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I love fantasy but it's always a bit eurocentric in its appearance and character design and aesthetics, even if there are poc in there it's like. "Fantasy poc but in fantasy europe!" It's not necessarily bad but dont you think its oversaturated 
thread of non europe aesthetics https://twitter.com/porkironandwine/status/1305458651046449152
thread of non europe aesthetics https://twitter.com/porkironandwine/status/1305458651046449152
Mystical/ wise creature:
Instead of a stag / deer / elk, try:
A tiger, maybe an albino or a black tiger,
A jaguar, an elephant
A bear (polar bears would b awesome..) , gazelle, a turtle (in many asian folklore, we are said to live on the back of a turtle), red shanked douc!
Instead of a stag / deer / elk, try:
A tiger, maybe an albino or a black tiger,
A jaguar, an elephant
A bear (polar bears would b awesome..) , gazelle, a turtle (in many asian folklore, we are said to live on the back of a turtle), red shanked douc!
Magical birds:
Instead of owls and crows and ravens, try:
Sparrows, hawks, peafowls, cranes, desert birds, colorful birds that have been exotified by hollywood.. please make them feel less alien and more like home, these friendly fowls are so common where I live
Instead of owls and crows and ravens, try:
Sparrows, hawks, peafowls, cranes, desert birds, colorful birds that have been exotified by hollywood.. please make them feel less alien and more like home, these friendly fowls are so common where I live
Witchcraft:
In many cultures, witchcraft, although sometimes considered dark, is often associated with healing.
Witches from where I live (philippines) are also connected to snakes, snakes are considered holy, and some witches are born with snake twins in local legends.
In many cultures, witchcraft, although sometimes considered dark, is often associated with healing.
Witches from where I live (philippines) are also connected to snakes, snakes are considered holy, and some witches are born with snake twins in local legends.
Forests:
Instead of evergreen forests, try:
Mangrove forests. Scary, dark, swampy. You could make swamp witches live there.
Moss forests are terrifying and so so enchanting.
rainforests are just as mystical and magical!
Wild Bamboo forests are beautiful.
Instead of evergreen forests, try:
Mangrove forests. Scary, dark, swampy. You could make swamp witches live there.
Moss forests are terrifying and so so enchanting.
rainforests are just as mystical and magical!
Wild Bamboo forests are beautiful.
Imagine how much worldbuilding you can do in TUNDRAS where your people are inspired from Inuit and indigenous Russian cultures.. magical polar bears and seals, where hunters are revered and the snow is as welcoming as the warmth.
Trees:
Willow trees, fire trees, doña aurora, cherry blossoms, peach blossoms,
jasmine trees SMELL SO GOOD during the night,
fae spirits are said to love love love mangoes and mango trees,
strangler figs are horrifying and are said to be the home of deities
Willow trees, fire trees, doña aurora, cherry blossoms, peach blossoms,
jasmine trees SMELL SO GOOD during the night,
fae spirits are said to love love love mangoes and mango trees,
strangler figs are horrifying and are said to be the home of deities
SWORDS:
In my culture, swords are adorned with dragons. And asian dragons tend to be holier, snake-ier, benevolent and colorful. Maybe try making them iridescent!
Swords with curved blades.
The first two are south east asian swords, the third is west african swords
In my culture, swords are adorned with dragons. And asian dragons tend to be holier, snake-ier, benevolent and colorful. Maybe try making them iridescent!
Swords with curved blades.
The first two are south east asian swords, the third is west african swords
The curved blade can make the "sword against your (future) lover's throat in an enemies to lover " trope so much more home of sexual 
now imagine a dagger instead of a sword and they're nose to nose but not quite touching..
Syrian jambiya dagger
now imagine a dagger instead of a sword and they're nose to nose but not quite touching..Syrian jambiya dagger
Also respect and research is a given here, yall. In places in the global south (and uh. Stolen land) where the land is still hurting from violent occupation, one must treat its stories with dignity and extra care-
