120 Powerful Fantasy Writing Prompts

fantasy writing prompts

Fantasy writing opens up a realm of endless possibilities, allowing writers to create worlds that captivate readers and transport them to magical realms. Whether you’re an aspiring author or an experienced novelist, the right prompt can spark your imagination and lead to an unforgettable story.

Below, you’ll find a variety of fantasy writing prompts across different subgenres, each designed to ignite your creativity and help you craft interesting narratives.

Epic Fantasy Story Ideas

We know epic fantasy for its grand scale, complex characters, and intricate plots. Here are some prompts to help you weave your own epic tales:

A young farmhand discovers an ancient sword buried in the forest, a weapon once wielded by a legendary hero destined to return in the kingdom’s darkest hour.
In a world where people revere dragons as gods, a humble scholar unearths a forbidden text that claims dragons are not divine but mortal creatures hiding a dark secret.
A war-torn kingdom is on the brink of collapse, and a disparate group of outcasts must unite to find a mythical artifact that could save their homeland.
A princess betrothed to a prince from a rival kingdom must navigate political intrigue and assassination attempts while uncovering her own latent magical abilities.
The last of an ancient race of sorcerers, hunted to near extinction, must train a reluctant apprentice to prevent a prophecy of doom from coming to pass.
A long-lost heir must prove their lineage by undergoing ancient trials designed by their ancestors.
A warrior discovers they are the reincarnation of a legendary hero and must reclaim their past life’s unfinished quest.
A kingdom built on the back of a giant moving creature faces danger as the creature dies.
A blacksmith forges a weapon that attracts the attention of both gods and demons.
A forgotten prophecy reveals that a humble baker holds the key to stopping an ancient evil.
In a world where seasons last for decades, a group of adventurers must survive a never-ending winter to find a mystical artifact.
People say a hidden island holds the fountain of youth, and a motley crew of explorers sets sail to find it.
A dragon slayer is tasked with protecting the last dragon egg from those who wish to destroy it.
A mage’s apprentice accidentally unleashes a plague of magical creatures and must rectify the chaos.
A rebellion forms in a land where magic is outlawed, led by a figure known only as the Shadow Sorcerer.

epic fantasy writing prompts

Dark Fantasy Story Ideas

Dark fantasy combines the fantastical with the macabre, often exploring themes of horror and the supernatural. Here are some dark fantasy prompts to send shivers down your spine:

In a cursed village where the dead rise every night, a lone necromancer searches for the spell to break the curse before the living are outnumbered.
A warrior is haunted by the spirits of those they’ve killed in battle, and each ghost demands a favor before they will grant the warrior peace.
A kingdom ruled by a vampire aristocracy is on the verge of rebellion, led by a dhampir (a half human, half vampire) who must reconcile their dual heritage.
An ancient forest is home to malevolent spirits that lure travelers to their doom, and a band of adventurers must brave its depths to retrieve a powerful relic.
A scholar discovers a lost city beneath the sands, inhabited by the damned souls of a forgotten civilization that demands a terrible price for trespassing.
A cursed cathedral traps souls within its walls, and a lone exorcist must free them before they become malevolent spirits.
Nightly visits from a shadowy figure who steals the essence of their dreams plague a town.
An abandoned asylum is the battleground of a war between ancient spirits and the living.
A witch’s coven uses forbidden rituals to summon an ancient demon, only to find it uncontrollable.
A warrior finds themselves in a nightmare realm where their darkest fears become reality.
A cursed ring binds its wearer to the underworld, drawing them closer to death with each passing day.
A necromancer’s failed experiment leads to a plague of undead that only they can stop.
A haunted lighthouse is the only refuge for a group of survivors during a supernatural storm.
A village sacrifices its youngest to a forest spirit to ensure a bountiful harvest, but one child escapes.
A knight returns from a crusade only to find their homeland transformed into a nightmarish wasteland.

dark fantasy story prompts

Urban Fantasy Ideas

Urban fantasy brings magical elements into contemporary settings, blending the mundane with the mystical. Here are some prompts to inspire your urban fantasy stories:

In a city where magic is illegal, a street magician with genuine powers becomes the target of a government witch hunt.
A detective with the ability to see ghosts must solve a murder case with the help of the victim’s restless spirit.
A barista discovers they are the last in a line of guardians tasked with protecting the city from supernatural threats.
An underground fight club for magical creatures is disrupted when a human accidentally stumbles upon it and must fight for their life.
A librarian discovers a hidden section of the library that contains books of forbidden spells and accidentally unleashes a dangerous entity.
A tattoo artist discovers their designs come to life, granting mystical abilities to those who bear them.
A barista at a local coffee shop realizes the shop is a haven for mythical creatures hiding in plain sight.
A detective with the ability to read minds must solve a string of crimes committed by a group of rogue telepaths.
A musician finds a haunted instrument that grants them extraordinary talent but at a dark cost.
A street performer’s act unintentionally opens a portal to a parallel world, and they must navigate between dimensions to set things right.
A city park harbors a secret entrance to a magical realm, and a jogger accidentally stumbles upon it.
A group of hackers discovers a digital entity with magical powers that can alter reality through cyberspace.
An ancient library hidden beneath the city streets contains spells and incantations that attract dangerous seekers of power.
A taxi driver unknowingly ferries mythical beings around the city and becomes entangled in their supernatural conflicts.
A graffiti artist’s murals come to life at night, creating chaos that they must control.

