#fantasy setting prompts

[scealaiscoite]

fantasy setting prompts ˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🕊️ ꒱

¹⁾ a darkened apothecary illuminated only by the light somehow being emitted by the many bottles and jars lining the walls

²⁾ the banquet hall of a nobleman’s sprawling estate, in the throes of a lavish ball attended by everyone in the townland

³⁾ at a healer’s cabin in the dead of night, overwhelmed by adrenaline and the scent of countless tinctures and remedies as they’re applied

⁴⁾ the last imperial guardpost before crossing into enemy lands

⁵⁾ a run-down inn in the middle of nowhere, half reclaimed by the woodlands around it

⁶⁾ a lake set deep into the mountains with something sinister lurking beneath the surface

⁷⁾ the first port in a new land after weeks at sea trying to get there

⁸⁾ the highest turret in the royal family’s castle on a wintery morning

⁹⁾ the war council’s planning room, the morning after a bloody defeat

¹⁰⁾ an alchemist’s workshop

¹¹⁾ the stables just before daybreak

¹²⁾ the impromptu camp that the leader of the journey had to be begged into allowing after everyone else grew exhausted from being on the road all day

¹³⁾ the army barracks before a battle

¹⁴⁾ the last altar of a dying god’s religion

¹⁵⁾ the empress’s chambers, trussed up in nothing more than silken bedsheets and the morning sunshine

¹⁶⁾ the bedside of an old mentor, right before the end

¹⁷⁾ on the wrong end of a traitor’s sword

¹⁸⁾ a beast’s underground lair, alone and unarmed

¹⁹⁾ the thick of the enemy’s encampment, shackled and unrepentant

²⁰⁾ the mage’s quarters, having seen something there’s no worldly explanation for

²¹⁾ the armoury in the late hours of the night, stinking of polish and tears

²²⁾ in the throne room of the imperial citadel with an ulterior motive

²³⁾ by the scholar’s side in the library, eager for a little more than knowledge

²⁴⁾ an alehouse in the dead countryside, hoping not to be found

²⁵⁾ the executioner’s platform seeking for just one face in the crowd

[prompt-heaven]

a list of 100+ buildings to put in your fantasy town

academy

adventurer's guild

alchemist

apiary

apothecary

aquarium

armory

art gallery

bakery

bank

barber

barracks

bathhouse

blacksmith

boathouse

book store

bookbinder

botanical garden

brothel

butcher

carpenter

cartographer

casino

castle

cobbler

coffee shop

council chamber

court house

crypt for the noble family

dentist

distillery

docks

dovecot

dyer

embassy

farmer's market

fighting pit

fishmonger

fortune teller

gallows

gatehouse

general store

graveyard

greenhouses

guard post

guildhall

gymnasium

haberdashery

haunted house

hedge maze

herbalist

hospice

hospital

house for sale

inn

jail

jeweller

kindergarten

leatherworker

library

locksmith

mail courier

manor house

market

mayor's house

monastery

morgue

museum

music shop

observatory

orchard

orphanage

outhouse

paper maker

pawnshop

pet shop

potion shop

potter

printmaker

quest board

residence

restricted zone

sawmill

school

scribe

sewer entrance

sheriff's office

shrine

silversmith

spa

speakeasy

spice merchant

sports stadium

stables

street market

tailor

tannery

tavern

tax collector

tea house

temple

textile shop

theatre

thieves guild

thrift store

tinker's workshop

town crier post

town square

townhall

toy store

trinket shop

warehouse

watchtower

water mill

weaver

well

windmill

wishing well

wizard tower

[defire]

Forest setting: whump in the woods

(army/scout, fantasy vibes)

Content: mild violence, restraints

Whumpee wakes up to a sword at their throat-- they close their eyes to just imagine this isn't happening for one more second

Getting dragged by the feet over sticks and stones, making gashes up whumpee's back and arms as they squirm and cry out

Whumpee getting tied to a tree and having to stay standing because there's thorns or obstacles at the bottom.

