The Great Fantasy Cliche

[daMoose_Neo]

I'm assembling some notes on something I call "The Great Fantasy Cliche" for a game project of mine.
The aim is for the game to use this list or mini-essay, whatever it ends up being, as the basis for most of its world. The game itself is a comedy and a farce, so it will apply the most stereotypical and over the top accusations of this cliche.
Was wondering if anyone had any details they would like to share of cliche occuracnces in Fantasy settings? These are things that show up so often in pop-fantasy its pretty much become standard stock. You ask someone on the street about how they'd picture <X>, you're more likely than not to get a response similar to this list.
I'll start off with my meager list at the moment, but more details are welcome ^_^

- Humans are, in some way, the problem. They're encrouching on nature, they're too selfish to lead the world or they're entirely too destructive.
- Dwarves ALWAYS have a "short person complex". They will, at any time, take offense to anything, from a sideways remark about the short companion to asking if he's intersted in the breakfast special, a "short stack" of pancakes.
- The Elves are always peaceful, but arrogent bastards. They know it all, know they know it all, know their knowing it all has kept the world in reletive peace for the past umpteen centuries, and will be sure to remind you of it.
- Halflings/Gnomes/Hobbits are always kind, no matter what.
- Knights are always the strongest of the troupe and uber cool, respected wherever they go. Normally also quite jolly and chivilrous, but quick to draw. Fighters, on the other hand, are just quick to draw.
- Wizards are either ancient, wizend sages or bumbling nerds. No in between.
- The shortest person in the group is always the thief who has a heart of gold. Doesn't matter their profession requires them to be scheming, backstabbing, out-for-himself good-for-nothings, they will always have the purest intentions.
- The Elf shoots arrows. And dresses in some combination of green and white.
- A woman in the group will A) Have a issue with the lead male of the group B) Usually show him up at every turn C) Dispite her (and his) insistance, they WILL be come romantically entangled and D) If the group ever stops at a tavern or inn, she WILL be hit upon and she WILL put someone in the local cleric's care for doing so.

Keep in mind, this IS a farce. The Adventurers, tackled above, actually constitute the enemy as well. I can forsee some grief on the the last part pertaining to women and I just want to make things clear ^_^

[neelk]

You need to look at Diana Wynn Jones's The Tough Guide to Fantasyland. She has helpfully compiled all of the cliches and stereotypes of generic fantasy into a very funny and nasty little book.