120 Fantasy Writing Prompts To Inspire Your Next Story

Sometimes when we sit down to write a fantasy story, the creative gears can’t get going. We might try as hard as we can, but nothing works. In these desperate times, there’s one solution that many writers turn to, and that is using fantasy writing prompts.

Over the years, prompts have played a huge role in the lives of many fantasy writers. As someone who’s been writing fantasy for nearly 10 years, I’ve used prompts both written and visual to inspire lots of stories. I love them and appreciate their value.

So I put together this guide to share with you some of my favorite prompts for fantasy stories. I’ve broken them down by sub genre of fantasy, so you can find inspiration for your epic and heroic tales as well as your classic high fantasy ones too.

Keep scrolling for the lists of prompts. Next, we take a look at the basics behind them.

What Is A Fantasy Writing Prompt?

A fantasy writing prompt is snippet of a story, a theme or an idea that’s desiged to spark the beginning of a story.

In other words, it’s a tool used by writers to spark their creativity to life. Just like a hunter would use a piece of flink to spark their campfire to life.

Why Use Prompts To Write Fantasy?

Sometimes you have the desire to write, but it’s difficult to think of an idea to get you started. Other times we may just be tired from a long day at the 9 to 5 job.

When you’re feeling a little low on the creative energy front, a fantasy writing prompt can serve as the spark that ignites the flame.

Sometimes you don’t even need to write a full story with the prompt. It could be a scene or chapter, maybe even just a monologue. Or it could develop into a short story, novella or novel.

You can use them to find your flow, and once the words are pouring forth, you can move onto your other writing project.

Are There Any Issues With Using A Prompt?

Some people worry about things like plagiarism when it comes to using a writing prompt. Other writers feel like it’s cheating if they didn’t come up with the idea on their own.

For clarity’s sake, there’s no issue at all with using a prompt.

All stories come from a prompt of some kind. Authors talk all the time about reading a story and developing an idea from it. George RR Martin famously based Game of Thrones on the War of the Roses.

As for plagiarism, this is a very unlikely outcome, and the reason we know this is by looking at short story competitions. Anthologies, magazines and publishers regularly run competitions based around a theme. As someone who has judged competitions like this, it’s amazing how different the stories can be with one narrow prompt.

A List Of Fantasy Writing Prompts By Genre

Below, you can find lists of fantasy writing prompts broken down by different sub genres.

High Fantasy

High fantasy is a sub genre rich in adventure, fantasy creatures like dragons, and magic. Here are some prompts:

In a world where magic is feared and outlawed, a young orphan discovers they possess mysterious powers.
A legendary dragon rider, long thought to be extinct, emerges from hiding, seeking to unite the fractured kingdoms against a common enemy.
Deep within a cursed forest lies a hidden artifact of immense power. A group of adventurers must band together to retrieve it.
An ancient prophecy speaks of a chosen one who will bring balance to the realm. But what if the chosen one is not who everyone expects?
As an ancient evil rises, a reluctant hero must delve into the forbidden arts of magic to save their world, risking everything in the process.
In a realm torn apart by war, an unlikely alliance forms between humans and magical creatures. Together, they must confront the darkness threatening to consume them all.
Gifted with the ability to manipulate time, a young witch must navigate a web of destiny to prevent a catastrophic event from tearing the world asunder.
Legends speak of a city of gold hidden deep within the uncharted wilderness. As treasure hunters converge on the area, alliances will be forged and betrayals will unfold.
Cursed by an enchantress, a prince must find true love before time runs out. But what if breaking the curse means sacrificing his own happiness?
Entrusted with protecting a powerful artifact, a young mage must navigate a world of deception and intrigue, where allies may be enemies in disguise.
Abandoned by the gods, the world teeters on the brink of destruction. A band of heroes must journey into the heart of darkness to confront the gods and restore balance.
A treasure map leads a group of adventurers to the lair of a fearsome dragon. But as they draw closer to the treasure, they realize there’s more at stake than gold and jewels.
In a world where music holds magical power, a young bard must use her talents to stop an ancient evil from plunging the realm into darkness.
Trapped within a deadly labyrinth, a group of adventurers must rely on each other’s strengths and wits to survive and claim the treasure that lies at its heart.
Banished from his kingdom, a young prince must prove himself worthy of the throne by undertaking a perilous quest that will test his courage and resolve.
A young dreamwalker discovers a realm where dreams are reality. But when nightmares threaten to consume the dream realm, she must confront her deepest fears to save her sister and her world.
Tasked with retrieving the lost sword of their king, a group of knights must journey into enemy territory, facing impossible odds and dark secrets along the way.
Discovering a hidden school of magic, a young wizard must navigate the dangerous world of sorcery while unraveling the mysteries of his own past.
With dragons hunted to near extinction, a young dragon rider must protect her companion from those who seek to exploit its power for their own gain.
To rescue a lost soul from the underworld, a group of heroes must journey into the realm of the dead, confronting their own inner demons in the process.

