Benjamin Franklin said, “Being ignorant is not so much a
shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
Which, I hope is true, considering I recently realized that
there are literally dozens of creatures in American folklore of which I knew
nothing until last week. A little embarrassing, really, when I consider that I
am both a student of American history and a chronic consumer of folklore.
But I’m definitely willing to learn, so I’m calling it water
under the bridge. More than that, it’s water filled with haietlik under the
bridge.
The important thing is that thanks to the beauty of WIP
research, I now have some new favorite creatures. On the off chance that any of
you have the same sad gap in your knowledge that I did, it seems only right to
share my findings.
So, let me explain. *pauses*
No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
Or, at least, just stick to the first five creatures of
awesome.
Argopelter
Starting off strong, because this guy may just be my
favorite. Part of lumberjack lore, the argopelter is a lightning quick tree
dweller with an ape face and super long arms that can snap trees branches right
off. Once he does that, though, watch out – because if you’ve annoyed him, he
can hurl those branches at you with the force of a bullet leaving a gun. Death
by splinters makes an interesting epitaph.
Bakwas
A ghostly sort of fellow who seems to be looking for friends
among the Kwakwaka’wakw people of coastal British Columbia . If you’re even stranded in
the woods up there, think twice before taking him up on his offer of ghost food.
Definitely be ready to be a forever friend, because sharing a snack is going to
turn you into a bakwas as well. Here’s hoping he has an extra room in his
invisible house.
Cactus Cat
Hailing from the American Southwest, this thorn covered
bobcat has a armored tail and spikes coming out of its legs. Which is great,
because feral cats weren’t dangerous enough already. Plus side, this cat’s a
sloppy drunk – known to drink fermented juice until its all liquored up and
then spend the night shrieking. Not the best of neighbors.
Dwayyo
Okay, I went to school in Washington , DC Blue Ridge
Mountains ? On one side, the dwayyo, humanoid wolfmen. On the
other, their mortal enemies, the Snallygasters – flying, blood-sucking dragons.
Why? I have to assume for reasons of awesomeness.
Emogoalekc
Once a human, the gentleman fell into the sea after he
accepted that due to his status as a slave he would never marry the chief’s
daughter. Instead of being the end of his story, it’s instead a very strange
beginning. Upon hitting the cold Pacific waters, he turned into a sea creature.
Following this, the only people who saw him were those who would one day be
chief.
I’ll stop there for today, but definitely expect some more
creature convos as I get further into this draft. And if you have a favorite
creature of American folklore, let me know!
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