώργοςΚοντογεωργίου-γ9β]

I somehow heard "his whores", which might actually be a better idea than appointing his horse.

[@AbelDuviant]

@@ΓιώργοςΚοντογεωργίου-γ9β This is blaspheme of the highest order and you are hereby sentenced to death... by trampling. May God-Empress Glitterhoof have mercy on your soul.

[@mustanaamiotto3812]

@@AbelDuviant i like how there's a mass execute button

[@tskmaster3837]

"And for God's sake, Dude, she's your freaking Little Sister." Oh right, Japanese Light Novels where incest is relative...ly common.

[@warlockgod66]

Yep, one thing I don't get about light novels and anime is slavery was never really in Japan like that but they always buy slaves in light novels, isakai the MC will say slavery is wrong and ban in my world but in this fantasy world it's all right I should not change the world view on slavery then two episodes later buy slave, then say Japanese food is the best and I want to make Japanese food in this world for everybody can try it, mc slavery he can accept but not having Japanese food he can't accept, 🤔😂, how many regular people in this world if they get transferred to another world within one week will buy a slave, it's like Japanese MC's buy slaves on the first day if they get the chancebut don't want to get involved with wars or battle for some reason

[@darreideamos2309]

@@warlockgod66 Isekai are inspired more by wester fantasy or Japanese RPG's that are inspired by wester fantasy. Also are you talking about Shield hero? Cause I don't recall the slavery element to be that common in isekai

[@mastema3034]

@@darreideamos2309 it is can't find one without it

[@sanfransiscon]

And yet it's always in a harem, and they never win in those. Cursed to never simply be the heroines of a romance without gratuitous sex and/or angst. ...Except for like, two...

[@seanshin1615]

+mastema Now that has got to be flat-out wrong. The slavery theme is really not that common. I can only think of a couple isekais that have slavery as an important part of the story. Of isekais that have gotten popular, Shield Hero is the only one to feature slavery as a prominent part of the story. Just look at the big four: Konosuba, Re;Zero, Overlord, and Tanya. No slavery to be found anywhere. Leaving the big four, amongst isekais, both recent and not so recent, slavery is nowhere to be found. No Game No Life? None. Tensei Slime? None. Cautious Hero? None. Bofuri? None. Grimgar? None. Okaasan Online? None. Arifureta? None. Death March? None. Kenja no Mago? None. Isekai Smaetphone? None. Half of the list here are generic, rather poor-quality isekais that would be a perfect fit for a slavery theme to add to the blind power fantasy. Yet none have them. Even the titan of isekai, SAO, also doesn't have slavery or a slavery theme. Must I continue? The only place you can reliably find slavery in isekai are light novels, and even then, in the big picture, they still aren't prevalent. Isekai is huge. For every isekai LN with slavery as an important part of the story, there exists 10 without. Due to the size of the isekai genre, this does mean there is a sizable portion of isekai LNs with slavery as a core part of the story and it might seem like it is common. However, to call it "common" in the slightest is disingenuous and betrays a lack of understanding of statistics.

[@PossumReviews]

0:43, potatoes didn't exist in medieval Europe. They weren't discovered by Europeans until Spanish conquerors brought them back from the Americas in the late 1500s. Same thing with corn.

[@imnotanesp6254]

Thank you Dr Shaym. It's greatly appreciated.

[@TotallyHuman]

Now that you mention it, I remember that, so thanks for reminding us! However, let us also not forget what TWA's stance is on research. "for fiction? Bah!"

[@thecleitom9497]

Did you miss the "fantasy" in the title?

[@mievaselli7910]

@@thecleitom9497 The problem is that every fantasy setting becomes modern rural America with lower tech. It's part of what makes fantasy worlds seem so generic. That's fine for terrible writing advice, but if you want to build a fictional world that does not feel like a cartboard cutout you need to put a little more thought into the culture, including the food because the food will have effect on the socio-economical state of the country. Depending almost only on wheat was a cause of rampant food insecurity in medieval Europe because then a bad year for wheat was a bad year for the whole country. If your fictional culture has potatoes, wheat and corn yet has the food insecurity of medieval Europe with no other justification than " it's the dark age", you have a coherence problem. It's the little things that make a world feel complete and lived in.

[@thecleitom9497]

@@mievaselli7910 lolol it's just fantasy relax lolol. Now seriously, what if in a work of fantasy, potatoes act like the wheat in europe? It serves just as well, easily consumable, and if they're the only crop being cultivated, you got the insecurity too.

[@wendellfeliciano6138]

As an Isekai fan, I'm ecstatic to see J.P. absolutely tear into Isekai knowing that he had to suffer through the same fate that I had to go through, but that he was strong enough to not fall into the rabbit hole.

[@TheRezro]

Isekai isn't bad in principle. Oscar nominated Spirited Away is that! Problem is that it is futile land for bad writing as we have lazy stand in modern character as replacement of the actual character, being fish out of water in fantastical world, we don't need actually explain because it stay the same mystery even if character is there for half century, and give him unexplained magical powers simply because he is already from other realm, instead it actually being curse to be forced in unfamiliar land you actually never were prepare to survive, because contrary to what most shows say dry modern education is mostly useless in medieval setting. But if written with common sense genre can be actually good.

[@MegaGlassguy]

@@TheRezro ''Tropes are Tools'' as they say. Any genre can be good if executed right, but will also be terrible when done poorly. There are some great isekai stories here and there, _but boy are some of them done poorly_ .

[@TheRezro]

@@MegaGlassguy That is what I'm saying.

[@hydromancer4916]

noble hero: "a stark contrast" haha i get it

[@UmbraMan1]

I don’t want it

[@hydromancer4916]

@@UmbraMan1 ur muh queen

[@hydromancer4916]

@Grey-Wolf 93 everything after season 4 was shit

[@failedabortion1493]

@@hydromancer4916 disagree season 5 and 6 still had its moments but 7 was shite and 8 was a dumpster truck that was on fire and had crashed into a giant trash heap which was also on fire with a Starbucks coffe cup at the top

[@hydromancer4916]

@@failedabortion1493 the turning point from bad to good was at the end of season 4 when a bunch of harryhausen tier skeletons appear out of nowhere, stab the kid, and then get defeated by a shitty CGI fireball

[@hupla2185]

There’s a reason Tolkien sounds like taken. Stealing all his ideas is something you should be doing by default.

[@novaterra973]

Yet somehow everyone completely misses the meaning and point of Tolkien's ideas, despite copying them a thousand-times.

Tolkien stole and plagiarized all ideas himself. That's the ultimate irony. Then he was a shitty copycat who was defending what he stole and plagiarized.

[@moonriverbaby4108]

Is it stealing from Tolkein or stealing from DnD?

[@dawgtheundying5303]

@ lmao nice bait

[@steelbear2063]

@@dawgtheundying5303 Not really, Tolkien just used already established mythology with minimal tweaks.

