Fantasy tales are often set in the distant past, such as the Middle Ages, or in the faraway future. One of the most basic conventions of the genre is to construct a story that takes place during a similar period.
Although all fantasy is fictional, many writers do extensive historical research on the customs and events of the time period that they loosely base their stories around and integrate that information into their tales. Melding fact with fiction can enhance the realism of a story and help to establish a vibrant fictional world.
There are a number of important considerations when constructing a fantasy adventure. If you deviate too far from the conventions of the genre, your work may not be recognizable as fantasy, and your readers may not be able to relate to it. Sticking too closely to a fantasy formula, however, could leave you with an unimaginative and bland story. Treading the fine line between the two is the right place for new fantasy writers to begin developing their story.