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Fantasy Origins: A Journey to the Source of Imagination

When we grip a game controller or open a thick fantasy novel, elements like magic, dragons, and status screens exist as “matters of course.” However, these elements were not born from nothing.

The massive tree of modern fantasy stands upon a rich soil—centuries of historical accumulation known as “Origins.” In this category, we delve into these strata to explore where the “embers” of the imaginary worlds we love first ignited.

1. The Primal Stratum: Ancient Myths and Epics

The beginning of every story lies in the imagination of ancient people who attempted to interpret the fury of nature, birth, aging, sickness, and death as “Narratives.” *Norse Mythology : The World Tree Yggdrasil, Elves, Dwarves, and the final day, Ragnarok. The direct source of inspiration for The Lord of the Rings. Greek Mythology : The thunder of Zeus, the curse of Medusa, and the trials of Heracles. The definition of the “Monster” began here. Oriental Fantasy : Sun Wukong from Journey to the Westor the magical tools (Baopei) ofFengshen Yanyi. A system of “Extraordinary Abilities” through Qi and Immortality, distinct from the West.

2. The Traditional Stratum: Medieval Legends and Chivalry

An era where Christianity and folk traditions intertwined, and magic shifted from “Technique” to “Destiny.” *Arthurian Legend : The holy sword Excalibur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the wizard Merlin. The skeleton of orthodox fantasy was completed here. *Knights Templar : Historical reality became the spice of “Secret Societies” and “Conspiracy Theories,” giving depth and shadow to narratives. *Atlantis : The ultimate “Lost Civilization” that serves as the blueprint for high-tech precursors in fantasy settings.

3. The Bestiary Stratum: Evolution of the Monstrous

How the things that go bump in the night were classified and redefined for the modern age. *Monster Evolution : Tracking the transition from vague localized folk horrors to standardized global icons. *Goblins & Kobolds : The tragic (and practical) fall of earth spirits into the role of “Level 1 experience points.” *Unexpected Origins : The true, heavy cultural weight behind Zombies and Golems that was lost in translation to entertainment. *Femme Fatale : The dangerous beauty of Sirens, Succubi, and the archetype of “Destiny leading to Ruin.”

4. The Refinement Stratum: Modern Literature and Cosmic horror

An era where storytelling was elevated by individual authors into the intellectual pursuit of “World-Building.” *Tolkien’s Legacy : Races, languages, and history. He provided the blueprint for constructing fantasy as a “Reality.” *Cosmic Horror & Cthulhu : Incomprehensible high-dimensional terror. Rewriting magic from a “Miracle” to “Madness.” *Sword and Sorcery : The grit and brawn of Conan the Barbarian, focusing on individual survival and prehistoric magic.

5. The Revolutionary Stratum: Games and Quantification

An era where stories transformed into “Experiences,” and the world was described through the new magic of numbers. *Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) : The progenitor of all modern gaming, fixing imagination through “Rules” and “Dice.” Sanity System : The cruel yet brilliant invention of quantifying mental trauma and psychological attrition. Roots of CRPG : WizardryandUltima. The endless labyrinths drawn upon the canvas of the computer.

6. The Mystery Stratum: Voids in History

Real-world enigmas that provide the “Gaps” where fantasy finds its most fertile ground. *Historical Mysteries : Count St. Germain, the Voynich Manuscript, and the Iron Mask—real-world templates for immortals and forbidden knowledge.

What Lies Beyond the Origin?

Tracing these origins is not merely an accumulation of knowledge.

“Why is fire magic red?” “Why can’t a vampire enter a house without an invitation?” By understanding these reasons, the next time you encounter a story, that world will resonate more vividly, more deeply, in your heart.

Come, let us gather the fragments of legend sleeping at the bottom of the abyss.

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Morgan le Fay: The 'Queen of Shadows' Who Shakes Light and Heals Death

In Arthurian Legend, Morgan le Fay is far more than a simple villainess; she is one of the most profound and layered female figures. She is the King’s “Shadow,” the “Rebellion” against order, and finally the “Salvation” that welcomes wounded souls. Her name means “Fairy (Fay),” suggesting she is a trans-dimensional existence whose logic cannot be measured by human standards. 1. Intellect and Jealousy: The “Magic” of Merlin’s Prize Pupil Morgan’s magical power was bestowed upon her by Arthur’s protector, Merlin.

Merlin: The Primordial Archmage of Prophecy, Strategy, and Passion

Among the many wizards who color the world of fantasy, none has had a more decisive influence on character design than Merlin . He is the original “Old Wise Mentor” who guides the king, and simultaneously a multifaceted, fascinating mage who possesses supernatural power yet harbors very human weaknesses. 1. Origins: The “Half-Demon” Born Between Light and Dark The source of Merlin’s magical power lies in his both cursed and sacred heritage.

