Skip to content

Fantasy Quote by Diana Wynne Jones

“Horses are of a breed unique to Fantasyland. They are capable of galloping full-tilt all day without a rest. Sometimes they do not require food or water. They never cast shoes, go lame or put their hooves down holes, except when the Management deems it necessary, as when the forces of the Dark…” quote by Diana Wynne Jones
Download Open image
““Horses are of a breed unique to Fantasyland. They are capable of galloping full-tilt all day without a rest. Sometimes they do not require food or water. They never cast shoes, go lame or put their hooves down holes, except when the Management deems it necessary, as when the forces of the Dark Lord are only half an hour behind. They never otherwise stumble. Nor do they ever make life difficult for Tourists by biting or kicking their riders or one another. They never resist being mounted or blow out so that their girths slip, or do any of the other things that make horses so chancy in this world. For instance, they never shy and seldom whinny or demand sugar at inopportune moments. But for some reason you cannot hold a conversation while riding them. If you want to say anything to another Tourist (or vice versa), both of you will have to rein to a stop and stand staring out over a valley while you talk. Apart from this inexplicable quirk, horses can be used just like bicycles, and usually are. Much research into how these exemplary animals come to exist has resulted in the following: no mare ever comes into season on the Tour and no stallion ever shows an interest in a mare; and few horses are described as geldings. It therefore seems probable that they breed by pollination. This theory seems to account for everything, since it is clear that the creatures do behave more like vegetables than mammals. Nomads appears to have a monopoly on horse-breeding. They alone possess the secret of how to pollinate them.””

Diana Wynne Jones

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones, 1998

Fantasy horses are portrayed as perfect, tireless mounts that avoid typical equine problems, but they have a quirky communication limitation and seem to reproduce like plants.

In simple terms: Fantasy horses are flawless but odd, and they seem to pollinate like plants.

Key Takeaway

Accept imperfections and oddities in idealized systems.

Themes

fantasy worldbuilding creature design humor biology

Mood

playful ironic whimsical

Type

literary satirical fantasy

When to use this quote

  • roleplaying games
  • creative writing
  • world design
  • storytelling
  • game mechanics

Key Concepts

magical realism satire anthropomorphism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does the absurdity affect your immersion?
  • What does the communication quirk say about social interaction?
A Different Perspective

The explanation of pollination is absurd and may undermine suspension of disbelief.

3.4 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Diana Wynne Jones

Explore all 232 Diana Wynne Jones quotes

More Fantasy quotes

Browse all 5,469 Fantasy quotes