If you’ve ever caught yourself staring at a blank page waiting for inspiration to hit, you’re definitely not alone. Even the best fantasy writers in the world can find it tricky to come up with original fantasy story ideas, memorable characters, or exciting worlds to explore. That’s exactly where fantasy writing prompts can help. A single prompt can spark a whole novel, unlock a new magical system, or introduce a character you can’t stop thinking about.
Whether you’re penning an epic fantasy novel brimming with ancient prophecies and dragons, a cosy fantasy about a magical bookshop, or a dark fantasy story jam-packed full of dangerous secrets, the right idea can totally flip your writing session. These fantasy writing prompts can help you build worlds, characters, and conflicts, whilst pushing your creativity in new directions.
Today at What We Writing, we’re sharing fantasy writing ideas for every kind of writer, including beginners experimenting with storytelling for the first time and veteran authors looking to overcome their writer’s block. From romantic fantasy prompts to worldbuilding inspiration, these ideas are tailored to help you start writing immediately.
Epic Fantasy Writing Prompts
If you’re searching for epic fantasy prompts filled with ancient magic, dangerous quests, lost kingdoms, and world-changing battles, these fantasy novel ideas are tailored to spark larger-than-life stories.
Whether you want to write sprawling adventures or character-driven fantasy epics, these prompts can help you start building your world.
1. The kingdom’s dragons suddenly stop breathing fire.
As neighbouring nations prepare to invade, a disgraced dragon keeper discovers the creatures may be refusing magic for a reason.
2. Every ruler in the empire receives the same prophetic dream on the same night.
The dream warns that one of their children will destroy the realm within the year, sparking paranoia, betrayal, and political chaos.
3. A legendary sword only appears to those destined to save the kingdom.
This time, it appears to be a thief who has no interest in being anyone’s hero.
4. An isolated mountain village sacrifices one citizen to the gods every winter.
When the chosen sacrifice returns alive years later, they bring back something terrifying with them.
5. The world’s magic is slowly disappearing.
A young archivist discovers ancient records suggesting the gods themselves abandoned humanity centuries ago.
6. A queen secretly swaps places with her body double before a deadly peace summit.
But while living among ordinary people, she begins to question whether her kingdom deserves saving at all.
7. A forbidden forest expands each night.
Entire towns disappear beneath the trees, and the only person immune to the forest’s pull is a child marked by strange symbols.
8. The empire’s greatest general dies in battle and is resurrected by enemy sorcerers.
Now trapped between loyalty and dark magic, they must decide which side deserves victory.
9. Every century, the ocean reveals the ruins of an ancient city for a single week.
Treasure hunters, scholars, and assassins race to uncover its secrets before the tides reclaim it.
10. A prince raised to become a legendary warrior discovers he was actually stolen from an enemy kingdom as a baby.
His true family wants him back – but only so he can help conquer the realm he calls home.
11. The stars start vanishing from the night sky, one by one.
Ancient legends claim each missing star weakens the barrier imprisoning an ancient god.
12. A magical plague causes people to transform into mythical creatures.
Whilst some embrace their new form, others fear society is collapsing into chaos.
13. The chosen hero fails.
Years after abandoning their quest, they’re forced to reunite with the companions they betrayed when their original prophecy starts again.
14. A kingdom built on floating islands begins falling from the sky.
An inexperienced engineer and a court magician must uncover the truth before the capital crashes into the sea below.
15. A royal historian discovers that every heroic legend in the kingdom is a lie.
The nation’s greatest heroes were actually villains whose crimes were erased from history.
16. The gods speak through one sacred bloodline – until a commoner suddenly hears them too.
Religious leaders see this as heresy, whilst others believe it signals the start of a revolution.
17. An immortal warrior guarding a cursed gate has spent centuries alone.
Everything changes when the gate finally opens from the other side.
18. A peace treaty between rival kingdoms requires two heirs to marry.
But, on the eve of the wedding, both discover someone is trying to restart the war from within their own courts.