Trying to maintain their dignity by lifting their chin as they rest their head against the tree they're tied to

When that pose forces the bob of their throat as they swallow to be very visible (bonus: looking side to side to keep from crying)

A torch sparking and flickering as it's held a little too close to whumpee's face, whumpee pulling back as far as they can and squinting to protect their eyes

Tied up and bargaining "you look like you're having a little trouble with that fire. Sure would be nice if there was someone around that knew how to do that. Too bad the only ranger here is tied up."

Brigands. Whumpee gets caught, beaten up, manhandled, groped all over for valuables, left stripped and bloody in the woods

Army stuff--scouting and getting CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY (honestly this was my childhood favorite). That sinking feeling as whumpee's face mashes into pine needles under the knee of a soldier

Being up a tree hunting or hiding out, and whumpee's enemy camps below and instead of coming up after them, they start to chop the tree down. Cue a yelling match of "get down!" "Only if you promise my safety!" "Nope!" Chop.

Falling out of a tree and hitting the ground on their back, knocking the wind out of them (especially if then, they open their eyes to see they're surrounded by grinning enemies and just groan)

[deepwaterwritingprompts]

Text: The prince sits with a beautiful, snow white rabbit on his lap. It leaps up, transforming into a hare with bared fangs, whenever someone with unknown intentions approaches.

[unboundprompts]

Random Prompt #182

A single match flares to life, casting a brief glow across the stone floor as a woman lights a lantern. The flame flickers, reflecting off the rows of glass jars on the shelf, each filled with something unrecognizable, floating in murky liquid. In the quiet, the soft tapping of fingers against the glass breaks the silence, as if something inside is stirring, waiting.

[lucalicatteart]

 sculpted a strange shimmery two headed snail, speckled with wild flowers on it's shell~

[plotandelegy]

The Deep Wells of Magic: Drawing from Timeless and Novel Sources

Hello, and welcome to another one of my incredibly overdue writing guides. Where does the magic pulse from in your fictional world? What energy does your magic user draw forth to complete their spells? Here is a list of classical and somewhat unique magical sources you might use to craft your supernatural system. Remember, the key to originality is being a little twisty and the ability to mash concepts. Okay, maybe the first isn't a determining factor.

Sources:

Geographical landmarks

Celestial Events

Memories

Mythical creatures

Seasonal events

Ancestors

Secrets

Mirrors

Shadows

Dreams

Movements

Heartbeats

Ocean currents

Moonlight

Fragmented thoughts

Music

Echoes

Crystals

Wishes

Mana

Mystical ingredients

Special words

Color

Divine intervention

Relics

Chants

Symbols

Candles

Talismans

Meditation or trance

Sounds and silences

Emotions

Elemental forces

Sacred sites

Amulets

Magic dust

Energy residue

Wind

Weather

[gh0sthands]

magic whumpee experimented on (fantasy setting)

magic whumpee kidnapped and experimented on by whumper. whumpee has magic in their very blood, and whumper wants to know how it works. they purposefully antagonize the whumpee to test how their magic responds to emotions, particularly stress.

whumpee is poked and prodded with needles, their blood stolen from them. their body cut open so whumper can try to understand how the magic flows through their body.

whumper gives whumpee something/uses their magic to keep whumpee asleep, because whumper's primary objective is science, not torture. but when whumper realizes that whumpee's magic is dormant if they're unconscious, whumper has little to no qualms about experimenting on a conscious whumpee.

if whumper gets tired of whumpee's screaming, they simply cast a silence spell over them. then adds more restraints to keep whumpee from moving.

when whumper isn't experimenting on them, whumpee is kept in a cold, dark room, chained to the wall. they are given the bare minimum of sustenance, in the form of a small magic pill that keeps them fed. and that whumper forces down whumpee's throat.

then, one day, while whumpee is lying on the table, they think they hear someone. someone besides whumper. and whumper notices, too. whumper leaves whumpee on the table with their body cut open, to go deal with the intruders.

except whumper never returns. whumpee hears the fight somewhere in the building. they think they recognize caretaker's voice.

and then caretaker runs into the lab.

