Lich

Through the use of powerful spells, items and incantations, users of magic have long been able to prolong their mortal lives beyond what is considered to be the standard life expectancy for their particular race. To continue pushing back the fingers of death is a goal that requires years of training, study and research. Although the magic can sustain an individual's life force, inevitably their body will continue to age and wither away as time marches on. Much of this time is spent in further research and this can easily become an all consuming struggle for those concerned.

Evil mages (especially necromancers) and clerics who serve the dark gods have been known to take a different route in the search for what is, essentially, eternal life. Rather than fighting death, they have sought to embrace it, making use of their familiarity with the dark forces acquired through years of evil practise. The end result is that they become liches, creatures that are among the most powerful of the undead.

Having turned its back on life a lich's body will begin to decay. The process continues until all that remains is the creature's skeleton. This may not be readily apparent, however, as a lich will appear in the fine garments and robes that it would have worn in its natural form.

A lich retains the ability to use spells that it had in its previous existence, while this new form grants it immunity to many types of magic and weapons that others may try to use against it.

The simple touch of these creatures can cause injury and death and those not already frozen in terror at the sight of this monster may also become paralysed (unfortunately, having been afflicted, no-one has ever lived long enough to determine if the paralysis is only a temporary condition).

Liches have glowing red eyes which are able to transfix an opponent. This leaves the victim unable to take any action or to defend themselves. The use of this power takes a significant amount of concentration on the part of the creature, which is then limited to controlling any of the legions of the undead that may be nearby.

Liches that were once clerics appear to have a special affinity with other undead creatures. Anyone foolish enough to invade the lair of one of these monsters is likely to encounter several "lesser" undead (acting as guards and servants) before running into the head creature. It's wise to think of these early meetings as warnings of what lies ahead and that, assuming a quick death has been avoided, turning back now is the best course of action.

In the unlikely event that it should require assistance, any lich is able to summon aid to its location. This is accomplished simply as a result of concentration and help will appear in the form of whatever undead is in the local area. While reinforcements can take a few minutes to arrive, this is still extremely bad news for any opponent of the lich.

Link to source site: <http://www.nascr.net/~jcburd/cofc_lich.htm>

Creature of Chaos: Hydras

These creatures come in three specific types but all are extremely dangerous. While each has adapted to its own way of life, the one feature that they have in common is their multiple heads.

Hydrae have been known to have as few as two and as many as twelve heads, each connected to their body by long, snake-like necks. Each head operates separately from the others and all are able to attack simultaneously, whether at the same target or at anything else within range.

During combat, it is not unknown for one or more heads to be severed from the creature's main body. However, while this obviously causes some distress, providing other heads remain connected this monster won't slow down. In fact, it simply appears to increase the hydra's resolve to put an end to its tormenter.

The most common form of these creatures are large and have a strong, dragon-like body with four legs and a long powerful tail. Unlike dragons, however, these hydrae do not possess wings. They prefer to inhabit inland waters, especially swamps, but generally only threaten those who encroach on their territory.

The largest example of these creatures is the sea hydra. These monsters have adapted to water and, as a result, possess fins instead of legs. Apart from this, they are very similar to their land-based cousins.

Preferring to inhabit the southern seas, where the water is warmest, sea hydrae have made shipping along certain routes in these waters an extremely dangerous business.

Quite what it is that caused these attacks to begin in the first place still remains something of a mystery. However, it appears now that sea hydrae have acquired a taste for sailors, despite their being rather tough and sinewy. Research is underway to either make sailors less palatable, in order to gradually convince hydrae to search for food elsewhere, or to develop some sort of toxin that is safe for the ships crew to ingest but that will adversely affect the monster once the sailors have been consumed. This second option is the primary goal as it should greatly reduce numbers of sea hydrae along the more lucrative shipping routes.

The last of these creatures is extremely rare or, at least, so the number of reported sightings would suggest. This may be partly to do with the manner in which these monsters attack. Flying hydrae have huge bat-like wings which enable them to swoop out of the sky and carry away several victims at once.

Usually a flying hydra will only attack groups containing up to as many creatures as it can carry. The result being that nothing gets left behind. Sometimes, if the monster miscalculates or a potential victim gets lucky, individuals can get left behind. Unfortunately, attacks tend to be so swift and unexpected that there is very little that anyone left behind can do other than watch (as their companions are carried away) before going to report the bad news.

Having several mouths allows the flying hydra to begin consuming its catch even before it has found a place to land.

Link to source site:
<http://www.nascr.net/~jcburd/cofc_hydra.htm>

VLAD the Impaler aka Dracula - The Real Story

Life certainly seems stranger than fiction: the real story of Dracula makes Bram Stoker's vampire seem quite tame!

