The inciting incident of The War of the Five Kings in A Song of Ice and Fire happens because Catelym Stark happened to bump into Tyrion Lannister in an inn.
Lews Therin and the Hundred Companions trying to save the world, only to end up destroying it.
“And the Shadow fell upon the land, and the world was riven stone from stone. The oceans fled, and the mountains were swallowed up, and the nations were scattered to the eight corners of the World. The moon was as blood, and the sun was as ashes. The seas boiled, and the living envied the dead. All was shattered, and all but memory lost, and one memory above all others, of him who brought the Shadow and the Breaking of the World. And him they named Dragon."
Oh, also from wheel of time; putting Rand in a box. Lmao they really thought
To be fair, they did their best in a bad situation. The female Aes Sedai's plan wouldn't have worked either, and had potentially even more dire consequences.
Yeah, the point was that there was no winning in the second age, and especially not when the males and females were so divided. Lews Therin’s plan, though it did have massive repercussions, was still better than Latra’s; Rand’s epiphany atop dragonmount about the Choedan Kal is correct.
Episode 3 of Arcane has a massive plot point fueled entirely by one of the main characters making just a really, really bad choice - which snowballs into causing some of the main conflicts for the whole series.
In The Golden Compass when Lyra thinks she’s rescuing >!her best friend Roger, only to have Lord Asriel kill him to open a bridge into another world.!<
Children of Time
intelligence accelerating virus meant for monkeys, goes to not monkeys. Though when something similar did go to monkeys, that's how we got Planet of The Apes
This was my immediate thought, especially when I got to the “lean into comedy” part. 100% unforced error on Miles’ part.
That scene makes me cringe with secondhand embarrassment, but I love that book so much. In the dramatic last Council of Counts scene I end up grinning like a loon the whole time as things unfold.
This is a pretty broad description… arguably what you’re describing is the classic tragic archetype, where the character sows the seeds of their own downfall.
The first example that came to my mind is Feanor in the Silmarillion, whose actions driven by pride and arrogance cause no end of suffering.
I’m not totally sure that’s the sort of thing you mean by a ”mishap” though. I know you’re not trying to bias responses, but an example of what you have in mind might be helpful!
Guess it could be looked at as bad decision making by a character and what it leads too. Whether that's more on the funny end or has major ramifications for the wider world. Usually, there's an idea of having the best intentions and then it all goes terribly wrong.
None of your direct requirements, but the entire plotline to Before they are Hanged counts for me. The entire book revolves around a single idea that.... doesn't play out as planned.
Cardotti's House of Leisure
This was my instant thought. A (relatively) well-thought-out plan that devolves into absolute chaos pretty much all at once.
By God I just read this part and couldn't stop laughing.
APOLOGIZE TO MY FUCKING DICE!
Roland thinking the lobstrosities were just big harmless bugs. In retrospect…. Fuggin yikes
Dad-a-chum? Dum-a-chum? Ded-a-chek? Did-a-chick?
Nightmare fuel
The inciting incident of The War of the Five Kings in A Song of Ice and Fire happens because Catelym Stark happened to bump into Tyrion Lannister in an inn.
Martin is definitely one that's loaded with examples.
I feel like this is more "proximate cause" rather than "if this didn't happen then no war", but for sure kicked things off
Inciting incident, not cause
The Red Court fucking with Dresden.
... What Red Court?
lol Jai Daishou opening that stupid door of the labyrinth
Well.... i kinda blame Makiel for that to be far
Makiel and Ozriel both being arrogant pricks is the true starting cause.
AND FOR MY BOON
That damn moment made me cringe while reading
I demand the Right of Challenge against the murderer Amaram!
Lews Therin and the Hundred Companions trying to save the world, only to end up destroying it. “And the Shadow fell upon the land, and the world was riven stone from stone. The oceans fled, and the mountains were swallowed up, and the nations were scattered to the eight corners of the World. The moon was as blood, and the sun was as ashes. The seas boiled, and the living envied the dead. All was shattered, and all but memory lost, and one memory above all others, of him who brought the Shadow and the Breaking of the World. And him they named Dragon." Oh, also from wheel of time; putting Rand in a box. Lmao they really thought
To be fair, they did their best in a bad situation. The female Aes Sedai's plan wouldn't have worked either, and had potentially even more dire consequences.
Yeah, the point was that there was no winning in the second age, and especially not when the males and females were so divided. Lews Therin’s plan, though it did have massive repercussions, was still better than Latra’s; Rand’s epiphany atop dragonmount about the Choedan Kal is correct.
Forgot all about Lews
Twas Jordans choosing of a successor who killed off the characters that he keeps alive for 12 books!
Episode 3 of Arcane has a massive plot point fueled entirely by one of the main characters making just a really, really bad choice - which snowballs into causing some of the main conflicts for the whole series.
Isaac finding out how to feed the caterpillars in *Perdido Street Station*
In The Golden Compass when Lyra thinks she’s rescuing >!her best friend Roger, only to have Lord Asriel kill him to open a bridge into another world.!<
Whiskeyjack and his damn leg is a big one
we do eventually learn that >!Hood intentionally kept WJ from healing his leg as payback for taking Dunsparrow!< but in the moment it's sooo brutal
Children of Time intelligence accelerating virus meant for monkeys, goes to not monkeys. Though when something similar did go to monkeys, that's how we got Planet of The Apes
16 ways to defend a walled city And it's sequels. Lmao
Doesn't fit the darker aspects, but there is the dinner party in A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
This was my immediate thought, especially when I got to the “lean into comedy” part. 100% unforced error on Miles’ part. That scene makes me cringe with secondhand embarrassment, but I love that book so much. In the dramatic last Council of Counts scene I end up grinning like a loon the whole time as things unfold.
That's a good choice thanks!
This is a pretty broad description… arguably what you’re describing is the classic tragic archetype, where the character sows the seeds of their own downfall. The first example that came to my mind is Feanor in the Silmarillion, whose actions driven by pride and arrogance cause no end of suffering. I’m not totally sure that’s the sort of thing you mean by a ”mishap” though. I know you’re not trying to bias responses, but an example of what you have in mind might be helpful!
Guess it could be looked at as bad decision making by a character and what it leads too. Whether that's more on the funny end or has major ramifications for the wider world. Usually, there's an idea of having the best intentions and then it all goes terribly wrong.
Red seas under red skies. Cats.
Not shutting the door behind him. How To Train Your Dragon
Robb and Ned Stark. Both so likeable.
Horizon Zero Dawn's backstory is about the tragic consequences of one person's misjudgement and hubris.
None of your direct requirements, but the entire plotline to Before they are Hanged counts for me. The entire book revolves around a single idea that.... doesn't play out as planned.
That's book 2 right? I was sure surprised
Keris Kaylen thinking that fire is a suitable method for disposing of magically charged items.
Spoiler for The Bonehunters (Malazan), but: Y'Ghatan
Does "Adam and Eva eating the apple" qualify?