Dark Fantasy

In a world where darkness reigns, a young sorcerer discovers a forbidden spell that could bring about the end of days.
A cursed blade, said to contain the soul of a vengeful spirit, falls into the hands of a reluctant hero who must wield its power to save their kingdom.
Trapped in a city shrouded in eternal night, a group of survivors must navigate its twisted streets and deadly inhabitants to uncover the truth behind the darkness.
A powerful necromancer raises an army of the dead to conquer the world, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
In a realm ruled by fear, a rebellion rises against the tyrannical sorcerer-king, sparking a brutal war where alliances are fleeting and betrayal is common.
Haunted by visions of a dark future, a young seer must navigate a web of treachery and deceit to prevent the apocalypse.
A deadly disease sweeps across the land, turning its victims into bloodthirsty monsters. As civilization crumbles, survivors must do whatever it takes to stay alive.
A powerful artifact, said to hold the key to immortality, falls into the wrong hands, unleashing a wave of chaos and destruction upon the world.
In a world where the dead refuse to stay buried, a group of grave robbers uncovers a sinister conspiracy that threatens to unleash hell on earth.
Banished to a realm of eternal darkness, a fallen angel seeks revenge against those who betrayed him, unleashing a reign of terror upon the mortal world.
A cursed forest, shrouded in shadow, holds the key to unlocking ancient magic long thought to be lost. But those who enter never return the same.
A powerful demon escapes from its prison, wreaking havoc upon the world as it searches for the one who bound it centuries ago.
In a city ruled by a cabal of dark sorcerers, a young thief discovers a hidden power within himself that could change the course of history.
A group of adventurers delves into the depths of a long-forgotten tomb, unaware of the horrors that lie in wait for them.
As darkness spreads across the land, a lone warrior sets out on a quest to find the source of the evil and destroy it before it’s too late.
Haunted by a tragic past, a vampire hunter prowls the streets at night, seeking vengeance against the creatures that took everything from him.
In a world where nightmares come to life, a young girl discovers she has the power to enter the dreams of others, but at what cost?
A dark cult, dedicated to summoning an ancient god of chaos, sets its sights on a small village, threatening to unleash hell on earth.
Trapped in a realm of eternal torment, a group of lost souls must band together to escape the clutches of the demon lord who rules over them.
As the world descends into chaos, a lone hero must make a pact with a powerful demon to save the ones they love, risking their own soul in the process.

