Apophis

Art by: Kristen

In one story about Apophis, the fight between the forces of light and darkness began each dusk, Apophis would lay in wait for his rival Ra to journey into his domain. The mighty boat of Ra was also guarded by other deities who would fight beside Ra. Their battles were that of legend. Apophis would sometimes hypnotize his prey, his jaws opened to consume the light of the world. Ra and all of his allies except the strongest, Seth, fell under Apophis’s power. Shortly before victory and before Seth’s counter attack, Apophis revels in his near victory. Seth who repelled the entrancing glare readies his spear for the offense. Previously, the gods on the side of Ra plan and scheme on how they will destroy Apophis down to the last aspect. His body, his name in all its forms, his magic and even his shadow must be conquered to claim victory each night. Apophis who was indestructible thanks to the chaos he was formed from would heal from all his wounds during the following day. With the great skill and power of the strongest deity Seth slayed Apophis with a particularly cruel and vicious attack. He then decapitated and cursed all the names that Apophis took.

Apsu

Art by: Magda

According to the ancient wisdom of Mesopotamia, all life came from the water. Apsu was the ruler of fresh water and husband to Tiamat. Their union gave birth to the first dieties. As their children flourished, their numbers increased, and they brought light and order into being. Apsu could not stand that his peacewas being disturbed and so decided to kill his offspring. Tiamat’s plan differed, so Apsu took the help of his Advisor to help plan and carry out the deed. This did not sit well with the children, so they came up with a plan of their own, to kill Apsu. Enki was the one to cast a spell of sleep on Apsu and as he slept, he killed him. Tiamat was consumed with rage at this and tried to kill the offspring in response. Enki’s son Marduk was the one to finish the task and kill Tiamat.

Caoranach

Art by: Kristen

Known to the druids of Ireland, she was an ancient terror and the mother of unsavory creatures who delighted in corrupting the innocent children of man. Saint Patrick in his journey to convert the tribes of the land to christianity saw in a vision that he should travel to the mountain occupied by Caoránach to pray on the summit. This intrusion was not welcomed. Caoránach sent a flock of her oftspring to hunt the intruder. Saint Patrick however prayed and his prayers were answered, the flock was blown away and Caoránach brought to him where their battle on the mountain top began. The battle and persuit ended at the lake now called Lough Derg where Caoránach was finally captured and defeated.

Chiwen

Art by: Nicole Pisaniello

Chi-wen, who was one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon King, was named protector of the home because of his relentlessness in watching for danger on the horizon. Chiwen’s tail which could fling water like that of a whale was also named to protect the home from rainfall and fire. He was also fond of gulping and would consume evil influences within buildings which he protected. Chiwen’s image was used to adorn the roof ridge of the buildings he protected.

Ekhidna

Art by: Amelia Leonards

Ekhidna:a dragon born of the fetid slime left behind by the great Deluge who was half-woman and half-snake was also known as the Mother of all Monsters, and consort to Typhon. Her children, Orthrus, Cerberus, and Hydra became the legends that many heroes would later challenge and kill. Ekhidna was spared after the couple attacked the Olympians and failed. She retreated back to her cave where she would kill and eat unsuspecting wanderers. She would not age nor die from a natural causes. Hera saw these things and was concerned. She contracted her faithful servant the hundred-eyed giant Argus Panoptes to dispatch her while she slept in her cave.

Fafnir

Art by: Alyssa Norton

Fafnir or Fraenir: was the son of the dwarf king Hreidmar and brother to Regin Fafnir was known to be a dwarf with a powerful arm and fearless soul and so was set to the task of guarding his fathers house of glittering gold and flashing gems Fafnir killed Hreidmar to get all the treasure for himself Soon after he became very ill natured and greedy so he went into the wilderness to keep his fortune and eventually turned in a dragon while watching over his hoard Now Regin also wanted the gold for himself and set his foster son Sigurd to the task of killing the dragon Regin told Sigurd to dig a pit and lie in wait under the trail Fafnir used to get to a stream daily As Sigurd dug Odin appeared and advised Sigurd to dig more trenches for the blood of Fafnir to run into On the deathbed of Fafnir he tells Sigurd that all who possess the gold will be fated to die In response Sigurd replies that all men must one day die and it is the dream of many men to be wealthy until that dying day so he will take the gold without fear.

