Basic Cryptozoology - First Period - Wednesday, 7/23

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"One of the most well-known category of cryptids," Abigail Irene began as the students began to file in, "are shapeshifters."

She waited until they were all in their seats before she continued, smiling brightly at them. Her clothes were now straight, her eyes bright and cheerful... and there was still a rather telling red spot at the side of her neck from a lovely sort of pirate lout who'd gotten a bit feisty with her. Her short hair, as helpful as the length usually was, did nothing to hide it, though she'd ignore any looks at it she got. Or smile.

Mike, her small patchwork terrier, padded out to sit at her feet just as she continued.

"This might be a reflection of the array of creatures which vastly change their appearance in the natural world... or perhaps just an explanation for the wildly varying accounts available and shoddy research."

She paused for a smile.

"I'll be covering a few of these creatures today in class and asking a couple of questions. And make sure to listen at the end of class, as there is a very small assignment for each of you due next class."

[ocd coming up!]

Comments

Re: Werewolves / Lycanthropes

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah raised her hand, a little confused. After all, the Pack didn't have any of these telltale signs that Ms. Irene was talking about... and the moon certainly didn't cause their transformations. She wondered if Elena or Clayton knew about these other types of werewolves. She'd have to ask next time she called.

"I'd think that you would find the creatures that you're describing in wooded areas or forests... probably not a big city as it would be harder for them to blend in. I'm not sure what natural conditions would explain these creatures, except that there are all kinds of beliefs about the moon and behavior patterns. Silver has been described in myth as a pure metal, so if enough people believed that werewolves were impure creatures, that belief would give power to the thought that they would have weakness to silver. As for why they are predators? Well, people are naturally afraid of animals or creatures they don't understand. Wolves and large cats need meat to survive, so mix in something like lycanthropy and it becomes both a means of survival and a way that people make societies at large terrified of them."

Re: Werewolves / Lycanthropes

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"What would make a werewolf impurse?"

She knew the answer according to her own thaumaturgy; hell, she knew the answer to 'why silver?' according to her own thaumaturgy as well, but she wanted to see if they could arrive at the answer themselves.