Popular races and creatures in the fantasy genre.

S.R. Beaston

Crafty with words, wit, and wisdom, just add caffeine to make it more interesting.

Folklore and mythology are the greatest source of fantastical races and creatures. Beings of power and creatures of trickery have built foundations for moral learning, fear, entertainment, and spiritual connection. The fantasy genre has taken the minotaur by the horns and built from the best. Here are some of the most loved fantasy races and creatures. 
The Difference between Fantasy Races and CreaturesFantasy creatures can be any creature an author creates or utilizes for the fantasy world they built. Creatures tend to be more animalistic or monstrous, and if they have sentience or intelligence, it usually doesn’t adhere to the more ‘human’ morals and understanding. 
Fantasy races are more humanoid in nature, and likely framed as a ‘race’ not only as a classification of difference, but to suggest the possibility of intermingling; "the human race", "the elven race", etc. This is not a hard or fast rule. If you see them as species, it’s your fantasy world, you make the rules. 
These races are often (but not always) bipedal with humanoid features, a moral compass more understanding to our real life, and are able to form and abide by a societal structure of some kind.
Fantasy RacesFantasy races can usually be manipulated and warped to fit any narrative. Tropes are plentiful here, so subverting expectations is a great way to utilize and let shine your choice in the race you pick for your world and characters. 
These are quick explanations and are simply the most common understandings of these races. They are not true to all fantasy.
Elf. Elves are commonly the most wise and beautiful beings, but often with a superiority complex. All of their senses are heightened and they usually have an aptitude for magic. Elves have several sub-races depending on their type. The most common ones are high elves, wood elves, dark elves/drow, and half elves (half meaning one parent was an elf, the other likely a human). Depending on how in-depth you want to go with your elves, there are even moon and sun elves, or elemental spins on them.
﻿
Dwarf. Dwarves are generally short and stocky, reaching no higher than four feet. They make up for their lack of height with their mighty strength. Their skills range deep in the mines, residing near their digsites and often seen as a more isolated and grumpy sort. Similar races are gnomes and halflings, though they are often more cheery. ‘Hobbits’ (along with Ents and Balrogs) are trademarked and not advised to use.
Orc. Brutish and tall, orcs are the muscle and lower IQ of the fantasy races. They are often used as conflict in a story, more malevolent and confrontational in nature. They swing first and ask questions never. 
Fairy. Told in folklore as creatures at first, fairies have grown (literally and figuratively) as a versatile race, from tiny and tricksy to human-sized elemental humanoids (or half-baked romantic leads). Generally speaking, ‘fairies’ (not to be confused with fae, the fae, or faerie) are beings in fantasy of various sizes with wings, an aversion to iron, an affinity for some elemental magic, and often belonging to a court of a season.
Demon. Demons, despite the type, tend to be from another dimension or world in the fantasy setting. Certain demons may be more apt for certain things, like the succubus, a female demonic race bent on sucking the life force from their prey. Similarly, there is the incubus. Demons in fantasy can expand to various changes and adaptations, be them tieflings, oni, half demons, daemons, or more.
﻿
Mermaid. Mermaids are as popular as fairies for young children, and have been adapted alongside them over the years. Depending on the lore and culture, mermaids can be rare, but good natured, helpful to sea-stranded men and manipulating the water to guide a ship home. Others can be just as tricksy or down right mean as some fae. They are often mysterious and alluring but are pretty set in one place, the water. Similar races are sirens, the original ‘mermaid’, portrayed as either a hybrid of human and fish, or more like the mermaid we think of today, but not nearly as kind. 
Centaur. Centaurs are half horse, half human. Originating from Greek myth, these bestial bodies are quadrupeds with the intelligence, morality, and societal structure of other races, despite having four legs. Generally, they are more intact with the nature and spirit of the wild, using crude weapons and bows to hunt and protect. 
Djinn. Passed down from Islamic myth, the djinn (or jinn / genie) are commonly seen as otherworldly entities that possess immense powers. In stories and lore, these powers are usually confined by curses, binds, and magic lamps so as to not make anything too easy (or hard). They have been adapted to grant wishes, manipulating space and reality to do so, even if the djinn manipulates the wish in favor of chaos. 
