When you are reading or writing a fantasy novel, several words or terms have specific meaning for the fantasy genre. I found an informative and interesting website (the link is at the end of the article) about writing in the fantasy genre that explains terms fantasy writers should understand. They are also helpful for people who enjoy reading fantasies.

I’ve selected ten of these terms to include in this issue.

1.      Schools of Magic- These are categories of magic which might be taught/learned or used in the fantasy genre. Listed below are eight examples:

·       Abjuration is magical protection. This magic is used by a wizard or a mage to protect themselves at all costs.

·       Conjuration deals with summoning. It can be used to separate elements from each other or to summon demons from hell. A conjuror always has an animal familiar.

·       Divination is the attempt to gain insight or receive the answer to a question through an occultic ritual or practice.

·       Enchantment deals with charms, potions, and mind-altering spells.

·       Evocation covers spells, potions, or charms that destroy.

·       Illusion deals with spells, potions, sounds, images, or charms used by illusionists to confuse people. Many illusionists are able to move around seemingly invisible.

·       Necromancy involves the power over death. A necromancer can raise the dead, grant false life to the living, or turn themselves into a lich – a type of undead creature.

·       Transmutation is the art of turning one thing into another such as turning a human into a frog or a pumpkin into a carriage.

2.      Balrog – a fallen angel or demon from hell obsessed with revenge or determined to wreak havoc or chaos on a person, civilization, or world.

3.      Deamons are ghosts of pagans that live in the outermost circle of hell.

4.      Demons are chaotic beings that live in the outer plains. They are evil beings that lie and break promises. They are in constant battle with devils to torment the souls of the damned in hell. A succubus (female) or an incubus (male) are demons that kill lustful humans.

5.      Djinns or Genies are magical beings of fire who first inhabited the Earth. They were driven back by the goods to make room for humans. For this reason, most Djinns or genies hate humans and want to punish them. They are capable of granting wishes to humans, but often twist the wish to ruin its result.

6.      Drakes are dragon-like creatures who cannot speak. They also have no hands on their forelimbs. Some drakes have four legs and no wings. Drakes who breathe fire are red or orange. Drakes who breathe frost are typically white or light blue. Some authors use the drake and dragon interchangeably.

7.      Dragons are the most popular mythical beasts in the fantasy genre. They are typically reptilian creatures with scales, wings, and the ability to fly and breathe fire. Dragons are highly intelligent and live for long periods of time. Most dragons can speak. Some hoard treasures and kill anyone who disturbs their lair which is usually a cave high in the mountains or deep in the forest. Some dragons are loyal to a specific human.

8.      Fey (also spelled fay, fye, or fae) and Fairy – these are magical creatures that live between worlds. They often live in parts of the world where humans have little or no control such as the dense forest. Sometimes they are from other worlds. The fey jump between worlds using stones. They come and go with the seasons. The fey are not typically evil, but they are known as tricksters who enjoy  taunting humans. Humans should not trust them. Fairies and fey can be used interchangeably; however, in many fantasies for children fairies are friendly mischievous creatures who help humans by granting wishes or using their magical powers to protect them.

9.      Gnomes are creatures that have escaped the fey world. They are similar to a dwarf, but usually do not have beards. In some fantasies they are interchangeable with trolls who tend to be malevolent creatures. Gnomes traditionally are not mean or evil, they act mischievously out of boredom and may do things during the night like move around people’s belongings or paint their houses bright colors.

10.  Goblins and Orcs are different creatures. Goblins are traditionally small and clever. They like to invent and build things such as clever weapons for battles. Orcs are larger than humans and have super strength. They love to do battle and are savage warriors with no regard for life or property.  

Source for this article:

https://www.writerswrite.co.za/a-complete-glossary-of-terms-for-fantasy-writers/