I'd like to posit these ideas every so often to maybe get other writers discussing what it takes to write your ideal version of a character type.
Barbarian-usually brutish, has little use for magic, may be from an "uncivilized" culture, good at killing things
My ideal barbarian:
1. I think Conan is one of the perfect examples of a good barbarian character and perhaps is why this type has been used so often in fantasy literature. He's the sort of "noble savage," a man who does what he must to get what he wants. Barbarians throughout history have often acted this way. I also enjoy Fritz Lieber's Fafrd character. He has an honor about him I find really interesting.
2. Is from a culture than may not be too atypical of fantasy. Often barbarians tend to be from some sort of "frozen north" or are of a Mongol horde type. My ideal barbarians would have a strong culture that they would see as superior to others. They would use intimidation over brute force. Perhaps they would have favor with some gods and would use it to terrify other people.
3. Would probably have a big a** sword. Or an obsidian club. Or a hammer made of bones. Something scary and cool. Maybe he/she would ride a giant undead jaguar or something equally horrifying.
So I have a couple of questions:
1. How would you write your ideal barbarian character?
2. What writer/writers do you think have done the barbarian character well?
3. Would you make a barbarian character a main character in your story/novel? Why or why not?
Barbarian-usually brutish, has little use for magic, may be from an "uncivilized" culture, good at killing things
My ideal barbarian:
1. I think Conan is one of the perfect examples of a good barbarian character and perhaps is why this type has been used so often in fantasy literature. He's the sort of "noble savage," a man who does what he must to get what he wants. Barbarians throughout history have often acted this way. I also enjoy Fritz Lieber's Fafrd character. He has an honor about him I find really interesting.
2. Is from a culture than may not be too atypical of fantasy. Often barbarians tend to be from some sort of "frozen north" or are of a Mongol horde type. My ideal barbarians would have a strong culture that they would see as superior to others. They would use intimidation over brute force. Perhaps they would have favor with some gods and would use it to terrify other people.
3. Would probably have a big a** sword. Or an obsidian club. Or a hammer made of bones. Something scary and cool. Maybe he/she would ride a giant undead jaguar or something equally horrifying.
So I have a couple of questions:
1. How would you write your ideal barbarian character?
2. What writer/writers do you think have done the barbarian character well?
3. Would you make a barbarian character a main character in your story/novel? Why or why not?