Coincidentally, I had read that story just a couple of days before you posted that. (I have been reading a Dutch, metric translation of the Odyssey)
Name: Familiar Myths: European Description: A servant to magic casters, a familiar is a demon or fairy that a magi has contracted into helping them. They often take on the form of small animals, common ones being cats, toads, owls, and ravens. These contracts last anywhere from a few weeks to the end of the magi's life. Familiars range from benevolent to malevolent. Their alignment tends to be based on the one who contracted them, either way, they tend to help the magi with daily tasks or protect them from harm. In some cases, familiars gain the upper hand over the magi and up controlling them, though rare, it is a possible occurrence when dealing with familiars. Contracting a demon or fairy into being your familiar is simple with the right spell. Reciting the magical words in a magic circle tends to summon forth a fairy or demon and from there you'll make a contract with it. This contract includes what you would like the familiar to do for you as well as what form it will take. Your end of the bargain simply requires you to take care of it. End of Page 60
Name: Baku Myths: Japanese Description: Appearing as a combination of an elephant, rhinoceros, ox, elephant, and tiger, the baku devours the nightmares of people around Japan. The baku itself is such an odd mixture of animals due to it being made of the spare pieces when animals were finished being created. The baku isn't very dangerous, many respect it for what it does. Whenever someone finds themselves having a terrible nightmare, they can call out to the baku who will eat it. Be warned, if you call out to the baku too much, you might find it to be still hungry after devouring your nightmares. It will then devour all your hopes and desires. The people I've seen affected by it this way feel empty and devoid of whatever they once were, husks of life that simply shamble on. The image of the baku contains power itself. Talismans of the baku can help ward off nightmares and evil spirits. You'll find many children own talismans,while sculptures of it can be found on temples to ward off evil from entering. End of Page 61
Name: Wyvern Myths: European Description: Wyverns are a subspecies of dragonkin that we are vastly superior to in every way. Wyverns are physically similar to dragons in many ways except for 3 key differences, they are smaller, have only two puny bird-like legs, and typically have a venomous barbed tail or fangs. Wyverns are found all over Europe, typically roosting in similar places as dragons. While wyverns remain similar to dragons in appearance, they are obviously vastly different beasts in intelligence. Wyverns lack the ability to understand or even comprehend magic and language and have more primal instincts. They are ferocious and care mostly about their next meal, which could easily be you if you're foolish enough to interact with one. They mainly feast upon wild animals however, eating humans when food is sparse. Wyverns hold plenty of symbolism in Europe as well. The wyvern's ferocity is a commonly represented trait when put on coats of arms, representing conquest, envy, or might. Some human alchemists and mages used images of the wyvern to represent cryptic symbolism and messages as well. End of Page 62
Name: Carbuncle Myths: South American Description: Small mammals native to various areas of South America, carbuncles are found most often in the mountains of Chile. The carbuncle’s mammalian appearance varies by carbuncle with some resembling armadillos, while others could look like a weasel. All carbuncles do share one common feature however, the small red gem embedded in their forehead. Carbuncles pose very little threat as they are herbivores, humans however, are a threat to them. Their gems are highly valued among rulers for their ability to bring great fortune. Catching a carbuncle is a nearly impossible task to the dismay of their would-be trappers, their heightened sense of hearing and supernatural agility makes them difficult to find, nonetheless catch. The magical gem in the carbuncle’s head has inspired many a tale of greed, mystery, and hope. One old story told to whelplings as a cautionary tale, tells how a dragon sought a carbuncle’s gem to add to her hoard so she would be blessed with even greater fortune than she already had. She tried and tried to capture the carbuncle, but failed every time. Eventually she was driven to madness by her constant failure and was never seen again. End of Page 63
