Please remember the purpose of these videos is me to disagree with people. If it feels like I’m reaching… yeah. It’s a debate exercise. What topic do you want to see debated next?
Most terrifying beings/monsters from fantasy or sci fi and for that I would say the Shrike from the Hyperion series everything from its design, it’s history and what it does to its victims makes my skin crawl
How well a story's villains are written is more important to a story's "quality" than how well a story's protagonist is written. Batman is the classic example of this, but if you look at things like The Road ("the world" being the villain) or Star Wars, the protagonist is kinda bland. The driving force of the plot is a scary, understandable, and/or well written villain that makes it a interesting story. A well written protagonist is a bonus, but protagonists can often be just a bland stand in for the watcher/reader and the story can still work.
The TARDIS is my choice, originally it had that Wardrobe effect. When Doctor Who first was created in the 60s The Police Box was a common item you'd often see in London. The idea that it was a ship that could take you to all of time and space must have been magical to kids at the time. In today's age it's an icon of British Televison and Si-Fi. The TARDIS is also the most important object to the show. It allows Doctor Who to tell pretty much any type of Story in any type of setting. Doctor Who would not work without the TARDIS, they removed it's function from the show once and the whole show felt a lot more restrictive about what stories it could tell.
While I agree the TARDIS is absolutely iconic in sci-fi it isn't inanimate. In the Classic era its sentience is implied by companions and a few plot beats but it becomes an explicit character in the Modern era with stories like The Parting of the Ways and The Doctor's Wife.
Not normally one to exalt the classics but The One Ring has got to be the best. Just simple enough to be iconic, with a major place in the story and still complex enough to be really interesting.
I realize you said inanimate, but I just finished The Color of Magic, so I'm now of the opinion that the Luggage is the best item ever conceived. Had me cackling with every mention.
I really like the Hexcore from arcane. A mix of magic and technology which has a significant impact, not only on the city and the future of it, but also on jace and especially viktor. The emotional weight through their dreams coming true and a potential solution to viktors illness which resolves in it becoming alive and dangerous
I know it isn't a iconic magical mcguffin but jack sparrows compass from pirates of the Caribbean I feel is a interesting magic item. It's a compass that points to what your heart desires and Jack's relationship with it is interesting most people think it's a broken and jack sometimes struggles to use it do to his personality. I think it's simple and can have fun scenes like when the arrow points at someone.
I'm not sure how "inanimate" it is, but I really love Nightblood from the Cosmere. What's better than a badass magical sword? A talking badass magical sword! Everything about it is great, from the concept, to the characterization, and its use in the plot.
Seeing you talk about His Dark Materials always warms my heart 💛 still waiting for your review of season 2, especially now that the last season is coming out in less than two weeks!
I think my favorite artifact in all of fiction is the booth of perspective in the hitchhiker's guide. It's so good. It shows you your meaning in the universe, accurately.
Angreals. There's just something about them that as a kid made me go "GIMME, I WANT THAT" and the way they're woven into the magic system is SO beautifully logical.
They're so great, my favourite is of course [spoilers for a certain Angreal in the WoT, you have been warned] Callandor. Like I want that. Yeah of course it's a deathtrap, but I don't care. It's a crystal sword with an immense amount of potential power, who the hell wouldn't want that?!
In Enchanted, we learned the most powerful thing in the universe is a true love's kiss only to find out in Disenchanted that the most powerful thing is memories. In conclusion, the most powerful thing is the script.
For the Mass Relays, I think you also had to contend with the hubris of those who started using them. They decided they were the new owners and dictated their use. The technology gave them an edge and they were at a point where they thought nothing was beneath them, so why should they be hesitant in the evolved state of their race?
Plus even if you did have some detractors when they were first discovered they’re a trap that lay in wait for thousands of years and are completely harmless the entire time
My only point is I have to 100% disagree with Daniel on what humanity would do if we found some “cool” thing that didn’t belong to use. Yes we would try to figure it out and make it our own but it would be way later after decades of using it for ourselves and profit.
One of the key points is that the citadel and the reaper tech had anti-tamper tech that made it so you can't too much, taking it apart was irreversible. they did learn from it though at thats how most species learned to make jump drives ect. The point was learning from them steered you down a tech solution that was known by the reapers.
Oh man, Strombringer and Mournebalde are two of my favorites. Gives us a glimpse as to what it would have been like for someone to try and master the one ring.
I love the Chameleon Arch from season three of Doctor Who (the revival). It’s SO cool, and I would love it to be used for another story. I loved how it let us see another side of him, rather than just a completely different person. And it was cool exploring a different time period from the perspective of people from that time, usually we focus more on the sci-fi elements For anyone who doesn’t know: It can change the DNA and memories of a Time Lord (the Doctor’s species), and then they’re dropped off in the world to live their new lives. And all they have to do is to open a pocket watch to go back to normal, but they won’t, because the cloaked it to make it seem ordinary
Hey. I think you're thinking about season 3 (Human Nature/Family of Blood and Utopia). Season 2 has Ten and Rose. This said, YES! The Chameleon Arch is so good! I also loved the way they used it in Fugitive of the Judoon, even if the payoff is kinda wanky :)
Yes! I love the Chameleon Arch and how it can be used to explore different aspects of the Time Lords personalities and lives. Also, Human Nature/Family of Blood is one of my favorite stories from new era. I would love to see it used in future seasons, Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor could have very interesting stories with that device, I think
Magical weapons are more or less essential in any fantasy setting of course, but I don't think there are many better examples than the infamous sword, Stormbringer in Michael Moorcock's Elric books. Not only does the weapon's sinister "benefit" make for an interesting metaphor about the dark psychology of all weapons but the revelations at the end of the series are really what gives the whole cycle of stories a unifying and unsettling second meaning.
