Morning lads and lasses! Welcome to your weekly fantasy reflections post—my favorite time of the blogging week. We’ve covered a lot of ground since starting these reflection posts. We’ve talked about everything from moving to a fantasy world, to stealing a fantasy character’s identity, to building your own Fellowship of the Ring. Today, we’re taking this discussion a step or two down the proverbial ladder to the dungeons. That’s right. The dark, dank, damp dungeons. 
At first glance, it looks pretty easy, right? Wrong. It’s only easy until you think about all the different options there are! This time I’ve decided to branch out a bit from my “safe” answers always relating to the Lord of the Rings, and go with Gonff, Prince of Mousethieves, from Mossflower by Brian Jacques. After all, if you’re going to be “locked up,” it might as well be with someone who opens locks for a living. And whenever things got too dull, Gonff could sing a song or play a tune on his reed flute to keep up our spirits. How about you? What fantasy character would you choose to keep you company in the dungeons while you plan a daring escape? As always, answer in the comments! I love hearing from people. Also, if you like, you are welcome to repost the picture or question elsewhere to continue the discussion. All I ask is that you link back to this original post. Thanks!
YA Epic Fantasy Author
free short story: Of Shadow and Rust
New Release: Of Sea and Smoke
… I think the comment bar just ate my comment. Oh, well. Let's try again.
To recap, I said that I would pick Eugenides, because he would get us out in, like, five minutes. But since his track record for escaping unscathed is not really great, if I couldn't be with him, I would pick Dame Imraldera. She's cool, and if I were with her, sooner or later Eanrin would show up and probably save us both. : )
Sounds like a plan! Escaping unscathed is always preferable.
…and I completely forgot Brandon Sanderson's Kelsier! He could come , too. : )
I'd choose Mr. Spock. He's got a proven record of escaping from various situations using his super-awesome Vulcan nerve pinch or mind-bending abilities. If we were really and truly stuck, he could play on his Vulcan harp and I'd sing, and so we'd both be happy regardless.
Ooh, yes, that Vulcan nerve pinch would come in handy. Spock could take out the jailer, then you could lift the keys, and after that it would be a simple case of sneakery before you were free!
I'd probably choose Eragon from the Eragon series. Most likely Sapphira is on her way to save Eragon anyway, so I can plan our escape around her arrival. Eragon could use magic to unlock the door and help fight our way out if we ran into trouble, too. Plus, I'd probably get to ride a dragon. :D
Hi, Olivia! Welcome to the blog! So glad you decided to visit with us for a while.
I like your escape plan. Riding a dragon is always a plus, and there's nothing like escaping with style! :)
He's not truly from a 'fantasy' novel, but I'd go with Day, from the Legend series. That guy can get out of anything. If I were to go with strictly fantasy I think I'd go with…Kerigan from Green Rider. Her invisibility and ghost friends would probably come in handy.
If it's speculative fiction of any sort, we'll let it slide! :) I'm not overly strict on the rules of these posts – they're more like "guidelines" anyway.
Oh yes, invisibility is a definite asset when planning a desperate dungeon escape!
If not Eugenides, I'd want Jaylen Hawker from my own book. He's got an IQ of about 200, is an inventor, can break electronic locks, makes chemical bombs, and works at a prison. At the end of the story he helps the MC escape. Plus, he plays a mean guitar.
He sounds like a cool character! Sounds like he'd be a good choice for a dungeon roommate.
The only problem is that he is a cripple. Once we got out, I'd have to carry him.
Now he sounds even awesome. :D
I instantly thought of Eugenides, but then, he's the sort who is willing to just wait around in the dungeon until an opportunity presents itself. And then he would probably get us hired by the dark lord in order to escape. This just doesn't sound my style, so who else?
So how about a Mistborn…like Vin or Kelsier? Let's say the Dark Lord is not the Lord Ruler, but someone else. Then I'm pretty sure I just bought my ticket to an awesome, epic escape.
If you can't defeat them, join them! Yeah … not really my style either. And a Mistborn would certainly help you to escape with plenty of dramatic flare!
I don't know. I think that getting yourself hired sounds like a pretty good strategy- not to mention an excellent way to get in a position to spy, sabotage, or otherwise cause trouble. The only problem is if you're dealing with someone like Galbatorix and you have to swear an unbreakable oath or something to that effect (in which case getting yourself hired would be a very bad strategy).
