Looking for a general term to replace "daemon"?

[Shinoki]

You could also make up a term and just use it. Coin your own phrase. You've made a fantasy world already anyways.

An example is: in the series Shakugan no Shana, these fantastical creatures/people--good and bad--from some magical realm called the Crimson Realm are called Denizens from the phrase denizens of the Crimson Realm (which literally means: inhabitants of the Crimson Realm).

Uh, I'm unfortunately not well-versed enough in fantastical creatures to give any decent advice, but...

Maybe: mutants...? (yea, unfortunately, it kind of has a bad connotation.)

(I think spirits or some variation of the word--ie with something tacked on like: "divine spirits"-- is pretty good sounding)

[fleet]

Thought of another one: Pooka (also spelled Puca)

In the movie, stageplay, and tv movie "Harvey" the invisible rabbit was a pooka.

More information about pooka is at http://www.yourirish.com/folklore/irish-pookas

[Ghost #9]

You could also make up a term and just use it. Coin your own phrase. You've made a fantasy world already anyways.

An example is: in the series Shakugan no Shana, these fantastical creatures/people--good and bad--from some magical realm called the Crimson Realm are called Denizens from the phrase denizens of the Crimson Realm (which literally means: inhabitants of the Crimson Realm).

Uh, I'm unfortunately not well-versed enough in fantastical creatures to give any decent advice, but...

Maybe: mutants...? (yea, unfortunately, it kind of has a bad connotation.)

(I think spirits or some variation of the word--ie with something tacked on like: "divine spirits"-- is pretty good sounding)

Thank you for your contributions!

Shakugan no Shana is a bit of an unusual example, since the term "denizen" is not unique to that anime. However, I'm actually not familiar with Shakugan no Shana. Perhaps the term "denizen" was applied in an unusual way?

Either way, I believe I understand your meaning! I've been considering developing a new term specifically for this game, though it still helps to have an idea of what's already out there.

"Mutant" actually doesn't have negative connotations in my mind. I would be incredibly disappointed NOT to be a mutant in the X-Men world! And there are some interesting and completely benign mutations even here on regular Earth. "Mutant" does, however, imply an individual that displays genetic characteristics not generally found within their species.

I'm still adding it to the list at the bottom of my opening post, though! Along with ____ Spirits.

Thought of another one: Pooka (also spelled Puca)

In the movie, stageplay, and tv movie "Harvey" the invisible rabbit was a pooka.

More information about pooka is at http://www.yourirish.com/folklore/irish-pookas

That reminds me of the ol' kid's show, Pucca
...I'm not sure I've ever actually seen that show, beyond commercials.

The Pooka article was a fascinating read! This is another type of mythical being that I've never heard of, though it appears to be a specific creature (like a griffon or a mermaid) rather than a category.

Thank you again for your help!

[Caveat Lector]

Oh! I didn't see that. I thought it led to the right link? Ah well: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6411 ... -hauntings

[WilliamofBangor]

Tricksters - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickster

[Ghost #9]

Oh! I didn't see that. I thought it led to the right link? Ah well: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6411 ... -hauntings

Yes, that link works perfectly! Thank you for re-posting.
Does this book describe various paranormal experiences specifically related to ghosts? Or does it reference different kinds of supernatural entities as well?

Tricksters - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickster

Ah! The classic trickster. Always fun to work with AND read about! Not to mention, the term can be used to describe any number of different kinds of beings. My understanding of "trickster", though, is specifically a being that cannot be fully trusted. Whether playful or malicious, they use their knowledge and cunning to play "tricks" on others. Wikipedia describes further that they might also just behave outside of societal norms, disrupting and re-establishing what's considered "normal" by their own terms. This wouldn't precisely be accurate to describe all of the characters within my game.

I do still like the term and the archetype, though. It shall be added to the list!

[PAldous]

Norse Mythology has a bunch of names you could use. Most are pretty tricky to pronounce though, but they're very underused.

- A dís ("lady", plural dísir) is a ghost, spirit or deity associated with fate who can be both benevolent and antagonistic towards mortal people.
- A fylgja (plural fylgjur) is a spirit who accompanies a person in connection to their fate or fortune.
- A hamingja is the personification of the good fortune or luck of an individual or family.

If you'd like something a little easier to pronounce, the Japanese Shinto religion has a good option. Dragonball Z fans may recognise this one

The Kami (Japanese: 神?) [káꜜmì]) are the spirits or phenomena that are worshiped in the religion of Shinto. They can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, as well as beings and the qualities that these beings express, and include the spirits of venerated dead persons.

Hope that helps

[Taleweaver]

The Kami (Japanese: 神?) [káꜜmì]) are the spirits or phenomena that are worshiped in the religion of Shinto. They can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, as well as beings and the qualities that these beings express, and include the spirits of venerated dead persons.

"Kami" is a term somewhere between "spirit" and "god", not necessarily "demon".

The Japanese term for "demon" would be "oni", though this one has strongly negative connotations. There's also the "yokai", which is a more generic "supernatural entity" that can be benevolent or malevolent. All three terms are so inherently Japanese that I wouldn't call them "a generally good replacement for the word daemon".