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

"Making a villain right hand with their own agenda". That's called "The Starscream".

[@sirius6738]

I was thinking about Kefka

[@johnathonhaney8291]

Or the "Destro".

[@TheRezro]

I was disappointed with his comment about mascot characters. They actually make best villains :D Ask Kyubey.

[@RoninCatholic]

@@TheRezro Mascot characters can also make great comic relief if you write them with actual personalities (Miff and Spryte from the old Legend of Zelda comics and cartoon show, Fidget from Dust: An Elysian Tale, Guano from Kappa Mikey, Luna from Sailor Moon, Gramps from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 or literally any Nopon character with a prominent role in the Xenoblade story). Being designed to be adorable isn't mutually exclusive from being, for example, a good mentor, a valuable contributor to a party's needed skillset, a villain, etc. etc. - it's just _lazy_ mascots that are pointless and annoying.

[@demi-femme4821]

What if they weren't bumbling?

[@set9034]

"Difference in branding rather than performance" So pretty much every minor enemy in a game with a slightly better paint job than that small version of them you fought a few hours back?

[@RoninCatholic]

In those cases the new version might at least have a new attack compared to the earlier one.

[@renard6012]

The RED ones are deadlier.

[@Sorain1]

You remember when this enemy type was a boss?

@@renard6012 that one was not big, you were small

[@elpretender1357]

PLEASE, if the MC lost his parents as a kid, have their eperiences with them have an impact int the story. Maybe the MC got his moral compass, a quirk or a tradition from his parents. Perhaps he later in the story needs to remember them to get clarity of mind, ask what ould his father/mother do in X situation, just do anything with them beyond mentioning they're dead.

[@chrisschirripa5917]

Actually, in my story you get to know the MC parents before....bad things happen. Hell my story kinda subverts the most of the fantasy archetypes.

[@margarettangiiti9813]

@@chrisschirripa5917 that's great man. i'm actutally trying to write a story like that to. but shitter.

[@andresacosta4832]

@@chrisschirripa5917 So far in what I'm working on, both MC's have living parents. Elf ranger who has a blind prophetess mother and a dickish guard father, satyr farm boy with very kind and loving parents

[@JosephFlores-yn4yi]

The MC in my story had dead parents But i was relieved that he advised that because i already did that In fact, they would get their own story too To kinda justify the whole "mc with legacy" cliche

[@Archon3960]

So, like Batman writing a song about them? xD

[@BlueDog241]

I love the addition of "Actual good advice" with each of the characters.

[@TheRezro]

Except on mascot characters. In recent years we have several actually deep (Rocket the Racoon) or evil (Kyubey) characters of that type, exactly because people expect from them to be annoying plush and tend to undermine them.

[@bificommander]

You mean "Avoid".

[@RillianGrant]

@@TheRezro Rocket is amazing

[@fulldisclosureiamamonster2786]

@@TheRezro Im pretty sure Groot is more of the mascot than Rocket. Rocket actually has dialogue and character.

[@TheRezro]

@@fulldisclosureiamamonster2786 And mascot characters can't, because?

[@sono_chi_no_sodium_chlorid7635]

One trope I noticed lately: If you have fantasy races in your setting - Don't use them. All your important characters NEED to be human. Also be sure to write your elves as being part of magic as a whole, but make all the strongest wizards in the world to be humans (Forgotten Realms) In all seriousness I never heard about a fantasy story where protagonist wouldn't be human and I think it would be refreshing and interesting to read one.

[@fiendish9474]

Slime isekai started out interesting. Got boring and kinda stupid midway tho

[@GreenChillZone]

There’s probably over a hundred Star Wars games out there, and out of all the ones with original, non-film protagonists, only one of them is (canonically) non-human. And in the Disney films it feels like aliens hardly even exist.

[@sono_chi_no_sodium_chlorid7635]

@@fiendish9474 Forgot about that one but yeah, it started well and I just dropped it after a while

[@sono_chi_no_sodium_chlorid7635]

@@GreenChillZone You know that Fallen Order was supposed to have an alien as a protagonist? The idea of dropped because alien color skin and/or horns would make gamers uncomfortable (allegedly) The reason why I preffer games and tv shows is because there were more aliens making everything more belivable. Humans in SW were the most common race but weren't the 95% of galaxy population like in the films

[@Cailan_Mors]

@@fiendish9474 the MC was a human first anyway

[@jaytonius560]

“My lords, whom shall I choose in the redundant and unnecessary love triangle the author has forced upon me?!”

[@AegixDrakan]

"Then, we shall split the love triangle in half. And by that I mean SPLIT ALL THREE PARTICIPANTS IN HALF, resolving the problem immediately!" ~ NotGood King.

[@jonathanwells223]

@@AegixDrakan well... killing all participants of the love triangle might not be necessarily the best option, but it’s certainly the easiest. Not a good king but not a dumb king either.

[@AegixDrakan]

@@jonathanwells223 I'm glad you approve of the Solomon Solution. XD

[@louisduarte8763]

If it's the king in a love triangle with 2 women, he can just legalize polygamy. Boom, done, instant 3some.

[@Amy_the_Lizard]

Eenie meanie minie moe, catch of love interest by the toe...

[@DoctorSpacebar]

Ideas for fantasy characters I had: -You know the "Wide-Eyed Young Idealist" trope? Take that and apply it to a Giant. My original idea was a Giant smith's daughter whose adventure starts after her father disappears under mysterious circumstances and she sets off to find him. Her inexperience gets her caught in traps more than once, but her honesty and her empathy earns her the trust of smaller creatures, who help her stand up to threats even bigger than she is. -An unorthodox take on the "fairy companion" trope: a jaded spy stuck in the service of a cruel Faerie lord. The spy's liege torments his subjects and the "lesser races," and is in league with the Big Bad Evil Guy if he isn't already the Big Bad Evil Guy. His liege sets him up as a double agent who's supposed to sabotage the heroes, but he's secretly grown tired of being an accessory to his lord's crimes and legitimately helps the heroes. While he's at it, he passes his liege false information with the end goal of getting a Cold Iron dagger planted in his King's back. As a jaded cynic who is smaller than normal and fights with magic and finesse, this guy would be an excellent foil to Plucky Giant Girl up there. -A ninja who wanted to be a baker, but whose home was destroyed by his tyrannical warlord before he could. To get his vengeance, the ninja mastered a unique combination of culinary arts and ninjutsu. Tremble, ye who are wicked, for when Senpie notices you, your cookie shall crumble! ...yes, this character began as an absurd pun on "Senpai" and an excuse for even more *half-baked* puns, but his backstory means he could legitimately offer serious advice to heroes when he's not being silly (although he would inevitably slip in some bad bread puns because that's how he *rolls*) and the combination of cooking and ninjutsu could offer some unique techniques, both mundane and mystical. Plus, a cooking-themed ninja is something I don't think anyone's done before. At least, I don't think so, though if I am wrong I would very much like to know. ...Ninjabread man doesn't count.

