Wednesday Words: Lore

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(This is a much longer essay than I usually share. Most email programs will only show you so many words. To read the full essay, find it HERE)

As a writer, I am frequently reminded that the inclusion of “lore” can make a fantasy story more immersive, and thereby more enjoyable. 

One of my sons can go on at great length about the lore in his favorite game, But until recently, I had no real understanding of what “lore” was. Those two red flags made it clear that I needed to figure this out. So, I’ve done some digging, lifting stones, and poking into crevices to really understand lore, from the perspectives of both a reader and a writer.

The dictionary defines lore as “a body of knowledge, traditions, and understanding around a particular subject, traditionally passed from person to person by word of mouth”.  So, by this definition, our cultural understanding of the legend of Santa Claus or Paul Bunyan classifies as lore. But in fantasy, lore does more than simply teach us about a culture’s traditional beliefs. Lore breathes life into a story and subtly hints at layers readers will want to know more about.

Lore is not a new phenomenon, but the understanding of lore and its utilization in all its nuances is. Fantasy as a literary genre has ancient roots, with works like "The Epic of Gilgamesh" and "The Odyssey" containing fantastical elements. Folklore and mythology from different cultures also contributed to early fantasy lore. Works like Arthurian legends and chivalric romances in the Middle Ages, with stories of knights, dragons, and magical quests laying the foundation for many fantasy tropes. Modern authors like J.R.R. Tolkien ("The Lord of the Rings") and C.S. Lewis ("The Chronicles of Narnia") have shaped the genre with their intricate world-building and complex mythologies. So much so, that while Professor Tolkien is considered the grandfather of Fantasy, his friend C.S Lewis is right behind him in popularity.

Fantasy lore has become more inclusive in recent decades, featuring a broader range of characters from diverse backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and identities. This reflects a growing awareness of the need for representation in literature. Even fantasy tropes have evolved in recent years. Modern fantasy authors challenge and deconstruct traditional fantasy tropes by creating morally gray characters, questioning the hero's journey, and exploring complex themes. 

But fantasy lore has expanded beyond literature into other media, such as film, television, video games, and tabletop role-playing games (RPGs). These adaptations and extensions often influence the development of fantasy lore. Online communities, social media platforms, and fan conventions have allowed fans to engage with and even contribute to the evolution of fantasy lore. Fan fiction, fan art, and fan theories play a significant role in shaping the genre. In fact, some fan fiction across fandoms has been so well written, that it is difficult to remember that is indeed fan fiction. 

Let’s consider the lore behind the Harry Potter series. There are ages of history in the magical world that Harry knows nothing about at first because he wasn’t raised in that culture. As he learns about Voldemort, so do we. Everyone in Hagrid’s world already knows about magic, power, and how greed can twist those who use it. They already know that there are schools that teach youngsters how to use magic, and governmental agencies to control who can use magic, where, and when. There is an entire economy set up to support the magical world, complete with goblin bankers and guardian dragons. There are more than just rules to live by in this magical world, there are rivalries, good wizards and evil ones, petty jealousies, secret societies, portals, and magical items with mysterious uses. It’s mind-boggling to consider how much care and consideration was invested into this made-up world. As Harry comes to understand how this magical world sits alongside the real world, we accept it as well. Along the way, we get hooked into the drama and become emotionally invested in the character's struggles. 

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The lore of "Game of Thrones" is derived primarily from the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series of fantasy novels written by American author George R.R. Martin. The story is set in a fictional world and is known for its complexity, rich history, and diverse characters. The lore features a variety of religions and belief systems, each with its own followers and practices. The Faith of the Seven, the Old Gods of the Forest, and the Lord of Light are among the prominent faiths. The story takes place on the continents of Westeros and Essos. Westeros is divided into several regions, each ruled by noble houses. The power dynamics between these houses form the core of the story as they each vie for control of the Iron Throne, the symbol of ultimate authority in Westeros. Although magic is rare in the world of "Game of Thrones," it is not entirely absent. Dragons, long thought extinct, make a dramatic return to the world when Daenerys Targaryen hatches three dragon eggs. This is a fine example of lore providing a sense of history to a fantasy tale that has attracted legions of fans.

In other fantasy tales, lore is presented as fables and legends passed down in storytime around a fire, late at night. That might look like legends of a nomadic people told to youngsters at night. Or it might look like a group of youth trying to scare each other as they swap urban legends that they swear happened to a friend of a friend.

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a role-playing game that allows players to create and control characters in a fantasy world. The lore of this world is a fundamental part of the game's appeal and has played a crucial role in building and sustaining the game's fandom. D&D supplements and campaign modules provide detailed stories, quests, and adventures that are deeply rooted in the lore of the game world.

