Vampires, werewolves and...

[shangrila]

I've been playing around with vampires and werewolves in the world I'm creating, trying to break the cliche and come up with something interesting. So far, I've got them both as shapeshifters, "vampires" turning into mildly hunch backed, leathery skinned humanoids, while "werewolves" become hairy gorilla-like creatures with flat faces. I like that side of it, but I had another recent idea.

What if there was a third creature? Some type that made a triangle, of sorts, with the vampires and werewolves?

Now, my problem is just what it would be. Cats, dogs and the like would be too similar to werewolves in my mind, while the vampires represent lizards in my story but also bats in traditional fantasy, so that kind of cancels out any flying animals. I also figured the new race would have to be based on some kind of predator, as blood sucking bats and wolves were the inspiration for the traditional pair. I also had a suggestion recently to use an animal that's less aggresive but equally deadly when provoked (the example I was given was dolphins, who apparently can kill a shark but are obviously more docile than wolves. Not sure about that, though) that could perhaps act as judges of the other two races.

So, my question is, does anyone have any suggestions for what this third creature might be? And also, what are your thoughts on this idea in general?

[Queshire]

While adding twists are good it's important to keep them recongnizable as otherwise you might as well just change them completely instead of doing it half-assedly. I really have to wonder where's the vampires in your vampires and the werewolves in your werewolves? Why not go with a land/sea/sky theme, with vampires for sky and werewolves for land. While dolphins would be... interesting.... I think the positive image of them would too much, making monsterous dolphins pretty narmish. I suggest something cthullu-esque or angler-fish-esque.

[Mythos]

The dolphin idea reminds me of selkies. You might want to look into that. It might give you some inspiration.

[Ireth]

Selkies are a different thing altogether though: seals, not dolphins. If you're going for a monster, why not a wereshark? Or maybe a weresquid, to tie into your Cthulhu idea.

[shangrila]

I wasn't that interested in dolphins anyway, to be honest. I agree that they're too...cute. Not what I'm looking for.

I should point out that these aren't traditional vampires or werewolves in any way. They're not called vampires and werewolves, for example, its a genetic trait rather than a curse/disease, etc. As I said in my OP, they're basically limited shapeshifters. So while the basis of them came from trying to do something radical with vamps/wolves, there's not supposed to be any real connection between them. Kind of like the Jaghut from the Malazan series; unique, but based on trolls/orcs.

The water theme is a good idea, although my "vamps" can't fly so they don't fit that particular trinity. I like the idea of an angler fish too, and something Cthulu/tentacled would be an interesting thing to explore. That said, I would feel they'd be kind of limited. If they're water based then, logically, they would have to stay in or around water, while the other two could roam around wherever they want.

Thanks for the ideas though =]

[Ankari]

How about:

Liches: Resurrected beings of great power. They can possess or control people of weak will or who volunteer.

Djinn: Spirits set free from the shackles that have bound them for eternity. They are shapeshifters with other minor abilities. The power to grant wishes no longer exists as it was tied to their servitude.

demons: They wish to end the reign of men. They are fallen spirits who despises the honors man received from God.

Soulless: They give their soul to some dark (or light) entity. In exchange they are granted agelessness and heightened physical attributes.

[Caliburn]

Hello

It might help to think about what vampires and werewolves mean to you, and then think about what kind of symbolic concept is missing from the triad.

For me, werewolves tend to symbolise repressed rage, and I think they do for you as well since your ape-like shapeshifters are similar--uncontrollable animal urges, specifically the fight response.
Vampires are about lust and toxic love I think.
So what could complete that triad? What is the missing link between the two? Fear?

[shangrila]

Hello

It might help to think about what vampires and werewolves mean to you, and then think about what kind of symbolic concept is missing from the triad.

For me, werewolves tend to symbolise repressed rage, and I think they do for you as well since your ape-like shapeshifters are similar--uncontrollable animal urges, specifically the fight response.
Vampires are about lust and toxic love I think.
So what could complete that triad? What is the missing link between the two? Fear?

This is a great idea, thank you. Although I think my "vampires" would represent fear rather than lust. Maybe avarice/greed, or another, new thing for lust?

[Caliburn]

Avarice might be worth experimenting with
I forgot the part about the "vampires" being reptilian, which I thought was cool. Reptiles and vampires have one thing in common at least: they are both cold-blooded

Vampire dolphins are hard to beat though.......