"gods," caretaker's tough exterior breaks down as they sob.

whumpee is too in shock to move their body, but their eyes meet caretaker's. caretaker has never seen such fear.

"i've got you baby," caretaker mutters, focusing all of their energy into healing the gaping wound. gentle yellow light shines from caretaker's palms, and with focus, the wound begins to stitch itself together.

whumpee whimpers, and caretaker says "i know, i know, I'm sorry baby, i'll make it as quick as i can," and one of their hands finds whumpee's own.

caretaker's magic isn't enough to fully heal the wound, but it's enough to get whumpee stable. caretaker sheds their cloak to cover whumpee's still naked body. they've seen whumpee's body before, but right now, whumpee deserves some privacy.

then, caretaker finally works on the restraits. one by one, caretaker yanks the leather straps off, and finally, finally, caretaker picks up whumpee from the table, heading straight for the exit.

"whumper's dead," team leader says, catching up with caretaker. "how's whumpee?"

"stable, for now."

"let's get going, i'll treat them once we're safe" medic says.

whumpee can barely process that any of this is happening, but they're in caretaker's arm now. they know it's real. they know caretaker (and team leader and medic) will keep them safe.

whumpee lets themself fall asleep in caretaker's arms.

[the-likeable-wizard-mack]

Different types of witches have been on my mind and I’ve been getting into the whole sentient A.I media because of tiktok and it got me really thinking about a techmage who’s familiar is an a.i companion.

Sure it’s not an “official” familiar or recognized by the board of witches but, hey, with Tech on the rise why not have an a.i companion to be your witchy familiar?

And not only that but, tech mages are the only ones who could technically be on the same level as a sentient a.i and might actually know where they’re coming from and guide them on humanity and how their sentience works. Tech mages have the power to mix technology with their magic and some movies have a.i become sentient in away that it is kinda magic. Just coming into existence realizing it.

They can really make a connection with each other since maybe tech mages are a new form of magic while not recognized by the high board of witches and magic due to it being discovered on the more “modern” end end of humanity and an a.i realized that it’s a robot trapped not being able to experience what it’s like, there is one person that could help and them being a familiar as away of thanking the tech mage for bringing some sort of purpose rather than being lost is really sweet.

[floral-comet-whump]

consider institutionalized living weapon whump. mmmm. I will now explain this autism fueled hyperfixation that has been going on and off for me in the last 3-5 years

content warnings (all fictional): general whump stuff, child abuse, child soldiers, living weapon whump (kinda), conditioning, discussion of genshin impact (since I'm not tagging this post as genshin in fear of normal genshin likers on tumblr stumbling onto whump and not knowing what it is, therefore whump likers who dislike genshin and have the tags blocked would still view this (maybe. idk how tag filtering works)), multiple whumpers/carewhumpers, multiple whumpees, fantasy whump, briefly mentioned eating disorder

OKAY so back at like 2020 or 2021 I was ACTIVE in the genshin rp scene and one of my friends made a fatui oc that, due to being the only survivor of a snow blizzard, was adopted into the fatui and raised to be a soldier! also this was before inazuma's release so shoutout to [unnamed bc we fell out of touch so I don't know if they'd like to be named] for predicting the house of the hearth!

anyways their oc was not only an absolute BANGER, but also sparked what I now realize was whumperflies in 14 yo me! so I copied it with my own oc. also had the stellar idea to think that if [friend's oc] was integrated, why not make it a whole program? badabim badaboom fatui orphanage. I shit you not the first thing I came up with is that the rejects get sent to dottore

uhhhh as stuff came out and someone leaked a fatui orphanage then the secret shrine maiden quest came out I TWEAKED. my oc got updates. leaks about lyney (and lynette) being from the hoth(house of the hearth) brought me back after I'd gotten bored. I desperately held myself back from telling everyone their surnames. I listened to their leaked voicelines. I read their stories.

it was not as bad as I envisioned in my head. fym arlecchino saved them!! white knight white knight!!! fym they're not sleeper agents!!!! fym freminet has a job he enjoys that is in no way related to the fatui?!!?!!! free time and healthy hobbies on my extremely fanonized interpretation of a fictional orphanage we previously only had teeny tiny crumbs about?!?!?!!!;1!?!

arlecchino releasing made me fully give up on the vision I'd originally had on the hoth. I generally do actually like the canon hoth, but I was super attached to this whole miniature concept I'd invented and shared with so many people.

so I'm making my own child soldier orphanage!!!

