# If you could be any mystical/fantasy creature... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563 "2012-07-17T21:49:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![stanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@stanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stanger)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/21 "2012-07-18T01:17:37Z")
A [Borrible.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Borrible_Trilogy) Basically, a child that lives on the street and never grows up. Their ears become pointed, so they always have to cover them up, but they never age and live in the hidden places of the city, foraging for what they need. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/22 "2012-07-18T02:37:40Z")
Either a Greyhawk aka Steel dragon, (yes, I am a geek) as they spend most of their time in human form, only busting out when they really need to. Or a Rakshasa- because well- evil Tiger guys? So cool. ---
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/23 "2012-07-18T02:58:33Z")
A vampire just because with all the vampire fans and Goth wannabees out there, I could probably coast through the rest of my existence without ever having to lift a finger or a fang to get whatever I wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/24 "2012-07-18T03:42:07Z")
Either a cluricaun or that russian fairy that screams at night and throws onions. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/25 "2012-07-18T08:11:57Z")
Either a tunuki, a dwarf or a gnome. But the [Huygen/Poorvliet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Book_of_Gnomes) kind of gnome. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/26 "2012-07-18T08:33:47Z")
> [@Barking\_Dog](#): > > that russian fairy that screams at night and throws onions. You know my neighbors? ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/27 "2012-07-18T09:42:02Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I think I’d like to be a kitsune. Why? Besides really liking the character in Christopher Golden’s The Veil trilogy, I’m really enjoying writing a story where the main character’s best friend is one. She’s addicted to Sonic the Hedgehog 🙂 Ren is a twin, [the good one](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitsune#Characteristics), and her sister is the other portrayal of kitsune. Kitsune would be awesome, they live a hell of a long time (if not forever), and unlike most creatures just get stronger the older they get. I’m not sure if I’d be too keen on carrying out missions for Oinari-okami though. Shapeshifting into a hot chick to lead men to their doom would be a pretty funny gig the first couple dozen times, though. Either way, I’m afraid I’m probably contractually obligated to say dragon. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/28 "2012-07-18T09:56:08Z")
I’d go for one of the more Eastern style dragons; extremely powerful, immortal, and capable of taking human form. > [@Yllaria](#): > > Is there something that’s reclusive and longlived and plain, that gathers a library about itself? Sounds like a wizard. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/29 "2012-07-18T11:38:42Z")
Does Peter Pan count? Always seemed fun to me. Alternate, being invisible would be a hoot. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/30 "2012-07-18T13:36:11Z")
Not a dragon. Cursed with an insaitable lust for useless treasure, and every passing hero or saint wants a piece of you. Not a leprechaun. I’m not wearing that. Not a mer-man. Hygiene issues (fish don’t get out to go) and an un-satisfying sex life. Not a ghost. Hands pass through cake. Not a sphinx. Guard duty is boring. Yes, I’m a “cauldron half-empty” kind of guy. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/31 "2012-07-18T13:38:27Z")
I’d like to be Uncle Arthur. He always seemed to have a good time! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/32 "2012-07-18T13:56:00Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > You get to live a simple, comfy, pastoral life, sometimes interrupted by adventures with wizards and elves and shit. But mostly? You’re hanging out in your garden or your cozy Hobbit hole, enjoying a smoke and chatting with the neighbors. Plus, and this really nails it for me: **second breakfast**. You don’t need to be mythological… one of the running jokes in my old HS group of friends is that Hobbits eat almost as much and as often as Basque and Navarrese do 🙂 (_desayuno, almuerzo_, aperitivo, comida, merienda, cena, recena\* and as many _tentempiés_ as you need; breakfast, mid-morning snack, “appetite opener”, lunch, tea, dinner, re-dinner and as many snacks as needed) If I had to keep sex, I’d go with a nymph or a sylph (in the most basic “water/air spirit” versions): I’d be able to visit either any place underwater or any place over water/land. Otherwise, there’s some types of _duendes_ which seem interesting (earth spirits, tend to be male). - in other areas, this word means breakfast; in others, lunch. It can be a confusing word but it’s always a good thing to have. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/33 "2012-07-18T14:02:11Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Similar to a hobbit, I wouldn’t mind being a Puck. Hang out in the woods all the time, cause mischief and play pranks, and look dashing in a leafy green outfit? Sure, sounds fun. I thought Puck was a name, not a category? ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/34 "2012-07-18T14:04:23Z")
I’d be a Shadowrun Great Dragon. Able to swap to human form, “treasure hoard” much more likely to be a huge stock portfolio than a pile of gold, and able to be as public or reclusive as I wish. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/35 "2012-07-18T14:20:44Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I thought Puck was a name, not a category? Shakespeare’s Puck is a distillation of much older english stories about mischievous spirits that developed into brownies, hobgoblins, and Robin Goodfellow. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/36 "2012-07-18T14:43:31Z")
I’d be a dwarf. You get to play with axes, quaff beer, stay fit by working at forges and mines, quaff beer, work on clever devices, and quaff beer. The bearded women might be weird at first, but I imagine the beer would help. Did I mention the beer? > [@Yllaria](#): > > Is there something that’s reclusive and longlived and plain, that gathers a library about itself? You can only get into the library if you’re worthy. Although worth might be bought by bringing more books. You might enjoy being [The Librarian](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Librarian_%28Discworld%29#Librarian), although it must be said that he is _not_ plain. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/37 "2012-07-19T00:17:17Z")
See, this is why I love this place. Not only are we miles away from Rainbow Unicorn Land, we’re in places I’ve never even heard of. I’ve had to look several of these up to know what they are, and I’m fascinated by everyone’s choices! I’m surprised that we have so many dragons, though. Wouldn’t it be a lonely life, guarding your treasures in a hollow mountain and hoping not to get an arrow through the weak spot in your scales? I feel like the “dragons that can shift to human form” is sort of cheating, but I suppose if there’s mythological or literary precedent, I’ll have to allow it. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/38 "2012-07-19T00:55:45Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > I’m surprised that we have so many dragons, though. Wouldn’t it be a lonely life, guarding your treasures in a hollow mountain and hoping not to get an arrow through the weak spot in your scales? Dragon was my first thought, but I don’t like being alone all the time. Also you’d have to be on the watch for dragon slayers all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/39 "2012-07-19T01:15:02Z")
I’ll actually go for a Faerie. But not one of those Disney poncing fluttery sparkly buggers, that help widdle lotht childwen; the old Celtic style shapechangers that swap babies for changelings, and lure travellers into swamps. Cause chaos, shapeshift, fly, and even have your own universe with its own rules to escape to… sign me up! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2012, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563/40 "2012-07-19T01:28:31Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > …I’d be a Pegasus. The ladies like the horsies, plus I could fly. That’s what I was thinking. I’ve always had a thing for pegasi: cool, strong, fast, handsome, can fly, can team up with a hero to do great deeds, etc. A dragon was my very first thought, I admit, but it’s pretty hazardous - you’d always have to be on your guard for some adventurer with a sharp sword and a reputation to earn. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-be-any-mystical-fantasy-creature/628563.md?page=3)