Creature Corner - Griffons

Today I'm posting about one of mankind's most implacable foes - the Griffon.

Griffons are large, fierce-looking creatures. Their front half resembles an eagle with large swooping wings that are capable of lifting them along with prey up off the ground. Their back half and tail resemble that of a lion.

They have upright pointed ears, cruel, hooked beaks, and bright glowing eyes.

There are two varities of Griffons: Northern griffon and Indian griffon.

Griffons are well known for their speed, strength, sharp vision, and keen hearing.

The first recorded encounter of a griffon happened in 3000BCE in Egypt.

These odd creatures make their homes high in the mountains, and along rock overhangs. Since they are not fond of heat, the females often build their nests inside a cool cave. These nests are often found laced with gold, emeralds, precious stones and stolen jewelry.

Griffons are monogamous, they mate for life. If one partner dies, the other will never re-mate. Offspring remain with parents for three years. During this time their parents forage food for them. A griffon's preference in prey is a horse, which they can lift with ease, rider and all. Because of their curved claws, they easily pierce, pick up, and fly off with their prey.

Source: Fabulous Creatures and Other Magical Beings

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Ann Cory

Creature Corner Wyverns and Drakes

While Wyverns and Drakes are both cousins to dragons, there are differences between the two.

Wyverns are aggressive creatures, better known in England. These creatures are associated with envy, pestilence, and war, and were known to have spread the plague. Their wings are much like a bat in that they are derived from the forelimbs. They have a distinctive two-legged stance. Wyverns are mainly found in the woods and forest areas. Though they're also found along cliffs. They have eagle-like talons and barbed stings on the tip of their tails.

Drakes are more timid creatures, and typically found in Germanic and Celtic mythology. Their wings are developed from extended ribs, much like a dragon. They're found in remote mountain areas, as well as in caverns where it's said that they're attracted to shiny objects. While they don't breathe fire, they have been called firedrakes due to their toxic blood which is saturated with sulphur salt, and is flammable.

I've not written a story about dragons yet, much less wyverns or drakes, but after having done a little research on them, I may try my hand at it someday. Currently I'm reading Carrie Vaughn's Voices of Dragons, which gave me a little inspiration for this post.

Do you have a favorite book that features a dragon of some sort?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Ann Cory

Creature Corner: The Mare and Windigo

In Norwegian myth, there is a terrifying female shape shifter called the Mare. She is known as a tormentor, mainly of men, and only wreaks havoc at nightfall. Though this shape shifter takes on the form of a horse, she is able to enter a dwelling through a keyhole or a wall crack.

Once inside she mounts the chests of her victims, making it difficult for them to breathe, causing extreme pain and frightful dreams. In America she is known as the nightmare.

In daylight hours she roams in the form of a woman, usually someone’s wife or mother, without any characteristics or markings to distinguish them as anything but human. While they can shift into other creatures, it predominately chooses to become a horse.

It’s suggested that a horseshoe hung over the bed, or another type of iron/metal object, can discourage the Mare. Should she not find a human to victimize, she will torment livestock by riding them roughly. To keep livestock protected, it is best to tie a bell around their necks, or hang metal around the barn.

I believe the Mare has visited me. I've woken with my chest heavy, gasping for air, and near tears from a terrifying dream. Maybe I should consider investing in a horseshoe. Mare be gone!

And onto a seasonal, subarctic maneater with a heart of ice - otherwise known as the Windigo:


It is said these ruthless creatures were humans at one time, who became possessed cannibals. With trees used as snowshoes they roam forests of the north, hunting for human flesh. Blizzards follow their path of bloody destruction.

They’re described as tall giants with gaunt forms, glaring eyes, and a shriek that paralyzes its prey. In seconds the ice creature rips out all vital organs and feeds. Even the creature’s own family is considered prey.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not run into one. I’m uncoordinated when it comes to walking in snow, so I doubt I could run or get away from some demon-like thing that has the munchies. Then again, I'm not a fan of snow so I can't imagine why I'd be out walking in it to begin with. But I've said that about other things, so who knows ;)

In my research little is said about how to escape a Windigo. You can attempt to throw excrement at the creature to buy some time, but flinging poo wouldn’t be my first choice.


~Ann Cory