Epic fantasy writing prompts

Epic fantasy, also known as high fantasy, is a sub-genre filled with heroic figures fighting against a Big Bad. It’s a common set up for TTRPGs, with a party of heroes gathering to battle against the Big Bad. These epic fantasy writing prompts take these concepts with a little twist.

Whether you want to write something like The Lord of the Rings, Baldur’s Gate, or even Fairy Tail, there’s a bit of inspiration for you below. With 22 total writing prompts, you can use one or a few to inspire a story or continue one you’re stuck on.

Need more? Check out my other fantasy writing prompts.

22 epic fantasy writing prompts

You can take just one prompt or combine any of the following for one story! Every prompt is entirely up to your interpretation.

You’ll find prompts for characters, words, settings, tropes, plotlines, and something sensory below.

Characters: A centaur. An illustrious bladesmith. A nervous alchemist.

Words: Bath. Delicate. Glimpse. Mirror. Quest. Tournament.

Settings: A castle. A gold mine. The town hall.

Tropes: Artifacts of Doom. Magic Mushroom. Storm of Magic.

Plotlines:

• At sunrise, all will be destroyed unless they acquire the last potion ingredient.
• The hierarchy of dragons is about to change.
• They create and test the first unicorn-drawn carriage.
• When their magic fades, they feel a last lick of warmth and light.
• The mountain has long since been considered treacherous, but it is the only place left for them to go.
• They watch a shadow climb onto the astronomer’s back.

Sensory: Prickly.

Epic fantasy character ideas

Looking for more character ideas to fill out your heroic party, Big Bad’s minions, or side characters? Try some these epic fantasy character ideas:

• A butcher who is harbouring a surprisingly wholesome secret about the source of their meat supply.
• The identity of an oracle: a small child who speaks a language only a secluded village can translate.
• A pirate who steers the only flying ship in all of the continent, powered by the magic they covet.
• An obnoxious farrier who makes horse shoes with magic, not metal.
• Tutors of the heir to the throne, a couple who owns the most priceless relic.
• The last spell inventor is an unexpected figure cloaked in mystery and the most unique smell.