Other Creatures of Myth and Legend

[Lucyfer]

Hello everyone!


I wasn't sure what tag to put this under, but considering the nature of what I'm asking for is "books", I decided the literature tag fit.


Since we have a very diverse group here from around the world, I wanted to ask a favor of you all. I'm slowly putting together an encyclopedia of (for lack of a better word) supernatural creatures, such as the Wendigo, Liderc, Nymph, and Tengu, to name a few. The problem with this endeavor is, of course, the immense number of these creatures.


I've accepted that this endeavor is going to take years, and I've begun creating my list (there are already over 200 creatures under "A"), so what I am asking for is recommendations for books on the topic of creatures around the world. I've been having the most difficulty acquiring information on Korean creatures lately, but I'm sure that's just one of many locations I'll have troubles for.


On that note, I'd like to open this up to a general discussion of your favorite supernatural creatures, people of RPN! Tell me what they are, tell me why you like them!


My personal favorite is the Wendigo. I was introduced to the idea way back in 2008 when I took a class on Native American religions, and then re-introduced when I watched Supernatural. Ever since then, I've been voraciously studying this curious creature. For those who don't know, the Wendigo (in many cases) was once a human. The human became a Wendigo by committing an act of cannibalism. This led to it developing a monstrous craving for human flesh that couldn't ever be quenched, so usually the Wendigo is depicted as emaciated because it is always hungry. I imagine cannibalism happened among the Algonquin (apologizes for the spelling, I've also seen it Algonquian, I'm not sure which is more appropriate) since they lived up north where it can get quite cold, and food could be hard to come by, so the Wendigo seemed like a very realistic monster.


I'm getting a book in April dedicated to the study of the Wendigo...I've been waiting for it to be released for a while now.

 

[Randeruck]

Chimeras are awesome. Part lion part goat and part snake each part having a different role for attack and defense.<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_03/chimera_by_draethius-d5q4bu6.png.6743e6559519440bfd4a5131e886fbf7.png" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="46973" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_03/chimera_by_draethius-d5q4bu6.png.6743e6559519440bfd4a5131e886fbf7.png" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

 

[Lucyfer]

Why is it ya like the Chimera so much? Is it just the multiplicity of options with it, attack and defense-wise?


Chimera is a creature I remember from a short animation about the Pegasus. It's role in that was pretty short, unfortunately, but it gave a pretty good idea of the creation stories of both Pegasus and the Chimera, which I thought was pretty cool. Always amusing how Pegasus was born of Medusa's blood, while a monster like Chimera was just born.

 

[Randeruck]

I like because honestly it's just a powerhouse some versions the goat spits acid and the lion breaths fire while the snake cane sometimes have Medusa like powers. In other versions it even has wings and hoofs not just claws. It's something if you were walking in the wild and saw one walking you I'm Midian let nope out if the situation, but your not gonna get far because it already knows your there.

 

[Urdragon]

Hmm not quite sure what my all time favorite is, but one of the best/most fearsome is the Mareritt. Mareritt is the norwegian word for nightmare and means Mare ride, this is the monster in sleep paralysis. Both in real life and rpg these are great monsters.


Most of us have experienced sleep paralysis or at the very least empathise with the horror and fear that comes with lack of control and helplessness. Having the players hunted by the Mare is a good way to introduce fear to a game.

 

[Lucyfer]

Is the Mareritt often depicted as a horse? I know that for some nightmare creatures, they take that "mare" part literally and make the monstrous creature a horse.


I do concur, though. Though nightmare creatures can sometimes be difficult to work with, the psychological terror aspect is absolutely wonderful when pulled off well.

 

[Urdragon]

No, the Mare is a pale humanoid with long sharp fingers that slips into your room through a small crack, in your door or windows. It crawls up upon you, paralysing you when you are in between waking and sleeping. Classically it is depicted as a woman, either with no facial features or with extreme ones, too large mouth and teeth, black holes for eyes or too big eyes.


Its name has nothing to do with horses, it is derivatived from the word Mara, which is said to sit on a sleepers chest causing bad dreams. The germanic name for this demon is Alp.

