How do you imagine the races in Heroes of Might and Magic?

Well... That's a whole other question... At least 10 posts:D After all, I've developed an entire fantasy world of my own here:D (though it has little to do with Heroes)...
So hang in there! If I can carve out some time amidst the studies and the terrifying onslaught of finals and monograph submissions, I'll definitely write it up:)

Humans - I'd change little, as their Western European entourage is prescribed by almost all fantasy literature (although I had a joke idea to write a fantasy where humans were like Chinese, dwarves like Arabs - jealous and traders:D - elves like Europeans - read Tolkien!)

Elves - well, for Heroes, I would give them more of a Chinese or rather Japanese feel - the Japanese were somehow more warlike, while the Chinese were more involved in administrative activities - damn. I kind of dislike Native Americans and can't take them seriously as warriors. Accordingly, one could use same for mythical animals; they have a very rich mythology!

Dwarves - either technocrats or Vikings. One could try to combine them, but it's difficult.

Demons - I wouldn't make them at all, but if I did, it would be like in Disciples; they turned out very demonic there. I would change their focus - not burning everything around, but seizing the minds of their enemies, inclining them toward evil, introducing various possessed beings... there's so much room for plot development here!:rolleyes:

Wizards - I still wouldn't push them toward the Arabs. Maybe it's normal, but I've grown too accustomed to those Europeanized old men in hats with staffs a la Gandalf. I wouldn't put such an emphasis on summoned creatures and would introduce a couple of types of mage-warriors (meaning living humans) into the army.

Warlock - dark elves are cool, I even dreamed recently that I was a dark elf who turned to the side of good:D , but in the game, I'd rather make Warlocks like in Heroes 2. I would do it roughly like this - they are mages striving for maximum personal power, but unwilling to join the Necromancer; they summon various vile creatures (by the way, that's where I'd put gremlins - they supposedly break mechanisms, so it fits perfectly; you could have level 1 - gremlin, upgrading to a brownie:D ) and cast destructive spells. They hide from other people and unite only temporarily; and accordingly, their cities would be something like the swamp from Heroes 2.

Silvanis, I fully support you!:) I would make demons closer to Christianity. That is, not seasoned horned brutes obsessed with destroying all existence, but some otherworldly force that "wishes evil to all, but eternally performs good".;) Their city wouldn't be some underworld, but rather a kind of Necropolis from the 3rd game, but with satanic tendencies. Fanatics worshipping the devil would live in it and their units would be appropriate:
1st tier - initiate.
2nd tier - sectarian
3rd tier - witch, etc.

Elves - that's Asia. No matter what.:) I would keep that eastern image that Rampart had in Heroes 3, strengthening it slightly. While keeping the same creatures. A unicorn fits perfectly into an Asian atmosphere, I believe.

Humans... I imagine them as a mighty Byzantine Empire (like Rome, but much better). I don't know what comments to add here, I think you'll understand me anyway;)

What is a Necropolis essentially? After all, once it must have been some ancient people. Therefore, I would give it the image of ancient Egypt. Liches, mummies, warriors of Anubis... And this wouldn't be a negative city like in other games of the series, but rather a neutral observer from the side, like current dark elves.

Yes, a nice image. The dead occupied a lot of space in Egyptian mythology. Although classic Necromancer are also not bad, though a bit gray and faceless.

Dwarves... Well, guess in three tries who I would make them?:D I actually believe that of all fantasy races, the most RUSSIAN one is the dwarves. Subtract the greed for treasures, add military courage and good-naturedness, and you get dwarves, mighty bogatyrs who know better than anyone how to protect their native "motherland".:)

Perhaps, in part. Though Russians are Russians, and dwarves are dwarves, and they are not the same thing.

I liked the theme of an eastern fairy tale. BUT there are serious flaws:
Let's start with rakshasas. In their upgraded form, they turn into rakshasa-rajas, and raja refers to India. An Indian raja is the same as a sultan in Persia. Secondly - elephants. As correctly noted by players in the past - elephants are again India and Africa, they have no relation to Persia. So I would put them on camels.

Yes, regarding the elephants, you're reading my thoughts. Though I would prefer not to use exactly camels, but some other creatures unseen in our world. I have images on another disk; I'll show you sometime ;)