Inspiration sought:: Bestiaries NOT specifically written for RPGs

[jeffh]

I figure this might be a good place to find people with this kind of interest, so:

Has anyone got recommendations for books of mythological or fictional creatures that might make good sources of inspiration for RPGs, NOT including books specifically written for tabletop RPGs?

For example, Borges' Book of Imaginary Beings is a particularly well-known, and by all accounts very good, book of the sort I have in mind. I plan to get it at the next opportunity and certainly don't mean to dis it by saying this, but it's also 46 years old. I figure other good work of that sort must have appeared since. Amazon will help me figure out what EXISTS but is much harder to use to get a feel for what's GOOD, especially for a relatively narrow purpose like that.

So. Anyone familiar with a book of this sort they'd like to recommend OR (less, but still somewhat, helpfully) one they'd particularly like to warn people away from?

[Doodlebug Anklebiter]

Even older: The Bestiary translated from the Latin by T.H. White.

[Kajehase]

Natural History by Pliny the Elder should have some good stuff, and for more otherworldly fare, maybe the Ars Goetica?

[MMCJawa]

Carol Rose has several encyclopedias covering mythological creatures, one focused on monsters and giants, and the other on spirits and fairies. They are dense tomes but might be of interest for inspiration on new monsters.

[Brother Fen]

The Encyclopedia of Monsters
Barlowe's Guide the Extraterrestrials
Barlowe's Guide to Fantasy
St.Peterson's Field Guide to Cthulhu Monsters
A Wizard's Bestiary

[limsk]

Aliens In Space: An Illustrated Guide to the Inhabited Galaxy by Steven Caldwell.

[I'm Hiding In Your Closet]

On Beyond Zebra!, by Dr. Seuss (of course, I'm being tongue-in-cheek here, but then, won't PCs be surprised to encounter a Yuzz-a-ma-tuzz?).

[Calex]

Dougal Dixon has a number of books that fit this theme, notably After Man: A Zoology of the Future

Ouchie! I just noticed the price- its kinda gone up since I bought it years ago it seems...might need to look elsewhere. :(

[PathlessBeth]

Hesiod's Theogony.

For an entirely different and much more recent example, try J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

[Great Green God]

The above plus, any of the various art books by Brian Froud (Faeries (with Alan Lee), Good Faeries/Bad Faeries, Goblins!. The Time Life Enchanted World Series serves as a sort of Cliff's Notes to fairy tales, folk lore and world mythology. For a straight bestiary try the Encyclopedia of Things that Never Were. And lastly, for a bit of cosmic nihilism, I suggest you try The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana which, as a bit of meta-fun, posts it's own Chaosium Call of Cthulhu RPG mythos tome stats inside the book itself. Remember to divest yourself of sharp objects and confine yourself to a room with no right angles before cracking the spine on this one.

Oh and I guess, Wikipedia's list of cryptids.

GGG

[Alzrius]

Tobin's Spirit Guide.

;D

[Voadam]

Dewey Decimal System classification 398, found in the nonfiction section of the library. They often have multiple shelves of great stuff along this line. Browse and enjoy.

[Voadam]

I'm Hiding In Your Closet wrote:

On Beyond Zebra!, by Dr. Seuss (of course, I'm being tongue-in-cheek here, but then, won't PCs be surprised to encounter a Yuzz-a-ma-tuzz?).

Hey rogue, don't bump the Glump.

[Orthos]

Dot

[I'm Hiding In Your Closet]

The cluebooks for Might & Magic III-V: Yes, these ARE bestiaries written specifically for RPGs, but they have some awesome and unique monsters!

[Charles Scholz]

The Mythical Creatures Bible: The Definitive Guide to Legendary Beings by Brenda Rosen

This is a great book. Found it at the book store 2 years ago.