Legends and Myths in Urban Fantasy

Most urban fantasy draws upon folklore and legends. How do these old mystical beliefs inform modern fantasy? What place does magic have in downtown New York, Mexico City, or London? Do the rules of magic and the supernatural change between the city streets and the countryside?

Here are my final notes for RavenCon 2023, “Legends and Myths in Urban Fantasy.”

The panelists for the titular panel were RS Belcher, Esther Friesner, Jennifer Povey, and Tina Glasneck, and it was moderated by Bishop O’Connell.

How Important is the ‘Urban’ Aspect in ‘Urban Fantasy’?

Urban Fantasy stories are set in a world similar to ours, except it contains magic and/or supernatural creatures or cryptids. Cryptids are animals that cryptozoologists believe may exist somewhere in the wild, but whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated by science. 

While the words and the term have a very precise meaning, marketers and social media have broadened the use of the term considerably.

No matter what setting you use, the location should be a factor in the stories. Some cryptids take more naturally to one setting or another. You can either pick the setting to fit your story, or craft your story to fit the setting.

The majority of Urban Fantasies are set in: New York City, Washington DC, or London. Other common locations are San Francisco, York (in the UK), and Seattle.

Favorite Non-Grimms/Roman Myths

While most of my followers are likely familiar with the retold Grimms Fairy Tales and revamped Roman myths, those are far from the only sources of inspiration for cryptids.

• The Norse version of Loki (not Marvel’s version)
• Indigenous American mythology
• Fox Spirits
• Djinn
• Taíno stories (indigenous Carribeans)
• Hawaiian
• Aztec
• A Field Guide to the Little People by Nancy Arrowsmith
• Appalachian Jack
• Cheng Huang, the name(s) for the Chinese God of the city
• The long haul trucker myth of seeing a black hound chasing alongside

NOTE: While we often are introduced to stories outside of our own cultures as ‘myths and legends’, to their original culture, they’re often part of their religion or belief systems, and should be treated with the same respect.

Environmental Inspiration

Don’t forget to use your setting to work the magic into your world!

• Washington D.C. was laid out based on magical theories
• Water can be the path to another world
• Small towns have secrets
• Some buildings have faces
• Hidden alleyways can take you to magic users

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What mythological creature do you find most unique?
What’s your favorite setting for an Urban Fantasy?