Historical Fantasy Book Ideas

Historical fantasy blends historical settings with magical elements, offering a unique twist to familiar times and places. Here are some historical fantasy prompts to get you started:

In medieval Europe, a blacksmith’s apprentice discovers a hidden forge where enchanted weapons are crafted, weapons that could change the course of history.
During the Victorian era, a young woman with psychic abilities must navigate high society while investigating a series of supernatural murders.
In ancient Egypt, a scribe stumbles upon a secret society of magicians who wield powers derived from the gods themselves.
A samurai in feudal Japan must protect their village from demons that emerge from the shadows during the full moon.
During the American Civil War, a soldier discovers a portal to a parallel world where the war is fought with magic and mythical creatures.
During the Renaissance, an alchemist discovers the Philosopher’s Stone, sparking a secret war among European monarchies.
A Viking warrior finds a magical artifact that grants visions of future conquests and dire consequences.
In ancient Egypt, a scribe uncovers a spell that can resurrect the dead, drawing the attention of a vengeful deity.
A samurai in feudal Japan gains the ability to summon spirits and must navigate the politics of a magical rebellion.
In medieval England, a blacksmith forges a sword imbued with dragon fire, destined to change the course of history.
A Roman centurion discovers a hidden tribe with mystical powers, challenging the might of the Empire.
In the time of the Crusades, a knight and a Saracen warrior uncover a relic that could end the conflict or destroy the world.
A Byzantine princess learns she can control time, a power that could save or doom her empire.
In the American Civil War, a soldier finds a talisman that grants invincibility, changing the tide of battle.
An explorer in the Age of Discovery stumbles upon an island of mythical creatures hidden from the world.

Low Fantasy Plot Ideas

Low fantasy typically involves stories set in the real world with minimal magical elements. Here are some low fantasy prompts that blend the extraordinary with the ordinary:

A small-town librarian discovers that the old legends about their town are true when they stumble upon a hidden realm in the woods.
A high school student finds an ancient amulet that grants them incredible powers but attracts the attention of dark forces.
A journalist investigating a series of bizarre occurrences in a sleepy town uncovers a hidden community of magical beings.
An artist’s paintings come to life, creating beautiful but dangerous creatures that take over their life.
A firefighter gains the ability to control fire and must balance their new powers with their duties, all while keeping their abilities a secret.
A librarian discovers a hidden section of books that reveal the magical history of their town.
A small-town sheriff must protect their community from a creature that emerges every full moon.
A barista in a quaint cafe notices regular customers possess subtle magical abilities.
An angler catches a mermaid and must decide whether to reveal her to the world or help her return to the sea.
A high school teacher realizes their students possess unique magical talents and forms a secret club to help them harness their powers.
A farmer finds a dragon egg in their fields and raises the creature in secret.
A young girl discovers she can communicate with animals and must protect them from a hidden danger in the forest.
A detective with the ability to see a person’s memories through touch uses their gift to solve crimes.
A chef in a small village uncovers recipes that have magical effects on those who eat the dishes.
A local maintenance worker discovers an ancient artifact that grants them minor magical abilities, which they use to help the townsfolk.

Romantic Fantasy Prompts

Romantic fantasy intertwines love stories with magical settings and elements. Here are some prompts to inspire your romantic fantasy tales:

A witch and a vampire, sworn enemies, fall in love while working together to prevent a magical catastrophe.
A knight and a sorceress, bound by a prophecy, must overcome their differences and trust each other to save their kingdom.
A mermaid rescues a sailor from a shipwreck, and they must navigate their forbidden love in a world that keeps them apart.
Two rival mages are forced to work together to break a curse, and they discover a deep and unexpected connection.
A princess betrothed to a foreign prince falls in love with her bodyguard, and they must keep their romance secret amidst palace intrigue.
A mermaid saves a human prince from drowning, leading to a forbidden love that must defy the laws of the sea and land.
A warrior from an enchanted forest falls in love with a sorceress sworn to protect the very magic that binds them.
An ancient curse binds two souls across multiple lifetimes, forcing them to find each other in every incarnation to break the spell.
A dragon shifter and a human knight fall in love, challenging the boundaries between their warring species.
A fae prince disguises himself as a mortal to win the heart of a human girl who has the power to save his realm.
A healer with magical abilities falls for a cursed warrior whose touch brings death, and they must break the curse together.
A witch and a vampire must work together to prevent a looming apocalypse, discovering an unexpected romance along the way.
A princess is betrothed to a prince from a rival kingdom, but falls in love with his enigmatic bodyguard.
A time-traveling mage meets a medieval knight, and they must navigate their love across different eras.
A ghost seeks the help of a living human to find peace, and their bond grows into a love that transcends life and death.

