Into the Forest discussion

Our 2024 Challenge themed with be Creatures from Fairy Tales and Mythology!
Thanks for suggesting it Andy!
If you would like to participate in this challenge please let us know!
What magical creatures would you like to read about?

Jalilah wrote: "Our 2024 Challenge themed with be Creatures from Fairy Tales and Mythology!
Thanks for suggesting it Andy!
If you would like to participate in this challenge please let us know!
What magical cre..."

Ah! I obviously love this! :)

I propose:
-vampires
-mermaids
-dragons
-djinni
-golem
-ghost
-fairies
-griffins?
-werewolves?
-angels / demons?
-ogre / orcs?
-gnomes / dwarves?
-unicorn?
- oni?

I would like to participate, please.

I love Andy's list, and I'm sure there are more creatures to come. Can we add:

changeling
wendigo
minotaur
faun

There are so many specific ones from different regions around the world, it would be pretty cool if the challenge were categorized by world region or nationality.

Andy and Natenella, I like both your lists, but I particularly like the idea of creatures that are unusual or rarely seen in fiction, like oni, wendigo, minotaur, golem etc.

It'll make the challenge a little more difficult, so maybe throw in a couple of popular ones like vampire.

Could it be done by category so as to broaden it to worldwide creatures but not make it too tricky? Like...

Sea creatures - Mermaid, Kraken, Leviathan, Lusca, Umibozu, Encantado, Rusalka etc

Blood drinkers- Vampire, Chupacabra, Penanggalan, Strigoi, Yakshini

Shape shifters- Werewolves, Kitsune, Werecats, Werehyenas, Tanuki, Skinwalkers, Nanaue

Dragons, worms and serpent creatures

Angels and Demons

I like your idea, Rose!

Excellent idea!

I like Rose's idea, too!
I wonder if we could create categories for the more difficult ones, too, for example a Golem is like a "creature animated with magic", but the category could include other such creatures (e.g. there is an animated homunculus in the book I'm reading).
I really want to read something with Djinnis ( :P ) so we could have fire creatures? And that would include phoenixes maybe?

Ohhh, Golem could also include poppets, or dolls!

Good call, Andy!

I love the creatures animated by magic category! Puppets- there's definitely a few books of those- and maybe tsukumogami! If anyone has a book about tsukumogami I am very up for reading that.

Fire creatures is a category on the wikipedia page for mythical creatures and includes a few I've not heard of- Bluecap, Cherufe, Lampad- so seems like there would be options. The categories on wikipedia also include different environments like polar creatures, underground, or desert, and types such as humanoid or hybrid- so plenty of ideas! I like the thought of making them slightly unusual.

I'd love to participate! These lists sound super interesting. The only thing I'd add is some kind of elemental category? Nymphs and dryads could go in there maybe, and possibly the djinn could fit in that category too?

I love these! What about forest creatures? That could include dryads, wood fae, elves, gnomes...

Rose wrote: "Could it be done by category so as to broaden it to worldwide creatures but not make it too tricky? Like...

Sea creatures - Mermaid, Kraken, Leviathan, Lusca, Umibozu, Encantado, Rusalka etc

Bloo..."

Good idea! Because we normally have 10 prompts and 2 free spots having categories makes sense.

Another category ideas might be ice/snow/winter creatures which could include the Wendigo, Yeti, Yuki-Onna, Nuckelavee, Jack Frost, Ded Moroz etc.

I would love the Minotaur in there, maybe Hybrid creatures category? Or maybe Shapeshifters and hybrid creatures as a category as there is probably some crossover there.

yay! this sounds so fun! I'm all about creatures from far off (from me) folklore. other countries and cultures. well, and maybe some from home- Appalachia. but i'd say those might be harder to find. I dont know of any books about Bloody Bones or the Wampus cat. i'm in north east TN.

Latasha wrote: "yay! this sounds so fun! I'm all about creatures from far off (from me) folklore. other countries and cultures. well, and maybe some from home- Appalachia. but i'd say those might be harder to find..."