19. A hidden underground city survives beneath a world destroyed by magical storms.
When scouts discover the surface may be healing, rival factions battle over whether humanity should return above ground.
20. The dead begin returning – but not as monsters, but precisely as they were before.
As families celebrate impossible reunions, one scholar suspects the resurrections are the first signs of an approaching apocalypse.
Dark Fantasy Writing Prompts
These dark fantasy prompts are ideal for writers who love cursed kingdoms, dangerous magic, morally grey heroes, and stories where victories always come with a cost. Dark fantasy blends horror, fantasy, and psychological tension, conjuring worlds full of haunted landscapes, brutal choices, and unsettling secrets.
1. A kingdom celebrates the end of a centuries-old curse.
But every citizen who survived the curse begins ageing rapidly overnight.
2. A mercenary accepts a job guarding a mysterious child travelling through plague-ridden lands.
The longer they travel together, the more the mercenary suspects the child caused the plague in the first place.
3. Magic users slowly lose their memories each time they cast a spell.
A royal mage becomes determined to stop a war before they forget their own identity entirely.
4. An executioner discovers the souls of the dead remain trapped inside their weapons.
Each blade whispers the crimes and regrets of those it has killed.
5. A forgotten god awakens beneath a ruined city.
Rather than destroying humanity, it begins granting desperate people precisely what they ask for – at horrifying costs.
6. A kingdom surrounded by eternal darkness survives thanks to a magical lighthouse.
When the flame suddenly goes out, creatures from the dark begin returning to the shores.
7. A notorious monster hunter realises the creatures they kill were once human.
Now they must choose whether to continue serving the crown or expose the kingdom’s secrets.
8. A cursed prince transforms into a terrifying creature each night.
As war approaches, his enemies begin fearing the monster more than the man.
9. The dead cannot rest in a haunted forest where an ancient battle took place.
A grieving soldier enters the woods searching for a lost sibling and discovers the ghosts are preparing for war again.
10. A healer known for miraculous cures secretly uses forbidden blood magic.
When their powers begin to corrupt the surrounding land, villagers begin hunting the very person who saved them.
11. A crumbling empire keeps prisoners trapped inside magical mirrors.
One prisoner discovers the reflections have been replaced by people in the outside world for years.
12. A thief steals a cursed crown from a royal tomb.
Anyone who wears it gains immense power but slowly becomes possessed by the tyrant buried alongside it.
13. A wandering knight is hired to investigate disappearances in an isolated village.
The villagers insist a nearby castle has remained empty for decades – even though lights appear in its windows every night.
14. A kingdom wins every battle thanks to an ancient magical weapon.
The only problem is that the weapon feeds on the souls of innocent citizens to remain active.
15. A woman capable of speaking to the dead discovers the spirits are terrified of something lurking beneath the afterlife itself.
Fantasy Romance Prompts
If you’re looking for fantasy romance prompts full of forbidden love, dangerous magic, and unforgettable tension, these romantic fantasy ideas can help you create relationships that feel both magical and emotionally compelling.
Whether you love slow-burn romances, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, or tragic immortal pairings, these prompts are perfect for building fantasy worlds where love can change the fate of entire kingdoms.
1. Two rival heirs are forced into an arranged magical marriage to stop a war.
The problem is that their kingdoms have spent generations teaching them to hate one another.
2. A powerful witch accidentally binds her soul to the kingdom’s most feared dragon rider.
Now they can feel each other’s emotions – including the attraction neither of them wants to admit exists.
3. An immortal warrior falls in love with someone who reincarnates every lifetime.
This time, however, the mortal remembers every painful ending they’ve shared before.
4. A prince hunting dangerous magic users captures a rogue sorcerer hiding inside his court.
As their connection deepens, he begins questioning everything he was taught about magic.
5. Two enemy assassins are sent to kill the same target during a royal festival.
Forced to work together, they uncover a conspiracy threatening both their kingdoms.
