I have always enjoyed old stories, tall tales, myths, and legends. So, I am creating a blog with stories and information about mythical creatures. If you are interested in this sort of thing, some good books are Dracula by Bram Stoker, Baltimore by Mike Mignola, and Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. I am open to more suggestions. This blog will take a while to complete as I will only be working on it in my spare time. I will probably try to organize stories and info categorically, but because Blogger arranges everything by date, things may look funny at first. If you have any suggestions or corrections to make to my posts let me know.
Right now I am just creating the legends. I want to add Ghosts, mummies, and maybe something else this week. If you have any requests or suggestions just comment under this post and I will see what I can do.
I enjoy writing my own stories as well as posting old legends. So you can tell the difference, my stories will always have the label "story" at the bottom and real legends will have the label "legend."
Disclaimer: Please note that the things on this site are meant to be entertaining and they are only legend. No forms of slaying should ever be attempted.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Beast of Gevaudan
I decided to write this story on the beast of Gevaudan after reading the info on http://labete.7hunters.net/bete1.htm.
It was 1765 and Marie and Jeanne, two sisters were headed home from church. Marie was 15 and Jeanne was a year younger. The sun had set and the hours between dog and wolf had passed. The path was well lit by the starlight reflecting off the freshly fallen snow. It was cold and the girls took turns trying to make shapes with their visible breath in the night air. Church had been boring again. But it was always their tradition to go on Sunday nights. Both sisters were anticipating the hot tea their mother would have on the stove when they got home. Marie began to whistle a hymn. Then, a twig snapped. Instantly both girls froze. Both knew that the beast had been seen in a town not far away. The legends told of a wolf like beast the size of a bear with a tale strong enough to knock a man to the ground and teeth like kitchen knives that dripped blood. Terrified the two girls snuck forward quickly and quietly. They tried not to remember what the peddler a had said about what remained of its last victim, little more than a hand and clothing. Again they heard something moving in the brush to their left. Snatching Jean's hand, Marie started to run. The exit to the forest was just ahead. From there they would be able to see their home. Their feet fell quickly upon the path. A growl sounded to their right. Casting her eyes about the path, expecting to see La Bete at any second. She thought she saw eyes in the shadow of a tree a few yards in front of her. A sudden tug jerked her from the path and forced her to release her sister's hand. Paniced, she looked back. Jeane was lying on the ground with eyes full of fear. Marie looked passed her and saw the root sticking out of the ground. Both got to their feet and dashed for the exit. Clearing the woods and dashing across a small bridge Marie glanced back to see a black blurr disappear into the weatfield. Horror gripped her heart, but the light from the windows of her cottage gave her hope and spurred her on. The wheat in the field to their left was swaying as the pursuer chased them. Suddenly Marie heard a stifled scream. Looking back, she screamed in terror. Jean was gone. All that remained were dots of crimson upon the snow where her tracks had suddenly disappeared, replaced by huge wolf like prints. Screaming for help and crying Marie stumbled to the cottage. She reached for the door and caught her last glimpse of the beast before her hand touched the latch. She didn't have time to scream. Only seconds passed before her father ripped open the door with enough power to nearly tear it from its hinges. All he found were her shoes and blood on the snow. The next morning, a search party turned up what was left of Jean and Marie. They were only recognizable by the terrified look they still had in their eyes.
This is too morbid for my style so here is the alternate and more awesome ending. Suddenly, Marie heard a stifled scream. She turned to look back and fell as Jeane crashed into her. Looking up she saw the beast standing over them jaws dripping, eyes smoldering like embers, and orangish fur standing on end. Its foul smell permated the air. The beast muscles tightened as it prepared to pounce. Crack! The silence was shattered by a gun shot as a hunter burst from the field and leapt onto the road between the beast and the girls. His wide brimmed hat flying from his sholders, as he jerked the ramrod from its hold and began to reload. The beast roared and came forward. The hunters greatcoat flew open as he dropped his gun and drew his sword. His slashing blow cut the beasts shoulder. Roaring in pain it jumped back into the wheatfield. With a quick glance at Marie and Jean, he scooped up his rifle and disappeared into the field into pursuit of the beast. Marie and Jean made it safely home that night, but the never forgot their run in with the Beast of Gevaudan.