There are a couple! One for the US folklore and one for the Scottish
Bloody Bones by Lauren K. Hamilton, and The Tale of Rawhead and Bloody Bones by Jack Wolf. Second one looks right up my street so might give it a read!

Latasha wrote: "yay! this sounds so fun! I'm all about creatures from far off (from me) folklore. other countries and cultures. well, and maybe some from home- Appalachia. but i'd say those might be harder to find..."

I'm in middle Tennessee! Not Appalachia but I love visiting the mountains. Maybe we can do one for Mountain Creatures?

What do you all think of this list so far?
1.Sea ( or water ) creatures - Mermaid, Kraken, Leviathan, Lusca, Umibozu, Encantado, Rusalka etc
2.Blood drinkers- Vampire, Chupacabra, Penanggalan, Strigoi, Yakshini
3.Shape shifters- Werewolves, Kitsune, Werecats, Werehyenas, Tanuki, Skinwalkers, Nanaue
4.Dragons, worms and serpent creatures
5.Angels and Demons
6.Creatures of ice/snow/winter creatures which could include the Wendigo, Yeti, Yuki-Onna, Nuckelavee, Jack Frost, Ded Moroz etc.
7.Forest Creatures include dryads, wood fae, elves, gnomes...
8.Fire Creatures ( Djinn)
9.Creatures animated by magic
10.Mountain creatures

Jalilah wrote: "What do you all think of this list so far?
1.Sea ( or water ) creatures - Mermaid, Kraken, Leviathan, Lusca, Umibozu, Encantado, Rusalka etc
2.Blood drinkers- Vampire, Chupacabra, Penanggalan, Str..."

I love the list!
Any examples of Mountain creatures? There was also the suggestion of hybrid creatures (like centaurs and fauns), but they could be included in other groups!

"Cryptid" as a general theme would be nice because it would allow us to look into ones we're interested in or that are local to us.


I worry that fire creatures might be a bit too specific, could we expand it?

Love the list, Jalilah! I'm open to any changes you make according to Andy and Jamie's suggestions.

Should we switch out angels & demons for Religious Creatures? (Or is creatures in this context not the best word choice? Lol)

And Sky Creatures for dragons and other mythic flying beasts?

Yeah, I can't think of many Mountain Creatures. I had mentioned it in conjunction with Appalachian folklore, but beyond Yeti, big foot . . . trolls . . . I can't really think of anything else. Wait, except for trolls, are these cryptids?

I think we could possibly cut Mountain Creatures. Thoughts from everyone else? Replace with Cryptids?

Re: Fire creatures: wouldn't dragons count for here? Phoenix? Do we need #4, since it seems those creatures are covered in other categories?

I actually love hybrid creatures though could be in other categories, true.

I like flying/sky/air creatures as opposed to dragons, fits better with the other categories.

I think angels and demons could be broadened out too- how about creatures from the afterlife or other worlds? Then people can also get some aliens if if they really wish!

Although I like the idea of mountain to fit with the other element/environment categories I think there's too much crossover with other categories to get a good list. How about a location specific/local cryptids category? Then we could learn more about some lesser known ones. My local cryptid is Black Shuck and happily he has lots of books, so might be biased here though!

Margaret wrote: "Should we switch out angels & demons for Religious Creatures? (Or is creatures in this context n.."

Maybe “creatures from religious mythology?

Andy wrote: " Any examples of Mountain creatures?..."

Not really! I just copy pasted what other member’s suggested.


Margaret, I agree about cutting out mountain creatures. People can still select books that take place in the mountains

What about a nonfiction category to mix things up?

Omg! Thanks y’all! I really did not expect any like that!

I love the nonfiction category suggestion!

