[Ding~~]
5. Tarasque
In various literature the creature is described in many different ways but the best and clearest
description there is says that the tarasque was a sort of dragon, with a lion's head,
six short legs like a bear's, an ox-like body covered with a turtle shell, and a scaly tail
that ended in a scorpion's sting. Quite a peculiar looking creature I must say.
It was said that the tarasque lived near a city in south(southwest) France at the beginning
of the 1st century. Tamed by Saint Martha, the aggressive creature turned docile and
was brought back with her to town. But the people were scared of the creature, scared
of the unknown. So that very night, the townspeople attacked
the creature. Surprisingly for them, the creature did not fight back nor tried to runaway. Finally,
coming to their senses, guilt overwhelmed them when St Martha defended the dead creature
and preaching to them of their wrongdoings. As a form of apology and reminder the townspeople
changed the name of the town to Tarascon in honour of the Tarasque .
4. Lou Carcolh
The story of the creature is prominent in southwest France. Part serpent, part snail,
very big and long. Imagine a huge snail complete with slime and shell. They also have slimy
yet hairy tentacles that can extend itself for more than a mile and they would eat humans.
They trap unsuspecting humans by hiding in underground caverns and leaving its slime
covered tentacles extended on the ground hidden beneath a thin layer of dirt. Once you stand
defenseless in the range of its tentacles, it would ensnare and paralyse you then drag
you back to its lair where it proceeds on swallowing you whole with its gigantic gaping mouth.
3. Barbegazi
It is a variant of the dwarf or gnome. They live and travel in the mountain regions of
France and Switzerland. They are small, has a long beard, covered
with white fur which is either its own or a garment they wear and has enormous feet.
Also, their enormous feet that is always bare can be used as skis or snowshoes which is
an advantage when living in snowy mountains. Then during summer, they would aestivate or
hibernate and would only come out when there is snow. Because of them only coming out during
cold temperatures where humans are not so good with, they are mostly hidden from the
world. Though they hide most of the time, they are
said to take care of the mountains and will protect the mountain environment from harm.
They are also benevolent that they will help people who got lost or even dying of the cold
in the mountains especially those who have not done any harm to the mountain themselves.
It is said, that their best form of entertainment is to surf on the avalanches as if surfing
on the waves. They would also give low whistles as a warning that an avalanche is coming.
2. Matagot/Mandagot
It is a spirit in the form of an animal, usually a cat but can be a rat, fox or even cows.
It is a folklore from Southern France. The matagot are not entirely evil and not entirely
good either, just like humans. I guess it depends on their mood and how well they are
being treated. What makes them special is that, they can
bring wealth to you if you manage to keep one. Now, to lure the Matagot, you need a
fresh, plump chicken to feed the Matagot with. How you're going to identify what animal is
a Matagot remains a mystery and all just depends on either trial and error or just plain luck.
So wants you manage to lure the Matagot towards you, you need to bring the creature with you
without looking back all the way to your home. At home, when it comes to meal time. Make
sure to feed the Matagot whatever you are eating and drinking. You'd have to also make
sure that it eats until it is full. If you do it right, you would have good luck and
wealth given to you by the Matagot. But be careful not to keep the Matagot the
rest of your life because, if you are dying and the Matagot is still under your possession,
you will suffer a long agony as if the soul cannot pass on and is stuck in your dying body.
1. Guivre
It is a serpent like dragon, with no wings, which rather than fire, breathes out venom
instead. These dragons were around during the Medieval
times and were said to always be in secluded places such as caves and the forests. They
also always dwell in areas with small bodies of natural pools.
I guess its just searching for a good place where it could call home with clean water,
a pool and is only a walking distance for food, you know, without being disturbed by
humans. If angered, of course it would fight back,
I mean who wouldn't? But there are stories that, it would run away from a human, if the
human is 100% naked. Makes you think if they were scared of humans or just disgusted by humans.