6. A healer secretly using forbidden magic saves the life of a royal guard.
If anyone discovers the truth, both of them could be executed for treason.
7. A lonely god disguises themselves as a mortal and falls in love with a bookseller.
But divine law forbids gods from intertwining in human lives.
8. Every citizen is magically assigned a soulmate on their eighteenth birthday.
One woman is horrified to learn that hers is the kingdom’s imprisoned villain.
9. A monster hunter spares the life of a curse creature during a brutal winter storm.
As they travel together, the hunter discovers the “monster” may be more human than anyone else in the kingdom.
10. A queen enters a political marriage with a neighbouring king to secure peace.
What begins as a cold alliance slowly develops into genuine affection as they uncover threats inside their own courts.
11. A mortal musician catches the attention of an immortal ruler from the fae realm.
The ruler offers them fame, luxury, and eternal life – but accepting means leaving the human world behind forever.
12. Two magic students from rival academies secretly communicate through enchanted letters.
When war breaks out between their schools, they must choose where their loyalties really lie.
13. A pirate captain rescues a royal runaway fleeing an arranged marriage.
Neither realises the sea itself has tied their fates together through ancient magic.
14. A cursed knight can only survive by stealing years from the people they touch.
Falling in love becomes dangerous for both them and the person they care about the most.
15. A royal advisor discovers the kingdom’s terrifying conqueror is being controlled through dark magic.
Helping them break free could save the realm – or destroy her reputation forever.
16. A witch agrees to help a desperate prince save his dying kingdom.
In exchange, he promises her something forbidden: his true name.
17. Every hundred years, a human is chosen to marry the ruler of the underworld.
This year’s chosen bride refuses to quietly accept her fate – and the underworld king is fascinated by her rebellion.
Check Out These Great Enemies-To-Lovers Fantasy Books On Our Sister Site, What We Reading
Cosy Fantasy Prompts
These cosy fantasy prompts are perfect for writers who love magical worlds filled with warmth, charm, and low-stakes adventures. Rather than world-ending battles and dark prophecies, cosy fantasy story ideas focus on friendship, community, healing, and everyday magic.
Whether you’re imagining enchanted cafes, quiet villages or magical bookshops, these prompts can help you create comforting fantasy stories readers will want to live inside.
1. A witch opens a tiny tea shop where every blend reveals a customer’s happiest memory.
Business is slow until strangers start travelling from distant kingdoms to experience the magic for themselves.
2. A retired adventurer inherits a neglected inn in a sleepy village.
As they renovate the building, old magical secrets hidden beneath the inn slowly come to light.
3. A village healer discovers their herbal remedies only work when paired with handwritten stories.
Soon, locals begin leaving anonymous confessions and fairy tales at the door.
4. A magical bakery becomes famous for bread that appears differently to every customer.
One traveller keeps returning because the pastries always remind them of a home they can’t remember.
5. Every full moon, a hidden market appears deep within the forest.
A shy librarian accidentally stumbles upon it and becomes fascinated by the magical community gathering there every month.
6. A potion shop owner who hates adventure keeps getting dragged into small local mysteries by loyal customers.
Most problems involve missing cats, enchanted gardens, or minor magical disasters.
7. A young woman capable of speaking to plants is hired to restore the royal greenhouse.
The plants, however, refuse to cooperate unless she solves the gardener’s decades-old disappearance.
8. A travelling candle maker creates magical candles tailored to people’s emotions.
While visiting a coastal village, they help locals reconnect after years of misunderstandings.
9. A dragon too small to inspire fear secretly lives above a village cafe.
The owner pretends not to notice as the dragon quietly helps around the shop at night.
10. A magical post office delivers letters between worlds.
When one employee begins reading the heartfelt messages passing through the office, they become invested in helping strangers find happiness.
