In some other news today, I've been working on a hard copy of the guide, getting it reviewed by the various English teachers at my school and possibly getting it to some of the writers I know. I don't plan on stopping this anytime soon and may try to work on getting it published sometime after it is done, though that is quite a while's away. As for the hard copy, there is some differences between it and the one you're currently reading, most changes being done to make sense as a congruent guide, rather than a weekly post. So I want to hear your honest opinion on it, mostly because I find lots of people on EMC don't exactly offer criticism too often, most comments going to "great job!", or "really nice work", even if it is pretty mediocre that is my opinion however. Anyways I want to hear some ideas to improve it, I truly do.
I think that this was a magnificent idea in the first place I always enjoy when you post here and I get to read about the mythical creature ( even though I know most of these > )! I did something like this in the past but on actual paper ( a hard copy ) but back then I wasn't so interested in this kind of stuff so I discarded it, which I regret now. All I can really say is "great job!" or "really nice work!" xD
Name: Nightmare Myths: Germanic Description: The nightmare, or mare for short, was a female Germanic demon who brought upon nightmares by sitting on people's chests. It was squat and foul looking, a frown upon its face. Quite unsettling to many people and even compared to the succubus, a demon even more unsettling who would take the vitality away from men through lustful means. Mares also had other tendencies that could be compared more to horseplay, quite literally. Mare's had an amazing time riding horses during the night till morning, exhausting them. They would even entangle their hair together making marelocks. This likely would’ve caused many troubles for those stable masters, the mares got a wonderful laugh out of it. Another variation of the nightmare was a Mora, a witch whose spirit could leave their body. These witches typically took a different form, such as a cat, toad, bird, or more commonly a wasp. These Mora would cause others quite some night terrors during their trances, as witches they caused many more problems. Witch hunts became frequent soon enough, killing even more magic users, a glorious aid to the dragons. Your foolishness however got many of your innocent women killed for no reason. End of Page 28
Name: Leprechaun Myths: Irish Description: Leprechauns are little annoyances from Ireland. I despise them, they're witty and tricky, even I've been outsmarted by those idiots a few times. Luckily for me they are quite puny and wear green or red clothing exclusively, no idea why, matches their annoying tendencies I like to think, that is likely not why however. There's nothing too special about leprechauns. They do happen to have uncanny shoe making talents and have a large pot of gold at the ends of rainbows. If you're lucky enough to find this magical pot of gold, you'll be rich beyond your comprehension. Compared to most creatures, they don’t do much else with their magical talents. If you capture one and hold him against his will, well, then you’ll learn what they’re truly capable of. If you're quick, cunning, and a little lucky, you may capture a leprechaun. Upon capturing one of these annoyances, they'll grant you 3 wishes for their freedom. This can be anything, they are quite talented spellweavers, being able to bend reality itself for you. I'd be very careful what you wish for, not everything may go as you expected. Very likely to your dismay. End of Page 29
A Short History of Shape Magic The art of changing forms hasn't always existed for mortals. Its existence can be attributed to the ancient dragon Ichondrious, once a master spellweaver, until he cursed himself and all dragons with a magical disease to be with one of your kind. Long ago, Ichondrious was young, but highly intelligent dragon and had an affinity for the art of spellweaving. To everyone's dismay, Ichondrious was foolish with his knowledge and fell in love with one of your human females. To be with her he planned to create a world weave to turn him into a human man, this failed beyond his control. The spell worked for the most part, then something went wrong. He instead turned into a half human, half dragon hybrid, becoming a new breed of creature called a Draconian. When the Stone Wardens, priests of Gailana and the old leaders of dragon culture, saw what he'd become, they banished him and took away his magical abilities. There was soon a greater cost to Ichondrious' foolishness. This curse had soon spread to other dragons, devolving them into those monsters. Soon the Stone Wardens could stop its spread, but there was no cure. Those dragons could continue to live in our societies, though many left as they were belittled and insulted. One thing the Stone Wardens could never anticipate was the effect on humans Ichondrious' weave would have. As soon as the weave was woven into the world, rituals humans performed to change themselves into the animals began to work. Later, Zeus created a magical disease among humans whose magic was derived from the weave that continues to plague your kind. This page appears to continue to the next one...
