There is an unimaginable wealth of fantasy creatures that go underutilised in the many forms of fantasy media out there. Naturally, there are the classics that get used almost all the time, but I believe the following fantastical beasts need a lot more representation.
Satyr
A Satyr looks like a goat-human hybrid. Imagine a bipedal goat, now replace the top half with a very hairy human with horns. Naturally, depictions vary greatly, with some Satyrs being much more human than goat, and vice-versa.
Centaurs get a reasonable amount of exposure, so why not their goat counterparts? I find these creatures to be incredibly interesting, especially given that they’re sentient beings with their own culture.
Whether a bustling populus or a dwindled race, we need more Satyrs in our fantasy media.
Peryton
Peryton are essentially the deer version of a Pegasus. Thinking of a deer with wings? Yeah that’s it.
I personally find these creatures much more enthralling than the Pegasi, especially when imagining them in the light forests, grazing on the grass. Delicate and eloquent, the Peryton are a mystical species that would make such easy and natural inclusion into any fantasy world.
And now that I know about them, I’m mad that they’re not.
Wendigo
The case of the Wendigo is a strange one. Many people know about it, whether they’re folklore fans or not, and there have been games about them. However, this is treated largely as one entity that exists in seclusion, and is not brought out enough into general fantasy.
It would be so cool to see a darker fantasy story where Wendigoes are more of a commonplace creature that stalk certain woods. Having such a powerful creature used more commonly, especially with how we currently view them, would make for a unique setting.
Wendigoes should be used much more liberally in fantasy media, that’s for sure.
Naga
The Naga is another peculiar case, as there are different depictions of them. Generally, a Naga (or Nagi, for females) is a human-serpent hybrid.
In Asian tradition, Nagas are more commonly depicted as divine beings that have human top halves, with long snake tails where their legs would be. Modern interpretations do go almost completely serpent, however, with a Naga being shown as a much larger race of serpents with arms.
These creatures, no matter how they’re represented, should have a much larger representation than from the LEGO Ninjago series (although I’m not really complaining about that, to be honest).
Mishipeshu
Mishipenshu, or the underwater panther, is a collossal creature that is so incredible I can’t believe I haven’t seen it in any fantasy media.
It is a large beast that resembles an aquatic panther; it has large paws and a feline head and body, but is covered in scales, has a large fish tail, and has monstrous spikes and fins that protrude from its spine. This would make a fantastic change to the typical aquatic horrors that we see these days.
If the next fantasy media to come out has a body of water but not a Mishipenshu, I’ll be complaining.
Nuckelavee
Nuckelavee are malicious beings that resemble a horse with a human torso fused onto its back, which looks as though it has a rider. But they are the same creature.
This rotting and noxious monster is typically depicted with having longer arms, to add to that horrific visage. Some artists like to give the Nuckelavee a demonic look, which is accurate to their origins. Others, however, prefer to associate them with plague, rot, and sickness. And honestly, both interpretations look incredible.
In any horror or apocalyptic setting, the Nuckelavee would make great candidates.
Kelpie
Kelpies are another creature with many interpretations and variations, providing enchanting or haunting creatures. In essence, a Kelpie is an aquatic horse. Typically, you’ll see Kelpies drawn as simply that – sodden horses with varying degrees of aquatic features (scales, fins, seaweed manes).
But other times, you’ll see an insidious creature that lurks by the water side. With a more spectral or dark coloration, with the pale eyes to match. Kelpies can make rather terrifying creatures. There is also a popular rendition of Kelpies having large fish tails, replacing their rear legs.
With so many variations, Kelpies have a lot of potential to be present in any sort of fantasy tale.
Chenoo
The Chenoo is the Yeti’s more disturbing cousin. The more I read about this creature, the more terrifying and interesting it became. These abominable, furry monsters were once men who had been cursed into their monstrous forms.
They live in the tundras because their bodies are too hot, another effect of their curse alongside the insatiable hunger. As they become hungrier, they grow larger. So starved are they that their shoulders and lips have been gnawed and ripped away.