I think people can choose to read nonfiction in any category, so I don't think it necessary as a separate category, but if most people want it, I'm happy to go with it! ;)

(I will admit I am not terribly fond of nonfiction these days, but that's just my problem! ;) )

This is shaping so well! Thank you everyone for all the suggestions! :)

Maybe the Nonfiction category could be like a wild card where you could put any type of monster or mythological creature?

Yes, nonfiction can be read in any category!

We also always include 2 wildcard categories. So 10 group categories and 2 wildcard categories.

Margaret wrote: "Yes, nonfiction can be read in any category!

We also always include 2 wildcard categories. So 10 group categories and 2 wildcard categories."

Andy wrote: "I think people can choose to read nonfiction in any category, so I don't think it necessary as a separate category, but if most people want it, I'm happy to go with it! ;)

(I will admit I am not t..."

I also agree people can read non-fiction books in all the categories.

Ok, this updated list is based on everyone’s suggestions. I’ve made a few changes like combining Djinn and Dragons in the Fire creatures category.

1.Sea and water creatures - Mermaid, Kraken, Leviathan, Lusca, Umibozu, Encantado, Rusalka etc
2.Blood drinkers- Vampire, Chupacabra, Penanggalan, Strigoi, Yakshini
3.Shape shifters- Werewolves, Kitsune, Werecats, Werehyenas, Tanuki, Skinwalkers, Nanaue
4. Fire Creatures Djinn, Dragons Phoenix
5.Creatures from religious mythology (Angels and Demons)
6.Creatures of ice/snow/winter creatures which could include the Wendigo, Yeti, Yuki-Onna, Nuckelavee, Jack Frost, Ded Moroz etc.
7.Forest Creatures include dryads, wood fae, elves, gnomes...
8.Creatures animated by magic ( golems, Frankenstein, Pinocchio, poppets, dolls
9. hybrid creatures (like centaurs and fauns)
10. Cryptids? Do they need their own category?
Another area might be ghosts?

Let me know what you all think!

Would gorgons count as hybrids?

You could do "Supernatural" aka ghosts, witches, banshees, etc.

Ohh what about "Other world: aliens, different dimensions, etc."

"Supernatural" would confuse me as a term, but I love the idea of ghosts... I would probably put them in a "spirits & ghosts" category...

Andy wrote: ""Supernatural" would confuse me as a term, but I love the idea of ghosts... I would probably put them in a "spirits & ghosts" category..."

I love the idea of spirits and ghosts! There is crossover I guess because aren’t demons evil spirits? However there are other cross overs for example the Fae and Djinn can also be shapeshifters, but that’s not a problem for me!

Jalilah wrote: "Andy wrote: ""Supernatural" would confuse me as a term, but I love the idea of ghosts... I would probably put them in a "spirits & ghosts" category..."

I love the idea of spirits and ghosts! There..."

I know, sorry! ;) Ghosts are not specific to religion , I guess... And with spirits I meant more just supernatural presences that might not fit with the typical idea of ghosts? I guess "supernatural" is a good term after all, sorry for the rambling!

I was wondering if Gods would fit as "religious creatures"... I don't particularly want to add another category to the mix! :P

Andy wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Andy wrote: ""Supernatural" would confuse me as a term, but I love the idea of ghosts... I would probably put them in a "spirits & ghosts" category..."

I love the idea of spirits a..."

It doesn’t bother me if there is cross over! I think it’s to a certain extent unavoidable.
I think Gods would fit with religious mythology

I love the list, Jalilah!

Ghosts could fit in with #5, #8 and possibly #10?

Jamie wrote: "Would gorgons count as hybrids?

You could do "Supernatural" aka ghosts, witches, banshees, etc."

Yes, I would definitely include gorgons as hybrids! I think we can do this to each category:

9. Hybrid Creatures. Examples include gorgons, centaurs, fauns, griffins, and more.

So we can find our own creatures for each category. There are so many examples for some of them it would be impossible to list all.

I like the idea of a ghosts and spirits category, but I also like the current categories. If we eliminated one, I would lean towards either hybrid or cryptids. But I would definitely go with what the majority wants here.

