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I also tend to draw on real history and mythology for inspiration, probably more so than other fantasy fiction if I'm being honest. For each region of my main secondary world setting I designate a few real life cultures to take inspiration from. I hate making locations (or having them seen as) just a fantasy version of x real life place, so stuff like having Irish names for characters in the area with samurai is my way of telling people it isn't fantasy Ireland or fantasy Japan.

Funniest thing is when someone called something I took directly from history unrealistic, in that case the Law of Fratricide from the Ottoman Empire. Getting comments like that on stuff I didn't make up is interesting.

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Yes, I probably should've also clarified that it's just not a one-to-one like Forgotten Realms is. Being able to synthesize your ideas into things that are familiar but weird enough to be original is the goal for this.

Also Irish and Japanese combinations may seem odd at first but their cultures are similar in the sense of both having warrior aristocracies that valued arts, poetry, and philosophy. It'd be neat to see people do more with those similarities.

And of course, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction! Which is why I like stealing from it so much.

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I have drawn on history a great deal in my own writing, in fact I don't think I couldn't. Even in 'traditional' fantasy worlds I insert little elements of 'real life lore' and see how it influences the whole. Often times it pushes the fantasy realm to become more unique than simply another Middle Earth or Forgotten Realms. A lot of times history is far wackier than what imaginations can cook up on their own.

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It would be interesting to see more fantasy that does take place in our primary world, even just exposing more of the monsters and myths that permeate modern day would be a really fascinating read.

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Sep 7, 2023Liked by Ethan Sabatella

Using real lore, mythology, or history as inspiration for your writing in no way diminishes your creativity. On the contrary, weaving together all of it with your own fictional strands creates a richer tapestry. I believe you are also providing a benefit to your reader by introducing them to this lore, whether they recognize it for what it is or not. They may read your story and then years later come across a bit of history or a poem or a cultural reference and the lightbulb 💡 will go on.

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Getting that "ah-ha" moment was my favorite part in reading fantasy then seeing it in an historical or cultural reference. It's kind of still something that happens when I read.

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Sep 7, 2023Liked by Ethan Sabatella

Keep on the Shadowfell! Great memories of an epic struggle !

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I mostly enjoyed my commute but it did get monotonous when I forgot to load up something to listen to or was a bit "dry" of ideas for the day.

Most of the Celtic mythology I had to learn on my own since it's not regularly taught in schools. I'm not sure if it's even taught in Ireland or Scotland but I'd have to hear it from someone who lives across the pond.

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