He has been known by many names: Vlad Tepes and Vlad the Impaler. Admired by many in Romania as a hero; feared by his enemies as a butcher. The truth is far more bizarre than anything Bela Lugosi, Gary Oldman, Francis Ford Coppola or Hollywood could have imagined.

Here's the real story of Dracula and the turbulent area of Eastern Europe that was his home. Follow the text links for more information about the man himself.

Historical background

Dracula's grandfather, Prince Mircea, reigned over Wallachia from 1386-1418. Wallachia, together with Transylvania, form the area now covered by Romania. This area was threatened by invasion from the Ottoman Turks and Prince Mircea fought to keep the country's independence from the Turks. Unfortunately, this meant that he had to pay 'tribute' to them: a kind of bribe to keep the Turks off Wallachian soil.

At this time, princes were elected by wealthy landowners (the Boyars) and this inevitably led to quarrels and disagreements. Eventually, two groups (opposed to each other) emerged: Mircea's supporters and the Danesti clan.

Mircea's son (Dracula's father), Vlad, was born in 1390 and spent his youth growing up in the court of King Sigismund of Hungary. (The King later became the Holy Roman Emperor). Here, Vlad became a member of the Order of the Dragon: an elite group sworn to fight the Ottomans and uphold the Catholic faith (but with a secret subtext to strengthen the House of Luxemburg's political supremacy in Europe). Thus, Vlad became known as Dracul or Dragon (Dracula means son of the dragon). Dracul also means devil but it seems unlikely that contemporaries thought of Vlad in this way.

Eventually, Vlad became the Governor of Transylvania, living in Sighisoara where Dracula was eventually born. Vlad's ambitions, however, were not satisfied and he killed Prince Alexandru I and became Prince Vlad II

Like his father, Vlad had to pay tribute to the Turks who were the enemies of Hungary. As Vlad was also a vassal of Hungary, this caused problems, especially when the Turks invaded Transylvania in 1442. Vlad was desperate to stay neutral but this angered Hungary and they drove him out of Wallachia

Meanwhile, a Hungarian General, named Janos Hunyadi, made a Danesti, Basarab II, prince. All changed in 1443 when Vlad, with the Sultan's assistance, regained the throne!

In 1444, Vlad, together with his two youngest sons, travelled to Turkey at the request of the Sultan. However, the invitation was simply a pretext to hold them all hostage. Eventually, Vlad was released, but the sons, Dracula and Radu (known as Radu the Handsome), remained. The Turks held many hostages, mainly to keep their rivals in check, but also to influence young minds and make them more amenable to the Ottoman Empire.

Although the sons were treated fairly well (they received an excellent education), Dracula must have felt abandoned by his father and he was prone to fits of temper. Radu, on the other hand, seems to have developed a fondness for the Turks and remained with the Sultan.

When Hungary declared war on Turkey in 1444, Vlad sent his oldest son, Mircea, to fight rather than go himself and anger the Sultan. At the Battle of Varna, the Christians were beaten and Vlad and Mircea blamed Hunyadi for the defeat

Hunyadi may have been behind the deaths of Vlad and Mircea in 1447 (although this has not been proven). Mircea's death was particularly horrible: buried alive by the Boyars of Tirgoviste.

A Danesti (Vladislav II) was placed on the throne and the Turks (not wanting a Hungarian puppet on the throne) freed Dracula and gave him an army (Radu remained in Turkey, a loyal subject of the Sultan). Dracula seized the throne but only held it for two months before being forced into exile in Moldavia. Vladislav II became prince!

Three years later, the status quo changed when Vladislav II began supporting the Turks. Dracula became Hunyadi's vassal and in 1456 killed Vladislav II and gained the throne (again!).

Near the End

In 1462, Dracula attacked the Turks but was driven back by a much larger army. When the Sultan arrived at Tirgoviste, it was said that 20,000 Turks were found impaled outside of the city. This has become known as the 'Forest of the Impaled'. When the Sultan's officers saw this horrific site, they refused to carry on! (The real story of Dracula shows a ruthless, sadistic man, capable of unspeakable cruelty, often in the name of entertainment!).

However, Radu (part of the invading force), refused to retreat and forced Dracula to retreat to Poenari. Here, Dracula escaped through a secret tunnel, but not before his terrified wife had thrown herself off the battlements.

Dracula went to Matthias Corvinus (the new King of Hungary) for assistance, but was thrown into jail!. Radu became the Prince of Wallachia (although under the control of the Turks) and Dracula tried to please the Hungarians by becoming a Catholic and marrying one of the King's family.