[@neontangle11]

Backyardigans did a samurai pie episode once. If you look it up, you could probably get some inspiration for combining baking with combat. Also, these ideas are really good and I hope you make an excellent story with them!

[@DoctorSpacebar]

@louisnall3102 "Hey, y'wanna try my Potions of Haste? First one's free!" Actually, a more unscrupulous alchemist like that would make a good foil to the main character of my ongoing RPG Maker project, who is an apothecary herself. Thanks for the idea!

[@martinpachu7125]

i wish more people did stuff with nonstandard small helping guy characters. feels like its such an underutilized type of character probqbly because everyone got sick of the one described in the video

[@TheMeGuy1]

"The protagonist's parents!" *Two Gravestones* God that fucking got me XD

[@ZearthGJL]

"This enraged his father, who punished him severely."

[@legendarytat8278]

@Anna Baik shut up

[@bluesap7318]

You dare junior!

[@kazoo.wav_]

-sigh- oversimplified...

[@TheMamaluigi300]

“And Gorok was excited because he was made excited by the punishment”

[@asloii_1749]

Ur mum is flat lol

[@fudwTM]

I love the % data for love triangle victory

[@nathanjora7627]

I love the « 0% but it would be funny to see them try to compete » ^^

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

That's the only thing that matters! Remember, this is TERRIBLE writing advice!!

[@keamort9974]

This is certainly a plot hole of some kind. A love triangle is always the best choice to add to a story.

[@tach5884]

This absolutely needs to be added to stat blocs in real games.

[@Somber_Knight]

I don't see why there is a % for love triangles, because the real answer is that everyone should be in a love triangle!

[@Janoha17]

So have the "scheming advisor" be the only reason the kingdom hasn't undergone a revolution and keeping the king alive despite all the poisoning attempts because he keeps giving the king the antidote.

[@TheRezro]

Yes, we call that spymaster 0-0

[@gemtownMANCHURIA]

spymaster with 20 intrigue

[@Sorain1]

"Do you have any idea how long ago this kingdom would have fallen if I stopped pulling the strings for even a second!? Of course my agents are hunting the missing heir, I need a puppet that isn't constantly on alchemical concoctions just to get through a damned speech! Yes, I skim money off the taxes, because if I didn't, the 'good king' would throw more of it at worthless 'social programs' which simply do not work. His last advisor WAS murdered by me, because whatever world that idiot came from doesn't reflect THIS reality. Winning a battle with the latest person to take up the title of 'champion of the shadowed sun' doesn't qualify you to make foreign or fiscal policy decisions! Do you know where all those helpful locals came from? Paid 'crown agents', paid by me because I hoped you were that heir I need. At this point I'd actually take some kind of magically created clone to replace the king if I could get one. In fact, I'd clone me, just so I could half my workload. Go ahead, kill me, I know I can't escape or beat you, I've got a pile of reports taller than your blade is long proving how unstoppable you lot are in combat. But either get on with it, or let me get back to work because I have tax revision proposals that need to be prepared by the next new moon!"

[@bubbles784]

@@Sorain1 "Now that I've gotten the king under my thumb, I can live a lavish life and..." (Looks the mountains and mountains worth of documents that are meant for the king) "Ok, so now I understand why it so easy..."

[@MK_ULTRA420]

@@Sorain1 Tywin Lannister simulator.

[@JM-mh1pp]

Hey don't diss the horse, sure his tax policy was controversial, but he fixed the economy and for the first time in twenty years we had a surpluss in budget.

[@powerist209]

I think it was a jab at Caligula though. Interestingly, his pre-crazy life nearly becoming a somewhat decent emperor and made his uncle Claudius as a consul.

[@webaazul2500]

I too, play CK2.

[@a.morphous66]

@@powerist209 Didn’t Caligula appoint his horse as a consul to clown on his actual consuls, demonstrating that they were so useless even an animal could do their job just as well?

[@selfmadegrammarnazi6916]

@@a.morphous66 Caligula was a jackass and overall a shitty ruler but thats funny

[@justinw4514]

@@a.morphous66 Caligula never actually made his horse a consul. Suetonius and Cassius Dio, two Romans from whom we have remaining records, talk about rumors that Caligula had planned to make his horse a consul, but it's kind of unclear whether or not it was just something circulating about the rumor mill or an true blue intention that the Emperor had. Either way Caligula was plenty insane for other reasons

[@70Lu07]

"Could i make the guards an actual vompetent faction?" So, the Dai Li?

[@beautifullEternal]

Didn’t they get got by a lil’ crazy girl?

[@herbertschulz4313]

I was thinking the kings Landing city watch

[@takebacktheholyland9306]

@@beautifullEternal She was the main princess of the fire nation. It's probably why

[@bereab8827]

@@beautifullEternal Don't be fooled. They were never even a player.

[@hildegunstvonmythenmetz6095]

Or the Guards of Ankh-Morpork in the discworld novels.

[@keksentdecker]

2:52 Strength: not related by blood Weakness: lacking eyes / Eyes fully covered by Hair

[@bluememe4652]

Hentai main character

[@eldavid8774]

Hentai episode when JP? I want my smut to be top notch

[@sanfransiscon]

Both of those sound like cowardice to me!

[@rachellanedunn]

Cousin it

[@cking4869]

I want a mascot character with a deep voice, extremely unenthusiastic attitude, and is very unreliable

[@Vickyeverythingelsewastaken]

So, Marvin from Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy?

[@steinistein8611]

@@Vickyeverythingelsewastaken I love marvin

[@ladytalksalot4097]

Challenge accepted 😈

[@SamuraiDoggo14]

Ryoma Hoshi from Danganronpa V3. Done.

[@pinkkam]

@@SamuraiDoggo14 he died way too quickly. Too bad V3 wasn’t written well anyway

[@pickyphysicsstudent201]

An episode on pacing a story would be good advice. That is the one thing which I can never seem to grasp or understand, in writing. I'm always just told story X's pacing is amazing or Y's is terrible. There's never really any kind of constitution of what makes pacing an effective part of writing.

[@remem95]

I always feel like a story has great pacing when the progresson never fully stops, every side plot and every scene moves the story in some direction or highlights a viewpoint on a central theme. Ideally both. It's also about contrast in the structure, the main emotion or atmosphere of scenes and how they lead into eachother, how they are layered (good and bad things can happen at the same time etc.) and how they impact individual character arcs. This is for character or theme driven storys at least, I'm not big on plot driven stuff. Foreshadowing and retrospective implications of twists also play a role in how the progress is perceived imo (it's boring if you guess the twist an hour in advance, but a twist out of nowhere feels like the story jumps ahead without you. Both is frustrating) This is all my opinion and I'm no expert tho. Just stuff I have noticed while picking apart stories I enjoy (mostly games tbh)

[@pickyphysicsstudent201]

I saw this video recently which talks about the spacing inbetween events being important, as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zoq6qYiKq8Z9Zqc&ab_channel=Insider

[@remem95]

@@pickyphysicsstudent201 that is a good analysis. I always wondered how Miyazaki films make the mundane feel important. It's a unique quality. The example in particular is basically a summary. But it also has beautiful imagery and atmosphere aswell as one bit of foreshadowing. I'd argue that "sense of space" is a worldbuilding aspect and that the scene's slowness also connects the viewer to the character by making them really feel the first break after a time of constant chaos and new experiences. In that sense it works on a meta level, thats amazing...

