The hottest Fantasy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

The Fall Of The Kingdom Of Illumina

ASeq Newsletter β€’ 80 implied HN points β€’ 19 Aug 23
βš” Fiction Fantasy Adventure Drama
  1. King Flatley ruled the kingdom of Illumina for 17 years, but an evil wizard infiltrated causing chaos.
  2. The evil wizard DeSouza's reign of terror led to the kingdom's downfall as he sought the power of the Holy GRAIL.
  3. Prince Icahn rose to challenge DeSouza, leading to a battle that ultimately determined the fate of Illumina.

Finding Flow in the Forgotten Realms

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gaming Fantasy Immersion Choices Adventure
  1. The author found deep immersion and joy in creating and developing their character in a fantasy game, reflecting on personal choices while exploring new professions and team dynamics.
  2. Throughout the game, the author encountered moral dilemmas that blurred the lines between good and evil, emphasizing the significance of decisions and their consequences.
  3. The experience of playing the game brought the author into a state of flow and profound engagement, highlighting the value of deep immersion in activities that bring joy and satisfaction.

[crosspost] the nameless sorrow at the bottom of your heart

Thicket Forte β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 08 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Fiction Fantasy Magic Reading
  1. The book 'So You Want to Be a Wizard' has great ideas about magic that can inspire readers. It's enjoyable when a book makes you think deeply about the world.
  2. One of the spooky ideas in the book is about what happens when you decide to give up magic. It can bring up feelings of loss or emptiness.
  3. Sharing favorite books can create connections with others who enjoy similar themes and ideas. It’s nice to find common ground over stories we love.

Balrog Associate Agreement (BAA)

The Frontier Psychiatrists β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jan 24
πŸ˜‚ Humor Satire Fantasy
  1. The article humorously explores a fantasy world through the lens of compliance and legal issues.
  2. The Balrog Associate Agreement was not signed, leading to chaos in a mine operation.
  3. The story unfolds with twists and turns, revealing consequences of missing contracts and responsibilities.
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The Magic Mind Stone

Once Upon A News β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 18 Apr 23
βš” Fiction Fantasy Invention Adventure Magic Storytelling
  1. Elara wished to walk again and live without problems, and hoped for the magic mind stone to make it happen.
  2. Despite challenges, the inventor and helpers worked to make the magic mind stone safer after facing opposition.
  3. The story emphasizes the importance of being careful and responsible when pursuing dreams, like creating the magic mind stone.

Fantasy Racism

Tom Thought β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 28 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Racism Stereotypes
  1. A racialized worldview is a mental model that simplifies human diversity into distinct groups based on combined biological and cultural traits.
  2. Fantasy, especially influenced by Tolkien, often presents a racialized utopia where different races cooperate, each bringing unique strengths to the table.
  3. Despite recent D&D rules changes around racial stereotypes, fantasy racism is deeply ingrained in the game's identity, offering a way to play with racial tropes in a fantasy setting.

Girardian Isekai Part 2: Isekai is Two Worlds Mythology

From the New World β€’ 16 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Mythology Fantasy Christianity Literature
  1. Isekai is a genre of fantasy where characters are transported to new worlds, often focused on contrasting present-world features with historical or fantastical elements.
  2. Isekai narratives can serve as a tool to explore and recover Christian heritage, highlighting true teachings amidst modern distortions.
  3. The concept of Isekai serves as a modern form of 'two worlds mythology' where Christian interpretations and themes can be reexamined in a new light.

into the void

alice maz β€’ 41 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Science fiction Society Fantasy Worldbuilding Human nature
  1. The future depicted in sci-fi can range from harsh and plausible like 'Void Star' to sophisticated and refined like 'A Memory Called Empire'.
  2. Technology influences society by changing constraints and rewriting rules - it's not always good, but it matters.
  3. Fiction, like 'To the Stars', offers a fantasy world where incredible feats are possible through suffering and teamwork, depicting an ideal that reality often falls short of.

Jiao Tu's Endeavour

Trantor Publishing β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 11 Nov 22
πŸ“š Literature Review Fantasy Adventure Science fiction Character
  1. The story of Jiao Tu's Endeavour is a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy/adventure, featuring a generation ship with humans in stasis and animals running the show, developing complex societies.
  2. Jiao Tu, an uplifted rabbit character, embarks on a quest to rescue a kidnapped mousling, encountering dangers, allies, and a cult, showcasing a strict code of ethics and manners inspired by Eastern traditions.
  3. The narrative focuses more on action and adventure rather than hard science fiction elements, with world-building sprinkled throughout the story, catering to reader preference for a patient detailing of setting.

In the Palm of Metal

Trantor Publishing β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 26 Oct 22
βš” Fiction Short Stories Sci-fi Fantasy Dystopian Technology
  1. People in this story are deeply immersed in a virtual reality world called the VirtNet, aspiring for a more fulfilling life in this digital realm.
  2. The consequences of illegal access to the VirtNet are portrayed, showcasing the severe physical and legal aftermath faced by those who exploit the system.
  3. The story unfolds as a detective and his partner plan a deception to grant one of them a chance at finally plugging into the simulated paradise.