Oh yes. Eugenides certainly wouldn't be JOINING the bad guys. He doesn't have any qualm about lying so he'd probably "join" and bolt. Or he'd "join" and tototlly mess up all their plans and save the day. Without a doubt, he would do something awesome. But as Allison pointed out, he rarely escapes unscathed.
You really need to read the Queen's Thief series, Gillian! 0_0
So I'll just let the Mistborn devastate the villains before me as I trot out to freedom. :)
I've heard really good things about that series and keep meaning to get the first from the library… So many things to read! *flail*
@Hannah: I wasn't meaning my comment to say that I didn't think that would be Eugenides plan. I was directing it more at how you didn't think that was your style.
Also, I shall have to read the Queen's Thief series too . . . it's on my TBR list.
*Sigh* I know. It's on my list … but my list keeps growing by leaps and bounds! :)
Yay! More recruited for the Eugenides Fan Club! =D
@Sarah: No worries! Thanks!
Reepicheep, it would be great so long as I can keep him from trying to fight everyone. I would hide him under my hat until the guard walks away.
"All clear, Reep! Now, I want you to explore every nook and cranny of this place. Make a note of every possible escape route, guard routine, and see if there is a prince in here that we can rescue…there are always princes in dungeons. No, please leave the sword behind…the feather too, it is just like a beacon. It's espionage, Reepicheep, a great adventure!"
This made me laugh, but Reepicheep would definitely be a good choice.
Haha. This is great. Especially the part about rescuing the helpless prince in the dungeon.
Haha! Are there always princes in the dungeon? There sure is one in my story! Pick up my Errance on the way, why don't you, Reepicheep!"
Bard Eanrin. Definitely Bard Eanrin. Anyone who's read DragonWitch knows that locks are nothing to a Faerie, unless they happen to be made of iron. Then we might have a problem. And if we really were stuck, well, at least he'd be an amusing companion.
DUH! Of course, Eanrin would be one of the best choices there is. And he's a cat! But of course, there is that iron. Ah. Yeah….Iron seems to be the villain's metal of choice. : /
Too true, too true . . . But I'm sure he'd be good at coming up with other plans for escape all the same.
Haha, this is hilarious… As soon as I saw the question I said in a half joking way: "Gonff the mousethief!" And then I saw you actually picked him! :D
Lots of good choices already… I can't decide! A few of my characters and one of my friend's characters are coming to mind…
Maybe I'll just say Cadvan from Pellinor. I'm sure he'd have us both out in a jiffy, plus it would be interesting to meet him… ;)
I know, right? Right now I've been loaning out my Redwall books to friends and chatting with them about favorite characters and such … and so of course Gonff was on my mind as soon as I thought of the question! You can't beat the Mousethief …
You took my answer! I was going to go with Gonff too! :)
I'd take Drothe from "Among Thieves" by Douglas Hulick. You know, master thief, master liar, extremely good at locks and windows and climbing, and hilarious in the process. Failing that, he's extremely good at accidentally doing drastic things. If we didn't derp our way out eventually, his best friend would turn up to bust us out with fire and brimstone anyway. Always good to have backup xD
This is a really interesting thread. Of course, I thought of Gandalf because he is basically an Angel and Angels delivered people in the Bible from jail.
But, if I was feeling adventurous, I'd go with Hadrian Blackwater from "Theft of Swords" by Michael J Sullivan. He has a great attitude, and along with Royce, they nearly always found a way out. I think they land themselves in jail 7 or 8 times during the series.
I don't know if this is quite fantasy, but I would either go with Wesley (Princess Bride) or Kate Wheatherall (Mysterious Benedict Society). Since Wesley overcame death to find Buttercup, there is a good chance he could break out of Dark Lord's prison for her as well. My chances of escaping with Kate are not as high, but she would provide a brave and amusing companion. Tauriel ( from I-don't-know-where-Peter-Jackson-got-her) doesn't even exist in fantasy, but if she did, I might choose her.
Hannah Brant
Glad you stopped by, Hannah! :)
I feel like you'd have a pretty good chance of escaping with Tauriel. I mean she's got some intense fighting moves. And Wesley's a pretty resourceful fellow. He goes from simple farm boy, to surviving an attach by the dread pirate Roberts – who leaves no survivors – to becoming the dread pirate Roberts, to scaling the cliffs of insanity, dueling and beating the best swordsman in the world, wrestling a giant … and winning, and outwitting the Sicilian. I could go on, but it's probably best I stop there! :)
Hannah! Kate Wheatherall, yes, yes, yes!!!!