[@felipecosta-kv2fx]

@@remem95 Indeed, when every scene or detail is essencial to the plot, It gives the feeling that the story is playing more "faster", If there's nothing really happening, the story will feel slow

[@stedjuba259]

Yes please

[@TheKersey475]

Only thing you're missing is "THE PRINCESS" Best Features: Pretty and beloved by all, but only has eyes for the Hero no matter how bland he is and will be married off to him after his victory like a trophy... In spite of originally wanting to escape another arranged marriage in the first place. Strengths: Claims to be "strong and independent". Weaknesses: Often needs to be rescued in spite of previous claims. Love Triangle Victory Chances: Almost 100% because she is usually the focus of said triangle. Avoid: Giving her a character arc independent of supporting the hero. Showing her actually engaging in politics and helping rule the Kingdom.

[@TheRezro]

There is actually many types of princess...

[@TheKersey475]

@@TheRezro True, but this is the "Terrible Writing Advice" type of Princess

[@diazkohen2149]

Oh, i know this trait trope. The "fake action girl" trope, in-universe she suppose to be strong tomboy action girl but later end up in "damsell in distress" moment😂

[@RoninCatholic]

Funny thing, one of my heroes is both a farmboy _and_ a noble: His parents are the prince of one kingdom and the princess of another who eloped together. They've never hidden from him or his seven siblings their royal heritage, they just don't want any visitors from their extended families. Part of this is because he was a prince of the elves and she was a princess of the dwarves (beard and all). So when this hero meets a couple other royal heroes (a female elf princess and a half-dwarf warrior prince) he's aware that they're his cousins before they are. By the time he's done vanquishing the Dark Lord, both kingdoms want to put him in the line of succession but he just wants to go back to herding sheep. Oh, and one of his party members is a young wizard. How young? Five years old (though that's the equivalent of 15 in his own short-lived race of pixies). This would also make him a mascot character, yes? Roughly two feet tall, covered in pink fur, tail like a fox and wings like a bat, suitably high-pitched voice for his size.

[@antonioruizfernandez8281]

Wow I really loved the "mascot" bit, very creative and remembered me of Puck from Berserk, keep up the good work!

[@RoninCatholic]

@@antonioruizfernandez8281 I've actually released two videogame adaptations of this story, but they're both woefully incomplete in supplying any of these cool story details. I rushed one to completion and ommitted like...almost all the plot and characterization, and took so much time on the remake that I only ever finished the first chapter (where the hero meets his love interest and they rescue her sister together) and ran out of steam. These were released in 2005 and 2008 respectively.

[@John_winston]

@@RoninCatholic hey that looks interesting,say what's the name of it ?

[@VitaNewbo]

Please give the name of your story!!!! I would love to read it, it sounds so Interesting!!!!!

[@RoninCatholic]

@@VitaNewbo The game's name is Wolf's Quest (released 2005) and an incomplete remake from 2007 or 2008 called Densetsu no Okami (for a combination of weeb tendencies stronger in my early 20s and to make it appear earlier in alphabetical game listings). Unfortunately, the released versions glossed over a lot of interesting backstory things, leaving many of those to supplemental materials like forum posts. I've been using these characters again lately so a new remake yet again isn't entirely out of the question at this point.

[@E8144EOE]

Given the low mortality rate of most medieval battles, I imagine a knight from that era would be horrified to see our depictions of heroes as highly efficient mass-murderers. Then again, I imagine not.

[@Roosheo]

I don't know anything about the mortality rates of actual medieval battles, but the ones in medieval lit are usually absurdly high. I once read a book from the time where the protagonist kills more than 2000 characters by HIMSELF

[@theoldsaxon6484]

@@Roosheo Ludicrous.

[@nathanjora7627]

Pretty sure that knights equipped with modern weaponry (if they ever accepted to use them, which may not have been the case considering their distaste of long range weaponry) wouldn’t give two cents about massacring enemy armies. At least not on the moment, after that they’d probably vomit all they have.

[@Oxtocoatl13]

Similarly they would watch the army march to battle and wonder "Where is all the dysentery?"

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

I mean, you have stories of warriors destroying entire armies by turning themselves into horrible deformed abominations, or stories of dudes killing people that falsely accused them of murder...

[@devilcat17]

Shoutout to every twelve-year-old fantasy writer's playbook. This is a call-out for our old middle school notebooks lol

[@excitonium5573]

i used to write these shit. Until i realize that it was fking boring and full of clichés and gave up and move onto new project

[@felipecosta-kv2fx]

@@excitonium5573 good, you're doing well, instead of giving up you're striving to learn from your mistakes

[@excitonium5573]

@@felipecosta-kv2fx Well yes i moved to another project. That i gonna make sure its not ended up like the first one

[@felipecosta-kv2fx]

@@excitonium5573 you should be pround of yourself, not many writers think like this

[@renard6012]

Heh. My high school garbage has been through many iterations, and I still believe I need another revision and complete rewrite...

[@SeanStrife]

"And for God's sake, dude, she's your freaking little sister!" ...been watching a lot of Isekai while in quarantine, I take it?

[@artman40]

And then the sister turns out to be not related after all.

[@geraldgrenier8132]

@loafhero foster siblings use to quite often marry into their foster family, but then fostering was a way to create alliance not a replacement for orphanages (or adoption). The only reason fosterage siblings are squicky, is due to overlearning the incest taboo.

[@FNTM2k3]

Sounds like domestic girlfriend

[@NoName-pj3yp]

Actually most of the incest anime I know aren't isekai.

[@ButterflyScarlet]

@@geraldgrenier8132 A lot of things used to be perfectly normal that aren't anymore because humanity learned better. Step-siblings are still siblings and blood is not the be all, end all of family. It comes off as incredibly gross and cruel to adopted families when people act like it's okay to fuck your family member because you're not "really" related.

[@el_rod]

I laughed so hard when he said "the protagonist parents:" and u see just gravestones. Too real.

[@innocentboy6852]

"At least the snooty nobles don't have checkmarks above their heads." Don't they have exclamation points, instead? How else are you gonna know they have quests for you?

[@paulenan9636]

"Isekai is on my list as well" Yes! YES! YEEEEES!

[@nathanjora7627]

At last, we will have our revenge ! Now all we need is for some Japanese speaker to give subtitle to this incoming video and flood every mangaka’s mailbox with it until they stop.

