I have my own views on the subject, but I would be interested to hear what everyone else on the forum has to say. Are symbolic, demonic figures appropriate for us to portray? If so, why and in what sense? Can they be our main characters, or should they only be used to portray evil?

However, vampires and the like could possibly be used to portray redemption, such as a vampire being saved from his vampirism by God.

Are you referring to Deus Ex Machina, Neil? Where an author writes himself into a corner and needs a solution?

I'm being quiet for the moment on this post because I want to see what everyone else thinks. I think there have been some very good points made.

We need to write about evil, or face the problem of "Johnny ate ice cream and lived happily ever after."

Do any of us have specific demonic characters written in to our books/stories? Just curious to see how each of us has applied this concept in our writing.

I think the mythical gods comments are interesting. I don’t want to argue with anyone, but I’m curious why the mythological gods are any different than portraying witches and vampires?

Was that question directed at me or Arias?

I also have a similar system, having angelic beings 'ruling' over various elements and parts of Ithelak as gods (little g). Only the demonic ones, who vie for control, seek worship, however.

Well, I'll throw in my oar for nature gods since I was one of the first to support them. And please note that this applies to "a" world of mine (not sure which, possible Enderion but probably not) and not to everyone elses...just my views on the subject.

Well, in my opinion, the various Naiads, Draiads, and Flai'ads, and other 'mythical gods' I have in my world are only termed so for lack of a better, more appropriate, word. In actuality, they're guardians of the various elements and the world itself. Naiads are guardians of the river, the lakes, the streams, the bubbling brooks. The draiads are the guardians of the trees, the majestic oaks, the stately beeches, down to the smallest pine tree. And then, the Flai'ads, of course (are made up), are guardians of magic; the smallest spell, the most potent potion, and the most powerful whispered word. That's what they do.

Now, being guardians of these forces (and there may be more races of guardians, but I haven't thought of any yet), they are obviously very closely interconnected with these forces. Draiads are closely connected with trees, not to the extent of C.S. Lewis' which actually were the trees, but they have a close communion with the trees. And so on and so forth for the other races.

Now, obviously these nature-like spirits are going to be misconceived by the local inhabitants, especially if they're ignorant or uneducated. Thus, the term 'gods'. But gods they aren't. Rather, they're almost more like 'nature angels' (Though many, many people could misinterpret that name) that God appointed to protect the creation.

The main reason these aren't in a world of mine yet is because they're easily misunderstood...as this discussion has evidenced. Also, because the only world of mine developed is Enderion, which lacks magic...and that would leave the Flai'ads out in the cold. Plus, all of these races are at least partly magical, I would think.

(Bit off topic...anyone have any ideas for any more? The stone guardians; the Petriads? Or maybe the Anemaiads; the wind guardians?)

eruheran