The End

Radu died in 1475 and in 1476, Dracula invaded Wallachia and, once again, became Prince.

This was a brief return to power as the Turks soon attacked and killed Dracula near Bucharest in 1476. There seem to be many accounts of how he died: a Turkish assassin disguised as a servant, or perhaps killed by his own army when he disguised himself as a Turk to confuse the enemy. Whatever, the real manner of Dracula's death, his head was soon being parading on a pike around the streets of Constantinople (the Sultan wanted everybody to know that Dracula was dead!).

Dracula was buried at Snagov (an island monastery).

Postlude

1931: excavations on Snagov find the tomb of Dracula, but there is no coffin to be found! The real story of Dracula continues to fascinate the world just as much as the fictional Count!

Source Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_III_the_Impaler
http://www.dracula-in-whitby.com/real-story-of-dracula.html

Triumph of Love

In Freyja's heart there was yet no gratitude, because of the spells that were upon her. Nor answer would she make when Svipdag spoke, nor would she gaze in his eyes to reward him. One brief look was all he desired, and yet she stared upon the ground disconsolate and silent.

Again did Svipdag wax wroth and leave her to wander alone; and she went down among the rocks. Then took she the guise of a bird and flew over the mountains and over the river that separates that wild country from the land in which Svipdag had his dwelling. She reached the house of Orvandel. To Sith, who recognized her not, she said that she was a poor woman who had no home, and she was received with welcome.

But Svipdag knew her and claimed her for his bride, and a wedding feast was set, and the marriage oath sworn in solemnity and state. Yet was Freyja cold and passionless. To the bridal chamber they went, and in her hand Freyja held a candle. She stood motionless before Svipdag until the candle burned low; and when the flame stung her hand, Svipdag spoke words of warning. But Freyja felt not the pain because of the greater pain within her heart.

Then was the spell broken by fire, and she raised her face and looked with eyes of love upon him who had rescued her. Thus had Svipdag his exceeding great reward.

--- Triumph of Love from Teutonic Mythology

What is Titanomachy?

Link to Source Site

The Titans of Greek Mythology were the offspring of Uranus, god of heaven, and Gaea, goddess of the earth. Uranus and Gaea had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. These twelve themselves had children, and some of them are known to us as Titans, such as Prometheus and Atlas. The Titan Cronos fathered those we now know as Olympian gods. Olympus, being the highest mountain in Greece, with its imposing summit, was believed by the ancient Greeks to be the abode of Zeus and the entire Greek pantheon of gods.

Uranus hated and loathed his offspring, and jealously banished these Cyclopes and Hecatoncheire to the underworld. Gaea was deeply grieved by this treatment, and instigated her son Cronos to lead the Titans in an uprising. Under Cronos' leadership the Titans rebelled against the cruel Uranus. However, once Cronos had replaced his father as supreme ruler, he proved to be a despot himself and failing to uphold justice, he and his loyal Titans imprisoned his brethren Cyclopes and Hecatoncheire once again in the underworld.

Upon reaching maturity, Zeus waged war against his father Cronos and the Titans. Led by Zeus, the gods fought from Mount Olympus against the Titans who fought from Mount Othrys. A ten year war waged, with no end in sight. It was at this time that Rhea prophesied the victory of Zeus if he would unchain the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheire from their underworld imprisonment of Tartarus. The one-eyed Cyclopes named Brontes, Arges, and Steropes were powerful fighters and masterful armorers. The Hecatoncheires named Briareus, Cottus, and Gyges had a hundred hands and were stronger and more fierce than even the mighty Cyclopes. Upon slaying their captor and freeing them, Zeus revived the Hecatoncheire and Cyclopes with nectar and ambrosia. In return, the Cyclopes bestowed upon Zeus the mighty lightning bolts, upon Poseidon they bestowed a powerful trident, and upon Hades they placed an implacable helmet of invisibility. The Hecatoncheire for their part wielded great stones in their hundred arms, and so armed, Zeus and the Olympian gods made war upon Cronos and the Titans loyal to him. The sky was filled with thunderbolts and hundreds of great stones, as the Olympians smote and deposed Cronos from his throne.

Having thus defeated Cronos, the Olympian gods cast lots for who would rule the world. Zeus for his part was given the skies, Poseidon was given the seas, and to Hades was granted dominion of the Underworld. The Titans were chained in the underworld prison Tartarus that once housed their brethren. The mighty Hecatoncheire were charged with their guard, and so the former prisoners became jailers of evil.

This war between the TITANS and the OLYMPIANS is known as the Titanomachy.

-- Greek Mythology of "WAR OF TITANS"