In an era where an oft-jaded population demands instant information, many people have little time for something as whimsical as myths. Cynics dissect legends under the microscope and imagination is often slightly out of style. Fortunately, for those who still fascinated by mystery, there area few things that defy explanation and some creatures who have managed to avoid the paparazzi.
Tag Archives: creature
Mummies
The ancient Egyptians were masters of mummification and rook great pains to ensure that their rulers were properly prepared for the afterlife. The passing of ancient kings was heralded by ceremonial sacrifice as the nation wept and massive pyramids rose to house their remains.
Messenger Ghosts
What goes unsaid could fill a hundred tomes in most people’s lives. Even messages of grave importance remain unspoken, flickering away with a last breath. This is even more true in the world of the restless dead, where spirits have passed on with words left unexpressed.
Mercenaries
Many who take up the sword and perish on the battlefield sacrifice their lives freely because they believe in the cause they serve. However, there are those who are not motivated by glory or national pride. These callous warriors risk their lives for far pettier reasons and sell their martial prowess to the highest bidder. They are oft guided by greed, disillusionment, or revenge. Such is the life of the mercenary.
Megalo-maniacal Villains
Megalomania is a psychopathic condition that’s predominated by infantile delusions of wealth, power, or omnipotence. Individuals stricken with this malady of the mind are often obsessed with grandiose actions or extravagant things. People such as these feel they deserve the best life has to offer. Thus, their hidden hide outs have all the creature comforts money can buy and are protected by cutting edge, often ridiculously lethal weaponry, while stunning companions attend to their needs. The villains make excellent leaders for secret societies, cabals, and organizations that demand fanatical loyalty from their followers.
Mantis Aliens
The Mantideans are a brutal race of insects resembling what many humans would call a praying mantis. Most stand over two and a half meters tall but can reach a height of nearly four meters when fully extended. Their faces resemble a triangle with compound eyes on either side and sharp chitinous mandibles in the middle. Exoskeletons provide inherent armor and produce a highly adaptive pigment that changes to fit their surroundings. This pigment can mimic greens, reds, oranges, and browns.
Mad Scientists
Few labels are quite so evocative as that of mad scientist. They are a constant source of conflict for those who become embroiled within their schemes, not necessarily because the scientist’s goals are evil, but because their judgment is inherently flawed.
Lycanthropes
Near any dank moor in Europe, or remote village at the edge of civilization, newcomers will be warned by the local townsfolk not to travel the wilds during the full moon for things that walk the line between person and beast prowl the night seeking warm flesh to feast upon. Those who scoff at these “quaint rural superstitions” should beware: These warnings are no mere tales for tourists. In the places where the domain of civilization ends and the domain of animal begins, there are creatures that are half-man, half-beast. They are known as lycanthropes, or werecreatures.
Leeches
Leeches are parasitic creatures that are among the simplest animals in existence. They are invertebrates with no higher cognitive functions, and they operate on the basest of instincts: feed and reproduce.
Law Enforcement
The beat cops are the backbone of any city police force, having been around since the early 1800s. Also called bobbies (Great Britain), gendarmes (France), carabinieres (Italy), Polizist (Germany), guardia (Spain), and among other names, depending on the part of the world, they walk the streets or patrol in cars, and they are the first responders to any police call. They have evolved over the decades from the “tough love” kind of law enforcement co the modern part social worker, part investigator.