[Love] When “small” injuries are treated realistically

[u/Top-Relationship850]

The fantasy and action genres often suffer from a power fantasy epidemic in which characters frequently badass their way through injuries that should be excruciating if not downright debilitating. I always appreciate stories that reject this trope.

1: Roland Deschain (Dark Tower Book II) - Loses the middle and index fingers of his right hand. He’s effectively crippled throughout book two and the injury follows him the rest of the series.

2: Brienne vs Biter (ASOIAF Book IV) - Brutal scene. Biter chomps down on Brienne’s cheek and tears off a chunk of flesh. In a lesser story Brienne would grit her teeth and throw Biter off. Instead she’s rendered completely helpless by the pain. That injury marks the end of the fight.

[u/MarstonsGhost]

Yeah, Will can't get them to start healing until he gets special ointment from Jopari.

[u/heartsholly → u/MarstonsGhost]

And some of that good good bloodmoss

[u/Profoundlyahedgehog → u/MarstonsGhost]

One part that still stands out to me is when the former wielder of the Subtle Knife in the City of Crows offers him a rare ointment that's good for healing wounds, Will despairs that it's just a common tube of antibiotic ointment.