Fire and Brimstone

Art by: Nicole Pisaniello

Humbaba

Art by: Jon Sideriadis

The Epic of Gilgamesh: Humbaba was an ancient dragon from 2000 bc. Humbaba resided in the cedar forest of the Amanus. Enlil, the great diety, appointed Humbaba as the guardian of nature and the forest. Humbaba was a nature spirit who assumed the shape of a dragon that spat fire. His breath was like a hurricane and his voice, a storm.

Coatl

Art by: Dana

Coatl or the plumed serpent, also refereed to as Quetzalcoatl. This was the Aztecs great feather serpent god and refers to the union of terrestrial and rain waters, which, among agricultural peoples, was essential for their survival, thus signifying the origin of life itself. Legend has it that when the creation of the world was finished, the gods and humans lived in harmony, everyone was happy, except for the god Quetzalcoatl, who observed in anger as humans were subjugated by the other gods. So he decided to adopt the human condition to share the knowledge and art that the deities possessed. Often, he was seen soaring throughout the sky creating a rainbow.

Gitaskog

Art by: Jolly Otter

Ladon

Art by:

Ladon: meaning strong flow or dangerous sea currents. Ladon is a river god of northeastern Arkadia in Southern Greece. Its roots going back to Mount Kyllene and flowing through the length of the country.Best known as the Dragon-serpent from the greek mythos who was posted by Hera to protect the golden apples. The tree grew in the garden of the Hesperides located somewhere in the western corner of the world. It was said that Ladon watched over the golden apples without sleep and was known to assume the different tones of men. Hercules later killed Ladon for the apples. In his agonizing death Hera took pitty on her ever vigilent serpent and granted him a place in the heavens lying between the two bears in the great night sky. Stories said that his form is like a branch of a river which circles in wonderous ways, winding infinite around and about the heavens. The great constalation Draco watches over us still.

Masingi

Art by: Amanda Kahl

Masingi: Shangaan Traditional Tale. Masingi was a great healer and it is said that he could bring anyone back to health. Once when a man fell ill his family could do nothing for him and he could not even eat porridge. The man's wife sent her sons to visit Masingi and to ask for his help to heal her husband. Those who visit Masingi have to sing to him for he lives deep down and can hear very little. So as each of the sons approached Masingi's lair he began to sing. Now Masingi was feared by all and few would request his help. The youngest son was the only to master his fear and allow Masingi to slither up to his shoulders so he could bring Masingi to his father. With his bag of herbs and charms of healing, Masingi was able to heal the boy’s father with all the others from the village fearfully looking into the hut.

Mucalinda

Art by: Nicole Pisaniello

After the Buddha had achieved enlightenment he continued to reflect on his experience with no care to the world around him. Mucalinda, King of the Naga saw and understood this andaware of a storms approach took it upon himself to protect and shelter the Buddha from the weather. He wrapped around him 7 times to ensure his safety. After the Buddha came back he thanked and blessed Mucalinda for his kindness.

Pu-Lao

Art by: Nicole Pisaniello

Pu Lao, who was one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon King, loved the oceans and remained by the sea all the times. He was greatly afraid of whales though and thought of them as his archenemy. When he saw one he would scream at it with all his might. The people became annoyed with this constant racket and a report was made to the Dragon King who upon hearing this named Pu Lao to be in charge of all the bells in China so that they would remain loud and true. It is because of this association that Pu Lao’s image adorns the handles of bells.

Muirdris

Art by: Amelia Leonards

Fergus mac Leti, the king of Ulster who was an accomplished swimmer was kidnapped by water-spirits. They brought him down into the water but he was awoken by the cold, this allowed him to capture the spirits and he demanded from them 3 wishes. He wished to be able to breath under water in seas, pools and lakes, and the wishes were granted with one condition. He was not to use his gifts at Loch Rudraige in his own land. In this Loch he encounters Muirdris, an undefinable horror. Fergus is horribly disfigured from the encounter. His courtiers somehow kept the disfigurement a secret from the king for 7 whole years before a slave taunts him about his appearance. Knowing this to have been caused from the encounter the king goes to face Muirdris. The battle lasts a day and a night during which the Loch began to bubble like a cauldron. Fergus finally defeats Muirdris with his hands and in his triumph collapses to the ground in death himself.