[@HeroBot930]

If JP ever does an Isekai episode, I'd imagine he'd probably say something like, "Does the protagonist ever take the leap into the world willingly? Is there a character motive for this? How will they handle living among non-human races? Are they willing to adapt to a life of a monarchy instead of a democracy? Well, they don't have the time to consider that because Truck-kun will have already run them over faster than you can say, 'Let me weigh my options.'"

[@nbryan87]

@@HeroBot930 there is an iseaki called Gate which covers some of those points you made

[@oberonoberon9288]

The question is isekai in general or also the subdivisions sometimes found? I remember that some anime chanels differentiate between "magical world" and "other world". it seems the second one is more used towards the "reborn", "MMO-elements" and newer style. (.hack, Sword art online) While the magical seem to be more the "accidental travel"/"transition" type. (M.Ä.R., Inuyasha)

[@sarafontanini7051]

things isekai rarely if ever explores: the idea of the main character returning to their world, how their friends and family react upon their disappearance, whether anyone else from their original world travels along with the hero (this is ESPECIALLY rare), having actually decent villains that are threatening and a physical AND emotional challenge for the hero, having interesting dynamics with characters not based around poorly written romance and 'comedy', having genuinely interesting settings that would be fun to explore and aren't just medieval fantasy worlds with randomJRPG mechanics for no explained reason

[@reese9705]

“The Farm Boy” Eragon: **sweats**

[@theflickchick9850]

Luke Skywalker: *sweats in unison*

[@n0brainjustvibes]

Garion: **nervous laughter**

[@CollegeDroputPowerpoints]

Mel Gibson: *Curses in braveheart*

[@scienceface8884]

Taran: *Sweating into the black cauldron*

[@azurai3934]

@@n0brainjustvibes the funny part is that some of the things listed under avoid does actually come up

[@fiendish9474]

Why do the bad guys always have the coolest designs?

[@TupocalypseShakur]

To make epic posters and covers that make you throw money

[@fiendish9474]

@@TupocalypseShakur i sure as hell ain't gonna buy no separatist merchandise. Imperial stormtroopers tho

[@sarafontanini7051]

because the villains are always the most entertaining and extravagant and memorable,especally since they're ones who are usually making the story happen

[@joshshrum2764]

Let me introduce Endeavor.

[@fiendish9474]

@@joshshrum2764 alright you got me there

[@MGDrzyzga]

Gonna have to remember two ideas from here in particular: - The manipulative vizier being the only thing holding the government together - One of the minions being part of the love triangle This second one could work with a project I'm beginning. I mean, one of the love interests is a royal bodyguard who went rogue to save the crown prince after a coup. I mean, that's a good setup for this character to have already had something with one of the minions before the plot brings the two halves of the OTP together.

[@MGDrzyzga]

Come to think of it, the manipulative vizier as an ally is actually a great fit for this world as I flesh it out more. It's a time of political upheaval and quite frankly, a cluster-F of a political system. We're talking recent transition to a constitutional monarchy to stitch back together a fragmented nation, with the legislature split between disempowered nobles-in-exile, petty warlords that usurped said nobles, and loyalist nobles that prop up the first and hate the second. Like it might be inevitable that this nation collapses.

[@the4tierbridge]

@@MGDrzyzga *ADvizer J.P has a weird accent.

[@cheeselord3655]

@@the4tierbridge vizier is also a term for the right hand of a ruler (traditionally a pharoah), usually serving as an advisor. In this context, vizier works, though JP does only ever say advisor

[@midnightflare9879]

"And for God's sake, she's your freaking little sister." *So true, man. So true.*

[@michaeldp3553]

The avarage modern dude : almost every single isekai character ever

[@newsystembad]

There's the occasional one with actual personality and goals, like Kazuma and Subaru, but...gods, do _so many_ have to be bland everymen?

[@slateoffate9812]

Technically, the Super Mario Bros. Movie is an isekai.

[@noobmasterruben5167]

A cliche when done wrong, but exceptional when done right like Kazuma, Tanya or Shield hero Edit: remember Tanya was a salaryman before

[@slateoffate9812]

@@noobmasterruben5167 Don't know any of those shows. I am interested in an isekai where the protagonist is the least suited person for the job; anxiety. Sure, it'd probably be filled with angst(pantheon knows I do), but it'd be interesting and relatable if done right. Even my favorite isekais(what few there are) don't really delve into human fallibility and how overwhelming such stuff can be.

[@sanfransiscon]

Glad someone's standing up for my man Subaru. My current project is technically an isekai, but my protagonist's home setting is more like a mild dystopia. ...Or maybe that's just more realistic.

[@LEFT4GABEN]

I would love to see a story where the minions/city guard inexpectably usurp power for themselves when they realize their leader is incompetant...

[@scienceface8884]

Their leader doesn't even need to be incompetent, just not have his minions' best interests at heart. Imagine if some of the goblin hoard realized that the dark wizard's plan was just to use them as waves of canon fodder against superior opponents while contributing nothing tangible

[@cortomaltese5206]

Yeah, I like that idea as well. To improve it, the minions fail even harder than their leaders and cause a civil war. That could be an amazing season finale in a comedy

[@MK_ULTRA420]

Monkey's Paw: Yes that story exists but it's a hentai.

[@legrandliseurtri7495]

Roman empire: Why hello there.

[@whydidyoutubeaddedthisfeature]

Basically the Janissaries.

[@GameDevNerd]

"Autocracy is always good, and it's experts that are evil!" "Schemey von Knifenback" 😂

[@Archon3960]

Or "Stabbystab Mcspizy"! xD

[@Kawaiitwo]

When I was part of a Fantasy Minecraft SMP, I chose the thief origin. While lore wasn’t required as it wasn’t really a roleplay server, I still made some basic lore for my thief character: They turned to a life of thievery after their mother passed away, looting villages, homes, and just about anything else they could get their hands on. They found a large, spacious cave to build their own thief refuge in, a village populated by copper golems. The rust-red theming of the cavern settlement earned it the name “Ferrite Village.” The thief’s looting escapades resulted in them being one of the richest inhabitants of the world, and they’d occasionally barter with other players who had items they wanted. (I’d also occasionally “lag” items into my inventory from the other players’ storages, which fits with the thief lore and the high ping I had, but as per server rules and human decency, I did try to limit that. XD) They didn’t have concrete alliances with any other players, being more of a chaotic neutral loner who would occasionally get up to mischief. Even living the cutthroat life of a thief, they tried to hang on to hope and just have fun, knowing it’s what their mother would’ve wanted. In a way, my character’s turn to thievery mirrors my own insecurities about my future. I keep telling myself I’ll be successful and live a good life, making enough to get me by, but I sometimes worry that I won’t end up with a secure job. What would I be like in such a future? Would I still try to be hopeful, relying on what I still have to find happiness and get by? Would I sink into deeper depression, turning to desperate actions to stay afloat? The Minecraft server has since shut down, but I’ll always have a connection to my beloved Thief Kawaiitron.

