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Fantasy, also known as
high fantasy or
generic fantasy, is a genre of fiction and games set in parallel worlds, with magic and the supernatural as important elements of the story and gameplay. Fantasy worlds are often inspired by the look and feel of the European Middle Ages. Famous authors of high fantasy include J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. Fantasy role-playing games often include elements of sword and sorcery, a fantasy genre that focuses on action and individual characters. The icon of Sword and Sorcery is Robert E. Howard's
Conan character. The Mano a Mano Fantasy Sourcebook provides material for use with the
Mano a Mano Role-Playing System, but much of the material can also be used with other game systems.
Fantasy Worlds
Ars Nova is an example fantasy world based on 14th century Europe. Generic fantasy elements such as magic, elves, ghosts and monsters exist alongside real-world history, historical religions and even historical people.
Characters
The Multiverse
The multiverse is the set all of the parallel universes or alternate realities which exist. While some fantasy worlds are relatively self-contained, other fantasy worlds are part of a fictional universe which may be connected to other universes and even worlds like our own. Many fantasy worlds also have ways of traveling backward through time. These fantasy worlds may have characters and technologies that seem out of place in a typically medieval fantasy setting. Anachronistic characters may come from other worlds with different technologies, or they may be time travelers. Anachronistic technology can also be artifacts of a forgotten civilization from the past. Depending on the setting and adventure, the heroes of high fantasy might be locals, visitors from other places and times, or a combination of both.
