Plot elements for fantasy stories (Part 5)

Knot of a story for a role-playing game or novel

In this post we dive into the second part of the traditional structure of fantasy stories, the Development. Below we show the basic outline and start with the elements of the knot, since it occupies the main bulk of the plot.

2.1 The conflict intensifies...

There are three types of scenes that increase the conflict in the knot and drive the story forward, the Barriers, the Complications and the Dramatic Situations.

 - Barriers occur when the character tries to do something and it doesn't work. The protagonist must change his or her mind or angle and try another approach. Barriers stop the action for a moment while the character decides what to do.

Saruman has joined forces with Sauron and diverts Gandalf's planned route, forcing him to take a much more dangerous route through the Mines of Moria.

- Complications are scenes where no immediate repercussions are seen, but they anticipate in the reader the feeling that something will happen and create suspense.

Gimli: Soon, elf lord, you will enjoy the famous hospitality of the dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, rich boned meat. For this my friend is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine, a mine!

Boromir: This is not a mine. It is a grave. 

- Dramatic Situations are those that involve an indispensable character in the main conflict and add tension to the story. The main plot is relegated to the background while the plot-plot-plot-ends of that Dramatic Situation are resolved.  

The dramatic situation in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is when the Fellowship is confronted by a group of goblins accompanied by a large cave troll. The dramatic situation occurs when Frodo is mortally wounded.

2.2 Temporary or fictitious success 

The protagonist believes he has achieved the goal (solve the crime, defeat the villain, win the contest, etc.) But that achievement doesn't last long, a twist is about to come. While the reader waits for it, the subplots develop.

Sam: He's alive!

Frodo: I'm all right, he didn't hurt me.

Aragorn: You should be dead! That spear could cut through a boar.

Gandalf: I think there is more to this Hobbit than meets the eye.

Gimli: Mithril, you are a box of surprises, Mr. Baggins!

2.3 Twist

The main conflict suddenly worsens. The momentary triumph comes to nothing and the solution or the goal is far from being reached. The protagonist understands that he must abandon or redouble his efforts, perhaps continue alone. This turnaround can occur in different ways, some possibilities are:

- New information appears that sheds light on the facts.

- A dramatic situation occurs.

- The helpers and friends give up, leaving the Protagonist alone.

- The goal, meeting place or task has changed at the last minute.

- What the Protagonist believed to be true is a lie.

- The Villain becomes good and the Good becomes evil.

Boromir: What is this new creature?

Gandalf: The Balrog. A demon from the ancient world. This foe surpasses you all. Run!

Aragorn: Gandalf!

Gandalf: Lead them Aragorn! The bridge is near! Do as I say! Swords are no longer of any use here!

At this moment there is a crucial turning point in the story, Gandalf falls into the abyss with the Balrog (Dramatic situation), leaving the company without their guide..

2.4 Dark moment...

The Protagonist fails, or at least thinks he fails. The problem gets worse for the Protagonist and his goal seems unattainable. We wonder if he will actually achieve it, because everything indicates that he is lost.

In the case of The Fellowship of the Ring, this moment occurs after the loss of Gandalf. The Fellowship continues on its way, but the tone and conversations denote defeat. The characters seek help and protection from Haldir in the forest of Lorien.

Celeborn: Eight are you now, though nine were those who left Rivendell. Tell me where Gandalf is, for I long to speak with him.

Galadriel: He has fallen into the shadows. The quest is on the razor's edge.  Neglect a moment and it will fail, to the disgrace of us all....

[...]

Boromir: I will find no rest here. I heard his voice inside me. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me... Even now there is hope! But I do not see it! We have long since lost it...

2.5 Twist Point

In the same way as the first act (the Plot) the Knot ends with a Twist Point. The difference is that usually the Protagonist is forced to make this decision that drives the Twist. This time he actively creates the events that move the story forward. This Pivot Point depends on the type of Premise we have adopted:

 - If it is that the Protagonist succeeds, this is where he decides to go ahead despite everything.

- If instead we pretend that he succumbs, this is when the Protagonist seals his fate and makes a bad decision.

- If we intend for the Protagonist to give up the task, this is where he gives up. He has been lied to and there is no task to accomplish, or so he thinks. Will he choose another goal to move on to? Perhaps the character doesn't know it, but the objective hasn't changed in essence, can it be achieved in another way?

Returning to J.R.R. Tolkien's example, there is an important turning point, the company decides to proceed in spite of the difficulties.

 For a long time they talked about what they would do and how they would carry out the mission concerning the Ring; but they came to no decision.  It was obvious that most of them wished to go first to Minas Tirith and thus escape at least for a time the terror of the enemy.  They were willing to follow a guide to the other side and even enter the shadows of Mordor, but Frodo was silent and Aragorn still hesitated.

 Aragorn's plan, while Gandalf was still with them, had been to go with Boromir and aid in the deliverance of Gondor.  For he believed that the message of the dream was a command and that the time had come at last when the heir of Elendil would appear to fight against Sauron's rule.  But in Moria he had had to take Gandalf's burden, and he knew that he could not now lay aside the Ring, if Frodo refused to go with Boromir. And yet in what way could he, or any other of the Company, help Frodo, except by accompanying him blindly into the darkness?

In this valley of "false calm" Chekhov's Gifts are introduced by Galadriel to face the future adversities and dialogues full of hope to the new twist to placate the dark moment take place.

-And what gift would a dwarf ask the elves for? -said Galadriel, turning to Gimli.

-None, Lady," answered Gimli.  It is enough for me to have seen the Lady of the Galadrim and to have heard such kind words.

 -Listen, you Elves! -said the Lady, looking at the people around.  Let no man say again that Dwarves are greedy and unkind.  But you, Gimli son of Glóin, you will want something that I can give you. Name it, and that is an order!  You will not be the only guest who leaves without a gift.

-I wish for nothing, Lady Galadriel," said Gimli, bowing and stammering. Nothing, unless... unless I am allowed to ask, what shall I say, to name but one of your hairs, that surpasses the gold of the earth as the stars surpass the gems of the mines.  I do not ask for such a gift, but you commanded me to name my wish.

The Elves stirred and murmured in astonishment, and Celeborn glared at Gimli, but the Lady smiled.

-"It is said that Dwarves are more skilful with their hands than with their tongues," she said, "but this does not apply to Gimli.  For no one has ever made so bold a request of me, and yet so courteous. And how could he refuse me when I myself commanded him to speak?  But tell me, what will you do with such a gift?

-"Treasure it, Lady," answered Gimli, "in remembrance of what you told me at our first meeting.  And if I ever return to the forges of my country, I will keep it in an imperishable crystal as a treasure of my house and as a pledge of goodwill between Mountain and Forest until the end of days.

The Lady then loosened one of her long braids, cut off three golden hairs and placed them in Gimli's hand.

- These words accompany the gift," she said, "I prophesy nothing, for all prophecy is vain now; on one side there is darkness and on the other nothing but hope.  If hope does not fail, I tell you, Gimli son of Glóin, that the gold will overflow in your hands, and yet it will have no power over you.