[@drnolegs797]

8:09 Guards! Guards! Was such a good book RIP Terry Pratchett.

[@FirstnameLastname-bp2pg]

I feel like the City Guard doesn't really need to be that strong since they're just common soldiers. However, the ROYAL Guard should be really powerful, especially in a High Fantasy setting where some characters can wipe out whole armies and punch through steel walls. As the most important soldiers in the land, the Royal Guards should represent the absolute apex of power except for the Chosen One, his allies, and the Dark Lord, and be able to give even them a difficult fight.

[@gabrielchasecanceladosinap3959]

Yeah. Definitly the Royal Guards and Royal Knights could be the ones that represents the strenght of the kingdom. And in a World with so many menaces, and the human species not having ant magical quirk, they had to adapt to keep it up to every monster or ceeatire they might face. I even imagine the chosen one being sweeped on the floor by one of the Royal Guards with Just his/her Spear. The most reliable weapon of them all. A quote of him. "Ye, swords might be 'an elegant and complex weapon" but the way of the sword never ends, and I don't get to much time for that! Meanwhile, you mástered the Spear, you need your brains and every inch of your will to take down every bloody idiot who thought it might be a good idea to face me!"

[@liasprings6502]

"Plucky YA Teen: [...] contrast their superior skill with their lack of recognition due to their inability to navigate school politics." Kim Possible?

[@Sorain1]

I've taken a hankering to either: A. They struggle with impostor syndrome and fear the day they finally don't measure up will reveal they have no true friends. B. The ease with which they do everything makes it incredibly frustrating to be held back, but they lack the arrogance to condescend and because they so rarely struggle with the material they're a horrible tutor... and they know that. They just don't know a way to fix their lack of teaching ability. In both cases this hurts their ability to deal with the social aspects of school life. Would need somewhat careful handling of course, to avoid being too depressing or coming across as being 'cursed with awesome' and ungrateful about it.

[@Archon3960]

Nah. Kim Possible is actually a Plucky YA Teen done right imo. I'd rather pick Totally Spies (though they don't have ANY real skill), any of the main characters in The Divergeante Series, Juliana in The Man in the High Castle, or even Eragon (even though he doesn't end up as king).

[@MK_ULTRA420]

@@Archon3960 Totally Spies has better r34, which is what really matters.

[@skeletonbuyingpealts7134]

@@MK_ULTRA420 I prefer the r33 myself

[@platinumchromee3191]

@@skeletonbuyingpealts7134 yes R33 skyline is beautiful

[@Luissv72]

"Or in Anime-speak... 'Truck-kun'" I'm weak!!! 😂🤣

[@RIlianP]

The thing, I think, our so unreliable narrator missed is, the other fantasy races characters. You know every race should be known for one main trait pack : elves are immortal, speak with posh brit accents, arrogant and live in forest dwarfs - only mine, smith, drink, speak in Scottish accent etc. Absolutely in no condition should we provide any individuality to any non main cast member of race that is not human, that will make the audience think that some effort was put in the world building and maybe some of the focus group members will dislike it.

[@boeuf-in9oe]

I'm just waiting for somone to make a posh Dwarf. We already have tsundere tomboy elves afterall.

[@wariodude128]

As someone who once played Grima Wormtongue in a stage production of LotR, I felt the scheming advisor bit. What I think would be great is if all his plans and machinations are actually very benign and beneficial to the court. It's just that he has a naturally evil laugh and has a tendency to say "Excellent, just as planned!" every time he does something.

[@purplehaze2358]

Watch these videos back and count every time a done-to-death trope was a diet version of something in either Tolkien’s works or Star Wars.

[@margarettangiiti9813]

sup you psycopath

[@purplehaze2358]

@@margarettangiiti9813 Pardon?

[@zenzenulous2243]

Right when I was thinking about watching TWA, I get a notification. Godspeed.

[@novaterra973]

4:27 And I just realized how Yuffie from FFVII is actually a well-written plucky thief character.

[@ciphergacha9100]

I love how for the minions love triangle success chance it’s “0% but it would be funny to see them try to compete”

[@johnnydarling8021]

11:17 WOW! The blue check marks actually aged well better than expected. Thanks Elon.

[@turais8865]

5:05 "Love Triangle Victory Chances: 0%, just ask Tinkerbell". I'm not saying she's had her own spin-off series and has a bunch of rule 34 drawn of her, but she's had her own spin-off series and has a bunch of rule 34 drawn of her.

[@bryandiaz7013]

We hath forsaken God.

[@crowlowin4330]

And didn't she have a boyfriend named Clarence or something?

[@Percival917]

Literally any mainstream or cult work of fiction has rule 34 drawn of them, that's not an accomplishment.

[@nadiamozerhusain4259]

And she has Terence.

[@eldavid8774]

Percival917 but you have to admit, wanting to fuck a character smaller than your hand is pretty weird

[@Treviisolion]

A fun twist on a Wizard character is making them talented at magic, but still green enough to not really know restraint. You can have your wizard doing all sorts of cool things, but also causing all sorts of problems due to their lack of restraint until they gain character development through the consequences of their own actions. Of course it does work a bit better if your protagonist is the magic-user.

[@artofthepossible7329]

Anyone order Familicide?

[@Sorain1]

I think my favorite take on that is a Vancian Caster that blows all their best spells at the first opportunity in a day. It neutralizes them as plot killer, maintains their potential power and gives them a solid two character development arcs. (Arc 1: learning restraint with their magic. Arc 2: Learning when to not be restrained in magic use. Potential bonus Arc 3: Beating into other's heads that your power does have rules and limits.)

[@inserisciunnome]

4:30 "Connections to the criminal underground that are never used!" Truly Beutifull. Funnily enought, i builded a character around that "criminal underground" thing, Just to realize its never going to be used, ever.

[@No_Sleepee]

Here's an interesting Idea: Why not make that character a compulsive liar, and have the whole "I have underground connections" thing be a lie in it of itself?

[@jerrydne2912]

@@No_Sleepee That's totally that one kid in Jr. High

[@inserisciunnome]

@@No_Sleepee i could, but then i would have to re-write his whole backstory to something else. When i mean i builded the whole character around It, i mean the whole BACKSTORY, not his skills etc, to someone that you could believe Is basically a Mafia Boss's right hand

[@inserisciunnome]

@@No_Sleepee interesting idea nontheless, i might use It as an escape route if i do some other slip ups.

[@HighKnight]

The criminal underground thing could work. Maybe use of an old contraband tunnel to go through a particular enemy fortress undetected. Or have the criminal background guy can get some favors from shop owners. Maybe have a small army at your disposal if the criminal background guy can get it. Or have them as a third party unit in a conflict that can provide arms or items needed for one of the sides. Have them be the access to trade or merchant companies. You can use a lot of things like this to make the criminal underground work.