Storcie

Art by: Alyssa Norton

Storsjöodjuret or Storcie. A long, long time ago two trolls, Jata and Kata, stood on the shores of the Great-Lake brewing a concoction in their cauldrons. They brewed and mixed and added to the liquid for days and weeks and years. They knew not what would result from their brew but they wondered about it a great deal. One evening there was heard a strange sound from one of their cauldrons. There was a wailing, a groaning and a crying, then suddenly came a loud bang. A strange animal with a black serpentine body and a cat-like head jumped out of the cauldron and disappeared into the lake. The monster enjoyed living in the lake, grew unbelievably larger and awakened terror among the people whenever it appeared. Ketil Runske bound the mighty monster with a strong spell which was carved on a stone and raised on the island of Frösön. The serpent was pictured on the stone. Thus was the spell to be tied till the day someone came who could read and understand the inscription on the stone.

Tiamat

Art by: Magda

Tiamat being primarily of Chaos found and joined with Apsu, the result of their union created many dieties. Among these was Marduk, the cheif amongst them. The existence of these new gods was counter to their mother Tiamat. They began to add order and form the worlds and cosmos. Marduk’snew order clashed with Tiamat’s. During their conflicts Tiamat and Marduk battled and it was on another level. When the battle was over, Mardukprevailed. Tiamat’s body was tornasunder, he used part to form the cosmos and the other the world. Herform is still visible in the dragonconstellation, Marduk set the northstar to keep the heavens in place and her image to guard it forever.

Weewillmekq

Art by: Jolly Otter

An exerpt from Muggahmaht'adem the magic of the Weewillmekq of old times. There lived in a village many Indians. Among them were a handsome young man and a beautiful girl. She wanted the young man to marry her but he was preparing for the winter hunt and had no time for such a thing She being a great witch said, You may go, but you will never return as you went,” The boy paid no heed to her words and continued his preparations. Far away in the woods however he went raging mad. The witch had struck him with her magic. Into the woods with the boy went his brother, a great brave. Distraught at the sight of his brother he did the most desperate thing a Wabanaki Indian can do. He went to the river, and sang the song of the Weewillmekq. We que moh wee will l'mick, We que moh m'cha micso, Som'awo wee will l'mick! Cardup ke su m'so wo Sawo!” I call on the Weewillmekq, I call on the Terrible One! On the one with the horns! I dare him to appear! It came to him in all its terror, its eyes were like fire; its horns rose. It asked him what he wanted. He said that he wished his brother to be in his right mind again. I will give you what you want said the Weewillmekq', if you are not afraid.” I am not afraid of anything, said the Indian. Not of you nor of Mitche-hant, the devil himself. If you dare take me by the horns and scrape some off with your knife and you may have your wish. Now this Indian was indeed as savage and brave as the devil and he had to be so to do this, for the Weewillmekq looked his very worst. Now the Indian did as he was told and took the scapings back to his brother to give him half. Upon taking the horn mixed in water the brother immediately healed from his sickness. The other half was meant for another,she needed her medicine too.

Wawel

Art by: Magda

During the time of King Krakus who reigned in Krakow, strange noises were heard under Wawel Castle, there lived a dragon who was very hungry. The king offered the hand of his daughter to the one who could kill the creature. Many brave men tried to kill it but with every kill the dragon grew stronger. Hope of defeating it was almost lost until a crafty shoemaker fooled the dragon with a sheep’s skin filled with hay and sulfur. The sulfur made the dragon thirsty so it ran to the river and with a large gulp it exploded.

Bixi

Art by: Nicole Pisaniello

Bixi, strongest of the Nine Dragon’s sons, was able to move mountains and stir up seas. King Yu the great was able to tame Bixi and utilized him to keep the flood waters at bay with a series of canals and barriers. He later worried that Bixi may go back to his old ways so he made him carry a great stone which praised his deeds. Later statues were made to commemorate great deeds. Statues of Bixi were said to bring luck.

Sindri

Art by: Nicole Pisaniello