Just a disclaimer, there's nothing wrong with any of these tropes. This post is coming from a place of love. I'm a massive fantasy fan and I enjoy spotting which niche things end up making an appearance in multiple popular stories. How many of these tropes does your project have?
Dwarf/Elf Dichotomy
Dwarves are grumpy and masculine, elves are tall, annoying, and feminine. It’s like “all cats are girls and all dogs are boys” but for people who like swords.
The Blonde Love Interest Decoy
If the main female character falls for a blonde guy suspiciously early in the series, don’t worry. He’ll be gone before Book 3.
The Quest
Our heroes need to travel across many lands to rescue a captive, battle an army, overthrow a ruler, find an artefact/treasure, or lead a rebellion
Evil Overlord
A powerful and tyrannical villain who seeks to dominate the world. Usually slim with dark features. Destined to be the subject of fan art.
Wisecracking Sidekick
One of the side-characters is extremely sassy. They’re often some sort of bard or entertainer. If not, they're a talking animal, often a horse.
The Anti-Hero
They might steal candy from a baby but they’d also save the world (if the price is right). Bonus points for face scars or sentimental jewellery that they refuse to explain (at first) to their bright-eyed sidekick.
Hidden Identity
You're not a street urchin, you're royalty! Bonus points if you have to suddenly navigate court politics. Your old friends might even give you a “you’ve changed” speech around Act 3.
The Big Speech
The fate of the world hangs in the balance and only the hero can rally the troops with a stirring speech filled with metaphors, callbacks, and aphorisms they came up with then and there.
Orphaned Hero
Often gives some more agency to teen characters, or leaves space for a plot twist (they were the lost princess all along!)
Reluctant Hero
They never chose the hero life, usually due to being either extremely gruff or extremely cowardly at the start. But something forces them to step into the hero role out of necessity.
Tavern Scene
What’s a fantasy novel without an amber-lit tavern complete with warm stew and a flagon of ale? I'm sure they'll eat bread and cheese. Maybe even a hearty stew.
The Once and Future King
A legendary hero disappeared centuries ago, but is destined to return and save the world again. Usually some sort of warrior king, sleeping wizard or the general concept of dragons.
Medieval Stasis
The vibe is medieval. Standard. But fashions and architecture never evolve. In any flashbacks or portraits, everyone is dressed exactly as they are now. Technology also never evolves. I guess the magic could explain some of the technological stagnation, but you mean to tell me that even the fashion doesn't change? If we had magic in today's day and age, the micro-trend cycle would be dizzying.
Fake Marriage
Two people (often royals) agree to a marriage of convenience. They spend time together and usually fall in love.
The Rebellion
The hero drags thousands of unnamed peasants into a rebellion. Do they die? Probably. Does it matter to the hero? Not terribly.
