Mythical creatures

[Gweneviere]

I need suggestions for some mythical creatures with human like qualities other than elves and wizard/witches. I have enough animal like creatures, but not enough human-like

 

[Gweneviere]

particularly a fairly powerful creature. I want to have elves in it, but more of the Tolkien kind than the little creatures like people usually depict elves to be

 

[cornelius]

carriers, perhaps? men with an inner demon, such as yours truly

 

[Brian G Turner]

Hi Gweneviere, and welcome to chronicles.

As for a creature - is there a particular culture you're looking at, ie, Anglo-Saxon? Simply because this could be important (for example, would a Djinn be innappropriate?).

Have you also considered creating your own forms, or would that not work for you?

 

[kyektulu]

Dragons, despite thier appearence are highly advances creatures, they have the same culural differences that we do and possess a higher intellent.
Other mythical creatures that possess intelligence include:

Ents
Griffons
Fairys
Dwarves
Dryads
Elementals
Nymphs
Giants
Manticores
Draconions
Naga
Centaurs
Fawns
Leviathans
Merfolk


Need anymore?

Ill have a think.

 

[Culhwch]

Personally I'd say making your own races is the way to go. It will make your work stand apart from those that go the standard fantasy tropes... Though I do like the idea of Cornelius's 'Carriers'.

 

[Marky Lazer]

Gnome, Ogre, Earthman. Orc, Yeti, Migou, Kobold, Pixie, Brownie, Cherubim, Leprechaun, Goblin, Angel, Troll, Siren, Harpie, that's all I can think off after Kye's efforts...

 

[Paradox 99]

I've always fancied the idea of writing a story about the Nephillim. These could be cool mythological creatues to write about. They're giant mutants, born from the breeding of humans and angels/demons. The inspiration for those come from Genesis 6 in the Bible or from the book Enoch. (Probably from Greek myth too).

 

[Brys]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_species_in_folklore_and_mythology

A pretty comprehensive list of creatures and races in mythology. There shold be something to suit you there.

 

[cornelius]

with the carriers, there are two kinds: the first carries a demon, which may lead to alterings in the persons body/face. the second kind carries the souls of great wizzards, warriors and so. that's the way I write it in my writings, but later on there was a similar game in which you could choose the side of good ( butterflies, angelwings,...) or evil ( horns, flies, ...) I forgot the title though.

 

[Alchemy_Girl]

A good idea is to take really good creatures (From mythology or fairytales or something) and make them your own.
For example: With my story, I took vampires and put a new spin on them using scientific theories of evolution, so that they have nothing to do with bats, and are instead descendants of a subspecies of dragon.
Basically just play around with as many insane ideas as you can and mix it up a little. ^-^

 

[Aes]

Personally I'd say making your own races is the way to go. It will make your work stand apart from those that go the standard fantasy tropes... Though I do like the idea of Cornelius's 'Carriers'.

That has its ups and downs, which should be considered carefully in my opinion. If you make the world and the creatures inhabiting it too alien, average readers may have a tougher time following the story unless you are really good at painting a picture of just what the creature in question exactly is.

"Fantasy stock" races such as elves, dwarves, etc may not be original, but at the same time, it gives the reader a bit more famliarity with what they're dealing with.

Alchemy Girl's suggestion shouldn't be overlooked, as it offers both the familiarity aspect and allows the writer add his/her/its own personal touch with what comes out of the cookie cutter.

 

[Trimac20]

I personally like to pick and mix from mythological creatures from all cultures, not just the Western/Celtic-Norse bestiary. Most of my races are totally origin al, but I model them on existing creatures. For instance, I have a race called the 'Mithrim' or Light or Silver Elves (After the substance Mithril)which in all intents appear like elves, but also have astral qualities.

Also, don't restrict your search to mythology. Contemparary films/fantasy (which of course draw from these sources)... as well as the natural world (insect societies) offer heaps of ideas for social structures, behaviour.etc.

 

[MsJenkins]

Can anyone think of any Phoenix-like mythical creatures? Strong, elegant (feminine if possible)...anything that invokes reinstating, awakening, reinvigorating... please help!

 

[Sapheron]

Mermaids? Definately feminine, element of water, and power is up to you.

 

[Commonmind]

Can anyone think of any Phoenix-like mythical creatures? Strong, elegant (feminine if possible)...anything that invokes reinstating, awakening, reinvigorating... please help!

Just reword Phoenix. There are a few ways the spelling itself could imply femininity, changing the suffix for instance. Phoenim or Phoenym are some examples. Though for me the nim or nym seemed to make sense that may not apply to everyone.

For one I can't think of another creature that instills a sense of rebirth or rising-from-the-ashes as much as the phoenix, especially one that is decidedly feminine (though I've never thought of a phoenix having a particular gender, I guess there are folks out there who've assigned it one based on their own subjectivity).

 

[j d worthington]

(though I've never thought of a phoenix having a particular gender, I guess there are folks out there who've assigned it one based on their own subjectivity).

And, perhaps, the fact that some tellings of the legend of the phoenix have it hatch from an egg within the ashes....

Here's a site that may prove some fun, as well as help you in what you're looking for:

Mythical Creatures :Lady Gryphon's Mythical Realm: Mythilogical Creatures, Myths

They have a small section on the Phoenix and its cognate types....

You might also try this section:

Mythical Creatures :Lady Gryphon's Mythical Realm: Mythilogical Creatures, Myths