Fantasy bestiary

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Fantasy fiction and fantasy role-playing games tend to draw upon a common set of creatures that are easily recognizable to fans of the genre and have some pre-determined traits. Most are based on mythology, legends, fairy tales, or classical literature; others are borrowed from or inspired by other works in the genre. The Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual is a well-known reference describing many of them in a fashion usable by role-playing gamers.

In RPGs, player characters are usually only allowed to be certain species (which are usually called races). Species available only to non-player characters are often called monsters, even if the species is not especially monstrous. In general, playable character races are intelligent humanoids of temperate size and strength. (See list of races in role-playing games.)

A great number of fictional monsters, creatures, intelligent races, and other beings have been adapted to role-playing games from outside sources. Mythology and science fiction have been the most common sources for fantastic monsters in fantasy bestiaries. Writers and authors have also created a number of monsters and races especially for role-playing games. Some of these monsters have become quite popular in role-playing circles, and their popularity has spread to other media outside of role-playing games.

Contents

Humans, humanoids and demi-humans

Fey

Extraplanar/otherworldly

Monsters adapted from outside sources

Monsters created especially for role-playing games

Undead

See also


References

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