[@professionalgameman5409]

9:58 Look, it's the Knights of Ren!

[@Longshanks1690]

9:55 My mind sees nothing but Captain Phasma for this category. That’s literally just describing her.

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

Oh, but she's a prop. With some editing you can make the sequels work ("work") without her.

[@FirstnameLastname-bp2pg]

And Boba Fett

[@Longshanks1690]

@@FirstnameLastname-bp2pg Except Boba actually led the Empire to Bespin, he did a thing which had a tangible effect on the plot. Phasma was as useless as nipples on a breastplate.

[@TheRezro]

@@Longshanks1690 She is Boba Fet refence, but in modern days it is not surprise that people didn't get it. After all most haters don't know shit about Star Wars, beside maybe prequels.

[@FirstnameLastname-bp2pg]

@@Longshanks1690 I guess Boba *barely* edges out but he was kinda still in this category. People seem to just worship the original trilogy despite its own flaws like the Ewoks defeating the Stormtroopers.

[@randyrichmondiii3415]

J.P has blessed us with more sarcasm

[@Dark_Peace]

I made a référence to TWA in my graphic novel ! One of the heroes confuses reality & fiction and wants his life to be a fantasy story. He has JP's "best story ever" book where he looks what to do according to the book's good advices.

[@cortomaltese5206]

Cool! You should make him mention the love triangle as well!

[@Dark_Peace]

@@cortomaltese5206 in chapter 2, he wants to seduce the main protagonist, so we see him reading a page named "love interests" with JP's good ol' advices and of course, the symbol of the almighty Love Triangle. (Which is actually the only time you can see a page of the book, in the rest of the story, you just see the cover "best Book ever")

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa4545]

The Twitter checkmark joke before the sponsor aged so perfectly

[@blakeallen3573]

7:40 "Avoid: Taking any cues from the discworld novel" You would have sincerely earned your new subscriber, if I hadn't already been subscribed

[@ianfleischer3532]

I've been reading The Way of Kings from the Stormlight Archive series and it subverts each and every one of this tropes, i highly recommend it for anyone looking for some easy to read, good modern fantasy literature which also has an identity of its own

[@haveagoodmourning]

I'm just sitting here, thinking about my fandoms and favorite characters, desperately hoping they won't match any of the advice in this

[@thecoolguy7985]

Why? If they match J.P’s advice they must be good! He’s never sarcastic!

[@haveagoodmourning]

@@thecoolguy7985 Ah yes, that is very true, for you see, I was employing sarcasm of my own. JP's advice is gospel and 100% should be taken at face value

[@thecoolguy7985]

@@haveagoodmourning That joke was bad, it didn’t end with “Zappers!”

[@meteoritea]

OML I found you again °Д°

[@thecoolguy7985]

@@meteoritea Who?

[@rogerloger1935]

You know what a never understood, that There are Potato in middle medieval Time. It should be turnip.

[@novaterra973]

Eh, not much of a problem really unless the author makes a sales pitch about how his work is a 'historically accurate' fantasy (oxymoron as it is).

[@steelbear2063]

@@novaterra973 Still it's fantasy, if I say my Europe-looking setting has potatoes and bananas then it has potatoes and bananas

[@novaterra973]

@@steelbear2063 Thing is, by saying their work is 'historically accurate', the author is basically openly inviting the scrutiny from that angle. And usually found extremely wanting.

[@Nethan2000]

My favorite angle is by Kilian Experience. If you have potatoes in your fantasy world, I wanna see some llamas. Where are the llamas? Don't you even dare telling me they don't fit the setting.

[@novaterra973]

@@Nethan2000 Actually, I think this Killian Experience is missing something here: The RL Europe never really bothered much with llamas because they already had sheeps.

[@gorcshurut4934]

"Don't worry....I S E K A I is on my list as well..." Hell yeah.

[@anthonytorres-cruz1598]

In The Clone Wars, the clones are technically guards, however they are usually the best part and best written characters in the show.

[@tatodziadekpl4289]

Good soldiers follow orders

[@powerist209]

And ironically contrast between them and stormtroopers. In Clone Wars, the clones who refused to work with team were reprimanded while the Rebels’ Stormtrooper cadets were encouraged to leave their comrades behind for victory (even Ennis’ comic covered it).

[@Archon3960]

And yet, they have no huge impact on the plot, because the show has to follow the movies. The originality will only go so far, because you cannot retcon RotS, and god forbid we use original characters to attract more people with the fanservice... I mean, to show more facets of our beloved heroes! Yeah... that must be it.

[@emperorwhiskeyjack7382]

On the good king trope, that's one of the many things I love about the Dragon Prince. King Harrow's holier than thou attitude bites him the ass, and his advisor isn't really evil at the start, just ambitious, and he's genuinely loyal for the most part. Again, at first, by Season Three Viren's a complete monster

[@gloweye]

The Guardian Beast > Love Triangle Victory Chances: 0%. Hm, I think I've been reading some different stuff than you....

[@bificommander]

If the beast features tentacles of any kind...

[@Reydriel]

*nice*

[@brifox]

Shrek, a time where the bard player unironically says "I attempt to seduce the dragon" and rolls a Nat 20.

[@olafgurke4699]

@@brifox Donkey is the bard confirmed.

[@LordHypertronUniversum]

7:30 - Jokes on you, Everybody loves Gatekeeper-kun.

[@gallalameblook9911]

When the Gatekeeper with a generic soldier model wins a popularity poll "GREETINGS PROFESSOR ! NOTHING TO REPORT"

[@Row_of_E]

1:35 yeah. Never mind the fact that in a culture where arranged marriage is the norm' the character will probably react to it with apathy at worst, and excitement at best, since they'd finally get a life partner...

[@the_corvid97]

Does anyone know any stories where the "Scheming Advisor" is actually the good guy? That actually looks like a cool concept that I'm not sure if I have seen.

[@TheRezro]

Several... but most people either ignore scheming because he is adviser (Obi Wan) or ignore that he is adviser because he is scheming (Kyubey).

[@Aredel]

Varys from Game of Thrones kind of fits the bill.

[@gabrielchasecanceladosinap3959]

He could be the King's best friend or member of the family.

[@llanfairpwlgwyngyll7331]

You can just hear his sanity slowly leave as he reads his own script writing

[@canaisyoung3601]

Probably why he hasn't done a new video in months. Well, that and he probably finally gave up anything resembling writing when he heard that ChatGPT and other AI chat bots can do it better.

[@kingturboturtlednoc5722]

2:45 "...she's your freaking little sister!" Eromanga Sensei: *Imma pretend I didn't see that*

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

Let me pull the "Not blood related" card real quick.