Name: Gailana Myths: Draconic Description: Gailana, the Goddess of Balance and the Earth. The most revered of the 3 gods and the mother to all. She was the first living thing to fly upon this realm and brought light and darkness, joy and misery, life and death. Our central belief behind the creation of light and darkness sprouts from a sacrifice made by Gailana. As she flew across the void, lonely, lost, stuck in chaos, she looked to bring light. She ripped out her left eye and cast it into the void and from it sprung Solarian and the void withered away. But Gailana could not simply let light rule, there must still be darkness. So, she ripped out her right eye and casted it into the withering void and came Lunarian. With both of her sons of both light and dark, there came balance at last. As time droned on and the brothers fought and argued to bring the balance in their favor, Gailana once again sought to keep the scales from tipping to imbalance. She sacrificed herself to create a world of balance, our world. Her scales became the earth beneath our feet, her blood became the water we drink, and her soul was intertwined into all things to give them life and duality. This is why we revere Gailana the most, for we have her to thank for all that exists and all that will ever exist. End of Page 64
Name: Psychopomp Myths: Greek Description: The psychopomps are a group of guides to the afterlife. The originalpsychopomp was Thanatos, a divine being of death, but each region has its own psychopomp to guide their designated souls to the afterlife. Typically appearing as anthropomorphic figures or beings of divinity, the psychopomps await till Death has his grasp on you to begin your final journey. Psychopomps are neither evil or good, they remain neutral, some judge your soul, while others simply guide you to a judge, so that your final resting place in the afterlife may be decided. Simply put, psychopomps are the bridges between life and death, consciousness and unconsciousness, light and darkness. There are some psychopomps that have gained popularity among your people, they include Anubis, a divine being of death, Charon, the ferryman of River Styx, and Azrael, the Angel of Death. Anubis presides over death in Egypt, acting as a judge and psychopomp. Charon ferries souls into the afterlife through the passage, River Styx, after which they will be judged. As for Azrael, he serves a courier, bringing souls to the godhead itself. End of Page 65
Name: Roc Myths: Arabian Description: The roc remains to be one of the largest and most terrifying birds to have ever flown the skies. Resembling an eagle, it is so large, that its very shadow brings darkness to the land beneath it. Its diet mostly subsisted off of elephants and other medium to large creatures it could find. To the good fortune of all, the roc lives far away from civilized areas, mainly residing within deserts and islands. Despite their out-of-the-way habitats, rocs still come across humans and other intelligent creatures on the rare occasion. When a roc encounters such creatures, their first instinct is to kill it for food to provide for its young. Some humans do seek them out however, mainly due to the idea that rocs are guarding some vast fortune that will make them rich. The roc has been detailed quite a bit by human scholars and explorers. Two such men include Sinbad and Marco Polo. Sinbad was a sailor known for his wanderlust and fortunate riches, his men came upon a roc egg which they ate. This led to the roc being infuriated, sinking Sinbad’s ship and leaving him stranded on the island. Sinbad did eventually return home after many more adventures. As for Marco Polo, he was an explorer travelling to China. During his trip, he came across a roc killing an elephant which he later detailed to others after his return. End of Page 66
Efteling is a fantasy themed amusement park with attractions based on myths and fables in the Netherlands? Neat, I'll have to check it out if I ever happen to go there.
