Lore is a collection of knowledge and facts about a fictional world, including its history, culture, myths, and legends, used to create a deep and detailed fictional universe in literature, film, and game worlds.
What is LORE — concept and definition in simple words.
Simply put, Lore in film, games, and literature is a set of basic information about a fictional world, including its history, rules, myths, and characters, that helps create a coherent and engaging story that viewers, players, or readers can fully immerse themselves in.
Historical context and origin of the term “lore”.
The term “lore” is derived from the Old English word “lār,” which meant learning, knowledge, or science. Over time, the word came to be used to refer to knowledge and narratives that were passed down orally or in writing through generations. In the modern context, lore covers a broader range of knowledge about fictional worlds created in literature, film, and video games.
Examples of ancient myths and folklore.
- Greek mythology: One of the most famous collections of ancient myths, Greek mythology includes stories about gods, heroes, and monsters. For example, the myth of Zeus, the god of thunder and lightning, and his many adventures.
- Scandinavian sagas: Eddas and sagas from Northern Europe describe the life of the Vikings and their belief in gods such as Odin and Thor.
- Egyptian mythology: The ancient Egyptians had a rich folklore that included stories about gods such as Ra, the sun god, and Osiris, the god of the afterlife.
- Chinese legends: Chinese mythology is replete with legends of dragons and emperors, such as the legend of the Yellow Emperor, who is considered the ancestor of all Chinese.
- Celtic folklore: Celtic myths and legends include the stories of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, as well as numerous tales of fairies and wizards.
These ancient myths and legends have become the basis for many modern fictional universes, influencing how authors create the setting of their stories. They not only provide a rich context, but also serve as a source of inspiration for new generations of creators in literature, film, and video games.
Literary lore.
Literary lore plays a key role in creating rich and deep worlds that engage readers and make stories unforgettable. It includes details about the history, culture, geography, and characters of a fictional universe, allowing authors to create complex and realistic worlds.
Examples of literary lore.
- Harry Potter:
The Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling is a prime example of rich lore. In this universe, we meet detailed characters such as Harry, Hermione, and Ron, as well as numerous magical creatures, spells, and objects. The Wizarding World also includes important locations such as Hogwarts, the Gringotts Magic Bank, and the Ministry of Magic. - The Lord of the Rings:
Lore, created by J.R.R. Tolkien, is the basis for his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien developed a detailed history of Middle-earth, creating a complete mythology with gods, legends, and languages. Each element, from hobbits to elves and orcs, has its own history and cultural background. For example, the story of the Ring of Power covers not only its creation, but also its impact on different races and civilizations. - The Chronicles of Narnia:
Clive Lewis’ series of books about Narnia is also a great example of literary lore. The world of Narnia is full of mythological creatures such as centaurs, fauns, and talking animals that create a unique atmosphere. Lewis developed a complex story of Narnia that encompasses the creation of the world, its capture by the White Witch, and its liberation by Aslan.
The main elements of literary lore.
- History and mythology:
Literary lore usually includes a detailed history of the world, including myths and legends that explain the origin and development of civilizations. For example, in The Lord of the Rings, we find detailed descriptions of ancient battles and eras that preceded the events of the main trilogy. - Culture and traditions:
Descriptions of the culture and traditions of different races and peoples add depth to the literary world. In the Harry Potter series, we learn about the Hogwarts Christmas celebration, magical sports competitions such as Quidditch, and other cultural features of the magical society. - Characters and their development:
Lore also includes detailed character development, biographies, and motivations. In The Chronicles of Narnia, we follow how children from the real world turn into kings and queens of Narnia, learn to rule the country, and fight evil.
Thus, literary lore is an integral part of creating unforgettable and complex worlds, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story and feel part of this fictional universe.
Lore in films and TV series.
Lore in movies and TV shows is created to add depth and realism to fictional worlds, helping the audience to become fully immersed in the story. This is achieved through carefully crafted details about the history, culture, characters, and events of the universe. The lore develops gradually through scripts, visuals, and acting, which together create an immersive narrative.
Examples from popular franchises.