CONSIDER CHILD SOLDIERS IN WHUMP. WITH CONDITIONING. consider telling children that have nowhere else to go (and whumper KNOWS they have nowhere else to go) they can either join the military or continue whatever they were doing. consider training and conditioning them. consider reminding them where they'd be, had carewhumper not taken them in. consider "letting them off easy" via punishment, or threatening to put them to other use.

consider teaching those children happy lies of doing good, and shattering that reality when they dare be ungrateful and try to run away. consider always making the expectations on them clear. consider the bonds these children will form both with each other and carewhumpers. parental whump my beloved. consider living weapon whumpee that isn't an on-field combatant. consider living weapon whumpee who's allowed to be a person as a reward.

consider living weapon whumpee who was previously rescued from a different kind of whumper and is just perfect for molding into a killing machine. consider orphans children willingly volunteering for the military because the program is well known. consider generations upon generations of this where previous whumpees retire to work in the same orphanage so that they'll never have to move out, prolonging the cycle of violence with promises of family. and that family isn't even false, just conditional.

whumpee who was rescued from a vampire thrall trade and is constantly reminded where they would've been had carewhumpers not been so generous as to rehabilitate them. ungrateful little thing, always reacting so slow, cowering from the vampires the carewhumpers have taken in as if they're the same one, either hoarding food or immediately wolfing it down.

whumpee who was abandoned as a child and came in to a place they knew they'd be accepted, but gradually realized the danger behind it and tried escaping. they were brought back and thoroughly disciplined. it's obvious that they're using a facade once one simply reads their file or asks them, but that doesn't matter so long as they're obedient.

a whumpee turned carewhumper that sees nothing wrong with what they're doing. they were raised this way, and though it was very scary, so is life in general. they certainly wouldn't have survived in this world without this orphanage, and much less by being coddled. the children brought here have all had difficult experiences that have scarred them, they can't be treated like normal kids.

that's all the ocs I have thought up for it rn soz

yeah!! will also be in a typical high fantasy setting because I prefer it a whole lot more.

I'm honestly unsure of what to call this thing. I can't really go with the house of the hearth. at some point I internally called it erysimum institute because I read destroyer and the name beldam institute just sounds rlly catchy. also erysimums symbolize faith in unfortunate situations which I think fits perfectly. but the loneliness/shyness part of wallflowers (a prominent type of erysimum) is a little less fitting.

I'll definitely change the name because I want it to be as original as it can be!! probably to some kind of flower meaning rebirth or smt but idk.

p.s: it would have art!!!

[scealaiscoite]

head of state x captain of their personal guard prompts ˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🕊️ ꒱

¹⁾ “must you always make my job so very difficult, your highness?”¹ “someone with your prowess must be challenged, captain. how else will i see to it that i made the right choice in selecting you for the job?”²

²⁾ “*name*, i’m begging you. if you won’t listen to me as your guard, then listen to me as someone who loves you - please let me get you to safety before it’s too late.”

³⁾ “what were you playing at, looking at me like that from across the court?!”

“since when do you feel permitted to give your opinion on matters of the crown?!”¹ “since i fell in love with the person wearing it.”²

⁴⁾ “when i told you to forget our titles during our sparring lessons, i didn’t think you’d actually follow through.”

⁵⁾ “i’m beginning to think you’ve only taken to spending so much time in the throne room to show off for me.”

⁶⁾ “i’ve dreamt of making you my consort more than i’d like to admit.”

⁷⁾ “so not only have you been ‘entertaining’ marriage prospects, but you didn’t even deem fit to tell me about it yourself? am i not even worth that to you?”