11. A lonely fisherman discovers a tiny sea creature trapped in his nets every morning.
As their unlikely friendship grows, the creature slowly transforms the struggling harbour town around them.
12. A witch famous for breaking curses moves to a quiet countryside village hoping for peace.
Instead, she becomes the unofficial therapist for locals dealing with heartbreak, family feuds, and magical mishaps.
YA Fantasy Writing Prompts
These YA fantasy prompts are perfect for stories about identity, friendship, rebellion, and discovering who you are in a magical world.
Young adult fantasy thrives on emotional stakes just as much as magical ones, blending first love, found family, dangerous secrets, and coming-of-age journeys with unforgettable fantasy settings.
1. A teenager discovers they were accidentally switched at birth with the heir to a magical kingdom.
Now both worlds are back for very different reasons.
2. Students at an elite magical academy are ranked by the strength of their powers.
When one student develops an ability nobody understands, they become both feared and admired by their classmates.
3. Every citizen receives a magical mark revealing their future role in society.
One girl’s mark never appears, forcing her to hide from authorities determined to uncover why.
4. A group of best friends accidentally awakens an ancient spirit hidden beneath their town.
To stop it from escaping, they must work together before their friendship falls apart completely.
5. A rebellious prince sneaks out of the palace to experience life among the ordinary folk
There, they fall for someone actively working against the royal family.
6. Two students from rival magical schools are forced to compete in a deadly tournament together.
As tensions rise between their kingdoms, so too do their feelings for one another.
7. A quiet healer discovers they can absorb other people’s pain.
The more they use their powers to help friends, the more dangerous the ability becomes.
8. A kingdom bans music, a magical rebellion nearly destroyed the capital years ago.
A teenage musician accidentally uncovers songs capable of awakening forbidden magic.
9. Every year, one teenager is chosen to serve the mysterious creatures living beyond the kingdom’s walls.
This year’s chosen candidate is determined to uncover what really happens to those who never return.
10. A student at a magical boarding school realises memories are mysteriously disappearing from the campus.
Only a small group of unlikely friends seems to remember the truth.
11. A girl capable of speaking to ghosts begins helping spirits resolve unfinished business.
But one ghost insists the kingdom’s beloved ruler was actually murdered.
12. A shy apprentice accidentally starts a rebellion after exposing corruption inside the kingdom’s magical council.
Now they must choose whether they’re really capable of becoming the leaders people believe they are.
Fantasy Worldbuilding Prompts
Strong worldbuilding can transform simple fantasy story ideas into unforgettable novels. These fantasy worldbuilding prompts are designed to help you create believable kingdoms, unique magic systems, layered politics, ancient religions, and compelling conflicts.
Whether you’re planning an epic fantasy series or developing a single magical city, these fantasy world prompts can help bring your settings to life.
Magic System Prompts
- What does magic cost in your world?
- Who is forbidden from using magic – and why?
- Is magic inherited, learned, stolen, or granted by higher powers?
- What happens when someone uses too much magic?
- Are certain emotions tied to magical abilities?
- Is there illegal or corrupted magic hidden from society?
- Who controls magical education and access to spells?
- What ordinary jobs rely on magic in everyday life?
Kingdom and Society Prompts
- What keeps your kingdom stable: loyalty, fear, religion, or wealth?
- Which regions of your world are considered dangerous or cursed?
- How do ordinary people view the royal family?
- Has your kingdom recently survived a war, rebellion, or magical disaster?
- What social class has the most hidden power?
- Are there tensions between humans and magical beings?
- What traditions or festivals define your culture?
- Which parts of society are unfair or deeply broken?
Religion and Mythology Prompts
- Are the gods real, silent, or entirely invented?
- What myths do children grow up hearing?
- Is there a forbidden religion secretly practised in hidden places?
- How do people worship in your world?
- Have the gods ever interfered in mortal lives?
- What happens to people after death according to your culture?
- Is there a prophecy everyone fears?
- Who benefits most from controlling religion?
