There seems to be a lot of ire directed toward Tolkien. Why is that?
A unique setting would be good, but if you get too far out there people won't be able to relate. Look at Tailslantia.
People understand what an Elf and Dwarf are. It is a fantasy element that can add a level of comfort to those new to the setting. That said there is no reason you can't play with them a little. Change things up.
Dwarfs are farmers instead of miners. Nobody knows the Earth better and they can grow anything. Elves are the master artificers and live in advanced floating cities.
Maybe ogres are a slave race created by the elves for manual labor. Trolls might be the Dwarfs answer to the ogre and were actually grown from plants. Hence the greenish skin, ability to grow back limbs (slowly) and vulnerability to fire.
I'm sure I could come up with more, but I should probably save that for the Settings forum.