- Star Wars:
The Star Wars universe created by George Lucas is one of the most famous and elaborate. It includes stories about Jedi, Sith, the Galactic Empire, and the Rebel Alliance. The deep lore is revealed through movies, TV series, books, and comics. For example, we learn about the Jedi Order, its founders, and even how lightsabers get their colors depending on crystals. - Game of Thrones:
Game of Thrones, based on the series of books by George R.R. Martin, is known for its complexity and multilayered nature. The series reveals the history of Westeros and Essos, where dynasties fight for the Iron Throne. Details about families such as the Starks and the Lannisters, their family trees, ancient traditions, and prophecies create a deep and fascinating lore. For example, the story of the Winter War and the Long Night adds epic proportions and expands the context of the events taking place in the main plot.
Elements of lore in movies and TV series.
- Historical context:
Movies and TV series often use historical context to create lore that explains the background of events and the motives of characters. In Star Wars, we see the struggle between the Sith and the Jedi that has been going on for thousands of years. - Cultural and social aspects:
Cultural and social details make fictional worlds realistic. In Game of Thrones, a lot of attention is paid to the cultural customs and political intrigue of different kingdoms, which adds depth and believability to the universe. - Character development:
Characters with rich histories and motivations contribute to the creation of a deep lore. For example, in Star Wars, we see the development of Anakin Skywalker’s character from a Jedi to Darth Vader, which adds drama and depth to his story.
Lore in video games.
Lore in video games plays a crucial role in creating rich and immersive worlds that allow players to fully immerse themselves in the gameplay. It contains details about the history, culture, myths, legends, and characters of the fictional universe, which together form a comprehensive and immersive game.
Examples from popular games.
- The Elder Scrolls:
Lore in The Elder Scrolls RPG series by Bethesda Game Studios is one of the deepest and most detailed video game series in the world. Each game in the series, from Arena to Skyrim, expands the story of the continent of Tamriel, adding new details about its various provinces, races, and magical phenomena. For example, in “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”, players can explore the ancient ruins of the Dwemer and learn about their mysterious disappearance, which adds depth and intrigue to the game. - World of Warcraft:
Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft lore is the basis for its continued success and popularity. Players can learn about the rich world of Azeroth, including its continents, factions, historical events, and legendary heroes. For example, the story of Lich King and his influence on the Northern Lands Plains creates an epic narrative that unfolds through raids, quests, and cinematic clips.
Elements of lore in video games.
- History and mythology:
Lore in video games often includes complex history and mythology to help create a rich context for the game. In The Elder Scrolls, we find detailed descriptions of ancient elven civilizations and their magical experiments. - Culture and social structures:
Cultural and social aspects play an important role in making the game world realistic and interesting to explore. In World of Warcraft, players can interact with different races, such as orcs, elves, and trolls, each with their unique traditions and history. - Characters and their stories:
Characters with detailed biographies and personal stories add depth to the game lore. For example, in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, we follow the fate of the Dragonborn and his fight against the returning dragons.
Lore in comics.
Lore in comics plays an important role in creating deep universes that allow readers to fully immerse themselves in the adventures of heroes and villains. Comic books use complex plots, detailed character biographies, and rich historical context to create a realistic and interesting world that evolves with each new issue.
Examples from major comic book universes.
- Marvel:
The Marvel Universe is one of the most famous and detailed in the world of comics. It includes stories about superheroes such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, and the Avengers in general. Each character has a rich history that includes origin, development of powers, and interactions with other heroes and villains. For example, the story of the Avengers begins with the heroes uniting to fight against Loki, which lays the foundation for further adventures. - DC:
The DC Comics universe is also extremely deep and complex. It includes stories about such legendary characters as Batman, Superman, and others. Each character has its origin, motivation, and personal story. For example, the story of Batman includes his childhood, the loss of his parents, and how this tragedy motivated him to become a crime fighter.
How is lore created?
Writers and creators play a key role in the creation of lore, ensuring its depth and realism. They develop detailed backstories, invent new cultures and mythologies that make fictional universes exciting and multifaceted.
Insights into the creative process:
- Research and inspiration. Creators often research historical, cultural, and scientific topics to create a believable lore. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien drew inspiration from Norse and Celtic myths to create Middle Earth.
