Writing a story: what mythical monsters would ally with humanity? - As asked by an authorial autist.

[Scream Aim Fire]

I've been in the process of writing a sort of "science fantasy" book for some time now, but I was having some trouble with figuring out the races. Aside from the typical fantasy races - human, dwarf, elf, orc, etc. - I was also wanting to incorporate a number of fantasy monsters. I've already have some ideas on dragons and werewolves, but I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas. I was taking inspiration from both fantasy works and real-world myths/legends; for instance, I've seen a few works where humanity was able to create/ally with a reptilian/draconic race, such as the various dragons from far eastern stories. Likewise, there are a few tales of werewolves that are friendly with humanity, like the "Hounds of God" from the Thiess of Kaltenbrun case or the Faoladh from Ireland.

Anyone have any other ideas?

 

[Robert Cummings]

A race of green gremlin creatures who wear black robes and have ginger hair.

 

[Steve Martin Short]

Vampires, in order to protect their food supply.

 

[Marc]

Jesus of Nazareth.

 

[Kosher Dill]

Chakats.

 

[dick brain]

Megalosquatch

 

[Calandrino]

Vampires, in order to protect their food supply.

We should be ruling the humans, not making back-alley treaties with them. For fuck's sake these people are our food, not our allies.

 

[We Are The Witches]

I like the idea of manticores and chimeras, when the head of a lion is part of its body, and when it has the capability of talking, maybe even in riddles. Just to give it more of an interesting trait, as wise and mysterious, rather than a mindless beast.



You could also incorporate demons from the Dictionnaire Infernal, such as Stolas:


Or many more, but their assistance comes at a price.

---

I also feel like humanity would try to enslave Satyrs and Nymphs, don't ask me why.

 

[Scream Aim Fire]

Vampires, in order to protect their food supply.

I definitely like this one; I'll try and keep this in mind. Thanks!

Chakats.

Can't tell if you're being serious or not; given how some people are on this site, I'm afraid to ask.

I like the idea of manticores and chimeras, when the head of a lion is part of its body, and when it has the capability of talking, maybe even in riddles. Just to give it more of an interesting trait, as wise and mysterious, rather than a mindless beast.

View attachment 6503701

I also like this idea; any other monsters you got in mind?

I also feel like humanity would try to enslave Satyrs and Nymphs, don't ask me why.

Given what I've read about them in the original myths... yeah, I agree.

 

[SSj_Ness (Yiffed)]

Depends on what species exist. You could go with the most humanoid ones teaming up, like humans and elves, or you could make it more interesting and make the allegiance conditional and a matter of convenience (like humans and orcs temporarily teaming up just because the drawves are too powerful).

 

[We Are The Witches]

Can't tell if you're being serious or not; given how some people are on this site, I'm afraid to ask.

I've always been interested in japanese Yokai, ghosts and mosters, but you're clearly going for a "western style", so it probably would not work.

If you are interested, this website has a ton of them you can read about:
https://yokai.com/

One that could work is Gashadokuro, because it amounts to it being a giant skeleton:


You can create it in a western style, the bones of fallen warriors in war that amalgamate to create a monstrosity haunting the place at night. Or maybe you can make it where it spawns in a cave, which happened to be the graveyard some ancient village, used by them to throw the bones of the deceased (or even the alive but ill), and so it grew out of anger and pain, now destroying anyone that dares to enter its lair.

Maybe you can take simple concepts and give them a spin, like this or, I don't know, giant (and magical while we're at it) elephants of war that served certain civilizations in battle.

 

[Your Starter for 10]

Pokemon are friendly to people, I think.

 

[Scream Aim Fire]

I've always been interested in japanese Yokai, ghosts and mosters, but you're clearly going for a "western style", so it probably would not work.

If you are interested, this website has a ton of them you can read about:
https://yokai.com/

One that could work is Gashadokuro, because it amounts to it being a giant skeleton:
View attachment 6505042

Actually, yokai do work; while I am sticking mostly to western monsters, the story is going to have some moment in Brazil, which provides a good opportunity for yokai to show up. A Gashadokuro would be a pretty interesting fight, and I could certainly see one showing up, though I am keeping the different types of yokai in mind.

Spoiler: For those that don't know:

Brazil actually has one of the highest concentrations of people of Japanese decent outside of Japan; it stems from Brazil needing workers for coffee plantations back in the early 1900s. Lot of workers came over to Brazil for immigration and work, and plenty of them ended up settling down.

Basically, if there's anywhere outside of Japan that's going to get up having yokai, it'd be Brazil.

 

[LowlyPheasent]

You probably should flesh some things out more conceptually or give us something more to base the setting off, but there's lots of fun stuff out there.

Likewise, there are a few tales of werewolves that are friendly with humanity, like the "Hounds of God" from the Thiess of Kaltenbrun case or the Faoladh from Ireland.

On the topic of Ireland I reccomend the Lebor Gaba'la E'renn, you might find it interesting. It's about the founding mythos of the Irish people. In it there's the Fomo'iri who were under-sea giant demons who were largely the enemy of the founders of Ireland the Tauth De'. More than likely the Fomo'iri were an allegory for the vikings. The Cath Maige Tuired covers battles of the Tauth De' going to war with another founding people the Firbolg as well as the Fomo'iri. They may be something you'd want to look into.

By the sound of things you may want to limit the scope of what you're writing about to a few or couple groups instead of a million things at once. Not sure that that's the intent but the vaugeness and extended scope of it all makes it seem like you have a really wide net being cast. Would probably better serve the story and be more compelling if you focus in on particulars more.

 

[Gog & Magog]

The "house gods" revered by the Romans. All the little gnomes and faeries among other little helpers who keep hearth warm and home safe. Just don't tick them off and you'll be fine.

 

[Grub]

The AD&D first edition Monster Manuals and Fiend Folio have a ton of different fantasy and mythological beings in them and I've always liked the black and white sketch artwork. Giving them a browse might give you some ideas.

 

[Cereal Experiments Grain]

May I suggest an advanced race of hamsters. I imagine their civilization would be similar to dwarves where they're industrious little fuckers. Have them be very technologically advanced but they are kept from being too OP by the fact that they are lighter than a paperweight and only live for four years.

 

[P R O X Y]

I haven't read it in so long, but I think something similar to American Gods would be interesting. Old Gods siding with humans vs the New Gods or the other way. I know it's already a built-out concept but there are so many ways to take that, given there is so much mythology out there. Gods fighting eachother is always cool.