Political Fantasy Prompts
- Which kingdom is closest to collapse?
- What political secret could start a war overnight?
- Are rulers chosen by bloodline, magic, combat, or public vote?
- Which advisor or noble is secretly manipulating the throne?
- Is there a rebel group fighting against the current system?
- What resources or magical objects are kingdoms willing to kill for?
- How do neighbouring kingdoms view each other?
- Who profits most during times of war?
Creature and Monster Prompts
- Which magical creatures are misunderstood by society?
- What creature do people fear most – and is the fear justified?
- Are monsters naturally occurring or magically created?
- Which creatures are considered sacred?
- How have magical beasts shaped architecture, travel, or warfare?
- Are dragons, spirits, or sea creatures tied to ancient legends?
- What rare creature is believed to be extinct?
- Which creature bond is considered dangerous or forbidden?
Prophecy and Legend Prompts
- What prophecy has shaped your world for generations?
- Has a prophecy ever been intentionally manipulated?
- What happens when someone refuses their “destined” role?
- Are prophecies reliable in your world, or deliberately misleading?
- Which historical hero may not have existed at all?
- Is there an ancient evil people no longer believe in?
- What ruined civilisation left behind dangerous artefacts or secrets?
- Which legend turns out to be terrifyingly true?
Everyday Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions
- What do people eat, trade, or farm in your world?
- How do people travel between kingdoms?
- What jobs exist because of magic?
- Which parts of the world remain unexplored?
- How are criminals punished?
- What is considered beautiful, lucky, or taboo in your culture?
- What small magical convenience exists in daily life?
- Who has access to knowledge, books, and education?
The best fantasy worlds often feel alive because of small details as much as epic battles or magical systems. Asking thoughtful worldbuilding questions can help you create a fantasy setting that feels immersive, believable, and totally unique.
Check Out Our Guide On How To Write A Believable Fantasy World
Fantasy Character Prompts
Compelling characters are at the core of every great fantasy story. Strong fantasy character ideas don’t just define who your protagonist is – they shape the whole world around them. These fantasy character prompts are designed to help you create complex heroes, unforgettable villains, morally grey antiheroes, and magical mentors who guide (or mislead) the next generation.
Protagonist & “Chosen One” Prompts
- A reluctant chosen one discovers their “destiny” was written by someone trying to control the future.
- A hero with no magical abilities in a world where power determines status becomes the one person capable of saving it.
- A royal heir refuses the throne and instead joins a group of rebels fighting their own family.
- A prophecy names two people as “the chosen ones,” but only one of them can survive the final battle.
- A protagonist gains incredible power but loses something important each time they use it.
Villain Prompts
- A villain believes they are saving the world by destroying its current rulers.
- The antagonist is the only person who remembers how the world was before a magical catastrophe – and wants to restore it at any cost.
- A feared ruler is secretly protecting the kingdom from a threat no one else believes exists.
- A villain and hero once shared the same dream – until one betrayal split them apart.
- The “monster” terrorising the land is actually a former hero corrupted by magic.
Check Out These Villain Writing Prompts For Your Next Story
Antihero Prompts
- A cursed assassin can only survive by completing morally questionable contracts.
- A wandering mercenary refuses to take sides, even as war consumes every kingdom around them.
- A former noble turned outlaw is forced to protect the very people who betrayed them.
- An immortal being grows increasingly detached from humanity – until one mortal changes everything.
- A thief steals magical artefacts to survive, only to discover they are preventing a greater disaster.
Magical Mentor Prompts
- A powerful mentor refuses to train anyone after a past student caused a catastrophe.
- A guide who teaches magic is secretly losing their own powers and hiding it from their apprentice.
- A mentor gives contradictory advice, forcing the student to question everything they are taught.
- A once-legendary hero now lives in hiding, pretending to be a harmless tutor.
- A mentor may be manipulating their students for a hidden agenda tied to ancient magic.