To add onto the "magical weapons" category, I would propose Nightblood from both Warbreaker and Stormlight Archives. The sword having its own mind, personality and backstory, as well as its ability to form a sort of pseudo-parasitic bond with its owner really fleshes out both the sword itself and the person wielding it.
Brisinger felt like a really good magical object because it always felt like eragon was using an imperfect weapon for him for f**** ages XD and then this piece finally slid into place and it all felt WHOLE.
I absolutely love Logan Ninefingers sword in First Law Trilogy as an under rated one. I kinda like the "side item" aspect to it. Its not necessary to the plot or character development. Its power is maybe ambiguous? Its just sorta there, doing a bit of world/lore building by its sheer existance. And I really love Shivers is 'currently' carrying the blade. I love the idea that In 30 Years Joe Abercrombie is gonna be giving us a his 5th "core first law trilogy" and maybe that blade is still going to be in somebody's hands. Passed down behind the scenes throughout the history of the novels.
Also love the heart of Davy Jones from pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a cool idea just at surface level that ties into the lore and characters in interesting ways.
Loved the video! How about Let's debate: - Languages in a fantasy setting, music, poetry and sotries within the world - Nature as a plot device - The Urban magic trope - Personafication of natural forces (Terry Prachett's Death, The sevent deadly sins in FMA, etc.) - Magic and technology (integrations and collisions) - Which is the best of the three types of magic in Mistborn era 1 (kinda close to the best metal you did, but not exactly the same) - Fantastical settings that feel fantastical Also, about magical items: - Too many magical swrods. Can I get a magical hammer for once? A magical mace? Senderson kinda has a magical whatever-you-want-it-to-be, but also that is defaulting to a sword for dead spern. Or, continuing with the wardrobe thought: more daily magical items. Give me a magical corkscrew that be screwed into the ground to hold a creature's shadow in place. Or a magical kitchen chair - not a thrown, just a regular kitchen chair - that whoever sits on it can see the depth of the evil lord's lair. Or maybe a pair of socks that while wearing them you cannot lie. Give me a daily, magical item, with unexpected abilities. Some stories do this well. Many examples in Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Locke and Key does this with keys, Gravity Falls has tons of exmaples.
Since I doubt anyone else will bring up adventure games: Gabriel Knight's Schattenjager Medallion: Mostly it repels supernatural evil, but it's got a really cool history and the family has to remain pure enough to be worthy of it (but live a cursed half life if they're not). Plus the symbol on it of a lion wrestling a dragon is dope. The Myst linking books: anyone can literally walk around in someones creative expression, & meet people who live there - but that doesn't mean they were created by the writer, does it? The Distaff from Loom: Just thematically cool for a weaver's guild reweaving reality, and a musical interface for the player. As your only possession, you get rather attached to it.
For me the definitive Magic Artifact is the watch in Secret Keepers, a book I read as a kid in the perfect age range for it. I only remember a few scattered scenes from that book, but boy did it make an impact. The watch has the ability to form a sort of circle of invisibility around its user when it’s wound, where no one can see in and the user can’t see out. A bunch of the story is just the kid working out how it works and meeting people about it and it’s cool as hell
I love that you stick the TARDIS in the thumbnail and didn't talk about it at all! Of course, TARDIS is sentient and therefore does not qualify for this list but it is easily the coolest artifact I've come across in a story. It's a sentient time traveling pocket dimension that pranks the user. What's not to love?
I'd love to see a debate on authors who write middle grades books and other age range genre books and compare how they change for the comprehension and interest of the readers. I loved Nancy Springer, read Alkatraz vs. The Evil Librarians series and had other favorites that turned out to have a whole different feel than the other books by the same authors, but don't see them compared as much. Now some of Springers books are coming back as misunderstood Netlix movie fodder and Sanderson is writing more middle grades and it seems like the time.
the best artifact for me is without question Rincewind's luggage. It is not only an infinite deposit room but also protects you and seems to be invulnerable
I generally appreciate objects that are/ appear 'gray' if you will. To use WOT, it would be the Horn. It's got historical, legendary, and fantastical attributes, but is viewed as not inherently 'good' or 'bad'. It simply is, and who uses it or what it is used for, in the minds of the characters, determines its polarity. While proven a false conception in that particular case, the dynamic that this great and fearsome object is just as much a tool of destruction and chaos as it can be a saving grace, ultimate protection and so on, is among my favorites. Same with magics, magic systems. I abhor inherently good and evil systems that have no gray zones. Let me see the necromancer that's using their magics to keep the balance of life and death. Let me see the vampire that hunts and feeds on demons. Let me see the shield of Athena used to power a sealing ritual binding the gods to evils will. I could keep going. So to me the best objects are the ones that require you to think. Think about the cost of using it, the cost of it falls into the wrong hands, the different ways of using it and the morality of those methods, or the morality of not using it, not bringing it to bear. The fear of it's power, outcome, and cost can be just as detrimental. As for what I would like to see debated? Perhaps what is the darkest 'power of good' or what is the most cruel cost of using one's power for good in a series?
Uh uh uh, debate topics: What about a discussion on the greatest most awesome feats of magic performed in books and / or shows? I'm always searching for books with great epic magic in them.
Thats why the third indiana jones is the best, because it does a good job of setting up the power of the grail and its consequences while also being a key and emotional point in Indiana jones's relationship to his father, when at the end his dad tells him to let go and stop reaching for it it means something because his dad was obssesd with it and focused on the grail to the detriment of his relationship with his son. It means something not just because its the grail, but because that means something to the characters.
