What are some human-looking mythological creatures?

[White Lion]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place, but I'm going to write it anyway. :D

In a book that I'm planning, I need a mythological creature that looks human-enough to be able to involve themselves in everyday life. (They look very like humans - can have some odd features - but are mythical.)

Do you have any suggestions? Other than the usual vampires or werewolves...

[Amour]

Do they have to hide what it is that they are?

[Jack]

The great thing about writing your own fantasy, is that you can make them up. Or you can take the original idea of a fantastic creature and change it into your own. Remember, it's fantasy so you're not restricted to the mythology of certain cultures, you can altar away as much as you want. You could have human looking Dragons and Trolls if you really wanted to, because it's YOUR fantasy, not somebody else's.

EDIT: If you're looking for an easy answer, try looking up Sirens, Leprechauns, Succubi or possibly Zombies. Not modern day Zombies, but the original, African version.

[White Lion]

Do they have to hide what it is that they are?

Yes, definitely! They live in our world and have to blend in... The only example that's coming to mind right now is Twilight and the Cullens.

[Bowie20049]

Wizards from HP, Elves, etc. Or just plain old shapeshifters. Try those.

[White Lion]

Well actually, I'm thinking of using something more unique than wizards and elves, they're used too much these days in fantasy. Shapeshifters... :) definitely a contender!!! :P

[Zeah]

*shrug* I invented my own :3 also, there is a wide variety of mythological creatures across all sorts of different cultures. Look up mythology and you'll get all sorts of cool results.

[White Lion]

Might just do that, thanks Z. :D

[Zeah]

Not a problem ^^

[miss_smiley]

What kind of thing are you looking for? Classically evil creatures? Classically good creatures? Because there'll be quite different tones to your story for each one...

For starters, though, there's dryads, elves (which, traditionally, have a hollow back, ladies and gentlemen), faeries (which are quite different from fairies)... you could go with mermaids, if you follow Mary-Janice Davidson's adaption of them...succubi, nymphs, angels, drows, genies (that could be an interesting twist), elementals...

If you really wanted a twist, you could use the Gaelic bean shith - they're an omen of death.

I dunno. There's hundreds. Go check out wikipedia or something - they've got millions there.

[Zombified]

I got a ton of em for ya. You ready?
I would write a short description of each but that's what Wiki is for.

Sirens.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siren

Lamia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamia_%28mythology%29

Medusa.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa

Nymph.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymph

Harpy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpy

If I think of more I'll post them.

[White Lion]

Great! Thank you Miss Smiley, I hadn't even heard of some of these!!! Wikipedia it is :D!!!

[Tegzz]

What about Selkies, or fairies?

...and fairies as in the Irish fae who were like the Greek gods.

[miss_smiley]

Ooh! I forgot to mention russalkas and the White Maidens of France. Both are pretty gnarly. ^^

[White Lion]

Righty then. Time for some serious research! :)