Name: Tengu Myths: Japanese Description: The tengu are bird-like demons from Japan, with an appearance that seems to emulate both human and avian qualities. Tengus tend to either have either a beak or elongated nose that sits upon a red face. The tengu are capable of flight as well with the wings on their arms. The tengu are an interesting bunch in terms of morality. The creatures are similar to humans in that there is good and evil among them, but they all retain the traits of pride and ambition. Good tengu protect monasteries and the monks that live within from harm of the evils around them. In contrast, evil tengu lure monks with false images of who they worship and burn monasteries to the ground, attempting to cause death, destruction, and war. The tengu are thought to be born from the spirits of the prideful, vain, and ambitious. Tengu who give into their vile nature will bring ruin wherever they may tread, yet those who try to do good and suppress it will become protective spirts, though still prideful and ambitious. Some good tengu may even become kami, the group of divine spirits and beings who govern Japan. In the end, it’s my belief that the tengu represent the balance established by Gailana strongly and truly are creatures of duality fighting their inner darkness or giving into it entirely. End of page 67
Name: Fossegrim Myths: Europe Description: In the silent rivers and thunderous waterfalls of Scandanavia, lives the world’s greatest fiddler, the Fossegrim. The Fossegrim takes on the appearance of what humans would consider a beautiful male of your species. In addition to this, it wears very little clothing. The Fossegrim’s instrumental music is some of the most beautiful I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear, it’s as if Gailana herself plays over his strings. The tune is so beautiful, that even the world itself trembles whenever he plays upon his fiddle. Alas, to try and describe the music of this creature would be a vain attempt to try and explain what beauty itself means, for there is no true description. Some seek the Fossegrim to learn how to play the fiddle as he does and he is happy to teach, for a price. When seeking out the Fossegrim, he will teach for offerings of food. The more food you provide him, the more willing he is to teach you, ranging from simply teaching you how to tune the fiddle to how to play almost as beautifully as he does. Those who learn from him are said to be able to make the trees themselves dance and the waves of the sea stand still. End of Page 68
Name: Nisse Myths: European Description: Around the wintry months when you humans put up those dreadful lights and sing those ear-wrenching tunes, is the Nisse’s favorite time of the year. Native to Scandanavia, the Nisse are short folk with long white beards that watch over farms and keep the folk who run them in check. Nisse themselves tend to reside in the barns and take care of the delicious animals that live there. They will feed, clean, and groom them, making sure they are treated well and asks only that he is given respect and Christmas porridge with butter during the annoyingly joyous times of your wintry months. As kind as a Nisse may be, angering them can result in horrid consequences. A Nisse who doesn’t receive his porridge and butter will gladly murder the animals it works so hard to take care of. A Nisse that is well fed and treated well however, will go as far as stealing animals from neighboring farms to help bring its owner’s farm many more riches than before. End of Page 69
Name: Gryla Myths: European Description: In the mountainous wilds of Iceland lurks the vile cannibalistic witch, Gryla. A troll, Gryla is in a similar vein to Krampus, for she has taken it upon herself to punish children who have proved themselves to be exceptionally wretched. With hooves for feet and 13 tails, Gryla truly is a terrible creature that must be avoided at all costs. Children who have earned the dishonor of being visited by Gryla are thrown into her sack and brought back to her cavern home. Once she has arrived home, the children will be boiled alive for a stew that only her and her family could ever enjoy. However, the children weren’t the only at threat of Gryla, for she consumed the flesh of her two late husbands as well. Gryla’s third husband helped her bring upon this world their 13 children, the mischievous Yule Lads. The various Yule Lads cause their own particular annoyance for the humans of Iceland, ranging from harassing sheep to stealing tallow candles. With the Yule Lads, is Gryla’s Yule Cat who will gobble up any child who doesn’t receive new clothing for Christmas. Together, these various figures bring terror to Iceland during the Christmas season. End of Page 70
Name: Chimera Myths: Greek Description: A creature of morbid fascination and divine creation, the chimera was a peculiar hybrid that once lived in Lycia, which is now the southern coast of Turkey. The creature itself was a mixture between a lion, goat, and serpent, its body being that of a lion, with the head of a male goat between its shoulder blades, and its tail replaced with a lowly venomous serpent. As well, although the lion’s head has a mane, the chimera is wholly female. Despite what her odd appearance may elude to, she has more than fangs, horns, and venom to maim and kill any who would challenge her. She could breathe fire from the goat’s head as to make mockery of men who tried to defend their livestock from the creature and burn villages to ash in mere minutes, as if draconic in nature. The chimera remained a threat to the people of Lycia for many a year, until a Greek man named, Bellerophon, the son of the divine being, Poseidon challenged her at request of King Proteus. King Proteus hoped Bellerophon would perish, but with the aid of the mythical Pegasus, he was able to fly around her and finish off the creature with a spear to the throat. With her death, the chimera’s reign of terror over Lycia ended, but over the years, other chimeric creatures would be born if by the hands of mad mages or pure chance. End of Page 71
I have been working on new stuff, but have also been editing a lot of things as well. I may share them at a later date.