 

[Lucyfer]

Had to ask, since there are versions where a similar creature is depicted as a horse. Thank you for introducing me to this variant of nightmare creatures ^-^

 

[Urdragon]

You're welcome, now if it's a horse based monster you want, we always have Nøkken It is a creature that lives in bogs and lakes, it looks like a horse and once someone climbs up on it, it will jump into the lake and drown the rider.

 

[Lucyfer]

Sounds a lot like the Kelpie! Though I think that one is more akin to rivers. There's a pretty nice comic with such a wonderful depiction of one here: click it.


I must ask, since you're not from the US, do you know of any good books in English about Scandinavian creatures? I have one friend in Sweden who's been looking for me, but has yet to turn up anything.

 

[Urdragon]

Hmm Not that I know off, a lot of the monsters and creatures are hidden in folk tales and quite a few of these have been modernised and changed. You might find some in the works of Asbjørnsen and Moe, although I think their work mostly features humans and talking animals. You could read the younger and elder Edda, there you have the creatures of the norse mythology. But there are many outside of the Eddas that will be harder to find translated or even gathered in proper stories. I could have a look and see what I can fin though.

 

[Lucyfer]

I have copies of the Edda, but I haven't investigated them all that much for actual creatures since I generally just associate them with lore about the gods, but I may give another look at them to see what information they provide about the creatures, too.


That's been my problem with Korean creatures--there just isn't all that much translated information. One day! Haha, but thank you for reminding me of the Eddas, they'd slipped my mind entirely as a source.

 

[White Masquerade]

http://www.amazon.com/The-Mythical-Creatures-Bible-Definitive/dp/1402765363


Are you looking for source material? Books straight from the culture? If yeah, I can only help look.


As for my faves, I'd have to say Medusa and Charybdis. Medusa, cause she's dangerously seductive. Charybdis, cause....it's a giant whirlpool monster. I'm the type with vivid dreams, and I thank heaven everyday, I don't have one of falling into its mouth.

 

[Lucyfer]

Charybdis! Now that's one I wasn't expecting, but I'm delighted to be reminded of her. She was a pretty intimidating figure in the Odyssey. I wish that one was used more often in like, B-rated horror movies or pirate shows.


And as for material, I'm looking for three things: "source material" (as you put it, straight from the culture), collections of information like you just linked me to (THANK YOU! That's one I don't have!), and fictional accounts such as mockumentaries and modern retellings.

 

[White Masquerade]

No problem. I do hope you finish this compendium. I'd be very interested in the final thing. As for mockumentaries, I didn't know they existed xD . I'll see if I can find one.

 

[Lucyfer]

Hahaha, they do. There's this series called "Lost Tapes" that used to be on Netflix USA for a while. Then the Discovery Channel ran one on Mermaids that I haven't yet seen. They're glorious things.

 

[White Masquerade]

Oooh, these kinds of things! I looked up "Lost Tapes" and I have seen shows similar that focused mostly on Sasquatch or the Chupacabra.


I see what you mean, about not enough material. Nothing I've seen has covered obscure creatures that might come up from say, Korean culture. Monster loving pen-pals from the places you're interested in would be a big help.


Also, if you're into imaginary mythical creatures, a show called "Grimm" would be your cup of tea.

 

[Lucyfer]

I've been told to watch Grimm, but I'm wary. I dislike Supernatural (despite the fact I keep watching) because of what it does to mythical creatures, so I'm not certain how much I'd enjoy Grimm. My need of purity and my love of innovation are difficult to reconcile at times, haha.


I do have a friend in Sweden, Australia, and one visiting Japan right now who are really helping me out. It's one of the reasons I made this thread, is because so many people from all around the world gather here, so I'm hopeful I'll get some more insight from abroad.

 

[Isamalthea]

I'm very much a fan of dragons and Kirins.


Kirin is also spelled Qirin, depending on the region.


Essentially, its the eastern Unicorn. Often described as havingthe body of a goat, scaled fur, antlers of a stag, and long ox-like tails. Naturally, they have magickal qualities and are the bringers of good fortune and luck.

 

[Lucyfer]

I remember the Kirin! I was introduced to it in the manga Petshop of Horrors. Very cool creature ^-^