Folklore Fridays

Custom forests and fauna make your fantasy world feel real and immersive. So let's talk about it.

Greetings, Fellow Adventurers,

It’s another Folklore Friday!

As you know every Friday, we’ll embark on a journey through ancient tales, hidden myths, and mysterious legends that make up the fantasy worlds. Folklore Fridays will dive into the stories that shape the heart of our epic adventures.

So grab your sword, light your lantern, and prepare to journey into realms of fantasy and lore. Who knows what we’ll uncover?

Feeling generous? ✨Want to support my work? ✨Consider donating a coffee to keep me energized and the creativity flowing.

Your contribution is greatly appreciated. 🙏

This week:

In your fantasy world have you expanded into flora and fauna?

When describing your world do you use plants and animals from Earth, do you create your own?

Have you not done this at all?

Creating your own flora and fauna is crucial for convincing world-building because they add depth, culture, and atmosphere to your setting. Unique ecosystems make the world feel alive, with flora and fauna reflecting the world’s history, magic, and social dynamics. They can shape how societies interact with nature and each other, and even drive plot and conflict. Custom creatures and plants also enhance the tone and themes of your story, whether you’re crafting a peaceful forest or a dangerous jungle. Ultimately, they make the world feel rich, immersive, and real.

#FolkloreFridays #FantasyLegends #MythicalAdventures

Here are some example of mine from The Chronicles of the Shalvasan Series and The Crown of Ashes and Blood Series:

The blue and red birds are called Kwingos, while the yellow ones are known as Sunfliers. Kwingos are highly intelligent and can relay messages within the Kazaki clan, as they have learned their birdsong. One Kwingo named TeeKee plays a significant role in the series.

The Dustcrawler is a large insectoid vermin that serves as a primary food source for the Shalvasan people. Its considerable size makes its fur ideal for weaving and trade, while its hard shell is used in pottery and decoration. The meat is also widely consumed, with many dishes on Shalvasan featuring Dustcrawler meat prepared in a variety of ways. This insectoid vermin is a crucial part of their world, deeply embedded in their culture and daily life.

The Karrassu is an underground-dwelling dragon with a rocky hide that allows it to burrow beneath the ground. These creatures are native to the region around Kazaki, where they have been tamed and serve as protectors and mounts. Elsewhere on Shalvasan, the Karrassu are hunted and killed, which is why they find refuge with the Kazaki clan. In return for the clan’s worship and care, the Karrassu offers unwavering loyalty, willing to do anything to protect the Kazaki people. These beasts have helped in changes of power.

This is the Skytear Cactus, known for its fruit, which the Shalvasan ferment to create an alcoholic brew. Beneath its blue, fuzzy rind lies a hard shell that must be smashed open to access the red goo inside, which has been noted by Terra Three characters to taste like peach. While the fruit can be eaten on its own, its primary use is for inebriation, making it a favored plant to the Shalvasan.

Lastly, the Sandshard Melon is another cactus that bears fruit. Inspired by the appearance of cantaloupe, this fruit is covered in large spikes, making it difficult to access the juices inside. Given the harsh desert environment, this melon is primarily used as a vital source of hydration when traveling deep in the desert. It’s a life-saving plant, crucial for survival when one is dying of thirst.