Not to be a Sanderson fanboy, but I find Nightblade to be pretty cool. It's not just an object, a weapon but a full character with its own twisted personality. Also, if you haven't done it... What is the best city in sci-fi/Fantasy ? Piltover from Arcane or Coruscant from Star Wars come to my mind, but I'm sure I'm missing some great ones. Ebou Dar or Cairhien have also their charm (and Aridhol, of course).
Have you already done the coolest setting in fantasy? One thing that stands out to me is the world of Mistborn Saga one. I find it cool the whole world was reshaped by the first villain and the everlasting consequences of trying to fix a problem, only to cause new ones.
I absolutely love pretty much any sentient weapon from any DND fantasy novel but my favorite macguffin is Crenshininbon from the Drizzt Do'Urden original trilogy. Much like the one ring it changes a users heart to commit horrible acts but instead of just being an object of evil it turns out to be the villain. The magical object has a singular purpose of domination and though it is sentient, still feels just like an object or tool. I love this style of macguffin where it can play the role of the villain, the evil influence, the object of power, and the plot device that moves everything forward and the hero's journey is as much about discovering the truth of the evil influence just as much as stopping it.
As much as I want to talk about the green bone saga. That ending wants me to talk about how Indian Jones Character arc through those First three movies is great. Not amazing but just great.
Debate topic: what f/sf power or tech would have the worst effects on the world(/universe) if real? When watching fantasy stuff w/ my daughter, she often asks if I'd like to have some various example of magic powers, and my answer is always: nope, if there were any real magic then it would be used to kill huge numbers of people up to and including destroy the world (or universe). Indeed, one fantasy series even had a whole Wheel about it.
Maybe I'm just too stuck on Malazan right now but the Deck of Dragons is everything I would want from a magical relic. It is thoroughly integrated into the culture and history of the world. It is brimming with mysterious powers and thematic resonance. It works differently for different people. For Tattersail, it calls to her like a bad habit, tempting her with all the comfort of hubris. For Fiddler, it is a game with no rules that he can play with his friends. For Tiserra, it is a simple tarot deck. For Paran, it is as clay in his hands but it holds equal sway over him. On a reread, the cards fall into place throughout the narrative outlining a vague map of what is coming next.
Debate topic: mysteries. Solutions that depend on magic or advanced tech that the audience doesn't understand fully can be frustrating, but these things also open up new ways to present a story, such as *Six Wakes* having people solve their own murders.
On the drive in to work this morning I was thinking about a modern re-envisioning of Arthur. And now the mythos is being discussed here. How funny is that? I have a historical fiction short story I wrote a little bit ago that I am planning on turning into a fantasy novel in the future (already have some outlining done on it). I could easily re-imagine the artifacts (now tainted if I am truly weaving them into my existing framework) from Arthur as the tools that lead to the corruption of the evil forces. Man, I'm really loving this idea as it's rolling around in my head now. I'm going to go update my notes...
I would love to do a version for sentient artifacts, because those are by far my favourite kind, especially when they don’t always do what the MC expects or necessarily wants. A good example of this might be the relic of creation from RWBY, literally any kind of genie lamp, the Tardis, etc.
I don't understand UA-cam. I used to watch every one of your videos the day they came out. I haven't seen a video of yours in months and months, even though none of my settings have changed. Anyways GLAD to see your videos in my feed again.
I remember back in the day I really liked the Philosopher's Stones from FMA/FMAB (though to be fair, that's more of an object made from magic and a resource rather than a magical object). Their significance impacts almost every single named character but especially the protagonists' personal journeys.
Considering the note you ended on maybe fantasy foods? A lot of authors seem to invest time describing them(also gingerbread house, poison apple, etc). Also, for magical objects. The Obelisks in Fifth Season trilogy, and also all of Mary Poppins stuff like the bag and umbrella.
Edit: I really, really missed this series! I really wish there were more stories where magic can only be wielded through the use of magical devices (wands being the most boring example of this) rather than it being a natural force that certain magical people are born with and can channel in various ways. Normal (not OP) humans using magical items is far more interesting than all the variants of Jedi
Honestly, I think that the concept of a magic ring was better utilised by Stephen R Donaldson in his Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever than by Tolkien, as the fact that it was a ring was personally and emotionally significant to the main character in a way that the One Ring in LotR isn't. That said, I super don't recommend that series by Donaldson to be read generally, there's some pretty heinous shit, especially in that first book. Content Warnings needed.
I just want to add that the "singing sword" from the Prince Valiant Sunday clippings or Fantagraphic books(comics) had some emotional ties with it. He would try to abandon it or get rid of it because of what it made him capable of doing, but he kept going back cause he needed it for sitatuons or felt emptier(less capable?) without it. Kinda a love and hate relationship with it.
The sword from Twelve Kingdoms, she breaks the scabbard and doesn't know that's causing the problem, basically the sword can show her things happening elsewhere but the spirit of the sword appears and twists everything to make her think everyone hates her, and she thinks she is going insane because she doesn't find out till later it is the sword fighting it's master. The sword is like king of emotional damage.
Love that Daniel pointed out the spelling error (them instead of then) in the Mass Effect post and then immediately went on to say "secret" instead of "scary"
I think another interesting debate topic, although this is somewhat more narrow than others, is who is the best "goofy immortal mystery trickster" character. People like Tom Bombadil from LOTR or Hoid from the Cosmere books.
Please keep doing These let’s debates, these are the best! I’d be happy getting some repeat topics too with new comments/points/arguments. My recommendation though would be a debate on asshole characters.
We have to mention The Glaive from Krull! A really powerful weapon but it was only used at the end of the story and even then could not defeat The Beast. I wanted The Glaive as a kid so badly!
