Of course it's possible, just not alot of people do it. I mean take mass effect, can you honestly tell me you've seen ANYTHING like any of those alien races before Mass Effect? Fntasy is a bit different but it can be done if you put your mind to it.
Is it even possible to create a "Unique Race" in fiction, specifically fantasy?
- Thread starter Blaster395
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To me the Darkspawn seem to be a cross between Orcs, Insect hive mind, and Manufactured robots. They are different, but not too different.Neuromaster said:
It is easy to make a bizarre and "Unique" race, the hard part is creating one that does not like you just got a MadLib generator and pulled shit out of your ass.
Speaking generally; there's so much literature and ideas around that chances are it's already been done before, even if you had no idea it has been.
I've thought of a kind-of "unique" species, but I'm hesitant to call it a race due to it being akin to vampires/werewolfs... kindof... But either way I imagine it's been done before. And no I shan't tell!
I've thought of a kind-of "unique" species, but I'm hesitant to call it a race due to it being akin to vampires/werewolfs... kindof... But either way I imagine it's been done before. And no I shan't tell!
That's a very defeatist attitude.naughtynazgul said:
People just need to start breaking from these boundaries, why do all these races need to be humanoid? Why all 'Good' or 'Bad'? Creators need to stop pandering to what the fanbase will buy, and start saying "I'm tired of feeding you Tolkien, here's something I made."
Enough people start doing that and fans will take notice.
Frankly who cares?
All humans are the same yet we have diverse cultures, art and personalities, stop trying to have a unique race and start trying to make unique characters.
Also yes it is, buit everyone will claim theyu are just *insert popular/obscure race here* rip offs regardless.
All humans are the same yet we have diverse cultures, art and personalities, stop trying to have a unique race and start trying to make unique characters.
Also yes it is, buit everyone will claim theyu are just *insert popular/obscure race here* rip offs regardless.
I actually just recently created a race of my own. I'd post a picture, but seeing as how they're apparently "impossible to find" I'd rather keep my ideas to myself.
They don't have to look like people, that's rule #1.
They don't have to look like people, that's rule #1.
The only issue I have with the draenei is that they took a science-fiction turn on a normally fantasy MMO. It was a unique touch, but I feel it's not really... "fair" if that's the proper word.NeedAUserName said:
You have to be really careful about the race that you want to create. Especially appearance. Ears too point, it's too elfish. Too short and built? Dwarf or hobbit. Try and find ONE defining feature that makes them stand out, or as mentioned with the draenei, come up with an out-of-this-world background.Blaster395 said:
Maybe they're a forgotten society of beings that humans actually descended from. Magic runs through their veins mixed with blood, and human's long term lack of exposure to their "Home land" is what cause them to "devolve" into humans. Make it catchy, but try not to make it TOO affiliated with any race.
I created a race of elf once. Called a Dei Elf (short for deity). In my society, all the forgotten gods of old would choose an elf and be guardian over that one person. Basically these old gods relied upon the prayers of their chosen in order to keep living, and so my character had to stop and pray often to his deity, or else he would grow weak (The deity had integrated itself into his life since birth, and almost become a part of him).
I actually created this race solely because I rolled a disgustingly high character, and rather than role again, I gave him limitations. If he forgot to pray, he'd get penalties stacked on him left, right, and center. If he continued to pray, he was simply stronger than the others due to his deity's support. Often times my group got into battles or he' wake up late or they'd be captured, so he simply couldn't drop down and pray, forcing him to gain the penalites. VERY interesting play
It can be done. Though I like using existing fantasy race and giving them a different culture or climate. Like orcs with feudal Japanese culture in a desert climate or elves with Mayan culture in and arctic climate. I had to modify the clothing enough that they'd be functional for the climate but still have the look of that culture.
Two words: The Charr [http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/races/charr/].
Or, if you're having trouble thinking of ways to be unique, forget about DnD for a bit and check out the GURPS (generic universal role-playing system, a series of DnD-type books by Steve Jackson games). I refer people to it often, because it contains tons of raw data and pieces with which to build your own universe inside and outside of "traditional" settings, as well as rules and variations to allow for unforeseen creativity. Think of it as an "RPG Lego set".
