I have a fantasy idea for a story, which I won't share right now; however I wanted to set it on earth. Is it possible to do that, I mean would it be very complicated or do you think it's fine? What complications should I look out for if I'm going to do this, or can I literally play it as I like really?

Thank you!

It can get complicated to figure out how the fantastical elements fit into our world, but it's possible to do. Harry Potter is probably the most well-known series to do it. It's hard to say how complicated it would be in your case without knowing the premise.

I also toyed with this idea, I was going to solve the problem of complicatedness by setting my continent in the Pacific ocean between Asia and North America. I was going to have the dwarves withdraw into the core of the earth and then destroy the continent to keep the humans from spreading across the globe (they failed). But eventually I discarded that and set the book in a separate universe...

You'd have to look out for some things...depending on what your premise is...if there are other races you have to figure out how they could fit into God's plan here...how do they get saved? When were they created? etc...but I guess I don't know how to get specific since it could be that you won't have any fantasy races on it...but there could be any number of issues like that...which is why I don't like the idea of much fantasy on earth...I think C.S. Lewis did a good job of it though, in The Silver Chair, but that was a tiny scene... I could try to help more when I know more.

Ok, well thanks for the thoughts guys.

I'll update this post once I have thought about it, when I get back on Wednesday.

You're welcome.

Okay.

Depends on how you're going to do it. Theological implications (other human-yet-not-human races; elves, dwarves, etc.) are going to abound, unless you use a dimensional gate or something. Even then some things could be difficult - there's no such thing as "good" magic in this world, for instance.

Though, that could be fun; they try to use magic, but they can't.
God bless,
Joel ><>.

You're welcome.

Good! 'Cause now I'm all curious...

Me, too.

The definition of fantasy is that it's not of this world, it's fantastic. But you could use something that looked just like earth as we know it for your fantastic story. That's what Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings both do.

Or you could link it to this planet like Lewis does with Narnia. The options are endless.

The biggest issue I have with fantasy set on earth is how magic is dealt with, and the implications of fantasy creatures having a soul here on our earth. I mean, Jesus did not die for the dragon or the unicorn.....

Those are my only real struggles with having a fantasy story set on earth. Can it be done? Yes. But it takes a lot of skill and care to do it well, in such a way that does not go against what the scriptures teach.

Exactly. An example of this is the Dragons in Our Midst series...I really enjoy the books, but it makes it sound like dragons are a sentient race from Earth's past and that they can be saved (and even turned into humans for a time.)

If dragons are just like big crocodiles, and unicorns are just special horses, it would probably be fine.

Right. But that is often not how we portray them.

This is interesting! Thank you so much for all the help guys.

I aim to have a talking Dragon in my story as planned at present; I think you can use a talking dragon, without implicating that dragons have souls, right?

This has certainly given me some food for thought.

If need be, I can probably use a different world, maybe. I'd prefer to set it here though, although I have thought that they could get here via portal, or something like that. I'm not sure.

It's possible, but in the real world it seems like the soul is required to be able to talk and think at the level humans and other sentient beings (angels, etc) do. Also, anything able to think and speak at our level would be capable of sin at our level as well...so...I guess that's something to consider (not sure what all the implications of that are, I'm not smart enough to really expound...except it seem like the more intelligence you have in this world, the greater capacity you have to sin, and the more serious your sin is, and the more punishment you earn from God...I think).

Um...anyway, I hope that's helpful somehow.

I plan on having a soulless race in one of my fantasy stories (though it isn't set on Earth). We should create a thread for this and drag Katie into it...

Yes... Since the soul issue could be considered equally true in a fantasy world, it might deserve its own thread.

That would be a good idea! Someone should start a thread up about it.



I know some people don't like animals talking, but it's not something I've ever been bothered about. Like Beatrix Potter books, all those animals talk etc. I don't always think I have to look too deeply at the implications, at least I never have up to now, but maybe I'm wrong there?

Hmm...I really don't know either, I just stated my opinion. I guess my advice would be to look into the implications simply to be careful, if that makes sense? I actually like some books that have talking animals in them...it's just that they've caused some philosophical knots in my brain when I try to imagine "what if that were real?" like I do with so many stories.
So...yeah just be careful, do what you believe is right in the end.

*Chuckles* I am glad you shared your opinion, makes me think of things I never have before and ponder them some. 'Tis something I will surely think about. Thanks!

Yeah, I know what you mean. You're welcome! =D

What would be your problem with granting that dragons have souls?

On Earth? Because the Bible doesn't really provide for any animals to have souls...I suppose this should be discussed in a different thread, huh?

N.D. Wilson's Ashtown Burials: The Dragon's Tooth is set on Earth. So's the 100 Cupboards (same author), in a way, but the Dragon's Tooth book more so.

Well, part of this depends on how we define "animal," but it is certainly true that there are non-human beings that will exist forever (angels). Whether you'd quite say they have a soul, I don't know. If dragons could have souls, where in the Bible would you expect to find it?

Well, it seems like souls are given to beings that God wants a more personal relationship with...and it seems like God only treated humans (angels too) that way in Genesis...also it seems like having a unperishing soul is one of the ways that we are in God's image. (is it okay to discuss this here? Is it relevant enough to the topic?)

Okay thanks.

Well, after weighing up both ideas, I think I've decided to go with creating my own world (I'm actually going to use Tevo), so I'm not hampered by worries about using earth. It will work out better in the end anyway, I think.

Sounds good.

Well, I figured I've done quite a bit of work on it, so I might as well use it. Even if I don't use all of it.

Very cool! I'm looking forward to hearing more about it.

*Smiles* I don't plan on sharing much about it for now. I shall keep you all in suspense.

*Chuckles*

Yes.