Fab Figmentals

Medusa’s horrible, snake-framed visage has made an indelible imprint on history, and even though her legend has been around for 3000 years or more, her’s is still a household name. She’s most famous for her mane of living, venomous snakes, which sit atop her head in place of hair. And her ability to turn onlookers to stone is legendary.

This week’s episode features an excerpt from James Baldwin’s Old Greek Stories.

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Shifting Sands" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Finally, make sure to check out our sister show, Assassinations Podcast: www.assassinationspodcast.com.

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In this episode, we’re going to explore the hidden world of the huldufólk, a race of elves found in Icelandic and Faroese folklore. Legends of the huldufólk have been around since the time of the Vikings. These elven creatures are said to live alongside mankind, though they remain invisible to the average person.

This week’s episode features an original story by Lindsey Morse and Niall Cooper called “The Gift of the Huldufólk.”

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

A special thanks to Kate Wallinga, host of the Ignorance was Bliss podcast, for coming on the show as our guest storyteller this week. Check out Ignorance was Bliss at https://iwbpodcast.com.

If you’d like to learn more about Iceland’s hidden people, I recommend checking out Eventful Globe, which covers events and festivals around the world. The jet-setting, globe-trotters at Eventful Globe recently traveled to Iceland to learn more about Þrettándinn, an annual holiday celebrating elves, and they even attended Reykjavík’s Elf School, where they learned all about the creatures we talked about in this week’s episode. Check out their Þrettándinn video, and find other events by visiting the Eventful Globe website.

Additional music: "A New World" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Finally, make sure to check out our sister show, Assassinations Podcast.

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/figmentals

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In this episode, we look at the thunderbird, an extremely large supernatural creature of great power and strength, best known for its ability to control the weather. The legend of the thunderbird is widespread throughout the traditions of native people throughout America and Canada, but it is especially important and most frequently depicted in the Native American legends from the pacific northwest. Because the thunderbird belongs to so many different cultures, legends can vary pretty widely; though there are certain commonalities. In most cases, thunderbirds are able to control the weather, and each flap of their giant wings creates a clap of thunder— hence their name. In most cases, they are seen as protectors, bringing beneficial rains that help nourish crops and ward off drought; however, they can also be vengeful. They’re often described as enforcers of morality, and if you happen to be a person of low moral integrity— you better run if you see a thunderbird coming. They might bring punishment in the form of lightening, strong winds, or floods.

This week’s episode features two stories. The first is called “Thunderbird Turns People to Stone” and is adapted from a tale that was published in a 1933 edition of The Journal of American Folklore from an article titled “Tales from the Hoh and Quileute.” The second story is called “The Last of the Thunderbirds” and was first published in 1911 in Katharine Berry Judson’s book, Myths and Legends of Alaska.

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Pacific Whalesong" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Make sure to check out our sister show, Assassinations Podcast: www.assassinationspodcast.com

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

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In today’s episode, we’re peeking into the caves of Northern India to visit U Thlen, an evil spirt that exists in the form of a giant, man-eating snake. Under normal circumstances, I think it’s safe to say that most people would do their darnedest to avoid the lair of a known demon snake, but— unfortunately— that wasn’t an option for certain residents of Meghalaya. You see, the local market took place in a village only accessible by a sacred bridge that crossed right by the entrance to U Thlen’s cave. Anyone wishing to buy or sell goods at market would have to journey past. And sure enough, the snake would be waiting.

This week’s story is by our very own Niall Cooper. It’s called “The Oath of U Thlen.”

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Spiritual India" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Make sure to check out our sister show, Assassinations Podcast: www.assassinationspodcast.com

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/figmentals

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Smack dab in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, at the southern tip of the Italian peninsula, the toe of the Italian boot very nearly meets the island of Sicily. These two land masses are separated by a narrow section of water called the Strait of Messina, a busy little waterway regularly traversed by cruise ships, fishing boats, cargo vessels, and private yachts. If you stand on one side of the straight, you can look out and watch these ships pass by, and if you want to travel across the straight to visit Sicily from the Italian mainland, you can hop any one of the regular ferries that depart Calabria for Italy’s largest island.