- Creating a narrative. Writers create storylines that reveal the lore by gradually introducing new details and events that enrich the main story. For example, in Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling gradually reveals the history of Hogwarts and the wizarding world.
Co-creation of the world.
Teamwork on world creation allows you to develop more complex and integrated universes. Team members can specialize in different aspects of the world, which contributes to its diversity and depth.
- Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a collaborative effort of many directors, writers, and producers, allowing for the development of interconnected plots and characters throughout many films and TV series. - Star Wars.
The lore of the Star Wars universe is also developed by many authors and creators, allowing new elements and stories to be added through various media, including movies, TV shows, books, and comics.
The role of fans.
Fan theories and fanfiction often add new layers to the lore, expanding on existing plots and characters. Fans create their interpretations and continuations of stories, which sometimes become so popular that they influence the official canon.
Thus, lore creation is a complex and multifaceted process that involves the efforts of writers, teamwork, and fan contributions, which together contribute to the creation of truly interesting universes.
Official canon and non-canon of Lore.
- Official canon. The official lore canon includes all events, characters, and details that have been officially recognized by the creators as part of the fictional universe. This is information that is confirmed by the authors or rights holders and is the basis for the development of events in the world of the work.
- Non-canon. Non-canon includes all events, characters, and details that have not been officially recognized as part of the main plot or that contradict the official canon. These can be fanfiction, alternate histories, or works created by independent authors without official confirmation.
Changing and expanding the lore.
A lore can change and expand over time, depending on new works added to the universe or changes in the vision of the creators. This can happen due to new books, movies, games, or other media adding new details or changing existing ones.
- Adding new elements:
New works can introduce new elements to the lore, expanding the fictional world. For example, in the Star Wars film series, new episodes and series such as The Mandalorian add new characters and events that enrich the lore of the universe. - Rewriting an existing lore:
Sometimes creators decide to rewrite or change part of the lore to better fit new storylines or current trends. This often happens when relaunching franchises or creating remakes. For example, there have been several relaunches in the DC Comics universe that changed the stories and characterizations of the characters.
Examples of official canon and non-canon.
- Star Wars. In 2014, Lucasfilm announced that all works created before the acquisition of Disney, except for the main films and the Clone Wars series, would be classified as Star Wars Legends and considered non-canon. New movies and TV series such as The Force Awakens and Rogue One have become part of the official canon.
- Doctor Who. In the Doctor Who series, many elements have been added by fans through unofficial novels and audio dramas. Although these works are not considered part of the official canon, they often influence fan perceptions of characters and events.
Fan theories and fanfiction.
Fan theories and fanfiction play an important role in expanding the lore, even if they are not officially recognized. They allow fans to experiment with fictional universes and add their ideas to the existing lore. For example, in the Lord of the Rings universe, fans often create their own stories about the characters’ lives after the events of the main trilogy or expand on the well-known legends of Middle Earth by adding their own interpretations and expanding the original lore.
Thus, official canon and non-canon lore play important roles in the development and expansion of fictional universes. They help maintain interest in franchises and provide new perspectives for fans and creators.
Conclusion.
So far, we’ve looked at what lore is and what it means in different media, including literature, movies, TV shows, and video games. We discussed the process of creating lore, the role of authors and creators, and the importance of teamwork and fan input. In addition, we explored how official canon and non-canon influence the development of fictional universes and how they can change and expand over time. Lore, as a set of knowledge and details about a fictional world, is a critical element that adds depth and realism to stories, making them engaging and memorable for the audience.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
Lore is the body of knowledge and facts about a fictional world, including its history, culture, myths, and legends, used to create a deep and detailed fictional universe in literature, film, and game worlds.
Lore in video games creates a rich context that makes the gameplay immersive and allows players to fully immerse themselves in the fictional world.
Lore in movies and TV shows helps to create realistic and interesting worlds, adding depth to the plot and characters.
Official canon includes events, characters, and details officially recognized by the creators as part of the fictional universe. Non-canon includes those elements that are not officially confirmed or contradict the main plot.
Lore is created by authors and creators through research, creative process, and collaboration, often with the participation of fans who add their ideas and interpretations.
Yes, fan theories and fanfiction often expand on the lore by adding new layers and interpretations, although they are not always officially recognized.