The Dangers and Consequences of Shape Magic The dangers of shape magic are dire and many evil or merely annoyed mages have used its magic to harm others, though not always. You humans used the magic in your early days to aid with hunting and sometimes still do. A weaker form of the magic would even be used to give you qualities of a specific creature, aiding in stalking and hunting your prey. The magic was typically performed by a Shaman, a powerful Diviner. This wasn't always the case of course. Many mages used the magic to curse others for evil purposes or as punishment. I admit even I've turned a few humans into animals for annoying me. Later, a wizard named Merlin banned this form of magic from being used on others, lest you had permission. There are various dangers to using this magic on yourself and others. It is possible that if you get the spell wrong that you'll end up in the same fate as Ichondrious, an odd hybrid creature with animal like thinking, you'll lose your humanity. It is also possible that of you're not prepared with the right elixirs when performing the magic on yourself, you'll remain in that form till the end of your days, that is unless you can get someone to change you back. Lastly, the worst possible consequence is that of contracting lycanthropy. Though typically associated with lycanthropes, this disease applies to all predatory animals and most beware the danger of trying to change into one without the proper preparations. If you find yourself afflicted by shape magic against your will, then you can't stop it. Only another magic user with the proper knowledge can cure you with the right ritual. Sadly, you'll have a fairly difficult time trying to find a user with knowledge of this magic as it is rare, even then, conveying to them that you're afflicted by the magic when you are an animal is equally difficult. End of Page 30
Name: Alicanto Myths: South American Description: The alicanto is a magnificent bird from Chile that has feathers of metal sheen and ghastly glowing eyes, the feathers change color based on what ores it eats. The birds get this metallic touch to their feathers from the metals they feast on. It is native to the desert of Atacama and is quite a wonderful sign of luck or misfortune to miners in the area who happen to see it. Many miners will follow the bird at night if they come across it. They hope that they will be led to wonderful deposits of minerals, as always greed seems to be your driving force, of course, I can't complain much as a dragon. If the miners are lucky they will be led to the deposits if the miner isn't noticed and will be rich beyond your feeble mind's comprehension. Though if the miner is noticed following the bird, it will instead lead him to his death. An interesting abnormality about the alicanto is that it is grounded. This is due to its diet of heavy metals, though these metals also make their eggs gold and silver. Alicanto eggs are quite valued among various species as a great decoration piece, though the High Draconic Council banned the selling of the eggs. End of Page 31
Name: Burach Bhadi Myths: Scottish Description: In the lochs of Scotland, lies a fiendish leech known as the Burach Bhadi, or as some call it, the Wizard's Shackle. It is quite large and at atop its ugly head lie 9 gruesome eyes. It should be taken with caution and it is highly advisable that you do not get near its territory. If you do happen to venture near Burach Bhadi territory most of your worries will be faced if you're riding a horse. The Burach Bhadi's favorite prey are horses and those who have their steed tread through its waters face a watery grave. Once the Burach Bhadi has its prey, it will drag them down to its lair and drown the victim. It will then proceed to drain the animal of its blood. I once encountered a Burach Bhadi and found out exactly why they were called the Wizard's Shackle. When searching for creatures in Scotland, on accord of the High Draconic Council, I was traveling using my illusions and getting around by horse. I made the mistake of entering Burach Bhadi territory and was attacked. As it began to pull me and my horse down, I attempted to cast a spell to kill it, my magic however didn't work. I felt drained of it all. Soon enough my illusion fell off by itself and I simply flew away instead, leaving my horse to die. I discovered that the Burach Bhadi drains magical power with its bite, making sure no one escapes its grasp. End of Page 32
Name: Kappa Myths: Japanese Description: The Kappa is an interesting demon from Japan, it is a small humanoid and resembles a turtle. On top of their head is a "bowl", I guess you could call it, this bowl has water in it that provides them with their mystical power and life force. They reside in rivers, terrorizing anybody who strays to close to the water's edge. The Kappa is difficult to evaluate in terms of danger. Some just pull many pranks, such as looking up woman's clothing, while others go as far as drowning people by wrestling them in. When someone has been drowned in the water, it will drink their blood and eat their livers. They may also steal their soul to gain the creatures power. If faced with a Kappa, there is quite a few ways to stop them. Kappa are extremely polite, if bowed to, they will bow back. The water in their bowl will fall out and they will be paralyzed. If you fill it with water from their home river, they will rather assist you for life. Giving them cucumbers makes them happy too. They speak Japanese and can fulfill a variety of tasks, making them great assistants. End of Page 33
This week there will be no new page. You may be wondering why, well it's because I made revisions to the WHOLE ENTIRE BOOK! So, if you haven't read it before, great time to start. If you read it every week, there is a lot more flavor added to the pages, including a new introduction. Hope you enjoy!
