We return to the stories of the Monkey King and pick up at the end of his long imprisonment under a mountain, for trying to overthrow everyone and everything.

Meanwhile, a messenger from heaven is on the move, looking for a pilgrim to make a dangerous journey that will bring them into contact with demons, monsters, and companions to help him along the way...who might just be more dangerous than anything on the road.

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Show post: https://myths.links/193a

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Music: “Follow Me” by Keith Anthony Holden 

"In Epic" by Valentina Gribanova 

"Lonely Drive Home" by Lance Conrad 

"Left on my own" by Judson Lee 

"A Horrible Piano" by Bobby Cole 

"Cracked Nut Suite" by Podington Bear 

"Calisson" by Blue Dot Sessions

An off-the-wall story from the Grimm Brothers about a young man who knew no fear...and why that was a massive problem for him.

The creature is a man who you don't want to high five. Mainly because he has eyeballs on his palms. Also mainly because he'll drink your bones with a straw.

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Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14487/192-grimm-brave-traveler/

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 Music: "The Consulate" by Blue Dot Sessions “Scary Sounds” by Bobby Cole “Storm Passing” by Podington Bear "Relinquish" by Podington Bear "Demon Dollhouse" by Bruce Zimmerman "Nervous Whisp" by Blue Dot Sessions "Sorrento" by Podington Bear

In this episode from Norse legends, we'll see that the worst breakups involve Thor breaking up the couple with his hammer and we'll see that even though Odin can shapeshift, that doesn't mean he skips the conditioner.

It's the Saga of King Gautrek, a story spanning generations of Viking warriors and their bizarre and dangerous interactions with the gods, giants, elves, and everything in between (but mostly just those three).

The creature this week likes to drill holes in your boat with its nose. Hope you don't mind awkward tickle sessions...

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Music: "Illa Villardo" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lens Flare" by Podington Bear "Paper Boat" by Podington Bear "Solemn Oath" by Podington Bear "Minor Islands" by Podington Bear "Flor Vjell" by Blue Dot Sessions "Samara" by Podington Bear "Threshold" by Podington Bear

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 A darkly funny take on the Ättestupa from the show "Norsemen" on Netflix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwD7f5ZWhAk

In one story, a dragon is rampaging around the countryside unless he gets his favorite meal: teenage girls. In the other, a young woman trapped in an impossible situation meets a new friend who might just be able to save her: a parrot with a secret. Two stories with two very different heroines who share one defining characteristic: their unbreakable will to survive.

On the creature of the week, when it comes to making a deal with the devil, you could choose infinite wealth, power, or epic guitar skills...or you could do what the strix did and become a stinky owl monster.

Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14475/190-chinese-folklore-fierce/

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Music: "Where it all happened" by Blue Dot Sessions "Dark Skies Above" by Bobby Cole "Lemon and Melon" by Blue Dot Sessions "Betty Dear" by Blue Dot Sessions "Topslides" by Blue Dot Sessions "Low Slopes" by Blue Dot Sessions "Really Scary Piano Music" by Bobby Cole "Artic Draba" by Blue Dot Sessions "Sincerely Yours" by Podington Bear

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Links: A discussion of gender and Confucianism as it relates to the first story today: https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/blog/corrections/li-chis-historiography-totally-wack

In the third and final part of our series on the Nibelungenlied, the hero of the story, Siegfried, is dead and his wife, the princess, has a score to settle. 

The creature this week is the strong toad, a super cool toad who can read your mind, but he's so nice and definitely not making me write this right now. 

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Music: "Prayer" by Enzo Orefice "Plasticity" by Blue Dot Sessions "Clockwork by Michele Nobler" "Kreis" by Luis Berra "Chain link" by Blue Dot Sessions "A Florentine Story" by Michele Nobler "Cicle Deserrat" by Blue Dot Sessions

Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

We pick up right where we left off last week: Gunther has tricked his way into marrying Brunhild, and Brunhild decided to give him a minor test of strength on their wedding night. He failed, and ended up naked and hog-tied, yelling out for help while dangling upside down from the rafters.

The creature is the Tsurube-otoshi (釣瓶落とし), from Japan, who will go head-to-head with you in the forest. Because its a giant head.

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Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14462/189b-nibelungenlied-heinous/

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Music:

"Two boys and a girl" by Podington Bear "Places" by Michael Vignola "Shapeshifters" by Podington Bear "Sad Goodbyes" by Mark Kueffner "Dark Time Ticking" by Robert Valenti “We are Nowhere” by Sander Kalmeijer "Sad Hymn" by Ceiri Torjussen

Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

The story starts out with one prince slaying a dragon and getting rich. It starts there. The wild ride of the Nibelungenlied has echoes of one of our most beloved stories, the Saga of the Volsungs, with it's over-the-top characters, the ridiculous situations, the betrayals, and, yes, dragon fights.

The creature is a dragon cat with poison breath.

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Music:

"Order of Entrance" by Blue Dot Sessions "Palladian" by Blue Dot Sessions "Highway 430" by Blue Dot Sessions "Ranch Hand" by Blue Dot Sessions "Elegant Weasel" by Blue Dot Sessions "Searching for Hope" by Neil Cross "In the Box" by Blue Dot Sessions

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Youtube link:

The Stollenwurm: https://godofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Tatzelwurm

Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Two stories from the bawdy, funny, and oftentimes deeply unsettling 17th century fairytale author Giambattista Basile, both of which have to do with pets. The first pet is a rooster, whose owner just can't bring himself to kill it. No judgement there. The second pet is a flea...the size of a lamb. 

The creature this week is a cat that's either evil and smells like a skunk dog, a hero who defeated a demon, or a hunter who needs a toothbrush. 

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Music: "Cake" by Podington Bear "Quatrefoil" by Podington Bear "Scaffoldings" by Podington Bear "Leafeaters" by Podington Bear "Go to Sleep" by Podington Bear "Lerennis" by Blue Dot Sessions "Sunbeam" by Blue Dot Sessions

Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Agamemnon is coming home from the Trojan War. He has no idea what's waiting for him.

There are over fifty bonus episodes on the Myths and Legends bonus feed! Check out that and weekly ad-free shows at https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

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Find the episode post and the disclaimer at https://www.mythpodcast.com/14441/187-greek-myths-the-end-to-all-our-pain/ 

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Music: "Deadly recitation" by blue dot sessions "Leadin" by Blue Dot Sessions "Thin Passage" by Blue Dot Sessions "The PI Sleeps" by Blue Dot Sessions "Glimpse into a Dark Mind" by Lance Conrad

Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

A story from the Grimm brothers about three down-on-their-luck soldiers who get everything they could ever dream of and then do their absolutely best to lose it. The extended creature of the week is a fearsome critter from Colorado - a land whale called the Slide Rock Bolter who exclusively eats tourists who care about the environment.

The Myths and Legends store is up! Check it out at http://www.mythpodcast.com/store

Get access to over 50 member episodes and weekly ad-free shows: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership 

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Music: "Little Door" by Podington Bear "Broken Branch" by Podington Bear "B7 Bomber" by Podington Bear "Blur and Coalesce" by Podington Bear "Moonglow" by Podington Bear

Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership