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Date Posted: 09:04:51 03/23/04 Tue
Author: Bob
Subject: Re: Heroic Fantasy
In reply to: Adilbrand 's message, "Heroic Fantasy" on 08:26:46 03/23/04 Tue

> how many of us have actually really achieved "happily ever after"?

I have!

but your point is no less valid. Grand schemes and grander victories can be fun to think about but if you consider the traditional myth cycle (creation->adventure->conflict->death/destruction->rebirth) contemporary heroic fantasy (and much of D&D) is stuck in the first three stages. It's a retarded version of the the complete cycle.

On the other hand, consider (since I just read it) REH's Xuthal of the Dusk: Conan fights the demon(conflict), is torn to bloody bits and left hanging at the edge of a well leading to hell(death/destuction) -- he totters back to the Brythunian girl (I forget names - I'll just call her Charlie) through whom he is brought back to health (rebirth).

Victory didn't entail shining glory but escape!

The same thing happens in our games -- Captured by picts=death/dismemberment followed by escape/rescue and a return to civilization (rebirth). Tewelde is attacked, grappled by a demon -- submerged(death) and then escapes back out of the water (rebirth).

These are the moments that resound most deeply in our psyches and are what make the stories so memorable!

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