These tragic and terrifying beasts would make for a much more interesting snow beast than the typical Yetis or other monsters we keep getting these days.
Lamassu
Lamassu are large celestial creatures that would fit in perfectly with any cosmic fantasy story. With the heads of a human, the bodies of a bull, and the wings of an eagle, these beings are the protectors of the people and of royalty.
With some usual fantasy remixing, the Lamassu could make incredible beasts that guard divine beings, or are simply the representation of divinity and cosmic forces themselves. There is a lot of room to play around with these unique beasts, and I can’t wait to make use of them myself.
I do love a large creature that’s a stitching of other creatures, and the Lamassu is a great example.
Rokurokubi
The Rokurokubi are a type of Japanese yokai. The special factor about the Rokurokubi is that their heads elongate to incredible proportions.
There is a subtype of Rokurokubi called Nukekubi who’s heads fully detach and float around. It is suggested that these yokai are harmful spirits who attack at night and feast upon their attackers blood. I suppose they don’t need to be depicted maliciously, but with such features, they are pretty scary.
These creatures would make great implementation into darker fantasy stories as aggressive spirits who lurk in the night – only seen by a head impossibly high up.
Leprechaun
Leprechauns don’t have to be happy-go-lucky cereal mascots, you know. In Irish legend, these creatures would grant three wishes to anyone who could catch them, making them the perfect replacement for the done-to-death Genies or Djinn.
There aren’t too many wish-granting fantasy creatures, but Leprechauns stand out as one of the most unique. Having to chase these dastardly creatures down to be allowed your wishes is a pretty funny concept. Also, their small size for such powerful beings is a huge subversion on what we’ve come to expect from wish-granting fantasy creatures.
We really need to give Genies a break – and Leprechauns fit the bill.
Rakshasa
Rakshasas are malevolent beings that resemble anthropomorphic felines (lions, tigers, panthers, etc). Although races of feline people are rather common, the Rakshasa are divine creatures that hunt mercilessly on the flesh of humans.
They can change size at will and can also shapeshift into any creature – anything that will allow them to devour their prey quicker. I think we’ve seen enough races of big cats – it’s time to pull out their monstrous counterparts.
Strangely, we don’t really see many anthropomorphic creatures that aren’t just other stand-ins for humans. I’d like to see more of a savage representation of human hunters.
Leucrotta
Leucrottas have varying depictions, which vary quite wildly. Strangely, this monster does make appearances in Harry Potter, although has gone mostly unnoticed. Some look like large moose with gaping maws, and others look like a mixture of feliforms.
In the savannas and badlands of any fantasy realm, or deep in the woods or in a glade, a variation of the Leucrotta could be stalking or grazing. Honestly, with how varied the depictions are, any fantasy writer could adapt them to become whatever they want.
A great example of more mundane – yet no less fantastical – creatures that fit perfectly into fantasy realms.
Chupacabra
Many people know of the Chupacabra – the huge monster that feasts on the blood of livestock. And, if prompted – humans. For the most part, this legendary being is depicted as a hound, although with more monstrous components or proportions.
Ultimately, the Chupacabra is shrouded in mystery, and isn’t a species of creature – but is one creature. So elusive is this creature that anyone implementing it into their fantasy can do what they wish with it. This makes the name “Chupacabra” into more of a title that allows for a lot of freedom.
Whether it’s one beast or a pack – I’m waiting for a more mainline implementation of the Chupacabra.
Bunyip
To end this list of under-used fantastical creatures, may I present to you the Bunyip. These monsters stalk the swamps and reedy lakes, waiting for their next meal.
Once again, images vary, although the most popular depiction is that of a monstrous manatee. Some artists like to include legs, to make it an aquatic hound that swims unperturbed, like an amphibious panther. Rarer accounts make the Bunyip look more like a hippopotamus or lizard creature, making the Bunyip truly something of a folklore legend.
Any variation of the Bunyip will do – I simply need more unique watery fantasy creatures.
Here’s hoping that these fantasy underdogs will get utilised more in the reaching realm of fantasy, be it in video games, books, films, or D&D.