The Glaive did have a really epic score from James Horner helping it out of course. lol and didn't he just stick his hand in lava to get it? Krull's a good example of how far style alone can take you.
i have a good LET'S DEBATE topic. The Best Magical Creature (Science Fiction Alien). you can talk about design and worldbuilding. i would love to see that video
It's odd that that Doctor Who fans can handle the impossible inaccurate psychics of breaking an element 400 times harder than diamond with bare hands but can't handle the impossible inaccurate psychics of Storm Trooper aiming that it ruins the show. If a show you love is so easily ruined by Storm Trooper aiming, it was never good to begin with.
My favorite magical device would have to be the Winged Horse Broach from the Green Rider series, specifically Karigan's as well as the horn of the First Rider. The broach starts out as just an object that can make her invisible and then slowly becomes something so much more complex that adds to both the character and the plot. The horn on the other hand is just a cool background artifact that fleshes out the world. The Eluvians from Dragonage are also pretty cool.and while not a magical object, persay, Pounce the cat from the Beka Cooper series of books plays out like a magical device in most cases, but is also a constant companion to the main character.
The topic I would want to see debated is do we truly own the art we create? Can we put ownership on ideas and imagination or does it take on its own life once it's published as people take these characters in and blend them in with their own interpretations and headcannons, weaving these tales in a way the author never even thought of
I love stories with magical instruments . If people have any more for me to read that I haven't, or fantasy involving music used as magic I'd like to know please because it's been my thing lately and I've loved so many books because of it.
The Soul Reaver from Legacy of Kain is my favorite "Evil vampire sword that makes you explode and eats your soul"- ever. That and it has a very special relationship with deuteragonist Raziel...
The best fantasy device is clearly Daniel’s microphone; it has cultural significance - being put on a new thing as a gag every video - it’s iconic, and his scream into the mic at the end physically and emotionally hurt my ears 😃
Holy grail as a time bomb has been thrown around in the Fate series. While in universe advertised as the ultimate wish granting tool, it absolutely sucks at granting wishes because of the magic reservoir is highly volatile and easily corruptible. It doesn't help that as time goes on the value of the Holy grail has decreased to the point that in the Fate Grand Order mobile gamd the grails have been reduced to mere condensed magical wells and are so numerous that we just have a closet full of them. Sure bad things can happen if you use the grail for something stupid [ like using it as a crockpot to cook noodles], but most of the time it's "oh another Holy grail. Throw it in the closet with the others"
How about Spice from the Dune saga. The Spice allows space travel, perfect health and long life, expands the mind as well as evolves the body. Plus there's also it's political/socioeconomic impact on the entire Dune universe. "The Spice must flow."
Please remember the purpose of these videos is me to disagree with people. If it feels like I’m reaching… yeah. It’s a debate exercise.
What topic do you want to see debated next?
Most terrifying beings/monsters from fantasy or sci fi and for that I would say the Shrike from the Hyperion series everything from its design, it’s history and what it does to its victims makes my skin crawl
Best crossovers. I'm thinking the Orb from the Belgariad is actually the mind stone from the Avengers that someone left on a primitive planet 🙃
Best gods or portrayals of divinity, good or evil. I will be repping the Godhand in that one.
How well a story's villains are written is more important to a story's "quality" than how well a story's protagonist is written.
Batman is the classic example of this, but if you look at things like The Road ("the world" being the villain) or Star Wars, the protagonist is kinda bland. The driving force of the plot is a scary, understandable, and/or well written villain that makes it a interesting story.
A well written protagonist is a bonus, but protagonists can often be just a bland stand in for the watcher/reader and the story can still work.
What makes for a great sequel, especially when conflict introduced in the first book has been resolved?
The best magical objects are the friends we made along the way
You cheezii son of a goat
My friends are objects too :O
@@korvisus dead bodies are counted as objects in D&D
as they get shot down by the antagonists
You’re laughing! Your friends were turned into dolls by that witch and you’re laughing!
The TARDIS is my choice, originally it had that Wardrobe effect. When Doctor Who first was created in the 60s The Police Box was a common item you'd often see in London. The idea that it was a ship that could take you to all of time and space must have been magical to kids at the time. In today's age it's an icon of British Televison and Si-Fi.
The TARDIS is also the most important object to the show. It allows Doctor Who to tell pretty much any type of Story in any type of setting.
Doctor Who would not work without the TARDIS, they removed it's function from the show once and the whole show felt a lot more restrictive about what stories it could tell.
While I agree the TARDIS is absolutely iconic in sci-fi it isn't inanimate. In the Classic era its sentience is implied by companions and a few plot beats but it becomes an explicit character in the Modern era with stories like The Parting of the Ways and The Doctor's Wife.
@@pintpullinggeek Did it have to be inanimate? The One Ring isn't inanimate and it's mentioned in the video.
Not normally one to exalt the classics but The One Ring has got to be the best. Just simple enough to be iconic, with a major place in the story and still complex enough to be really interesting.
I realize you said inanimate, but I just finished The Color of Magic, so I'm now of the opinion that the Luggage is the best item ever conceived. Had me cackling with every mention.
Came here to say the same thing, just the best of comedic relief
Wow, I didn't realize how much I missed this series until I saw the video. Everybody makes so many great points!
Welcome back!
I really like the Hexcore from arcane. A mix of magic and technology which has a significant impact, not only on the city and the future of it, but also on jace and especially viktor. The emotional weight through their dreams coming true and a potential solution to viktors illness which resolves in it becoming alive and dangerous
I like it, but as an item in and of itself, it's rather generic - just 'power source', with nothing really distinct from other similar artifacts.
@@laurelkeeper True that. But Now that it kinda lives and has a connection to viktor it could proof itself maybe in season 2?
@@laurelkeeper They're only as unique as the stories around them. It means different things to different characters. It's versatile.