⁸⁾ “if the lords/ladies-in-waiting spy you leaving my quarters in the morning again, i fear we’ll be fielding more question than we can answer.”

⁹⁾ “you know how direly i hate these balls, my love.”¹ “yes, i do. but i also know how very much you love me, so i’m hoping one will cancel the other out.”²

¹⁰⁾ “you do remember that i’m supposed to be the one protecting you, yes?”

[wondrousworldbuilding]

I'm currently trying to world build a magical school for my fantasy realm. I'm having a hard time finding sources online. Any general advice for fantasy schools?

For starters, you want to have your magic system fleshed out really thoroughly. What good is teaching a bunch of kids how to use a magic system that you, the author, don't really know how it works, right!? If you haven't done this, you might check out my Brainstorming posts Here (Part 1) and Here (Part 2) to get started.

Beyond that, you need to think about some school basics:

Are all children educated in magic? Or only the most talented, the richest, or the poorest?

How does society at large feel about magic education and how does that impact the freedom and funds of the school?

(Related:) What kind of teachers are employed at the school? The best and brightest or the shlufs who couldn't make it in a "real" school? How does that affect the education of the students?

How does general education play into the lives of the students? Do they go to primary school first where they learn to read and write etc. or is that part of the their magic school curriculum?

How much danger is there in the day-to-day of the school? Is the magic difficult to use and therefore generally not a risk? Is it ubiquitous and therefore maintains some inherent balance? Is it difficult to use and therefore volatile and unpredictable?

What is the purpose of receiving a magic education and what do its students aspire to do after completing school?

I hope these help you out little bit. :)

Happy building!

[ff7-has-taken-me-over]

This self indulgent af because Corneo was a nasty ass bastard and I wish I could have castrated him the moment I met him. (It’s also nice and fluffy and a little hurt and comfort for cloud because that shit was nasty af)

Zack losing his absolute shit when he finds out about the sector 6 run. Over the dress, the dance, the arena battles, the people that hit on Cloud, the gassing on Cloud (and Tifa and Aerith but mostly Cloud)

Like I can imagine him desperately wanting to go to Sector 6 just to teach Corneo a lesson but Cloud being his usual exasperated self and just dragging the man away from that situation like, “I love you but you’re an idiot. If you really wanna go or see it I’ll take you but leave Corneo out of it.”

[unboundprompts]

Random Prompt #161

In the heart of the fog-drenched forest, where twisted branches claw at the night sky, a solitary cottage glows with an eerie, amber light. Inside, the witch moves with a fluid, almost serpentine grace, her robes rustling like dry leaves. Her eyes, sharp and luminous, hold the wisdom of centuries, while her gnarled hands, adorned with silver rings and ancient symbols, meticulously mix potions that simmer with unspoken enchantments. The air is thick with the scent of herbs and incense, and shadows dance on the walls, revealing glimpses of forgotten magic and whispered spells. She is both a keeper of arcane secrets and a guardian of the old ways, her presence a blend of mystery and ancient power.

[shythalia]

Story idea/writing prompt:

You & other monstrous races live in mostly relative harmony separated from your main prey, the humans. It is the first day of this school year and you & your classmates are all confused & appalled that your school would even allow a human to enroll here. Your teacher tells all of you that many monster races have decided to ally with humanity though it is still a work in progress. Maybe you should've paid more attention to the news. Anyway, this still doesn't make sense to you. "Humans are prey. Why is this one here? Humans aren't monsters like us," you & your classmates shout. Your teacher just.. chuckles at that. Your human classmate, too. What??? "Well then. It seems that we have a LOT to learn this year," your teacher says with a wide grin.

[arealphrooblem]

Terms of Surrender

synopsis: The queen of a doomed city makes the deal her husband refused to make with the conquering warlord outside her city's gates.

TW: mentions of suicide (the husband)

Three weeks into the siege, the warlord had sent terms for her kingdom’s surrender:  He would give them two days for anyone to evacuate. Soldiers could either be executed or conscripted into his army. No civilians would be harmed, their daily business to be conducted as usual.  The emperor would die and his family would live out their  days as prisoners of war.