But travel on this now-bustling little waterway wasn’t always so common.

Back in ancient Greece, travelers avoided the Strait of Messina at all costs because it was believed to be home to two deadly monsters: Charybdis & Scylla.

This week’s story is from Homer’s The Odyssey.

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Chimera" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Make sure to check out our sister show, Assassinations Podcast: www.assassinationspodcast.com

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

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In this episode, we look at one of the most famous legendary creatures of all time— the unicorn. Unicorns are an interesting study, because pretty much everyone knows what they look like and *thinks* they know a thing or two about them. But, I can assure you, there’s more to the history and lore of this incredible beast than pinterest-friendly cakes, glittery kid’s toys, and regal heraldry. The legendary unicorn has been making appearances in cultures across the world since antiquity, and in this episode we’re going to look at how this famous creature has been depicted throughout art and history. We’ll explore some of the strange, often overlooked aspects of unicorn lore, and we’ll ask why this fantastical creature — after so many centuries— still holds such a special place in our hearts.

This week’s story is “The Unicorn Cure” by Lindsey Morse.

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Crystal Waters" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Make sure to check out our sister show, Assassinations Podcast: www.assassinationspodcast.com

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/figmentals

Find us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/fabfigmentals

In today’s episode, we look at Rakshasas, man-eating goblins from India. Rakshasas have long, curling fangs that protrude from the corners of their lips, wickedly long claws, and- sometimes- sharp horns. The strongest and most powerful might even have glowing eyes, extra limbs, and a few additional heads. But the danger doesn’t stop there. Rakshasas are powerful magicians, and are able to fly, disappear, or alter their appearance at will. And they will happily utilize these deceptions in their cannibalistic quest for human blood.

This week’s story is “The Goblin City” by W. H. D. Rouse.

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Mongolia" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Make sure to check out our sister show, Assassinations Podcast: www.assassinationspodcast.com

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/figmentals

Find us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/fabfigmentals

In today’s episode, we’re heading to the Middle East to visit the Rukh, a gigantic bird of prey big enough to block out the sun. Said to resemble an eagle, but much larger and stronger, the Rukh is believed to hail from the island of Madagscar, and is said to feast on elephants, giant snakes, and— sometimes— even men. It has a forked, snake-like tongue, and a sharp, pointy beak.

This week’s story is from: One Thousand and One Nights: The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Infinite Ocean" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Make sure to check out our sister show, Assassinations Podcast: www.assassinationspodcast.com

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/figmentals

Find us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/fabfigmentals

This week, we’re traveling to Asia to visit the baku, a Japanese chimera who feasts on nightmares. Legend has it that baku were created from leftover parts when the gods were finished making all the other animals. As you might suspect, this means baku are quite a sight to behold. A mishmash of species, baku are said to have a bear’s body, an elephant’s trunk, a tiger’s paws, an ox’s tail, and the eyes of a rhinoceros. But despite their freakish appearance, baku are not inherently ill-willed. In fact, because they subsist on bad dreams, they’re often summoned by children who’ve been woken by nightmares.

This week’s story: “Midnight Snack” by Lindsey Morse & Niall Cooper

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Oriental Skies" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work

Check out our sister show: Assassinations Podcast.

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/figmentals

Find us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/fabfigmentals

In this episode, we take a look at Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga is a supernatural, wicked witch-type character from Slavic folklore who is most often depicted as a deformed old hag. She lives deep in the forest in a hut that stands on chicken legs, and she can fly around using a broom or a mortar and pestle.

This week’s story: “Baba Yaga” by Verra Xenophontovna Kalamatiano de Blumenthal

This episode was researched and written by Lindsey Morse. Niall Cooper assists with writing and editing. Our theme music was composed by Graeme Ronald.

Additional music: "Time Perception" by Purple Planet is licensed under CC BY 3.0 / A derivative from the original work & "The Hut on Hen's Legs" by Modest Musskorgsky is in the Public Domain

Visit our website: www.fabfigmentals.com

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/fabfigmentals

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/figmentals

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