That being said, there is no such thing as a purely "unique" race (even among non-humanoid sentients). Everything is based around something we mere humans see, have seen, or are disappointed that we haven't seen (based on the previous two criteria... or are plot devices and joke delivery mechanisms) and are therefore based on something that already exists in some form.
Or, if you're having trouble thinking of ways to be unique, forget about DnD for a bit and check out the GURPS (generic universal role-playing system, a series of DnD-type books by Steve Jackson games). I refer people to it often, because it contains tons of raw data and pieces with which to build your own universe inside and outside of "traditional" settings, as well as rules and variations to allow for unforeseen creativity. Think of it as an "RPG Lego set".
That being said, there is no such thing as a purely "unique" race (even among non-humanoid sentients). Everything is based around something we mere humans see, have seen, or are disappointed that we haven't seen (based on the previous two criteria... or are plot devices and joke delivery mechanisms) and are therefore based on something that already exists in some form.
A race of vaguely humanoid spider people. The society is matriarchal - the males are slightly smaller than the females, and females with the largest abdomens and who can lay the most eggs hold the highest positions of power. They have little need for material wealth because their silk not only serves to catch food, but is also the only building material required for their nests, and thus they are largely self-sufficient. Both the silk and female venom sell for a high price in the world economy. Females spin the thickest silk which is useful in building nests, but males spin silk with more dexterity and are capable of intricate and valuable ornamentation.
In general they're uneasy around travelers wearing big boots or carrying rolled up pieces of parchment.
Yeah? I'm not a writer, but hey, at least it's not a dwarf/orc/elf, right?
In general they're uneasy around travelers wearing big boots or carrying rolled up pieces of parchment.
Yeah? I'm not a writer, but hey, at least it's not a dwarf/orc/elf, right?
yeah sure. but i find its harder and more rewarding to do an older race or creature but do it really well and add new life in to them.
Original does not meet a combination of other races. For example: Draenei are Alien Extra-dimensional space demons. Aliens, demons, extra-dimensional monsters are all fairly commonplace.
I would like to point to Mass Effect for unique creatures. Asari, Salarians, Elkor, and especially Hanar and the Vorcha seem fairly unprecedented. Maybe not in and of themselves (hanar are just very polite jellyfish) but the scope to which they are realized and how their quirks affect society in its entirety seems unique to me. This was especially true because their uniqueness didn't overwhelm me. It seemed perfectly natural to be interacting with these races.
I would like to point to Mass Effect for unique creatures. Asari, Salarians, Elkor, and especially Hanar and the Vorcha seem fairly unprecedented. Maybe not in and of themselves (hanar are just very polite jellyfish) but the scope to which they are realized and how their quirks affect society in its entirety seems unique to me. This was especially true because their uniqueness didn't overwhelm me. It seemed perfectly natural to be interacting with these races.
While keeping it believable and/relatable?
No, I do not think this is possible anymore. At least not for people who have already experienced a wide array of fiction. Audience context is key here, because what might still seem "original" to someone might seem trite or even overdone in comparison.
Of course, pure originality isn't necessary for quality: The best written fantasy series I've read in the last decade is about as original as elves in a medieval fantasy setting.
Self expression can take on the guise of real life and seem original, even if the subject matter is well-known (I saw a play called Memorandum and the style was fairly unusual, though the play itself is from the Cold War) and/or thoroughly-criticized already.
No, I do not think this is possible anymore. At least not for people who have already experienced a wide array of fiction. Audience context is key here, because what might still seem "original" to someone might seem trite or even overdone in comparison.
Of course, pure originality isn't necessary for quality: The best written fantasy series I've read in the last decade is about as original as elves in a medieval fantasy setting.
Self expression can take on the guise of real life and seem original, even if the subject matter is well-known (I saw a play called Memorandum and the style was fairly unusual, though the play itself is from the Cold War) and/or thoroughly-criticized already.
It is possible, and it doesn't even really need to be as outlandish. Just take human society and alter one bit about it, and work out every effect to this cause. I once worked with a friend of mine on something like this; giving humans wings. We stopped about where angels weren't as holy as they originally were, and we started to go down religious paths.
It's very easy to make a unique race. But to make this race live and breathe is where the challenge lies.
It's very easy to make a unique race. But to make this race live and breathe is where the challenge lies.
If you want to create something original then don't get too stuck in the fantasy stereotypes. The genre of fantasy does in fact extend past things in Lord of the Rings, believe it or not.