Every hero’s journey has a series of obstacles to test him. The main character in my fantasy series will have such trials in his quest to claim the throne. These trials will symbolize the character’s evolution as an individual. When the story starts, he will start out as a humble, generous, semi-naive idealist, but by the end of his trials and subsequent conquest, he will be transformed into a ruthless conquerer and hardened yet competent ruler (but parts of his original personality will remain). I will be drawing inspiration for these trials from the trials of Hercules. These trials will be tests of his worth as king in order to win the loyalty of potential allies in his conquest.