Knights of the Round Table: Bonds, Glory, and the Sacred Quest

The Knights of the Round Table , at the core of Arthurian Legend, are the “Ultimate Elite Squad” of fantasy and the historical blueprint for the “diverse party members” we know today. They are not mere soldiers. Each possesses his own story, his own weakness, and his own justice. By clashing and merging these at the “equal stage” of the Round Table, they created a massive tide that changed the world.

Arthurian Legend: The Sacred Scar That Forged the 'Main Road' of Fantasy

The Arthurian Legend is the most perfect systematization of the core elements of fantasy: “The King and his Knights,” “The Holy Sword,” and “The Wizard Mentor.” While his historical existence remains a subject of debate, the “Anguish of the Chosen One” and the “Collapse of a Noble Ideal” depicted in this legend serve as the eternal prototype to which all modern RPGs and fantasy works must return. 1. Selection and Succession: The “Destiny” of Two Swords The story of King Arthur features two swords that are often confused but carry distinct and critical meanings.

Yggdrasil: The 'World Tree' Binding Nine Realms and Housing Destiny

In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is not merely a giant tree. it is the “skeleton” of the universe where time, space, and destiny overlap. From its sky-piercing branches to its roots extending deep into the earth, this massive Ash (sometimes Yew) is a vibrant, dynamic world-structure upon which all existence depends, coexists, and attempts to destroy. 1. Etymology: The Horse of Odin (Drasill) The name “Yggdrasil” literally means “The Horse of the Terrible One” in Old Norse.

Valkyrie: The 'Maiden of Death' Who Decides the Fate of Souls

In Norse mythology, Valkyries (or Walküre) are more than just mythical warriors. They are the “Executors of Fate” who preside over the boundary between life and death, deciding who achieves a glorious death and who survives. Clad in silver armor and soaring through the sky on winged horses, their image has become the ultimate icon of the “Sacred Female Warrior” in modern fantasy. 1. Origins: The “Spirits of Death” in the Frenzy of Battle While modern depictions often portray Valkyries as “beautiful maidens,” in older Norse traditions, they were more primitive and terrifying symbols of death .

Fenrir: The 'Wolf of Destiny' Who Swallows Gods and Chews the World

In Norse mythology, Fenrir is more than just a monster. He is the incarnation of “Unavoidable Destiny”—the force that will eventually destroy everything, no matter how much wisdom the gods use to contain him. Destined to grow at an alarming rate and eventually crush even the High God with his fangs, this giant wolf became the origin of “roaring despair” in modern fantasy. 1. Growth and Dread: The “Expanding Shadow” That Terrified the Gods The terror of Fenrir lies in his uncontrollable rate of growth.

Loki: The Shapeshifting Trickster, or the 'Absurdist Chaos' That Ends the World

In Norse mythology, no existence is more difficult to define, yet more fascinating, than Loki . Though born of giant’s blood, he entered the circle of the gods by swearing a blood-brotherhood with the high god Odin. He is not merely “evil.” He is the Trickster who stirs up stagnant order and brings unpredictable change; his very existence completed the countdown to the end of the world: Ragnarök. 1. Role: The One Who Carries “Benefit” and “Calamity” Simultaneously The principle of Loki’s actions always rests on a precarious balance between destruction and creation.

Odin: The 'God of Frenzied Wisdom' Who Sacrificed an Eye for Secret Lore

In Norse mythology, the high god Odin is both the “Absolute Ruler” and the ideal archetype for the “Deep-Seeker Magic-User (Spellcaster)” in fantasy. He is not a king who merely sits on a throne and gives orders. Wearing a broad-brimmed hat pulled low over his eyes and fluttering a grey cloak, he wanders the world, a seeker so fervent that he would throw away his own life or parts of his flesh as a “Price” for knowledge.

Greek Mythical Creatures 2: Intelligence and Wildness in Griffins, Harpies, and Centaurs

The lineage of monsters presented by Greek mythology is a history of Mashups —the joining of parts from different creatures to enhance their individual perfection. Wings of an eagle, claws of a lion, breast of a human. These are not mere random mixtures, but precursors to designs engineered to emphasize specific “functions” or “symbols.” 1. The Griffin: The Absolute “Banker of the Sanctuary” The Griffin (Gryphon) is a master of land and sky, combining the King of Beasts (the lion) with the King of Birds (the eagle).