Royalty & Noble Prompts
- A sheltered prince or princess discovers their whole life has been orchestrated by political alliances.
- A royal family hides a magical curse that threatens to destroy their bloodline.
- A noble raised to believe they are destined for greatness learns they were adopted from a conquered kingdom.
- A queen secretly uses forbidden magic to maintain peace in her collapsing realm.
- Two royal siblings are forced to compete for the throne, knowing that only one of them will survive the court’s politics.
Rogue & Outsider Prompts
- A charming rogue can steal anything – except their own forgotten memories.
- An outcast with strange magical abilities is feared by society but essential to survival.
- A travelling bard unknowingly spreads magic through their stories.
- A rogue becomes entangled in royal politics after stealing an artefact they didn’t realise was alive.
- A lone wanderer is followed by a mysterious creature that only they can see.
Strong fantasy protagonists and antagonists are at their best when they are layered, conflicted, and shaped by the world around them. These prompts are designed to help you build fantasy characters who feel alive, unpredictable, and essential to the story you’re looking to tell.
How To Turn A Fantasy Prompt Into A Novel
Fantasy writing prompts are a great launchpad, but turning a single idea into a full story demands structure, direction, and a bit of planning. If you’re working with a fantasy novel idea, or wondering how to expand fantasy story ideas into something bigger, this section will guide you from inspiration to actual storytelling.
1. Expand the Core Premise
Most fantasy writing prompts begin as a single “what if” idea. The first step is to stretch that idea outward.
Ask yourself:
- What caused this situation?
- What existed before the opening moment of the story?
- What is happening in the wider world beyond the prompt?
For example, if your prompt involves a cursed kingdom, think about how the curse began, who benefits from it, and what secrets have been buried because of it. This is how you turn fantasy writing ideas into a fully developed world.
2. Build Meaningful Stakes
Strong fantasy stories depend on consequences. Without stakes, even the most creative idea can feel flat.
Consider:
- What happens if the protagonist fails?
- Who else is affected beyond the main character?
- Are the stakes personal, political, or global?
The best fantasy story ideas combine multiple layers of stakes – for example, saving a kingdom whilst also protecting someone the protagonist cares for.
3. Choose the Right POV
Point of view shapes how your fantasy world is experienced.
Ask:
- Is this story more powerful from a single protagonist’s perspective, or multiple viewpoints?
- Would an outsider’s POV make the world feel more mysterious?
- Does the story benefit from an unreliable narrator?
Choosing the right POV early helps you control pacing, tension, and emotional impact.
4. Create Strong Conflict
Conflict is what transforms fantasy prompts into novels. It doesn’t always need to be war or combat – it can be emotional, moral, or internal.
Think about:
- Character vs character (rivals, enemies, forbidden lovers)
- Character vs society (rebellion, oppression, prophecy)
- Character vs self (identity, guilt, power)
The strongest fantasy writing often combines several types of conflict all at once.
Check Out Our Guide To Writing The Central Conflict In A Story
5. Avoid Common Fantasy Cliches
Many fantasy writing ideas can soon begin feeling familiar if not developed carefully. To keep your story fresh:
- Twist familiar tropes (chosen one, dark lord, magical school)
- Give characters conflicting motivations
- Make magic have real costs and consequences
- Avoid perfect heroes or purely evil villains
Even small changes can make well-known fantasy tropes feel new again.
Bringing It All Together
Once you’ve expanded your prompt, raised the stakes, chosen a POV, and built conflict, you’ll have the foundation of a novel – not just a writing prompt. At that point, your fantasy writing prompt has become a living, breathing world full of characters, stakes, and possibilities.
James has been passionate about storytelling ever since he could hold a pen. Inspired by the epic fantasy and historical dramas he devoured in his youth, his work now centers on dark, psychological tales featuring intense, introspective characters and atmospheric, gothic undertones. In 2025, he founded What We Writing to share his creative journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way with fellow writers and passionate storytellers.
