Races in Modern Fantasy

[Elandera she/her]

I'm working on an idea currently that meshes fantasy with action/espionage. It's set in modern-day United States, the main character being an agent for MTFE (Magical Technology and Firearms Enforcement). My question to all of you fine people is what traditionally fantasy races (elves, halflings, etc.) would you like to see in that kind of book?

[StrikerEZ he/him]

@Elandera Honestly, it's all up to you. If you brand it as "magical creatures on earth," people are gonna expect the basics: elves, werewolves, vampires, dragons, dwarves, etc. That doesn't mean you have to do it that way though. You can easily use whatever creatures you want. If you want to use the traditional ones, I'd suggest putting your own spin on them so they don't feel corny or cliche. 

[Eagle of the Forest Path he/him]

16 minutes ago, StrikerEZ said:

If you want to use the traditional ones, I'd suggest putting your own spin on them so they don't feel corny or cliche. 

Alternatively, you could dig down and use a version based on traditional mythology, instead of the versions prototyped by Tolkien (and endlessly copied since).
The Celtic (and/or Nordic) versions of elves like the Tuatha de Danann, Germanic Dwarfs (note the non-Tolkien plural), et cetera.

It depends on "style" and intended audience, IMO.
For middle grade and young adult audiences, I believe you'd be best served with versions as recognizable as possible.
If the "style" is satirical, you also need recognizable versions, in order to mock them. If you're going for a gritty, realist feel instead, then traditional mythology is your friend.

There's also the Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman, 1996) route, it's undoubtedly fantasy, in a modern, urban setting, with non-human creatures, yet no classical fantasy races (apart from a single angel).

[Elandera she/her]

I want it to have a high fantasy feel, so I hesitate to go too far into traditional mythology (it's also why I'm staying far away from urban fantasy creatures like vampires and werewolves). However, I think I could definitely look into it to get ideas. Thanks!

The difference in the world is that magic is part of normal society. The target audience would be more 20's-30's, people who would read both Sanderson/Tolkein and some Tom Clancy/Robert Ludlum.

[Nathrangking he/him]

@Elandera sounds promising as a concept. I'd say that you should go off the beaten path on this myth is replete with creatures that would mix things up. Alternatively/ in addition putting you own spin will help. You could     take a run at Succubus's or banshee's. Perhaps take something like Scylla and Charybdis and do something different with it.

[ScarletSabre he/him]

Putting your own spin on things is always something that's up to personal tastes... In the project I'm currently working on, I'm planning to have Druids and Elves essentially be hippies and naturalists. ^^ I think it'll be a rather fun spin on it...

For myself, in your setting, I'd suggest maybe having Elves be big on Homeopathy and Holistic cures, perhaps sometimes offering magical drugs or being the ones in charge of a magical/medicinal marijuana industry? Integrate them into the society more than just "Yeah, they exist, here they are" etc.

Just a suggestion off the top of my head (Which I may use myself in the future...)

[Seraph]

23 hours ago, ScarletSabre said:

For myself, in your setting, I'd suggest maybe having Elves be big on Homeopathy and Holistic cures, perhaps sometimes offering magical drugs or being the ones in charge of a magical/medicinal marijuana industry? Integrate them into the society more than just "Yeah, they exist, here they are" etc.

I like this idea. Finding out where they fit in modern culture is probably more important than their label or appearance.

Are universities like Harvard just full of elves now because they're smarter than humans? Do laws that prevent universities from accepting only people from a single ethnicity now prevent them from accepting only elves?

Are dwarves prevented from being airline attendants because they can't reach the overhead bins?

Are there special cars or seating options for hobbits so that they can drive (see and reach the pedals)?

I think these are interesting questions.

[Eagle of the Forest Path he/him]

8 minutes ago, Seraph said:

Are universities like Harvard just full of elves now because they're smarter than humans? Do laws that prevent universities from accepting only people from a single ethnicity now prevent them from accepting only elves?

Are dwarves prevented from being airline attendants because they can't reach the overhead bins?

Are there special cars or seating options for hobbits so that they can drive (see and reach the pedals)?

... and how do the White Supremacists feel about that? Or, for that matter, Fairy Fundamentalists?

[ScarletSabre he/him]

Are Orcs used for menial labour and construction jobs, the blue collar workers? And occassionally one of them rises up and discovers that their lack of intellect is partly due to lack of access to education?

Are the Dwarves railroad barons?

There's a lot of potential in this kind of setting ^^

[Elandera she/her]

Fae who are exceptionally good lawyers and more than slightly corrupt business men 

[Nathrangking he/him]

Sprites as the educators perhaps? Do dragons get accused of being more than slightly corrupt businessmen or do they perhaps not have an affinity for gold and get offended at the suggestion?

[ScarletSabre he/him]

I know you said that you didn't want to use Vampires, and this is something I'm actually planning to use in one of my projects, but...

Vampires as the ones who run the banks - Blood banks. Called "Fatbats" instead of fat-cats, and seen a leeching on the blood of others in more ways than one.

[Ripheus23]

Espionage, hmm... I'm gonna guess that elf tropes would fit into this mold(sp.?) the most easily, out of the elf-dwarf-orc-et. al. alternatives.

[Showman he/him]

So, kind of out of the blue, but when I think of modern fantasy races, I think of Artemis Fowl, where fairies use laser guns and stuff. Just throwing out an idea that could create more cool ideas.