It was 1765 and Marie and Jeanne, two sisters were headed home from church. Marie was 15 and Jeanne was a year younger. The sun had set and the hours between dog and wolf had passed. The path was well lit by the starlight reflecting off the freshly fallen snow. It was cold and the girls took turns trying to make shapes with their visible breath in the night air. Church had been boring again. But it was always their tradition to go on Sunday nights. Both sisters were anticipating the hot tea their mother would have on the stove when they got home. Marie began to whistle a hymn. Then, a twig snapped. Instantly both girls froze. Both knew that the beast had been seen in a town not far away. The legends told of a wolf like beast the size of a bear with a tale strong enough to knock a man to the ground and teeth like kitchen knives that dripped blood. Terrified the two girls snuck forward quickly and quietly. They tried not to remember what the peddler a had said about what remained of its last victim, little more than a hand and clothing. Again they heard something moving in the brush to their left. Snatching Jean's hand, Marie started to run. The exit to the forest was just ahead. From there they would be able to see their home. Their feet fell quickly upon the path. A growl sounded to their right. Casting her eyes about the path, expecting to see La Bete at any second. She thought she saw eyes in the shadow of a tree a few yards in front of her. A sudden tug jerked her from the path and forced her to release her sister's hand. Paniced, she looked back. Jeane was lying on the ground with eyes full of fear. Marie looked passed her and saw the root sticking out of the ground. Both got to their feet and dashed for the exit. Clearing the woods and dashing across a small bridge Marie glanced back to see a black blurr disappear into the weatfield. Horror gripped her heart, but the light from the windows of her cottage gave her hope and spurred her on. The wheat in the field to their left was swaying as the pursuer chased them. Suddenly Marie heard a stifled scream. Looking back, she screamed in terror. Jean was gone. All that remained were dots of crimson upon the snow where her tracks had suddenly disappeared, replaced by huge wolf like prints. Screaming for help and crying Marie stumbled to the cottage. She reached for the door and caught her last glimpse of the beast before her hand touched the latch. She didn't have time to scream. Only seconds passed before her father ripped open the door with enough power to nearly tear it from its hinges. All he found were her shoes and blood on the snow. The next morning, a search party turned up what was left of Jean and Marie. They were only recognizable by the terrified look they still had in their eyes.
This is too morbid for my style so here is the alternate and more awesome ending. Suddenly, Marie heard a stifled scream. She turned to look back and fell as Jeane crashed into her. Looking up she saw the beast standing over them jaws dripping, eyes smoldering like embers, and orangish fur standing on end. Its foul smell permated the air. The beast muscles tightened as it prepared to pounce. Crack! The silence was shattered by a gun shot as a hunter burst from the field and leapt onto the road between the beast and the girls. His wide brimmed hat flying from his sholders, as he jerked the ramrod from its hold and began to reload. The beast roared and came forward. The hunters greatcoat flew open as he dropped his gun and drew his sword. His slashing blow cut the beasts shoulder. Roaring in pain it jumped back into the wheatfield. With a quick glance at Marie and Jean, he scooped up his rifle and disappeared into the field into pursuit of the beast. Marie and Jean made it safely home that night, but the never forgot their run in with the Beast of Gevaudan.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Beast of Gevaudan
Alright, I am excited to write about a real legend. Though many of my posts are just myths, the Beast of Gevaudan was a real "wolf-like creature" that terrorized the region of Gevaudan, France from 1764 to 1767. Eye witnesses describe it as having reddish fur, huge teeth, and a foul odor. Almost all witnesses describe the creature as being similar to a huge wolf. Some associate it with werewolves, but this was a real creature. There are actually several other very minor wolf stories such as "the wolf of Ansbach," and "the wolf of Soissons," and stories about wolf attacks in Benias and Vivarias (oddly all these attacks occurred over a period lasting roughly 4 years), but these cannot hold a candle to the shear terror and destruction inflicted by the beast of Gevaudan. One estimate claims that the beast attacked 210 people, killing 113 and wounding 49. It is said that 98 of these kills were found partially eaten. The conservative estimate says that 25 women, 68 children, and six men were killed while more than 30 people were injured. At very least, 60 can be confirmed, but most estimates are 100 or more killed. Some speculators say that it had to be more than one beast. Regardless an army of people were organized just to hunt it because it was so dangerous.
Perhaps the most horrifying thing about this beast was it almost always went for the kill, attacking the face and throat. The attacks of the beast were so vicious and devastating that they caught the attention of King Louis the XV, who took a personal interest in the matter sending hunters to kill the beast. The first hunters, spent three months killing wolves and yet...the attacks continued. After the failure of these hunters, King Louis sent his a man named Antoine and his own lieutenant of the hunt. In September 1765 these two killed a wolf almost 3 feet high and 6 feet long. It weighed 130 pounds and carried scars said to be made by its thrashing victims. Survivors claimed that this was indeed the beast. It was stuffed and sent to the Palace of Versailles.
Now this should be the end of the story, but in December of 1765, the beast struck again. It injured two children and as time continued many other deaths occurred. Rumor has it that the King wanted things kept quiet this time. He didn't want terror to spread or have people know that not even the king could stop it. This "second" beast was eventually slain by a man named Jean Chastel. Family legend said that he was in a hunting party and sat to read his Bible and pray when the beast approached him. He then finished his prayer before shooting and killing the beast. (note: this defies the normal behavior patterns of the beast as it always attacked immediately. not waiting for people to pray). Now, some of the villagers claim that it was actually Jean Chastel who trained the beast. No one really knows for sure whether or not that is true. However, upon cutting open the stomach of the last beast, they found human body parts. The highly exaggerated version of the Beast of Gevaudan can be seen in the movie Brotherhood of the Wolf.