Fantasy Romance

In a world where magic and romance intertwine, a forbidden love blossoms between a princess and a commoner, threatening to tear the kingdom apart.
A powerful sorcerer and a fierce warrior are forced to work together to defeat a common enemy, but as they journey together, they discover a love that transcends boundaries.
A young witch, cursed never to love again, meets a charming rogue who makes her question everything she thought she knew about love and magic.
Trapped in an arranged marriage, a prince and princess must navigate court intrigue and dark magic to find true love in each other’s arms.
In a world where humans and elves are sworn enemies, a forbidden love blooms between a human knight and an elven princess, threatening to ignite a war.
A cursed prince seeks the help of a powerful enchantress to break the curse, but as they spend more time together, they discover a love that could save them both.
A mysterious traveler arrives in a small village, capturing the heart of a lonely innkeeper who harbors a secret of her own.
A pirate captain and a mermaid princess form an unlikely alliance to recover a lost treasure, but as they journey together, they discover a love that could change the fate of their worlds.
Trapped in a tower by an evil sorcerer, a princess dreams of freedom until a brave knight comes to rescue her, and she discovers that true love knows no bounds.
In a world where shape-shifters are hunted for their abilities, a young woman falls in love with a man who can transform into a fearsome dragon, risking everything to be with him.

Epic Fantasy

In a world torn apart by war, a group of unlikely heroes must band together to defeat an ancient evil that threatens to consume the land.
A legendary artifact, said to hold the power of the gods, resurfaces after centuries of being lost. Now, rival factions race to claim it and change the fate of the world.
The chosen one, prophesied to save the world from destruction, is not the hero everyone expects. With the fate of the realm hanging in the balance, they must embrace their destiny or risk losing everything.
An immortal sorcerer, driven mad by centuries of loneliness, seeks to unleash a dark power that will consume the world. Only a group of heroes can stop him, but first, they must confront their own inner demons.
In a world where dragons are revered as gods, a young dragon rider must unite the warring dragon clans to defeat a common enemy that threatens them all.
A forgotten prophecy speaks of a lost city hidden deep within the wilderness, said to hold the key to unlocking ultimate power. Now, a group of adventurers must brave treacherous lands to uncover its secrets.
As an ancient darkness awakens, a young hero must journey to the ends of the earth to find the legendary weapon capable of defeating it. But first, they must overcome trials of courage, strength, and sacrifice.
In a realm where magic is outlawed, a young mage discovers they are the key to unlocking a power that could change the fate of the world. Now, they must embark on a perilous journey to master their abilities before it’s too late.
The world is on the brink of collapse, and only a long-forgotten alliance between humans, elves, and dwarves can save it. But first, old wounds must be healed, and ancient enemies must learn to trust each other once again.
A powerful artifact, forged by the gods themselves, falls into the hands of a humble farmer. Now, they must journey across the land, facing enemies both old and new, to return it to its rightful place before darkness consumes the world.

Grimdark

In a world where darkness reigns supreme, a group of mercenaries must navigate a treacherous landscape of betrayal and brutality to survive.
A once noble knight, betrayed by his king and left for dead, seeks revenge against those who wronged him, no matter the cost.
As a deadly plague sweeps across the land, a group of survivors must do whatever it takes to stay alive, even if it means sacrificing their humanity.
Trapped in a city ruled by a tyrannical sorcerer, a young thief discovers a power within herself that could change the course of history.
In a world where the dead refuse to stay buried, a group of grave robbers uncovers a sinister conspiracy that threatens to unleash hell on earth.
A powerful necromancer raises an army of the dead to conquer the world, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Banished to the edge of the known world, a group of outcasts must band together to survive against the horrors that lurk in the darkness.
Haunted by visions of a dark future, a young seer must navigate a web of treachery and deceit to prevent the apocalypse.
As darkness spreads across the land, a lone warrior sets out on a quest to find the source of the evil and destroy it before it’s too late.
In a world where survival is the only law, a group of strangers must come together to fend off the monsters that lurk in the shadows, or risk becoming prey themselves.