The box in Dune used in Paul’s test would be a fun relic to open up for discussion.
I know it isn't a iconic magical mcguffin but jack sparrows compass from pirates of the Caribbean I feel is a interesting magic item. It's a compass that points to what your heart desires and Jack's relationship with it is interesting most people think it's a broken and jack sometimes struggles to use it do to his personality. I think it's simple and can have fun scenes like when the arrow points at someone.
The best magical objects are clearly Daniel's knives as it is clearly magical that this man hasn't cut his face off yet in PDGDBAB
I'm not sure how "inanimate" it is, but I really love Nightblood from the Cosmere. What's better than a badass magical sword? A talking badass magical sword! Everything about it is great, from the concept, to the characterization, and its use in the plot.
Seeing you talk about His Dark Materials always warms my heart 💛 still waiting for your review of season 2, especially now that the last season is coming out in less than two weeks!
Oh gosh I absolutely loved the Bands of Mourning from Mistborn 6.
I especially love the context that can be inferred at the end of Mistborn 7. Why it was made, and how it performed in that original purpose.
I think my favorite artifact in all of fiction is the booth of perspective in the hitchhiker's guide. It's so good. It shows you your meaning in the universe, accurately.
Angreals. There's just something about them that as a kid made me go "GIMME, I WANT THAT" and the way they're woven into the magic system is SO beautifully logical.
They're so great, my favourite is of course [spoilers for a certain Angreal in the WoT, you have been warned]
Callandor. Like I want that. Yeah of course it's a deathtrap, but I don't care. It's a crystal sword with an immense amount of potential power, who the hell wouldn't want that?!
In Enchanted, we learned the most powerful thing in the universe is a true love's kiss only to find out in Disenchanted that the most powerful thing is memories.
In conclusion, the most powerful thing is the script.
I’d love to see fantasy romantic interests debated. Who’s the best, who’s just there to check a box and who actually breaks ground in the genre?
For the Mass Relays, I think you also had to contend with the hubris of those who started using them. They decided they were the new owners and dictated their use. The technology gave them an edge and they were at a point where they thought nothing was beneath them, so why should they be hesitant in the evolved state of their race?
Plus even if you did have some detractors when they were first discovered they’re a trap that lay in wait for thousands of years and are completely harmless the entire time
My only point is I have to 100% disagree with Daniel on what humanity would do if we found some “cool” thing that didn’t belong to use. Yes we would try to figure it out and make it our own but it would be way later after decades of using it for ourselves and profit.
@@aaronclemons2287 I can see it either way, depending on who is in charge at the time.
One of the key points is that the citadel and the reaper tech had anti-tamper tech that made it so you can't too much, taking it apart was irreversible. they did learn from it though at thats how most species learned to make jump drives ect. The point was learning from them steered you down a tech solution that was known by the reapers.
I'd just like to suggest you guys read Hyperion, you're gonna love the origin of Mass relays.
Debating about the best monsters in fantasy would be fun
Oh man, Strombringer and Mournebalde are two of my favorites. Gives us a glimpse as to what it would have been like for someone to try and master the one ring.
“Farewell, friend. I was a thousand times more evil than thou!”
Stormbringer is by far my favorite sword in any fictional setting, and a great metaphor for drug addiction
I love the Chameleon Arch from season three of Doctor Who (the revival). It’s SO cool, and I would love it to be used for another story. I loved how it let us see another side of him, rather than just a completely different person. And it was cool exploring a different time period from the perspective of people from that time, usually we focus more on the sci-fi elements
For anyone who doesn’t know: It can change the DNA and memories of a Time Lord (the Doctor’s species), and then they’re dropped off in the world to live their new lives. And all they have to do is to open a pocket watch to go back to normal, but they won’t, because the cloaked it to make it seem ordinary
Hey. I think you're thinking about season 3 (Human Nature/Family of Blood and Utopia). Season 2 has Ten and Rose. This said, YES! The Chameleon Arch is so good! I also loved the way they used it in Fugitive of the Judoon, even if the payoff is kinda wanky :)
Also reintroduced brilliantly with the master twist later on in the series
Yes! I love the Chameleon Arch and how it can be used to explore different aspects of the Time Lords personalities and lives. Also, Human Nature/Family of Blood is one of my favorite stories from new era. I would love to see it used in future seasons, Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor could have very interesting stories with that device, I think
Good one 👍
I love the Stargate its design and all the cool stuff it can do like send you back in time makes it awesome to me.
Dude star gates are the best! I loved the tv show universe version I felt the magic and mystery of each episode.
Magical weapons are more or less essential in any fantasy setting of course, but I don't think there are many better examples than the infamous sword, Stormbringer in Michael Moorcock's Elric books. Not only does the weapon's sinister "benefit" make for an interesting metaphor about the dark psychology of all weapons but the revelations at the end of the series are really what gives the whole cycle of stories a unifying and unsettling second meaning.
firm agree
To add onto the "magical weapons" category, I would propose Nightblood from both Warbreaker and Stormlight Archives. The sword having its own mind, personality and backstory, as well as its ability to form a sort of pseudo-parasitic bond with its owner really fleshes out both the sword itself and the person wielding it.
Brisinger felt like a really good magical object because it always felt like eragon was using an imperfect weapon for him for f**** ages XD and then this piece finally slid into place and it all felt WHOLE.
Dude I completely forgot about that. It had so much hype!
For sure, and the whole plot where his own understanding of himself allows him to forge a perfect blade for himself is so well done.
Oh dude i loved the old Let's Debate videos i'd be so happy to get more of them here on the channel
Debating the best antagonists, or what about rivalries, or what about antagonists vs rivals.