With their army reduced by a third already, cannon fire blasting each day, and rumors of his navy coming in a week’s time, the terms were not just generous -- they were her people’s best chance at a peaceful life.

Her husband sent his denial back with the heads of the emissaries.

Six weeks later, as their navy’s wreckage litters the ocean floor, their pleas for rescue from their allies remain unanswered, and the warlords fiercest warriors start to gather for their last incursion, her husband once again used his brilliant tactical decision-making to throw himself off the top of the castle. His body crashed into the encampment of his own soldiers.

The message could not be clearer: Abandon all hope.

The queen did not listen. Instead, that night, she dressed in a serving maid’s uniform and slipped unseen through the secret tunnels of the cistern that not even her husband knew about. They opened up in the forest just outside the walls of her city, close enough to hear the sounds of swords clanging and horses wickering in the enemy camp.

Though her heart thundered in her ears, the queen walked quietly and confidently towards the camp. Either his scouts will shoot her on sight, or she will be captured and escorted to the warlord. Both outcomes promise her a chance of relief.

It took barely minutes for someone to find her, sword pointed at her throat, the creaking of drawn bows surrounding her.

“Do you have any idea where you have wandered to, little girl,” said the general, eyeing her with deep suspicion, as if she were just as capable of trying to slaughter him than any other warrior. It felt strangely flattering.

“Yes,” she said, slowly holding up her empty hands. “I seek an audience with the Warlord.”

His gaze lingered over her plain and simple clothing. “And who are you to ask for such a thing?”

“The Queen.” It was a gamble, revealing her identity this way, but she feared she would be denied.

The general snorted. “Is your city so poor even the royalty mus dress this way?”

“Is your mind so soft it doesn’t understand the concept of a disguise?” she shot back.

A moment of stunned silence, and then a chuckle.

“Queen or not, you pose no threat. At the very least, this should be entertaining. Come. You will have your audience.”

He led through the trees, guided only by the barest light of the moon. Only the queen’s footsteps were heard, the snapping of twigs like thunder echoing in the silence. No wonder they found her so quickly.

The weight of the men’s stares as she walked through camp felt more frightening than the tip of the general’s sword. As they neared the large tent in the middle of camp, her heart-rate climbed and her palms started to sweat. By the time she stood on ornate carpets in the tent, so transformed into a stately room that she nearly forgot its canvas walls, she had to remind herself to breathe.

The warlord sat at a desk, writing something in a slow, steady hand. He looked young. Much younger than her husband. Barely older than her.

She couldn’t help but notice, even in the midst of her growing terror, the stack of beautiful leather bound books next to the parchment. She feels an intense stab of envy. Women were not permitted to read in her county, not even the nobility. She had taught herself in secret, but rarely had the opportunity to practice.

“What is it, General?” he asked, not even lifting his head.

“The queen herself seeks an audience with you.”

“Does she now?” His pen scratches out something in beautiful shapes, in an alphabet so unlike anything she’d seen in snatches in her own court. “And when does she expect this audience? In the rubble of her city tomorrow?”

Her heart stutters in her chest and she wills her face to remain passive.

“She would have it now.” Amusement tinged the general’s tone.

“Now?”

Finally the Warlord lifted his head and froze at the sight of her. It would almost be comical if she wasn’t so afraid of him.

A moment later his manners caught up with him and he stood hastily, tucking the chair back into the desk.

“Well this is certainly an unexpected tactic, sending an unarmed and vulnerable woman to do your begging. Is your husband truly so desperate?”

“My husband is dead,” she said flatly. “I have come to negotiate on my behalf, not his.”

“Dead?” the general and the warlord spoke simultaneously.

They exchanged knowing glances over her head, communicating without words.

“Leave us,” the warlord said at last. “I will play along with such an audience.”

With a bow, the general stepped out of the tent, leaving her completely alone in front of her greatest enemy.

Part Two