Low Fantasy

In a world where magic is a rare and dangerous art, a young street urchin discovers they possess forbidden powers and must learn to control them before they are discovered.
A small village, nestled in the shadow of a dark forest, is plagued by strange occurrences and unexplained disappearances. A group of unlikely heroes must uncover the truth behind the mysterious happenings before it’s too late.
In a city ruled by crime and corruption, a disgraced knight seeks redemption by becoming a reluctant protector of the downtrodden.
As war ravages the land, a group of refugees must navigate treacherous terrain and hostile enemies to find sanctuary in a distant kingdom.
A powerful artifact, long thought to be lost, resurfaces in the hands of a humble blacksmith. Now, they must protect it from falling into the wrong hands, no matter the cost.
In a world where magic is feared and persecuted, a young healer must conceal her abilities while navigating the dangerous streets of a bustling city.
A deadly plague sweeps across the land, turning its victims into mindless husks. A group of survivors must band together to find a cure before it’s too late.
In a kingdom torn apart by civil war, a group of rebels seeks to overthrow the tyrannical king and restore peace to the realm.
A mysterious stranger arrives in a small village, bringing with them tales of adventure and danger. But as they become embroiled in the town’s affairs, they realize that not everything is as it seems.
In a world where monsters roam the wilderness, a group of monster hunters must track down a dangerous beast that threatens the safety of their village.

Fairy Tales

In a kingdom cursed by eternal winter, a young girl sets out on a journey to find the mythical Ice Queen and put an end to the curse.
Trapped in a tower by an evil sorceress, a princess dreams of freedom until a brave prince comes to rescue her, but not everything is as it seems.
A humble peasant girl discovers she is the long-lost daughter of a powerful sorcerer and sets out on a quest to reclaim her birthright.
In a world where magic is forbidden, a young witch must conceal her powers while navigating the dangerous streets of a bustling city.
A cursed prince seeks the help of a powerful enchantress to break the curse, but as they spend more time together, they discover a love that could save them both.
A group of fairy tale characters, banished from their own stories, must find a way to return home before they are lost in the real world forever.
A mysterious stranger arrives in a small village, bringing with them tales of adventure and danger. But as they become embroiled in the town’s affairs, they realize that not everything is as it seems.
In a kingdom ruled by an evil queen, a young girl discovers she is the rightful heir to the throne and must reclaim her kingdom from the queen’s tyranny.
A magical portal opens in the middle of a forest, leading a group of children into a world of adventure and danger, where they must rely on each other to find their way home.
In a world where dragons and princesses are a dime a dozen, a group of unlikely heroes must embark on a quest to rescue a kidnapped prince and restore peace to the realm.

Urban Fantasy

In a city where magic is real but hidden from plain sight, a young detective with a dark secret must solve a series of supernatural murders before they strike again.
Trapped in a world of shadows and darkness, a group of unlikely heroes must navigate the dangerous streets of a bustling city to uncover the truth behind a string of mysterious disappearances.
A powerful artifact, said to hold the key to unlocking ultimate power, falls into the hands of a young woman living in the heart of the city. Now, she must protect it from falling into the wrong hands, no matter the cost.
In a world where humans and supernatural beings coexist, a young witch discovers she is the key to preventing an all-out war between the two factions.
As darkness spreads across the city, a lone vigilante sets out on a quest to find the source of the evil and destroy it before it’s too late.
A group of paranormal investigators must confront their own inner demons as they delve into the hidden world of ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night.
A powerful vampire lord rises to power in the heart of the city, threatening to plunge it into eternal darkness. Only a group of unlikely allies can stop him, but first, they must confront their own fears and prejudices.
In a city overrun by supernatural creatures, a young werewolf must navigate a world of danger and intrigue while uncovering the truth behind his own mysterious past.
Trapped in a never-ending cycle of night, a group of survivors must band together to escape the clutches of the vampire queen who rules over them.
A powerful sorcerer arrives in the city, seeking revenge against those who wronged him centuries ago. Now, he must confront his own inner demons while battling the forces of darkness that threaten to consume the city.