ya fantasy story prompts

Young Adult Fantasy Story Starters

Young adult (YA) fantasy often features young protagonists facing extraordinary challenges. Here are some YA fantasy prompts to spark your imagination:

A teenager discovers they are the reincarnation of a legendary hero and must accept their destiny to save their world.
A group of friends stumbles upon a hidden realm during a summer camping trip, and they must navigate its dangers to find their way home.
A young witch attending a magical academy uncovers a dark conspiracy that threatens the entire magical community.
A high school student with latent magical abilities must choose between a normal life and joining a secret society of spellcasters.
A young dragon rider must prove themselves in a series of dangerous trials to earn their place among the dragon riders of legend.
A teenage girl discovers she can manipulate the weather with her emotions, and must learn to control her powers before they spiral out of control.
A high school student finds an ancient book in the library that transports them to a magical realm where they are the prophesied hero.
A group of friends stumble upon a hidden portal in their school that leads to a world filled with mythical creatures and untold dangers.
A teenage boy inherits a mysterious amulet that grants him the ability to see and communicate with ghosts.
A girl discovers she is the last of a long line of dragon riders and must find her dragon before dark forces do.
A young witch must balance her magical studies with high school life while keeping her powers a secret from her classmates.
A boy finds a magical sword in his attic that bonds to him and grants him visions of a past life as a legendary warrior.
A teenage girl wakes up with the ability to read minds and must navigate the complexities of high school with her newfound power.
A group of teens discover they are the reincarnations of ancient warriors and must band together to fight an emerging evil.
A boy finds a hidden door in his basement that leads to a labyrinthine world of puzzles and magic.

Fantasy Short Story Ideas

Short stories are a great way to explore fantasy concepts in a more concise format. Here are some prompts for crafting interesting fantasy short stories:

A potion gone wrong transports an alchemist to a parallel world where they must find a way back home.
A cursed mirror grants wishes but exacts a terrible price from those who use it.
A young bard’s music has the power to heal wounds and soothe souls, but at the cost of their own life force.
A fairy tasked with protecting a forest must deal with encroaching human development that threatens their home.
A magical clockmaker creates timepieces that can alter the flow of time, attracting the attention of powerful and dangerous individuals.
A wandering minstrel discovers a flute that can summon mythical creatures but must use it wisely to avoid chaos.
A blacksmith finds a shard of a fallen star and forges it into a weapon of unimaginable power.
A village healer learns that the herbs she uses are actually the remains of a sleeping dragon.
A lighthouse keeper on a remote island discovers a hidden underwater kingdom.
A group of adventurers stumble upon a forgotten temple that holds the key to an ancient prophecy.
A child befriends a talking tree that holds the secrets of the forest.
A knight on a quest finds a mirror that reveals the future, but it only shows tragedies.
A baker’s bread magically heals those who eat it, attracting attention from across the land.
An angler’s catch turns out to be a mermaid who offers him three wishes.
A tailor sews garments that grant the wearer temporary magical abilities.

Tips For Picking Fantasy Novel Ideas

Choosing the right idea for your fantasy novel can be daunting, but here are some tips to help you decide:

Identify Your Passion: Choose an idea that excites and motivates you, as this enthusiasm will carry you through the writing process.
Know Your Audience: Consider who your readers are and what stories resonate with them. Tailoring your idea to your audience can help ensure your story finds its readers.
Evaluate the Scope: Some ideas are better suited for short stories, while others have the depth and complexity of a novel. Assess whether your idea has enough substance to sustain a longer narrative.
Originality Matters: While it’s okay to draw inspiration from existing works, strive to bring a unique twist to your story. Original elements can make your novel stand out in a crowded market.
World-Building Potential: Fantasy thrives on rich, immersive worlds. Choose an idea that allows for detailed world-building and exploration of your setting’s lore and culture.
Character-Driven Plots: Interesting characters can elevate any story. Ensure your idea includes interesting, multi-dimensional characters who will engage readers.
Flexibility for Growth: Be open to letting your story develop. Sometimes, an idea will grow and change as you write, leading you to unexpected and exciting directions.

By using these prompts and tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting powerful fantasy stories that captivate and enchant your readers.

And finally, always remember that story comes first. Focus on:

Creating engaging characters
Penning interesting plots
Structuring solid settings

A tool like Fictionary helps you turn your draft into an interesting story readers love. So, with the right fantasy prompts and a strong narrative foundation, your writing can truly shine.