Stats:
Easily as large as a lion and terribly vicious, the beast of Gevaudan was able to take down full grown men. It was known not only for its size, but also its extraordinarily long teeth and tail as well as its reddish fur. Many speculate it could have been a wolf crossbred with a dog or some odd subspecies. One speculation is that it was a prehistoric animal, a mesonychid or other wolf-like species, that survived in France. No one really knows what it was. Due to size and strength, it seems the beast was able to survive numerous wounds. Many of the villagers claimed to have shot it, cut it, or otherwise injured it. Some thought it was a demon because it was so tough. This is not unheard of. When Lewis and Clark traveled west they had to shoot grizzly bears dozens of times to kill them. Strong, fast, and apparently intelligent enough to avoid legions of hunters, the beast was a terrifying killing machine.
Transformation:
Uhh, its an animal. There is no transformation involved.
Alignment:
Normally animals are just animals, but I am going with evil on the Beast of Gevaudan. It seemed to specifically target humans and it caused many deaths. The thought occurs to me that it could have been trained or it could have been possessed, but it should be noted that these are simply possibilities that I thought up. Most likely it was just a very wild, particularly malevolent, beast.
Weaknesses and Slaying:
Well it was only after Jean Chastel killed it that stories of him using a silver bullet sprang up. In the actual history, Chastel and Antoine killed both beasts with regular bullets. Like any bear or wolf, it would have been vulnerable to any conventional weapon be it gun, sword, or cannon. It was simply hard to kill, not supernaturally invincible.
Perhaps the most horrifying thing about this beast was it almost always went for the kill, attacking the face and throat. The attacks of the beast were so vicious and devastating that they caught the attention of King Louis the XV, who took a personal interest in the matter sending hunters to kill the beast. The first hunters, spent three months killing wolves and yet...the attacks continued. After the failure of these hunters, King Louis sent his a man named Antoine and his own lieutenant of the hunt. In September 1765 these two killed a wolf almost 3 feet high and 6 feet long. It weighed 130 pounds and carried scars said to be made by its thrashing victims. Survivors claimed that this was indeed the beast. It was stuffed and sent to the Palace of Versailles.
Now this should be the end of the story, but in December of 1765, the beast struck again. It injured two children and as time continued many other deaths occurred. Rumor has it that the King wanted things kept quiet this time. He didn't want terror to spread or have people know that not even the king could stop it. This "second" beast was eventually slain by a man named Jean Chastel. Family legend said that he was in a hunting party and sat to read his Bible and pray when the beast approached him. He then finished his prayer before shooting and killing the beast. (note: this defies the normal behavior patterns of the beast as it always attacked immediately. not waiting for people to pray). Now, some of the villagers claim that it was actually Jean Chastel who trained the beast. No one really knows for sure whether or not that is true. However, upon cutting open the stomach of the last beast, they found human body parts. The highly exaggerated version of the Beast of Gevaudan can be seen in the movie Brotherhood of the Wolf.
Stats:
Easily as large as a lion and terribly vicious, the beast of Gevaudan was able to take down full grown men. It was known not only for its size, but also its extraordinarily long teeth and tail as well as its reddish fur. Many speculate it could have been a wolf crossbred with a dog or some odd subspecies. One speculation is that it was a prehistoric animal, a mesonychid or other wolf-like species, that survived in France. No one really knows what it was. Due to size and strength, it seems the beast was able to survive numerous wounds. Many of the villagers claimed to have shot it, cut it, or otherwise injured it. Some thought it was a demon because it was so tough. This is not unheard of. When Lewis and Clark traveled west they had to shoot grizzly bears dozens of times to kill them. Strong, fast, and apparently intelligent enough to avoid legions of hunters, the beast was a terrifying killing machine.
Transformation:
Uhh, its an animal. There is no transformation involved.
Alignment:
Normally animals are just animals, but I am going with evil on the Beast of Gevaudan. It seemed to specifically target humans and it caused many deaths. The thought occurs to me that it could have been trained or it could have been possessed, but it should be noted that these are simply possibilities that I thought up. Most likely it was just a very wild, particularly malevolent, beast.
Weaknesses and Slaying:
Well it was only after Jean Chastel killed it that stories of him using a silver bullet sprang up. In the actual history, Chastel and Antoine killed both beasts with regular bullets. Like any bear or wolf, it would have been vulnerable to any conventional weapon be it gun, sword, or cannon. It was simply hard to kill, not supernaturally invincible.
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