We are planning a trip to the caves tomorrow which always makes me think of the Piasa Bird. This is the legend:
Many thousand moons before the arrival of the palefaces, when the great megalonyx and mastodon, whose bones are now dug up, were still living in this land of green prairies, there existed a bird of such dimensions that he could easily carry off in his talons a full grown deer. Having obtained a taste of human flesh, from that time he would prey upon nothing else.
He was as artful as he was powerful, would dart suddenly and unexpectedly upon an Indian, bear him off into one of the caves of the bluff, and devour him.
Hundreds of warriors attempted for years to destroy him, but without success. Whole villages were nearly depopulated, and consternation spread throughout all the tribes of the Illini.
At length, Ouatoga, a chief, whose fame as a warrior extended even beyond the great lakes, separated himself from the rest of his tribe, fasted in solitude for the space of a whole moon, and prayed to the great spirit, the master of life, that he would protect his children from the Piasa.
On the last night of the fast, the great spirit appeared to Ouatoga in a dream, and directed him to select twenty of his warriors, each armed with a bow and poisoned arrow, and conceal themselves in a designated spot.
Near the place of their concealment, another warrior was to stand in open view, as a victim for the Piasa, which they must shoot the instant that it pounced upon his prey.
When the chief awoke in the morning, he thanked the great spirit, and returning to his tribe, told them of his dream.
The warriors were quickly selected and placed in ambush, as directed, Ouatoga offered himself as the victim. He was willing to die for his tribe.
Placing himself in open view of the bluff, he soon saw the Piasa perched on the bluff, eyeing his prey. Ouatoga drew up his manly form to its utmost height, and planting his feet firmly upon the earth, began to chant the death song of a warrior.
A moment after, the Piasa rose into the air, and swift as a thunderbolt, darted down upon the chief.
Scarcely had he reached his victim, when every bow was sprung and every arrow sent, to the feather, into his body.
The Piasa uttered a wild, fearful scream, that resounded far over the opposite side of the river, and expired, plunging into the depths of the Mississippi.
In memory of this event, the image of the Piasa was engraved on the bluff.
His image is still outside of the caves. A 90something year old Illini artist comes and touches it up each year.
It's always been one of my favorite mythical creatures and legends. These bluffs are full of huge caves where the Ilini lived. I also have to give VERY honorable mentions to Treebeard and Aslan. :)
I would never sell myself out, for I have a much greater plan then Jezus' petty little self-sacrifice, I will rule the world and everyone shall obey my commands, and I shall make PIE the greatest of the greatest among food, for the voices tell me to.
WEIRDWEIRDWEIRDWEIRDWEIRDWEIRDWEIRDWEIRD
It has one horn, it's a unicorn, a My Little Pony unicorn (since Vix is a Bronie.)
And YES, I did tell you, Julian. The title of the thread is mythical beings/creatures. :P Although I was telling a story because it's a good one. The piasa bird kind of looks like a dragon so it intrigued me from early childhood. Having been deep inside those mammoth caves, I can all too well see it.
Alright, how about:
Balrog is pretty awesome
Here is the main monster of Amnesia... You know, that game I couldn't go out of the first room of the demo which threw monsters at you waaay later and I knew it from watching playthroughs? Yeah, that game...
And of course Khajiit. Does anyone else think this guy looks like an LOTR elf lord? Kind of Elrond-like...
The Zergling. Classic Starcraft Zerg unit.
Do Kel Dor count? They're pretty badass.
Umm, that's all for now. I'll think of more.