forum New species design

Started June 30, 2018 by @Kinarymo

tune

So, in my world there's this race of creatures i came up with (i still do not have a name for them T^T)
They're what you might describe as angels, or even a sub-specie of angels, if you want. Unlike normal standard angels, these guys live in the normal world and act as it's guardians (their existence alone is pretty much like a shield against most of the dark forces). They are honorable and respectable creatures that are bound to strict ancestral laws to prevent them from abusing their power. Personally, i think they are probably the best race because they're the only ones who haven't had a go at world domination. They are also known to love children very much, so they will protect them at all costs. Sadly, in the story they were hunted into extinction by humans for various reasons
They are commonly found in the form of tall humanoid creatures (average height is around 6'8") with animal ears (fox ears are the most common) and large canines - basically a human with some different features. They also have wings, which are "summonable", meaning that they can make their wings appear and disappear at their command. Adults have markings on their back in the place where their wings are (younger specimens do not have them as their wings are not fully developed) and they also get a special kind of marking when "understanding" their powers

My problem is their true form
Now, this form explains the presence of the ears and large teeth. Wings are permanently present in this form - this implies that their true form has more animalistic features
They are not necessarily scary when in this form (they can be if necessary) as they sometimes appear like this to children, but humans are humans and get uncomfortable when encountering something bigger and stronger than them. I tried researching mythological creatures and spirits but nothing matches yet.
What else should i give this form? Should this form still have a human face or no? I need more ideas to give them that "divine protector" vibe
You can also suggest a name if you can, it would help so much
Thanks!!!

Well, vaguely humanoid faces creep people out more than just…. animal…. faces…..
that sounded better in my head. Anyways.
So I think that the true form should make semi-take the shape of an animal humans find intimidating but endearing, noble and a natural protector. Tbh, the first thing that comes to mind is a lion :), but you definitely don’t have to use that. I guess if you did, though, it would be a bit like a griffin?
I’m really bad at advice, sorry, but I hope this helped!

Well, vaguely humanoid faces creep people out more than just…. animal…. faces…..
that sounded better in my head. Anyways.
So I think that the true form should make semi-take the shape of an animal humans find intimidating but endearing, noble and a natural protector. Tbh, the first thing that comes to mind is a lion :), but you definitely don’t have to use that. I guess if you did, though, it would be a bit like a griffin?
I’m really bad at advice, sorry, but I hope this helped!

Or a tiger. Perhaps even a wolf!

Try translating a word or two that you feel describes these beings into a different language.

a humanoid lion angel creature would would be so dope. but also the wolf, maybe you can several different animals for the angels so they are different from each other, animals human see as guardian "protector" types.

maybe you could look up different cultures, see what they have as their guardian animals, or the sacred animals of their gods (like Artemis has the wolf, Athena has her owl, or the one goddess in Egypt has the cat)

A gryphon is basically just a creature that's half lion, half eagle, and so you could create a mythological creature that's half fox, half bird? Since the animalistic features that you described sound quite foxish, and wings definitely give off a bird vibe.

Or their true form could be something a bit like the flying fox (a very large bat) which is completely adorable and yet could be scary if one is scared of bats.