List of dark fantasy novel tropes
This is a list of dark fantasy tropes that you can use to inspire your next novel. No matter if you’re writing a gritty world full of dragons or something drawing from the macabre, you’ll find plenty of dark fantasy tropes that you can use in this list.
What are tropes?
Tropes are common themes, plot devices or motifs in novels. In other words, they are common scenarios and patterns that take place in your novel.
For example, one dark fantasy trope is kingdoms that don’t have sun, meaning their inhabitants live in darkness.
List of dark fantasy tropes
Dark magic and curse tropes
Depraved magic
Forbidden magic
Making a deal with the devil
The more you use magic, the more you lose yourself
Magic takes it toll with every use
Magic rotting the soul
Human sacrifices
Blood magic
Curses passed through generations
Controlling elements
Binding souls to demons
Using magic consumes memories
Necromancy
Worldbuilding tropes
Cursed kingdom
Kingdoms where they have no sunlight
Magic being punishable by death
Plague-ridden lands
Villages trapped in time loops
Ruins of fallen empires
Cities built on the energy of souls
Bleak settings
Twisted fairytales
Grotesque
Macabre
Protagonist and character tropes
Fall from grace
Moral ambiguity
Traumatic past
Anti-hero protagonists
Killing off your protagonists
Inner demons
Cursed royals
Fallen heroes
Betrayed apprentice
Last person left in the world
Career assassins
Healers who feel the pain of those who they heal
Puppet rulers controlled by their advisors
Villains with noble causes
Endless wardrobes of black outfits for your protagonists. Bonus points if they're made of leather or include a cloak. Bonus bonus points for a leather cloak!
Profession tropes
Thief
Assassin
Wizard
Witch
Sex worker
Politician
Mercenary
Bounty hunter
Gladiator
Blade for hire
Fallen knight
Bodyguard
Necromancer
Alchemist
Oracle
Spell trader
Priest/priestess
Spirit medium
Blacksmith
Coffin maker
Bone carver
Royal poison taster
Torturer
Spymaster
Advisor to the king
Executioner
Librarian
Exorcist
Grave robber
Religion and myth tropes
Gods and goddesses dying
Divine wars
False gods
False prophets
Priests who have been led astray
Holy texts foreshadowing the destruction of the world
Divine war ends up in the mortal realm
Psychological tropes
Becoming who you swore to destroy
Haunted by someone else's memories
Dreams that feel like the real world
Escaping death only for someone else to pay the price
Rewinding time to avoid death
Protagonist is forced to relive their death until they find a way to stop it
Romance tropes
Falling in love with the villain
Cursed romances, especially when one lover forgets the other
Betrayed by the love interest
Bonding through trauma