The Lone Toad - Ribbiting Adventures Issue 2

The Lone Toad - Croaker RPGs Newsletter β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 19 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration RPGs Fantasy Design
  1. Buffalo Castle may have been the first solo RPG adventure created, opening up a new world for solo tabletop roleplaying games.
  2. Tunnels & Trolls, developed as a simpler and more accessible alternative to D&D, paved the way for unique RPG experiences.
  3. Designing solo RPGs requires balancing storytelling and player agency, as seen in lessons learned from Buffalo Castle, the pioneering solo adventure.

To the Other World

Political Currents by Ross Barkan β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Anime Animation Fantasy Storytelling
  1. Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama, was a hugely influential series that left a lasting impact on a generation with its complex characters and thrilling story arcs.
  2. Character development was a key strength of Dragon Ball Z, with characters like Vegeta undergoing significant transformations from villain to antihero to protector throughout the series.
  3. The unexpected twists and deep emotional moments in Dragon Ball Z set it apart, offering a level of pathos rarely seen in contemporary animation.

We interrupt this Substack for some truly shameless self-promotion

Gradient Ascendant β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 05 Sep 23
πŸ“š Literature Science fiction Fantasy Writing Books Authors
  1. The author wrote a science fiction novel that is an epic with unique ideas and pacing.
  2. The novel explores the idea of reality being computational and programmable, inspired by computer science.
  3. The book delves into questions about the future of humanity and what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world.

Review of Fantasy: Realms of Imagination

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Exhibition Fantasy Literature Book Author
  1. Exhibitions can offer surprising insights, like broadening one's view of fantasy beyond traditional perceptions.
  2. Fantasy literature includes diverse genres like epics, quests, fairy tales, and more, showcasing a rich tapestry of storytelling.
  3. The exhibition 'Fantasy: Realms of Imagination' is described as sumptuous, featuring film excerpts, beautiful books, and interactive elements.

Worldbuilding is creative resilience

The Ideaspace β€’ 21 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Fantasy Music Worldbuilding Imagination
  1. Worldbuilding is the act of designing a self-contained universe, creating a safe creative space separate from the earthly realm.
  2. Creating from your world means work inspired and strengthened by an intentional inner world, allowing you to immerse yourself and lose touch with the shared world.
  3. Worldbuilding prioritizes the symbolic and inspirational over the practical and rational, creating a source of inner confidence and resilience.

The Practice of A Particular Weird

A Particular Weird β€’ 18 implied HN points β€’ 12 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Fantasy Literature Writing Community Creativity
  1. Discovering and embracing your own unique value and weirdness can lead to more authentic and resonant connections with others.
  2. It's important to practice and develop your individuality and uniqueness over time, rather than trying to fit into a predetermined mold.
  3. Creating a space for community interaction and discussion based on personal weirdness can foster connection and growth among like-minded individuals.

Elden Ring, the Omen King, and the Shadow of Death

A Particular Weird β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 28 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Gaming Fantasy Art Literature Philosophy
  1. Boss battles in video games like Elden Ring provide unique challenges and test players' skills for progression.
  2. Elden Ring's narrative and gameplay demand effort and skill from players to uncover its deep story and themes.
  3. The story of the Omen King in Elden Ring explores themes of tragedy, power, and the complexity of violence and heroism.

The Farthest Shore

Charles Eisenstein β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 02 May 23
πŸ“š Literature Fantasy Philosophy Fiction Magic Reality
  1. In Ursula K. Le Guin's 'The Farthest Shore,' there's a warning about the danger of pursuing immortality and power over life.
  2. Le Guin raises the importance of accepting the reality of death and embracing the preciousness of life.
  3. She emphasizes the need to use power and technology responsibly, maintaining balance and not succumbing to the temptation of control and domination.

The Seed Grower - Part III

storyvoyager β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 20 Aug 23
βš” Fiction Fantasy Dystopia Climate fiction Short Story Screenwriting
  1. A farmer grows illegal seeds of resistance, but her life gets complicated when an unexpected guest joins the Midsummer festival.
  2. The AI Officer creates a humorous moment with the school kids, causing laughter and a sense of mystery and intrigue.
  3. Alaska grapples with difficult decisions and sacrifices, ultimately facing consequences for her actions in the end.

Stoneybrook: Chapter Eighteen

cruiseandpaul β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Aug 23
βš” Fiction Fantasy Adventure Friendship
  1. Claudia signed various papers for her undercover operation in a store basement with a secret business operation.
  2. Karen shared a story from her past about a rebellious Harry Potter club that led to a secret society in underground passageways.
  3. The passageways, stemming from a secret passage, contain various shops, dining places, and activities with a unique structure and hidden entrances.

Homeschooling RΔ“Β·Δ•Ε„Β·Ε­n

The False Consensus Effect β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 22
πŸ“š Literature Short Stories Creative Writing Authorship Fantasy Fiction
  1. The author shares a very busy Friday itinerary with tasks like writing a grant, painting, planning meals, and band practice, showcasing a variety of activities encompassing work, family, creativity, and relaxation.
  2. A story is shared, blending elements of fiction, contemplation, and imagination around themes of apples, roast duck, and a man named John Lindsey, adding an element of mystery and creativity to the narrative.
  3. The post concludes with a menu description for a Y2K New Year's Eve meal, including dishes like roasted duck, field greens, lemon vinaigrette, mashed potatoes, and dessert items such as Key lime pie and lemon-maple cake, offering a glimpse into a festive culinary experience.