Basic Cryptozoology - First Period - Wednesday, 08/13

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

As her students filed in, Mike was curiously absent for the moment. Something was slightly different in her stance, in her tone, even perhaps the atmosphere in the room. She looked more serious.

"Today, class, we will be discussing demons and spirits. I was unsure if they should qualify, as they are largely though to be beings entirely outside of the animal kingdom, beings made of energy and magic and the aether, but as they are such creatures which some like to doubt in certain worlds.

"Not my own, I assure you.

"And because they are different from other creatures which we've covered though can have similar effects as ghosts and some of the other beings, I thought they were worth a class. I should like it known right this moment that I do not approve of demonology in the least, nor will I answer questions pertaining to it's practices. I will not preach to it's wickedness; I will only point out the stupidity of the school and the eventual fate of most who practice such a craft."

She breathed out and offered a smile.

"As for the spirits of nature and others such as these, I will only teach caution and to never think yourself too clever. Now, however, I think we should begin..."

[ocd coming up!]

Comments

Sign In - Basic Cryptozoology - Class Six

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

Ths r srs bznss! Srs icons 4 srs bznss!

Re: Sign In - Basic Cryptozoology - Class Six

[imac-kenzie.livejournal.com]

Cindy Mackenzie

Re: Sign In - Basic Cryptozoology - Class Six

[wannabehunter]

Jo Harvelle

Re: Sign In - Basic Cryptozoology - Class Six

[shyest-eyes.livejournal.com]

Hyuuga Hinata

Listen to the lecture/ Chat amongst yourselves

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

Ceiling cat iz watchn u.

Re: Listen to the lecture/ Chat amongst yourselves

[imac-kenzie.livejournal.com]

Two classes in one day, and Mac had at least found her way to the first one, which was promising considering she couldn't see her own feet.

Or anything else, really.

Re: Listen to the lecture/ Chat amongst yourselves

[ella-obeys.livejournal.com]

Ella was intrigued by spirits, so she listened closely and took careful notes.

Re: Listen to the lecture/ Chat amongst yourselves

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

Alice was taking notes. Wondering what counted as demons or spirits, all things considered.

Demons

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"Demons are to be found in many cultures, Christian and non-Christian alike. The idea of a personification of evil is a very old one and malevolent spirits, in various forms with all manner of names and explanations, have been blamed for any manner of terrible deeds.

"Some would call many of the creatures we've already studied 'demons' but one with a discerning eye would see that most exhibit certain traits which tie them to the physical, the natural in some manner. Demons, on the other hand, are creatures of spirit, though they can possess other creatures and use them to their ends.

"And I'd like to ask the class, because I'd like to know what you think: why do you think that such creatures tend to plague only humans? What is so intriguing about the idea of personified evil? Can a creature even be evil when it is only pursuing it's natural tendencies?"

She leaned back against her desk.

"Discuss with each other in pairs or groups, or raise your hand and I'll be happy to go over the questions with you."

Re: Demons

[likethegun]

To say that Sam hadn't been looking forward to this class would be a serious understatement. He was determined to not let his personal feelings prevent him from participating though.

"I think demons plague humans because we provide better entertainment than animals," he said, with only a small trace of bitterness. "We're easier to use for whatever purposes or plans they have, whether it's by breaking us or possessing us. And in my world, at least, some demons used to be human. But they got sent to hell and everything human got stripped away."

Re: Demons

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She looked to him curiously.

"And is it their nature to corrupt, to destroy? Or simply the remains of bitter humanity which makes them attack and play with humans. That we have what they squandered, what they will never have again?"

She leaned down to look him in the eye, one of her favorite students since he was so interested and she'd noticed his tendency to speak up. She had experience herself, scars on body, mind and soul.

Re: Demons

[likethegun]

It was difficult to meet her eyes, but Sam managed to keep it up. "I think some demons are definitely out to destroy. The ones who might still remember what it was like to be human...they could get so angry that they could fall into a mindset where if they can't live in this world, no one should be able to. But I don't think all of them are like that. Not while humans can serve a purpose for them."

Nature Spirits and/or Faeries

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"These are the things that come from the earth, or the air, or the sea, beings which have never been human and never will be human. Some, such as the Bon practioners, would say that each spirit comes from an individual place or features, whereas others would claim that elementals have no specific place but are beings of that sort of matter, that a salamander would be as happy in one fire as another.

"The most important thing to remember about them, however, would be that their morality and their view is so vastly different from a human one that their actions are very hard to predict in some cases. There are usually certain boundaries that dictate their behavior, but they are hard to tell and harder to think around as we are only human and will never truly understand them.

"Specifically, matched to their element, salamanders live in fire, undines in water, sylphs in air, and gnomes in the ground. Other such beings include those known as faeries or the Fair Folk."

She smiled at her class, glad to be off of the more serious subject.

"Now what I would ask you this time is this: what is it about human beings that make us so different from such creatures, do you think? And why do you think we find them so fascinating? For that matter, why do they very often find us so fascinating? And how much does form, environment, and make up create one's perspective?

"Once again, pairs or groups, or raise your hand to discuss it with me or ask any questions."

Re: Nature Spirits and/or Faeries

[ella-obeys.livejournal.com]

Ella raised her hand, puzzled. "But that's not what the fairies I know of are like at all," she said.

Re: Nature Spirits and/or Faeries

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"Oh? Well, I'm always happy to learn something new. What are they like in your world?"

She's genuinely curious.

Re: Nature Spirits and/or Faeries

[harrydresden.livejournal.com]

"I dunno about 'fascinating'," Harry said (Bob was a spirit after all and that was not a word Harry would ever use to describe his skull) "but a lot of it has to do with them just being so different. They're completely not human, even if some of them look it."

Re: Nature Spirits and/or Faeries

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"People have found interest in their stories, in the forms, in their histories, in their homeland. There's countless tales..."

She smiled.

"I'd call that interest."

TAs

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

Can haz teachin assistants!

Re: TAs

[not_in_the_book]

Ronan was around for anyone who needed him although his mun iss just about to go out for several hours.

Re: TAs

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah was here and willing to help anyone -- even if she was a little twitchy about the subject matter.

Abby Irene

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She's in her classroom, teaching your class.

...and waiting after class in the back, if you should need her.

Re: Abby Irene

[withoutverona]

Romeo was waiting for the instructor after class, stroking a rabbit who had been paying as much attention to the lecture as her rabbity brain could handle.

"Miss Garrett?"

Re: Abby Irene

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She looked at the rabbit.

"One of my students, isn't it?"

After Marco and his 'vending machine' issue, her guess made sense.

OOC

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

...don't ask me why the cat macro speak. I don't know.

Also, ZOMG so sorry about this getting up later than usual cause my office is made of dork and forgot to put our desks together.

Anyway, I'm here all day and into the niiiiiiiight so feel free to ping in whenever.

Re: OOC

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

I am on travel so my pings will be way slow.