D&D is set in various campaign settings, each with its own unique lore, history, culture, and geography. These settings, such as the Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, and Eberron, provide rich and immersive worlds for players to explore. D&D's alignment system, which categorizes characters and creatures as lawful, neutral, or chaotic, and as good, neutral, or evil, is a key aspect of its lore. This system helps players define their characters' moral and ethical stances, adding depth to role-playing and storytelling. 

The game's lore has evolved over the decades, adapting to changing tastes and storytelling trends. Each new edition of the game brings updates and expansions to the lore, keeping it fresh and exciting for both longtime fans and new players. Discussions about lore, character builds, and campaign ideas take place on forums, social media, and at conventions. This sense of community enhances the shared experience of engaging with D&D's lore. This is why D&D continues to be as popular today as it was twenty years ago when the internet was still young.

No matter what form the lore takes, it enables our belief in the setting, and by extension, in the story itself. If there is a map, as in the front of The Hobbit, all the better! A map tells us that someone has taken the time to explore this place and that it is important enough to understand. A map tells us that there are regions integral to the story, or series. We instinctually understand, without being told, that this land holds stories to be told. 

Authors can look at their maps and gain a better understanding of how varying regions in their world fit. Maps provide storytellers with potential stories, too. They can populate their world with tribes or kingdoms competing for natural resources like metal that cannot be pierced or gemstones that make the wearer invincible. 

Different types of maps can add to the lore in differing ways. Star maps speak to the cosmology of an ancient culture. Maps of a dungeon tell us that someone needed to go underground. Why? What was the gain in burrowing and building in the dark? Furthermore, why do we need a map of this space? Is it so vast that we would be lost otherwise?

Another way that we’re shown the age of a culture or people, without resorting directly to lore is through the architecture of that group. If they’ve made their homes in the caves, why did they build there, instead of on the valley floor below? Their ancestors first carved the caves? So we can surmise this is an old culture…but why did those ancestors go up, instead of just leaving the valley completely? Think of this as visual lore. Inquisitive readers soak this up like a sponge, and frequently, this level of attention to lore and history creates rabid fans.

From a writer’s perspective, lore can be an opportunity for more conflict. How? Think about this, if the accepted religion of a land has been predominant for generations, what might happen if a noble decided one day they were tired of honoring a god they didn’t believe in? What might the response be if they decided to make their decision public among their social circle? It would likely be radically different than if a simple farmer made the same decision. Especially if the noble was expected to adhere to a specific way of living to set an example for the peasantry.

Still looking at potential from a writing standpoint, let’s say you’ve hit the middle of your tale. The beginning was a firecracker, full of promise. You know how you want your story to end, but it’s the middle you aren’t sure of. In mystery, the common advice is to introduce a murder. In fantasy, nothing brings potential and conflict like a quest! So send your character(s) on a quest for some ancient and powerful magical item. If the item in question has a long history, is rumored to be the source of mysterious power, or even better, is reported to be cursed, then you’ve got an opportunity to introduce lore, conflict, and nearly-forgotten history. How awesome is that?

If you, like me, are fascinated by lore, and want to do a deeper dive into it, here are some recommendations;

• Read classic and contemporary fantasy novels and series. Explore works by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, C.S. Lewis, Brandon Sanderson, Ursula K. Le Guin, and more. Also consider reading supplementary materials, like appendices, glossaries, and companion books, often included in fantasy series to expand upon the lore.

• Consider academic studies and critical analyses of fantasy literature. Explore books, articles, and academic journals dedicated to the genre. Look for courses or lectures on fantasy literature at universities or online platforms like Coursera and edX.

• Join online forums and communities dedicated to fantasy literature, such as Reddit's r/Fantasy subreddit or dedicated fan forums for specific authors or series. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your own insights and discoveries about fantasy lore.

• Listen to podcasts or watch YouTube channels dedicated to fantasy lore, book reviews, and discussions. Some creators delve deeply into the lore of specific series. Examples include "The Legendarium Podcast" and "Daniel Greene" on YouTube.

• Explore fan-created wikis and websites dedicated to specific fantasy series or universes. These often compile extensive information about characters, locations, and lore. Examples include Wookieepedia for Star Wars and The Coppermind for Brandon Sanderson's works.

• Study real-world history and mythology, as many fantasy authors draw inspiration from these sources when crafting their lore. Books on mythology, folklore, and medieval history can provide valuable background knowledge.

Whether you're interested in reading, gaming, or academic study, there are numerous avenues to explore and deepen your knowledge and appreciation of fantasy lore.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my deep dive into lore within the fantasy genre. It took longer than I expected because I wanted to examine as many nooks & crannies of lore as possible. I’d be interested to know what you thought of this piece. Did it shed any light on the massive topic of lore? Was it too long?

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Thanks for spending a part of your day with me today!

Carolyn