Margaret wrote: "I like the idea of a ghosts and spirits category, but I also like the current categories. If we eliminated one, I would lean towards either hybrid or cryptids. But I would definitely go with what the majority wants here. ."

Same here Margaret! I like the idea of a ghost spirits category and feel if we eliminated one it would be hybrids or cryptids but also will go along with what the majority want! I love all the suggestions!

I think all the suggestions are interesting, and if we drop one that someone really wants there's always the free spots? Probably makes most sense to lose cryptids as a firm category as there is the most crossover, and put ghosts, spirits/ otherwordly creatures as number 10?

I will probably put local cryptids as my no.11 if we do that and would be very happy to hear about any obscure local ones people know of!

A suggestion to do categories of animals and other creatures:

Dogs - as hunting animals, psychopompos, guarding the gates to the underworld, Demon Dogs/Hellhounds, Black Dogs,, etc.

Horses- unicorns, Kelpie (water horse), Pegasus, four legs or eight legs (Selipnir)

Snakes - Jormungand (Viking), Leviathan (book of Job) , Quetzalcoatl (Aztec), Rainbow Serpant (Aus.) Etc.

Hybrid Creatures - werewolves, Griffith, Spinx, etc.

Here's what we have.

1. Sea and water creatures.
Examples: mermaids, kraken, kelpies, Loch Ness, Leviathan, Lusca, Umibozu, encantado, rusalka, and more.

2.Blood drinkers.
Examples: vampire, Chupacabra, Penanggalan, Strigoi, Yakshini, and more.

3.Shapeshifters.
Examples: Werewolves, Kitsune, Werecats, Werehyenas, Tanuki, Skinwalkers, Nanaue, and more.

4. Fire Creatures.
Examples: Djinn, Dragons, Phoenix, and more.

5.Creatures from religious mythology.
Examples: Angels, Demons, and more.

6. Ice/snow/winter creatures.
Examples: Wendigo, Yeti, Yuki-Onna, Nuckelavee, Jack Frost, Ded Moroz, and more.

7. Forest Creatures.
Examples: dryads, wood fae, elves, gnomes, and more.

8.Creatures animated by magic.
Examples: golems, Frankenstein, Pinocchio, poppets, dolls, and more.

9. Hybrid creatures.
Examples: centaurs, fauns, gorgons, Griffiths, sphinx, the minotaur, and more.

Proposal: What if we shift #5 to
-Creatures of the afterlife.
Examples: angels, demons, grim reaper, ghosts, psychopomps, banshees, La Llorona, black dog, hellhounds, and more.

That would include a lot that Michele mentions, plus ghosts, plus angels and demons. What do y'all think?

That would leave Cryptids for #10.

But I do think there are some creatures that aren't covered. Would unicorns be forest creatures? A pegasus? Selipnir?

Another proposal for #10 could be: Creatures created by Gods/Goddesses. Examples: Selipnir, Pegasus, Jörmungandr, hmm, I know there's more.

What does everyone think?

that sounds good to me.

Margaret wrote: "Here's what we have.

1. Sea and water creatures.
Examples: mermaids, kraken, kelpies, Loch Ness, Leviathan, Lusca, Umibozu, encantado, rusalka, and more.

2.Blood drinkers.
Examples: vampire, Ch..."

This looks great!
I like the idea of having cryptids as the 10th category the most...

Margaret wrote: "Here's what we have.

1. Sea and water creatures.
Examples: mermaids, kraken, kelpies, Loch Ness, Leviathan, Lusca, Umibozu, encantado, rusalka, and more.

2.Blood drinkers.
Examples: vampire, Ch..."

I think the list is very good!
We can wait a few days and I’ll set up the challenge this weekend

I would vote 10 for cryptids.

Where would orcs fit in?

Jamie wrote: "Where would orcs fit in?"

🤔 they are from a game right? Are they like goblins?
I just realized we don’t have goblins on the list although they would count as fae