Heroic Fantasy

In a world torn apart by war, a group of unlikely heroes must band together to defeat an ancient evil that threatens to consume the land.
A legendary artifact, said to hold the power of the gods, resurfaces after centuries of being lost. Now, rival factions race to claim it and change the fate of the world.
The chosen one, prophesied to save the world from destruction, is not the hero everyone expects. With the fate of the realm hanging in the balance, they must embrace their destiny or risk losing everything.
An immortal sorcerer, driven mad by centuries of loneliness, seeks to unleash a dark power that will consume the world. Only a group of heroes can stop him, but first, they must confront their own inner demons.
In a world where dragons are revered as gods, a young dragon rider must unite the warring dragon clans to defeat a common enemy that threatens them all.
A forgotten prophecy speaks of a lost city hidden deep within the wilderness, said to hold the key to unlocking ultimate power. Now, a group of adventurers must brave treacherous lands to uncover its secrets.
As an ancient darkness awakens, a young hero must journey to the ends of the earth to find the legendary weapon capable of defeating it. But first, they must overcome trials of courage, strength, and sacrifice.
In a realm where magic is outlawed, a young mage discovers they are the key to unlocking a power that could change the fate of the world. Now, they must embark on a perilous journey to master their abilities before it’s too late.
The world is on the brink of collapse, and only a long-forgotten alliance between humans, elves, and dwarves can save it. But first, old wounds must be healed, and ancient enemies must learn to trust each other once again.
A powerful artifact, forged by the gods themselves, falls into the hands of a humble farmer. Now, they must journey across the land, facing enemies both old and new, to return it to its rightful place before darkness consumes the world.

Young Adult Fantasy

In a world where magic is forbidden, a group of young rebels discovers they possess powerful abilities and must band together to overthrow the corrupt regime that seeks to suppress them.
Trapped in a boarding school for young witches and wizards, a group of misfit students must navigate friendships, rivalries, and dark secrets while uncovering the truth behind a series of mysterious disappearances.
As war looms on the horizon, a young prince must choose between duty and love when he falls for a commoner with a secret of her own.
In a world divided between humans and mythical creatures, a young girl discovers she is the key to ending centuries of conflict and must embark on a dangerous journey to unite the warring factions.
A powerful artifact, said to hold the key to unlocking ultimate power, falls into the hands of a group of young adventurers. Now, they must protect it from falling into the wrong hands, no matter the cost.
Trapped in a realm of eternal night, a group of young heroes must navigate treacherous terrain and deadly monsters to find a way home before they are lost in the darkness forever.
In a city ruled by crime and corruption, a group of young vigilantes takes justice into their own hands, fighting against the forces of evil that threaten to consume their home.
As darkness spreads across the land, a lone hero sets out on a quest to find the source of the evil and destroy it before it’s too late, with only their loyal friends by their side.
A group of young sorcerers-in-training must master their powers and uncover the truth behind a series of magical attacks that threaten to tear their world apart.
In a kingdom where only the strongest survive, a group of young warriors must prove themselves in a series of deadly trials to earn their place among the elite guard.

Visual Fantasy Writing Prompts

A lot of my stories have been prompted by pictures or powerful pieces of artwork. When you stop and allow yourself to become absorbed by what’s before you, to think about its meanings and the stories that could surround them, it can help give you a golden nugget of a story idea.

Here’s a gallery of visual fantasy writing prompts:

Audio Fantasy Writing Prompts

Sometimes music can inspire our writing, and other times the people we listen to on podcasts can give us ideas from their discussions.

Below, you can find a playlist I’ve curated that evokes the feeling of fantasy and may inspire some emotional prompts. And I’ve also included some episodes from The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed podcast which explore more specific topics, like life in medieval times, which could help prompt some story ideas.

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Richie Billing

Richie Billing writes fantasy fiction, historical fiction and stories of a darker nature. He's had over a dozen short stories published in various magazines and journals, with one adapted for BBC radio. In 2021 his debut novel, Pariah's Lament, an epic fantasy, was published by Of Metal and Magic. Richie also runs The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, a podcast devoted to helping writers improve their craft.

Most nights you can find him up into the wee hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.

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