Honorable mentionsThese beings are either not technically fantasy in nature (though you see them in fantasy) or not a race/species. Despite that, they deserve some recognition in the fantasy genre. 
Lycanthrope. This is the term I’ll use to encompass a wolf-man, be it werewolf, lycan, loup-garou, or any other title. These are often more associated with the supernatural genre. However, like mermaids and centaurs, they are part man, part beast, and can be woven into fantasy with ease.
Vampire. Vampires are commonly an undead human turned bloodthirsty leech, living off of the blood of man and animal. Much like lycanthropes, vampires are of the supernatural genre. They are also not technically a race, as vampirism is often categorized by disease or curse. However, with a fantasy setting and unique takes, vampires can also be placed into your world as a race with no question. 
Ghost. Ghosts can be claimed as supernatural, but with the broad specter-rum (get it) of types of ghosts, a whole fantasy world could be composed of nothing but. Depending on the world, the gods, lore, and beliefs you build on, ghosts can be weaved in as any character you need. Wraiths and banshees are the most common fantastical ghosts I’ve seen, but there are also poltergeists, revenants, shades, and more. 
Fantasy CreaturesSimilar to my fantasy race list, these are fantasy creatures commonly seen within a fantasy story. They are often used as plot devices or interesting hurdles to overcome or conquer. Creatures can be altered and adapted easier than a whole race, so don’t stifle your creative liberties by these vague summaries. 
Dragon. Every fourteen-year-old's favorite creature is the dragon. (I still have a poster of one I got from Spencers when I was a teen). Highly intelligent, massive and majestic, these creatures are usually seen as a massive hurdle in fantasy. If the main character is not training one, they are likely fighting them. Though the European dragon is the most common, there are many cultural dragons to spur inspiration from. They vary in size as well as the amount of wings and arms. Similar creatures are the wyrm, the drake, and the wyvern. 
﻿
Unicorn. If you weren’t obsessed with dragons, you were likely obsessed with unicorns. (Or both. I was both). These majestic, graceful, and beautiful beasts are rarely seen in fantasy. It could possibly be because, as their lore suggests they are one of the most rare and elusive creatures. Their healing magic and properties of purity make them, like the djinn, possibly too overpowered to keep around in a story for long without something holding their power back. Unlike the djinn, unicorns are simply creatures, wild animals that stay away from evil and danger. 
Griffon. The griffon (also known as gryphon) is half lion with the top half of an eagle. They symbolize strength and honor and are considered apex predators in fantasy. With the capability to fly, they don’t have many threats, though are desired for their rumored golden eggs. They attack mainly horses to eat or breed, the latter of which can result in a hippogriff. 
Phoenix. This is a legendary bird that represents the cycle of life and death. Technically immortal, this bird will rise from its own ashes, born anew after death. Some are depicted with eternal flames while others simply have red feathers. 
Nymph. A nymph is a spirit (often female) of nature. Rivers, springs, lakes, mountains, meadows, and more all have these spirits. With every type of nymph, there is generally an associated personality type. Water nymphs are more calm and protective. Forest nymphs are playful and energetic, etc. In Greek myth, they are also companions of the gods. 
Goblin. These beings were difficult to categorize. They are technically both creatures and a fantastical race, being able to keep some form of societal and social structure, but letting more primal and bestial tendencies dictate their less-than-pleasant actions. This makes sense as in some fantasy, they are a distant brand of orc. If you look into them from things like Dungeons and Dragons, they can be played as a race, and depending on how you wish to write them, they very well can be, but within the world of fae, goblins, hobgoblins, bogies, and more are depicted as more monstrous, with shapeshifting abilities and trickery abound. 
Fae. The fae is an all encompassing term for a majority of fantasy creatures spanning from Irish and Scottish folklore (among other places). Fairies, pixies, goblinoids, brownies, imps, leprechauns, pooka, and more are often held under the umbrella of ‘fae’. Most, if not all, are considered creatures, all having similar aspects that define a fantasy creature while having their own stand-out abilities, desires, and inclinations. They also have their own dimension and barely deal with humans (or humanoid races) without it being to their benefit.
﻿
These are just a few of the thousands of races and creatures you can see in fantasy. With every fantasy world written, a new or unique twist on beloved lore and myth is taken. The wheel is always turning, so don’t be afraid to use the common brand and make something great with it.