Breaking Cliches: Heroic Grievances

Inspired by the discovery of A Villain’s Complains last month, Kirin has stepped in to write his own take on the grievances he believes heroes are forced to suffer due to stereotyping. 

Everyone likes to throw the word hero around. Saving the world. Very heroic. Saving a nation. Heroic. Saving a city. Generally heroic. Saving a king. Heroic. Saving a tiny lamb from drowning in a flash flood. Maybe heroic. Saving chocolate. Not one mention, thank you very much. (It’s a long story and one I’m not going into today.) Continue reading

Breaking Cliches: A Villain’s Complaints

Years ago, Scarlett made two friends: Elena and Kirin. They are realm leapers who take it upon themselves to test how realistic fictional settings, tropes, and cliches are.

Recently, one of them discovered fragments of a journal compiled by a villain (who will go unnamed). After one particular defeat, he spent the better part of the night ranting to himself about the perceptions of villains by the common public.

There are too many people claiming the title of villain nowadays. One has only to kidnap a princess or destroy a town and their names are suddenly spoken in hushed whispers. Ridiculous. There are some of us who actually had to WORK for our titles. Continue reading

Breaking Cliches: By Fire and Fang

Years ago, Scarlett made two friends: Elena and Kirin. They are realm leapers who take it upon themselves to test how realistic fictional settings, tropes, and cliches are. I firmly believe they put themselves in this much danger solely to make fun of it once they escape. Not something I’d recommend, but today you get to benefit from their rashness. Or rather Kirin’s rashness in investigating dragons up close.

Hello and listen. Carefully. Continue reading

Breaking cliches: Damsels in Defiance

Years ago, Scarlett made two friends: Elena and Kirin. They are realm leapers who take it upon themselves to test how realistic fictional settings, tropes, and cliches are. I firmly believe they put themselves in this much danger solely to make fun of it once they escape. Not something I’d recommend, but today you get to benefit from their rashness. Mainly from Elena’s adventures.

My dear fellow women who have the misfortune of being cared about by someone deemed important,

Firstly, I want you to know you’re not bait. There may be some advantages to going along with all that nonsense and more on that in a bit. But I want you to know. Continue reading