Name: Ghoul Myths: Arabian Description: Ghouls are a type of Jinn, ghouls however are quite appear a lot more decayed and dead than a typical Jinn. However some would appear as beautiful woman wandering the desert, as you've learned many monsters do to kill people. What disturbs me to the core is that it feasts on human flesh and stalks burial sites frequently. In a way, it is similar to the wendigo, but slightly more sinister as it is said the ghouls are daughters of Iblis, the most powerful demon of Arabia. Dealing with ghouls is no easy task, it is extremely likely you'll die. However, ghouls can be killed unlike the wendigo. All you must do is kill them in a single blow, only one, anymore and they'll simply return to life. Simple task for a dragon, for your race, a task you will rarely accomplish successfully. End of Page 34
I shall be waiting for this story' arrival. Your writing skills are wonderful so I do not doubt your ability to write a story. I am thrilled to have the honour of getting to read your story. Until then. ~Lady Eliza ( Formally known as LordessSpartan_ )
Name: Celestial Stag Myths: Chinese Description: The Celestial Stag, a monster of both beauty and vileness. It appears as a beautiful stag in mines shining a celestial light, yet not as beautiful as one would expect upon exiting the mine. In its first form, some would describe it as one of the most beautiful creatures to have ever walked upon this Earth, but that is far from truth. The Celestial Stag lives in mines, typically those with miners in them. They have the ability to speak to these miners and will try to persuade them to let them out of the mine. In exchange for this, they promise to show the miner the most amazing ores in the mines, so that they may grow rich upon mining the ores. Yet, nobody should ever heed their lie. Upon exiting the mine, you'll discover this thing isn't as beautiful as it was in the mine as mentioned before. Once out of the mine, the stag will go back on its promise and degrade into a vile pool of black jelly and flesh. Nobody knows what happens after, no one is alive to say. End of Page 35
Name: Troll Myths: Germanic Description: Trolls are an interesting species. They are humanoid in appearance, yet are far bulkier, taller, and sometimes uglier. Other than this, they are simply tall looking men and women. They mostly reside in mountains, forests, and rarely bridges. Each of these regions has its own species of trolls, none the less they are still dangerous and awful creatures to meet. The dangers of trolls are numerous. Their acts range from kidnapping to eating your kind for supper. It's certainly not pleasant and to make matters worst, people of a faith called Christianity are at an even greater risk as trolls can smell their blood and loathe them. It's and odd trait they have for they aren't demons, but despite this unique trait, they have far more weaknesses than you might expect. Trolls are incredibly dim, easily outwitted by the least cunning of your race, which is saying a lot. Anyone who can formulate a plan and is a little brave can deal with a troll easily, though if you aren't up to that, there are other ways. They happen to have an incredible weakness to sunlight, turning to stone upon daylight. This requires them to hide in darkness, keeping you safe till night. End of Page 36
Name: Solarian Myths: Draconic Description: Solarian, the god of the sun and light. He is the contrast to Lunarian's darkness. He was the first son of Gailana and was created to bring balance. He is famous for bringing kindness into hearts, but also fanaticism. Although dragons dislike both Solarian and Lunarian, we do not mind Solarian as much. As the god of light, he is honorable, brave, and pure order, which we respect. However, he can drive people to do wrongs believing they are in right, which we despise. This fanaticism has led many down a road of destruction as they seek to purge all that they see as unrighteous, this does little to dissuade his many followers from continuing to devote themselves to him. He is capable of many things but shows restraint in his powers. When he walks among us, he is humble and appears almost as a pauper. If you cross him however, beware, he can be a wrathful god to those who slight him even a little. End of Page 37
I seem to be unable to post the new piece here because it's too long. Oddly enough, it's one of the shorter pages so I don't know what's wrong. Anybody know what's up?