[@kingturboturtlednoc5722]

@@DonVigaDeFierro "its not incest if you say no chromo" /s

[@sanfransiscon]

Sagiri is ready to start cutting throats

[@Diresilence]

I actually like how Order of the Stick did their one royal. The king more or less acted like he was mentally challenged, stupid, and easily swayed. It was all an act, as it helped him do what he felt was right for the kingdom, while his opponents would just roll his eyes and just assume it was one of his mad fits, along with pink pony appreciation day and the like

[@dexis9412]

“Isekai is on my list as well” Hoo boy a storm is comin.

[@malwareangel01]

one of my favorite ways magic was handled in a story is earthbound, where everyone is still weirded out by it, but in a way ur weirded out by like. a gross bug or a guy singing opera loudly on a train

[@maryatracer154]

Counterexample: Harry Potter was a young male wizard protagonist, and he lost the love triangle. He and Hermione wound up more like brother and sister, and Hermione married Ron.

[@lady_apocalypse178]

That wasn't really a love triangle... It was never said he had any feelings for Hermione, exept the brother/sister type of friendship.

[@Draber2b]

@@lady_apocalypse178 At least in the films it was strongly implied. Although only for a *very short while,* so Harry did *overall* treat her like a friend. But there was *a moment* of "those feelings" between them.

[@lady_apocalypse178]

@D. Draber, oh that is possible I have watched these movies years ago, I am much more familiar with the books...

[@andresacosta4832]

@@Draber2b Films heavily deviated from the books though

[@fantasyshadows3207]

@@andresacosta4832 Lol honestly compared to a lot of book to movie adaptations, not that much

[@melskunk]

The guide to writing the best KZbin comment is to be sure to post FIRST because that never gets old!

[@kieyvsquared6817]

**Breaks down door** "DID SOMEONE SAY ✨ *F A N T A S Y* ✨?!"

[@apples6684]

The Guards: "Avoid taking any cues from the Discworld Novels" aww man, I was gonna write something inspired by that. Guess I know now that it's a bad idea!

[@dylan8443]

Is it a good read?

[@xyxxyyxx]

@@dylan8443 yes

[@notapplicable6985]

@@dylan8443 It's pretty good. I really like the second guards novel. Spolier alert. I really like how in the second book there is a myatery weapons that kills people, and it later turns out to he a gun.

[@solaljourdan4969]

@@notapplicable6985 Spoiler too A sentient magic mind controlling gun

[@sarafontanini7051]

Discworld is good and basically what more people should taking cues from, as it specifically deconstructs and tries to avoid tolkien tropes (mostly by making fun of them)

[@Justin-oc6uu]

“The Plucky YA Teen” So every anime protagonist?

[@artofthepossible7329]

Depends on the anime really.

[@SlapstickGenius23]

Depends on a manga rly.

[@somepos7614]

Depends on the LN really.

[@XavierZazi]

Depends on the author really.

[@IHateSmilingFriendsTheTVShow]

Depends on the pencil that sketched the concepts really.

[@awyn0maze]

I miss the honest thoughts section of his blog (where he gives real advice.) He hasn’t updated in a year.

[@L3X1N]

The chosen one, TWA, awakens! Sit down now, we wouldn't want you to walk away from the next few hours of exposition.

[@sir-canttalkalot]

"And for God's sake, dude, she's your freaking little sister!". The funniest shit I ever read.

[@TheRezro]

It is because many Japanese boys are actually isolated with high level etiquette expected from actual dates. It is why for most desperate that is only option.

[@oliviabean8264]

@@TheRezro I can personally confirm that a lack social skills and not getting dating opportunities during highschool definitely inevitably leads to that! Also this is one hundred percent not a justification that's commonly used by adults who exclusively seek out friendships with preteens!

[@KennyFrierson]

Weakness: Yes ah poor minions

[@GalacticRanger]

The amount of shots taken at Eragon on is truly amazing

[@Kahtisemo]

I think my favorite spin on the Scheming Advisor is when they work their way into position to puppet the Good King but because they actually are a Good King the Scheming Advisor is actually friends with them. There may be betrayal at some point, maybe not since they can assure the minions cohorts they're just "waiting for the right time" with no actual plan to take over because in some weird way they don't want to lose their friend. In some rare cases the "Scheming Advisor" is actually the good guy on a revenge bid but finds it harder and harder to go through with the plan but is under pressure from a second hand with an agenda.

[@SuperBatSpider]

I made an evil princess who controls animals with her voice. She can just sing and make bears and lions attack you against their will.

[@tach5884]

Do any of her songs sound like Led Zeppelin?

[@devillass6025]

Omg dont post that here someone might steal it.

[@SuperBatSpider]

Idk. I didn’t write any songs because I’m not a good song writer.

[@canaisyoung3601]

Oh, so a Disney princess filtered through a Saturday Night Live or MADtv parody.

[@SuperBatSpider]

I guess

[@ppen5549]

Is it just me or is JP getting more cynical

[@Justanotherconsumer]

He’s at peak cynicism, just letting his freak flag fly for this episode.

[@Manglet762]

Quarantine and world state is likely getting to him.

[@johnathonhaney8291]

@@Manglet762 He and I live in the state with the eighth highest COVID infection rate per million people. Not a lot of light out here, no matter how much people pretend.

[@theunreadyone]

2020 tends to do that to a person

[@oliviawilliams6204]

@@theunreadyone just wait for 2021....

[@jessicareutercastrogiovann5796]

No damsels in distress? I thought they were a staple of fantasy. Granted, I routinely roll my eyes so hard that they pop out of my head when one shows up, so maybe it was good to exclude them.

[@ramenbomberdeluxe4958]

Remember, he typically avoids too many gender, racial, or other big social issues if he can help it, despite dipping his feet in it recently.

[@jessicareutercastrogiovann5796]

@@ramenbomberdeluxe4958 True, but he has mentioned before how the typically female love interests get captured a lot.

[@keamort9974]

This was a video on characters not items. A damsel in distress has as much character as a magic sword or gem mcguffin and about the same personality most of the time. I imagine it would be pretty rude to actually put that into the video though. I mean, you could make them an interesting character with personality and strengths and weaknesses with genuine connections to the main characters and who have agency in the story, but naaah. That would distract from them being a high score bonus in the power fantasy.

[@jessicareutercastrogiovann5796]

@@keamort9974 Good point. There's a reason the sexy lamp trope exists. Hate it so much.

[@fiendish9474]

@@jessicareutercastrogiovann5796 sexy lamp? Do tell.

[@scottmantooth8785]

4:55 *the Plucky™ Thief(LLC) is also contractually obligated (within the narrative as presented) to have and use on a frequent basis his/her own catch phrase and historic era variant of "Zappers"...the phrase could be a whimsical and delightfully humorous (but no less annoying) replacement for a more common expletive where the context would not be suitably appropriate for the intended target age demographic*

[@Meraxaform]

5:33 The moment I saw the tombstones, I knew what it was and it was such a brilliant joke that it killed me. I am now one with the other dead protagonists' parents.

[@chrisschirripa5917]

Actually in my story, you actually get to know the protag’s parents or at least family before.....things happen