Innovative fantasy creatures are born from strange ideas. In my writing experience it is easy to invent creatures. But it is not enough to create new creatures, they must be memorable in their uniqueness. They must be believable in their physical and behavioral traits. …Such a creature is the Cat Beast.
Some of the creatures I created for The Sword of the Dragon series were more successful than others. The most popular so far have been the Megatraths. Six-legged monsters of an ancient lineage that has been lost to legend. Offspring introduced these beasts with a cruel Megatrath whose consideration of humanoids was that they were little more than playthings for his cruel amusement. Then we trekked into the desert homeland of the creatures and met Vectra, matriarch of the Megatraths. The Megatraths are neither cruel nor thoughtless. Cunning, yes. Of great physical strength, definitely. Breathing fire, exhaling poisonous vapors.
In the Neverqueen Saga I wanted to introduce a new beast that would hold us with a similar fascination as the megatraths. This may be same storyworld as the primary books in The Sword of the Dragon series, but here I wanted something that would personify the different sort of stories these books will tell. Neverqueen is more about finesse and beauty that hides souls in pain. It may sound a bit strange, but Hey! let me apologize. This is the writer’s mind.
What creature is more subtle than a cat? More resilient than a mountain ram? What sort of beast would rival a dragon in a fight even if it possessed no scales and could not breath fire?
The Cat Beasts are rarely seen. Possessing the strength of a dragon and near a dragon’s size, but often rivaling a dragon’s intelligence. They seem to be all but extinct. A couple are known to remain of the species… until the events of Neverqueen2. But there is one more truth that could determine our perception of them: they serve the wizard, Turser.
Such beautiful creatures. Yet such a pallor of uncertainty and fear surrounds them.
Q: What type of beast most fascinates you?
Dragons fascinate me the most. It seems every author has a different idea of how dragons should act and look like. Tree creatures are also very interesting. I loved the Ents in TLOTR and I also found the Torsils from the Torsils in Time series cool as well.
I look forward to reading about these new cat creatures you cooked up. What makes a species great isn’t what it looks like, it’s the unique culture and values that the species has. (Which is why I find the megatraths so interesting).
Yes! I love trees. In “Key of Living Fire” I had so much fun creating the carnivorous tree that tried to eat passersby. …And I’m glad you like the megatraths 🙂
I have so much trouble with making creatures the best I can do is make oversized dogs but ill try what you said hopes it works for me like it did for you
Practice will perfect your writing craft. Enjoy the process! Don’t rush it. It takes years to begin to establish what works best for your personal creative process.