Favourite species in fantasy !!!

[the wild]

now this could be the most varied thread in this sub-forum but try to be as detailed as possible > you never know if people wll use ur ideas in their future novels > we are all here to get ideas for our own stories

whether it be a vampire or wearwolf or even some species from star wars or buffy the vampire slayer.

(it isn't sad to post two new threads in the same forum > is it) hehe

lovidge *the wild*

[ice.monkey]

we are all here to get ideas for our own stories

I'm not!! Anyway, would this post not be more suitable to the SFF Lounge? Or did you want us to write something about our favourite species?

And what's yours?

[Talysia]

Favourite species in fantasy? Hmm, I've always been partial to griffins and dragons, myself. Traditional, I know, but I like that sort of fantasy. I like writing about flying beasts. I think I wrote about a winged lion, too, once.

Actually, for those who don't know much about fantasy creatures, without checking an online bestiary, this isn't a bad place to ask for ideas.

[ice.monkey]

Actually, for those who don't know much about fantasy creatures, without checking an online bestiary, this isn't a bad place to ask for ideas.

fairy snuff!!

I'd love to say something else, but I have to go with dragons! However, if we can slide into mythology, then it'd be the Chinese dragon over the traditional fantasy version.

[Talysia]

I think you could count mythological beasts in any bestiary. And I definitely agree about Chinese/Japanese dragons. In fact, it was watching something featuring them that prompted me to start writing back when I was at school.

[j. d. worthington]

For those who would like to look at some of the various mythological beasties, there are these sites:

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

Bestiary

I'm not sure I quite have a favorite, though there are several I'm quite fond of... Have to think about this one a while.....

[Culhwch]

I'm quite partial to men.

EDIT: No, not like that! Should probably have thought my phrasing through a bit there....

[Sketti]

I may be cliche but...dragons and elves >.<

dragons the McCaffrey style (nice and/or wise) and elves the Tolkien style

[Aes]

Originally Posted by Culhwch

I'm quite partial to men.

EDIT: No, not like that! Should probably have thought my phrasing through a bit there....

That's the best post I've seen all day, on any forum.

- - -

My favorite? Well, time for an odd one I guess. I really like the concept of chimeras, and have them in several different storylines because there's just so much someone can do with something like that in terms of writing material.

To break any AD&D thought processes the person reading this might have, the chimeras in my stories can be any number of creature combinations, all with vastly different sizes, dispositions, strengths, intelligence levels, and so forth. Some might be cute, harmless pets while others are so horrific and powerful, they have devoured entire kingdoms. We all know what to expect from a dragon, or a werewolf, but something with a nearly infinite number of possible combinations is always going to have some kind of surprise up its sleeve, so to speak.

[ice.monkey]

the chimeras in my stories can be any number of creature combinations, all with vastly different sizes, dispositions, strengths, intelligence levels, and so forth. Some might be cute, harmless pets while others are so horrific and powerful, they have devoured entire kingdoms.

Oooh, that's good! I'd like to see some of your stories!

[sanityassassin]

I am quite cliched I was always a fan of Wood Elfs ala Toilken and also his Ents

[Aes]

Originally Posted by ice.monkey

Oooh, that's good! I'd like to see some of your stories!

Eek no! At least, not until I feel I've trained writing skills to the point I feel they're suitable for the critiques section.

[Duchessprozac]

In my own writing I try and stay away from most of the traditional creatures such as orcs/goblins/elves/dragons etc.

I have attempted create my own which are not as common in the world, such as a race of dog/dragon/worm hybrids which can regenrate and have a breath that paralyzes and keeps it's victims alive whilst it eats them.

Another is a flesh golum created by a evil wizard that over the millenia has rebuilt it's body out of stone, as it refuses to harm any human after it gained sentience.

I have used zombies and werewolves in my current story though as I don't think any fantasy story can go without werewolves in the wild and zombies lurking in tombs.

[HappyHippo]

My favourite characters to read are Tad WIlliams' Sitha. I like a species which are not cliched, if possible, and are properly 3-dimensional.

[goddess_of_hades]

I don't really like any specific species - I like a good combination of a number of detailed, well thought-out, and non-cliched species.

For instance, while vampire-werewolf enmity may be cliched, there is a reason why it is so deeply entrenched. Vampires are traditionally seen as sophisticated, aristocratic, and more isolated, often operating alone. Wolves are pack animals by nature, and are more rough and coarse. Just look at how humans with these personalities view each other. So as long as the enmity is explained and well-written, a cliche such as this is perfectly fine.

I like to write worlds with three if not more species, not including humans. My favorites are specific versions of vampires and werewolves, an altered version of the European dragon (also known as the lyndwyrm with various alternate spellings, probably more commonly known as the fairytale dragon. I generally portray them closer to Tolkien's version, but with a bit of John Gardner's Grendel version mixed in) and gryphons.