Still a big fan of the obelisks in the Broken Earth! So cryptic and interesting. Highly recommend the Fifth Season audiobook!
Fun fact a time bomb version of the Holy Grail does exist in the Fate series. Specfically Fate/Zero and the Fate/Stay Night timelines
I absolutely love Logan Ninefingers sword in First Law Trilogy as an under rated one. I kinda like the "side item" aspect to it. Its not necessary to the plot or character development. Its power is maybe ambiguous? Its just sorta there, doing a bit of world/lore building by its sheer existance.
And I really love Shivers is 'currently' carrying the blade. I love the idea that In 30 Years Joe Abercrombie is gonna be giving us a his 5th "core first law trilogy" and maybe that blade is still going to be in somebody's hands. Passed down behind the scenes throughout the history of the novels.
I would love to see a let's debate on absurdist SFF and humor and comedy in SFF in general
Also love the heart of Davy Jones from pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a cool idea just at surface level that ties into the lore and characters in interesting ways.
Loved the video!
How about Let's debate:
- Languages in a fantasy setting, music, poetry and sotries within the world
- Nature as a plot device
- The Urban magic trope
- Personafication of natural forces (Terry Prachett's Death, The sevent deadly sins in FMA, etc.)
- Magic and technology (integrations and collisions)
- Which is the best of the three types of magic in Mistborn era 1 (kinda close to the best metal you did, but not exactly the same)
- Fantastical settings that feel fantastical
Also, about magical items:
- Too many magical swrods. Can I get a magical hammer for once? A magical mace? Senderson kinda has a magical whatever-you-want-it-to-be, but also that is defaulting to a sword for dead spern.
Or, continuing with the wardrobe thought: more daily magical items. Give me a magical corkscrew that be screwed into the ground to hold a creature's
shadow in place. Or a magical kitchen chair - not a thrown, just a regular kitchen chair - that whoever sits on it can see the depth of the evil lord's lair. Or maybe a pair of socks that while wearing them you cannot lie. Give me a daily, magical item, with unexpected abilities. Some stories do this well. Many examples in Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Locke and Key does this with keys, Gravity Falls has tons of exmaples.
Mjölniiiiir! Stormbringer!
The Doctor's sonic screw driver!
Since I doubt anyone else will bring up adventure games:
Gabriel Knight's Schattenjager Medallion: Mostly it repels supernatural evil, but it's got a really cool history and the family has to remain pure enough to be worthy of it (but live a cursed half life if they're not). Plus the symbol on it of a lion wrestling a dragon is dope.
The Myst linking books: anyone can literally walk around in someones creative expression, & meet people who live there - but that doesn't mean they were created by the writer, does it?
The Distaff from Loom: Just thematically cool for a weaver's guild reweaving reality, and a musical interface for the player. As your only possession, you get rather attached to it.
For me the definitive Magic Artifact is the watch in Secret Keepers, a book I read as a kid in the perfect age range for it. I only remember a few scattered scenes from that book, but boy did it make an impact. The watch has the ability to form a sort of circle of invisibility around its user when it’s wound, where no one can see in and the user can’t see out. A bunch of the story is just the kid working out how it works and meeting people about it and it’s cool as hell
I've missed this series!!!
I love that you stick the TARDIS in the thumbnail and didn't talk about it at all! Of course, TARDIS is sentient and therefore does not qualify for this list but it is easily the coolest artifact I've come across in a story. It's a sentient time traveling pocket dimension that pranks the user. What's not to love?
(It's also not really magic.😅)
@@jaginaiaelectrizs6341 neither are lightsabers, or the halo ring, or the mass relays
@@peterholley5802 Also true. Lol
It doe qualify, it an opbjct and vehicle,
@@marocat4749 he specifically said inanimate objects for this one and TARDIS is definitely animate
I'd love to see a debate on authors who write middle grades books and other age range genre books and compare how they change for the comprehension and interest of the readers. I loved Nancy Springer, read Alkatraz vs. The Evil Librarians series and had other favorites that turned out to have a whole different feel than the other books by the same authors, but don't see them compared as much. Now some of Springers books are coming back as misunderstood Netlix movie fodder and Sanderson is writing more middle grades and it seems like the time.
the best artifact for me is without question Rincewind's luggage. It is not only an infinite deposit room but also protects you and seems to be invulnerable
Time bomb version of the Holy Grail... kinda reminds me of Fate/Stay Zero. Pretty good anime too
That is not the real Holy Grail. A real time bomb holy grail would heal the sick or bring back the dead.
I generally appreciate objects that are/ appear 'gray' if you will.
To use WOT, it would be the Horn. It's got historical, legendary, and fantastical attributes, but is viewed as not inherently 'good' or 'bad'. It simply is, and who uses it or what it is used for, in the minds of the characters, determines its polarity. While proven a false conception in that particular case, the dynamic that this great and fearsome object is just as much a tool of destruction and chaos as it can be a saving grace, ultimate protection and so on, is among my favorites.
Same with magics, magic systems. I abhor inherently good and evil systems that have no gray zones. Let me see the necromancer that's using their magics to keep the balance of life and death. Let me see the vampire that hunts and feeds on demons. Let me see the shield of Athena used to power a sealing ritual binding the gods to evils will. I could keep going.
So to me the best objects are the ones that require you to think. Think about the cost of using it, the cost of it falls into the wrong hands, the different ways of using it and the morality of those methods, or the morality of not using it, not bringing it to bear. The fear of it's power, outcome, and cost can be just as detrimental.
As for what I would like to see debated? Perhaps what is the darkest 'power of good' or what is the most cruel cost of using one's power for good in a series?
Uh uh uh, debate topics: What about a discussion on the greatest most awesome feats of magic performed in books and / or shows? I'm always searching for books with great epic magic in them.
