Impossible quests. Terrifying beasts. Enchantments, knights, and princesses.

What’s not to love about fantasy?

Any fantasy enthusiast has likely asked or been on the receiving end of the question, “If you could visit one fantasy world, which one would you choose?”

Tough question, for sure. So many options and so much variety.

Visiting a place is one thing. Living there is another matter entirely. As promised in my last post, let’s jump into the magical, mystical world of fantasy and ask, “How would you tell if you’re living in a fantasy world?”

40 ways to tell:

1. Dragons exist—with the tendency to act as the world’s greediest bankers.
2. People use charming words such as “befell,” “ere,” “gloaming,” and “forsooth.”
3. The main method of travel isn’t by car. Horses and ships are standard, but many other options are available.
4. Animals talk—and sometimes they never stop stalking (kudos if you got that reference).
5. You go to someone’s house for dinner and they serve mulled wine.
6. A king rules the land instead of a president.
7. It’s common to encounter wizards of all ages and sizes.
8. Society is brimming with heroism and chivalry.
9. A Very Evil Nasty Person (AVENP) has aspirations to conquer the world.
10. AVENP already rules the world under an iron fist.
11. Quests come round as often as holidays, and are predictably less enjoyable.
12. Prophecies, prophecies everywhere.
13. Advanced technology such as fans, computers, and CDs doesn’t exist. In fact, technology is pretty much absent.
14. The weapon of choice is a sword…or a lance…or a spear…or a dagger. You get the drift.
15. If the world (or anywhere, really) is in danger, you can bet your pipe it’s the destiny of some unassuming person you’ve never heard of to save everyone.
16. Farmboys are the new celebrities.
17. Many people smoke many pipes in many places.
18. It doesn’t surprise you to see pointy-eared individuals.
19. Owls account for the primary mail delivery system.
20. AVENP dwells in a dark, foreboding fortress high up in the equally dark and foreboding hills.
21. Castles aren’t ruins or historic sites. People actually live in them.
22. People practice magic.
23. Fairies are legit, not some fanciful imagining.
24. Quill pens are used for writing.
25. People wear odd garments such as jerkins, hauberks, gambesons, and surcoats.
26. A cutting board is known as a trencher and a soup pot is known as a tureen.
27. Large armies clash in epic battles.
28. Magical items abound.
29. The world is divided into kingdoms.
30. Pomp and ceremony are part of daily life.
31. You can mail an envelope (via owl of course) to Number 2 Bagshot Row, the Shire.
32. Life coaches are actually known as wizards, who sport long beards, gray hair, insane amounts of wisdom and sarcasm, and a pipe.
33. Bards traverse the lands singing ballads of noble endeavors and telling tales of scintillating adventures.
34. There are giants and dwarves.
35. Someone is always endangered by AVENP.
36. Jousting competitions are routinely held.
37. Your dessert can consist of Turkish delight and butterbeer.
38. Sometimes the fair maidens need rescuing, other times they’re kick-butt warriors.
39. Twu wuv is common (priests with speech impediments are not).
40. Gardeners double as bodyguards.

What would be the best thing about living in a fantasy world? The worst? I’d love to hear your thoughts.