Tale of heroism. This is a more descriptive way of referring to a long heroic story. It simply emphasizes that the story is about heroism. It can cover a wide range of stories, from ancient myths to modern - day fictional accounts of heroic individuals or groups.
Well, 'legend' can be used. Legends are stories that are often based on real or partly real events or people but have been embellished over time with heroic and extraordinary elements. They can be passed down orally or in written form and usually involve a hero or group of heroes who do something remarkable. Take King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as an example, it's a well - known legend.
Narrative. It is a general term for a story, and when it's long and continuous, it can be used to describe what you're looking for.
Sagas. Sagas are long, involved stories, often with a historical or cultural background. They usually tell the story of a family or a group over a long period of time. For example, the Icelandic sagas which are a collection of long stories about the early settlers in Iceland, their lives, adventures, and family feuds.
Another word could be 'yarn'. This is a more informal term for a story, which can be long or short. It gives the idea of a story that is spun, as if the teller is spinning a thread of narrative. For example, 'He told a long yarn about his adventures in the mountains.'
'Spinning a yarn' is also a way to say telling a story. It has a more informal and perhaps even a bit of a creative or fanciful connotation. Sailors used to spin yarns (tell stories) about their adventures at sea, often with a touch of exaggeration to make the story more exciting.
One example is 'The Iliad' by Homer. It's a long epic poem that tells about the heroic deeds in the Trojan War. Another is 'Beowulf', an Anglo - Saxon epic poem which details the hero Beowulf's battles against monsters.
Yarn. It has a bit of an old - fashioned or folksy feel to it, like when an old sailor tells a tall yarn about his adventures at sea.
Fiction. It refers to stories that are made up, often with characters and plots created by the author's imagination. Novels are a form of fiction.
Lore. Lore often implies a body of knowledge or stories that have been passed down over time, which can be quite extensive and thus related to the idea of a long story.
Gloomy story. This is a simple and direct alternative. For instance, a story set in a post - apocalyptic world with no hope left can be called a gloomy story.