I find things are either so low magic it's not relevant or isekai where it's just so over top it doesn't matter.
Thats why the third indiana jones is the best, because it does a good job of setting up the power of the grail and its consequences while also being a key and emotional point in Indiana jones's relationship to his father, when at the end his dad tells him to let go and stop reaching for it it means something because his dad was obssesd with it and focused on the grail to the detriment of his relationship with his son. It means something not just because its the grail, but because that means something to the characters.
So happy to see these back
I really loved the magical bells used in the Gareth Nix series starting with Sabriel, I'd not seen that type of magic system before
I missed this series so much, thrilled to see it back! Keep up the great work!
Apparently I have some superpowers, because I can see Daniel in this video even though he's wearing the One Ring!
No it’s just he made it and fused his soul into it
Not to be a Sanderson fanboy, but I find Nightblade to be pretty cool. It's not just an object, a weapon but a full character with its own twisted personality. Also, if you haven't done it... What is the best city in sci-fi/Fantasy ? Piltover from Arcane or Coruscant from Star Wars come to my mind, but I'm sure I'm missing some great ones. Ebou Dar or Cairhien have also their charm (and Aridhol, of course).
Have you already done the coolest setting in fantasy? One thing that stands out to me is the world of Mistborn Saga one. I find it cool the whole world was reshaped by the first villain and the everlasting consequences of trying to fix a problem, only to cause new ones.
I absolutely love pretty much any sentient weapon from any DND fantasy novel but my favorite macguffin is Crenshininbon from the Drizzt Do'Urden original trilogy. Much like the one ring it changes a users heart to commit horrible acts but instead of just being an object of evil it turns out to be the villain. The magical object has a singular purpose of domination and though it is sentient, still feels just like an object or tool. I love this style of macguffin where it can play the role of the villain, the evil influence, the object of power, and the plot device that moves everything forward and the hero's journey is as much about discovering the truth of the evil influence just as much as stopping it.
im so excited for this series being back!
Necrmancer bells in Abhorsen series!!! Love them, and then we start meeting the beings who relate to the powers... so fun.
As much as I want to talk about the green bone saga.
That ending wants me to talk about how Indian Jones Character arc through those First three movies is great. Not amazing but just great.
Debate topic: what f/sf power or tech would have the worst effects on the world(/universe) if real?
When watching fantasy stuff w/ my daughter, she often asks if I'd like to have some various example of magic powers, and my answer is always: nope, if there were any real magic then it would be used to kill huge numbers of people up to and including destroy the world (or universe). Indeed, one fantasy series even had a whole Wheel about it.
If you want to talk about the One Ring's relationship with anyone, how about the relationship between the Ring and Golem! They're so precious!
Maybe I'm just too stuck on Malazan right now but the Deck of Dragons is everything I would want from a magical relic.
It is thoroughly integrated into the culture and history of the world. It is brimming with mysterious powers and thematic resonance.
It works differently for different people. For Tattersail, it calls to her like a bad habit, tempting her with all the comfort of hubris. For Fiddler, it is a game with no rules that he can play with his friends. For Tiserra, it is a simple tarot deck. For Paran, it is as clay in his hands but it holds equal sway over him.
On a reread, the cards fall into place throughout the narrative outlining a vague map of what is coming next.
The behelits (bay-lit) are my favorite magical artifacts in fiction
Debate topic: mysteries. Solutions that depend on magic or advanced tech that the audience doesn't understand fully can be frustrating, but these things also open up new ways to present a story, such as *Six Wakes* having people solve their own murders.
This is from another corner of the literary world, but the pen from Lord of the Mysteries blew my mind with its implementation in the story.
On the drive in to work this morning I was thinking about a modern re-envisioning of Arthur. And now the mythos is being discussed here. How funny is that?
I have a historical fiction short story I wrote a little bit ago that I am planning on turning into a fantasy novel in the future (already have some outlining done on it). I could easily re-imagine the artifacts (now tainted if I am truly weaving them into my existing framework) from Arthur as the tools that lead to the corruption of the evil forces. Man, I'm really loving this idea as it's rolling around in my head now. I'm going to go update my notes...
I would love to do a version for sentient artifacts, because those are by far my favourite kind, especially when they don’t always do what the MC expects or necessarily wants. A good example of this might be the relic of creation from RWBY, literally any kind of genie lamp, the Tardis, etc.
I don't understand UA-cam. I used to watch every one of your videos the day they came out. I haven't seen a video of yours in months and months, even though none of my settings have changed. Anyways GLAD to see your videos in my feed again.
So glad this series is back. Also, fantastic way to end the video, heh heh
I remember back in the day I really liked the Philosopher's Stones from FMA/FMAB (though to be fair, that's more of an object made from magic and a resource rather than a magical object). Their significance impacts almost every single named character but especially the protagonists' personal journeys.
Considering the note you ended on maybe fantasy foods? A lot of authors seem to invest time describing them(also gingerbread house, poison apple, etc). Also, for magical objects. The Obelisks in Fifth Season trilogy, and also all of Mary Poppins stuff like the bag and umbrella.
Edit: I really, really missed this series!
I really wish there were more stories where magic can only be wielded through the use of magical devices (wands being the most boring example of this) rather than it being a natural force that certain magical people are born with and can channel in various ways. Normal (not OP) humans using magical items is far more interesting than all the variants of Jedi
Read the manga "Witch Hat Atelier." It goes into this and is amazing!
@@greath7513 WHAT A MARVEL💯, I LOVE IT❤️
Would you also like it grim dark and cthuluesk?
Honestly, I think that the concept of a magic ring was better utilised by Stephen R Donaldson in his Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever than by Tolkien, as the fact that it was a ring was personally and emotionally significant to the main character in a way that the One Ring in LotR isn't. That said, I super don't recommend that series by Donaldson to be read generally, there's some pretty heinous shit, especially in that first book. Content Warnings needed.
"A time bomb version of the holy grail..." So Fate/stay night?
7:45 Time bomb version of holy grail = fate stay night. Amazing anime series you should check it out
This was fun! Looking forward to more of this.
I just want to add that the "singing sword" from the Prince Valiant Sunday clippings or Fantagraphic books(comics) had some emotional ties with it. He would try to abandon it or get rid of it because of what it made him capable of doing, but he kept going back cause he needed it for sitatuons or felt emptier(less capable?) without it. Kinda a love and hate relationship with it.
The sword from Twelve Kingdoms, she breaks the scabbard and doesn't know that's causing the problem, basically the sword can show her things happening elsewhere but the spirit of the sword appears and twists everything to make her think everyone hates her, and she thinks she is going insane because she doesn't find out till later it is the sword fighting it's master. The sword is like king of emotional damage.
Love that Daniel pointed out the spelling error (them instead of then) in the Mass Effect post and then immediately went on to say "secret" instead of "scary"
I think another interesting debate topic, although this is somewhat more narrow than others, is who is the best "goofy immortal mystery trickster" character. People like Tom Bombadil from LOTR or Hoid from the Cosmere books.
Please keep doing These let’s debates, these are the best! I’d be happy getting some repeat topics too with new comments/points/arguments. My recommendation though would be a debate on asshole characters.
We have to mention The Glaive from Krull! A really powerful weapon but it was only used at the end of the story and even then could not defeat The Beast. I wanted The Glaive as a kid so badly!
The Glaive did have a really epic score from James Horner helping it out of course. lol and didn't he just stick his hand in lava to get it? Krull's a good example of how far style alone can take you.
The 1st and 3rd Indiana Jones movies are generally good, but Daniel is 100% correct concerning the Ark of the Covenant's depiction.
Great video!! Thx for doing another Let’s Debate
Very cool series, hope you keep it up!
i have a good LET'S DEBATE topic. The Best Magical Creature (Science Fiction Alien). you can talk about design and worldbuilding. i would love to see that video
It's odd that that Doctor Who fans can handle the impossible inaccurate psychics of breaking an element 400 times harder than diamond with bare hands but can't handle the impossible inaccurate psychics of Storm Trooper aiming that it ruins the show. If a show you love is so easily ruined by Storm Trooper aiming, it was never good to begin with.
The Iron Throne in A Song of Ice and Fire. An uncomfortable seat that can easily cut you, and which backstabbing and bloodletting surrounds.
So glad to see this series back!
Will best of Fantasy be continued too? That would be awesome.
My favorite magical device would have to be the Winged Horse Broach from the Green Rider series, specifically Karigan's as well as the horn of the First Rider. The broach starts out as just an object that can make her invisible and then slowly becomes something so much more complex that adds to both the character and the plot. The horn on the other hand is just a cool background artifact that fleshes out the world. The Eluvians from Dragonage are also pretty cool.and while not a magical object, persay, Pounce the cat from the Beka Cooper series of books plays out like a magical device in most cases, but is also a constant companion to the main character.
A video like this for best fantasy/sci-fi monster could be good
Since you want topic recommendations: a let's debate on prose in fantasy?
The Choeden Kal is one of my favorites
*I've never thought of pronouncing it in the way you did, I always read it as "chode-in" lol
The topic I would want to see debated is do we truly own the art we create? Can we put ownership on ideas and imagination or does it take on its own life once it's published as people take these characters in and blend them in with their own interpretations and headcannons, weaving these tales in a way the author never even thought of
I love stories with magical instruments . If people have any more for me to read that I haven't, or fantasy involving music used as magic I'd like to know please because it's been my thing lately and I've loved so many books because of it.
You can't deny that that the third Indiana Jones film was great!
UPDATED BOOKSHELF TOUR??????? want to see the shelf up close again, and also need idea for good books.
The Soul Reaver from Legacy of Kain is my favorite "Evil vampire sword that makes you explode and eats your soul"- ever. That and it has a very special relationship with deuteragonist Raziel...
that sequence starting around 7:30 would make hitchcock proud
The best fantasy device is clearly Daniel’s microphone; it has cultural significance - being put on a new thing as a gag every video - it’s iconic, and his scream into the mic at the end physically and emotionally hurt my ears 😃
my favorite part of every video is the screaming BYE at the end like a toddler who just learned thats what you when you leave someone
U should watch Andor. Idk if you’ve talked about it
"Excalibur, but with emotional damage" is basically what happens in the Twelve Kingdoms anime
Under rated nomination here. The key from the lost room is really damn nifty and would improve anyone's day to day live 10 fold.
The discussion about mass relays and not using them because they belong to others reminds me of The Expanse series.
Holy grail as a time bomb has been thrown around in the Fate series. While in universe advertised as the ultimate wish granting tool, it absolutely sucks at granting wishes because of the magic reservoir is highly volatile and easily corruptible. It doesn't help that as time goes on the value of the Holy grail has decreased to the point that in the Fate Grand Order mobile gamd the grails have been reduced to mere condensed magical wells and are so numerous that we just have a closet full of them. Sure bad things can happen if you use the grail for something stupid [ like using it as a crockpot to cook noodles], but most of the time it's "oh another Holy grail. Throw it in the closet with the others"
How about Spice from the Dune saga. The Spice allows space travel, perfect health and long life, expands the mind as well as evolves the body. Plus there's also it's political/socioeconomic impact on the entire Dune universe. "The Spice must flow."