MONSTERS, CRYPTIDS AND SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
GORGON
Gorgo, Gorgones
The Gorgon is one of a race of creatures with origins in Greek mythology, legend and folklore, whos story seems to vary widely depending on the source material. Homer spoke of a single Gorgon, a monster of the underworld. The later Greek poet Hesiod increased the number of Gorgons to three, Stheno (the Mighty), Euryale (the Far Springer), and Medusa (the Queen) and made them the daughters of the sea god Phorcys and of his sister-wife Ceto. The Attic tradition regarded the Gorgon as a monster produced by Gaea, the personification of Earth, to aid her sons against the gods. They were hideous, winged creatures with hair consisted of writhing, venomous snakes, animal-like tusks and scaled, serpantile skin and could use a bow with mastery. By far the greatest threat, surrounding a gorgon, was their ability to turn a man to stone, by simply meeting their gaze. Even in death, these creatures were a danger, as their stare could still petrify and their blood was highly toxic. In the legend of Perseus, which tells of Medusa, by far the most recognized of the gorgons, it was said that whilst carrying her severed head back to his homeland, her blood would spawn poisnous snakes, wherever it fell to the earth.
Physiology:
From descriptions found in ancient texts, as well as carvings and sculpures of these mythological creatures, the gorgon was a hideous winged creature with a mass of writhing snakes for hair. Snakes were also at times incorporated into their clothing such as using one as a belt. They were described as having long, lolling tongues and large projecting tusk-like teeth with scaled reptilian skin covering their entire body. In more modern adaptations, they are depicted with the lower body of a snake, however this is something which has developed through the movie industry and not part of original lore.
Etylmology:
The name "Gorgon" derives from the ancient Greek word γοργός gorgós, which means "grim, dreadful", and appears to come from the same root as the Sanskrit: गर्जन, garjana, which is defined as a guttural sound, similar to the growling of a beast.
History:
Gorgons were a popular image in Greek mythology, appearing in the earliest of written records of Ancient Greek religious beliefs such as those of Homer, which may date to as early as 1194–1184 BC
Territory:
Greece, Mesopotamia
Origination:
The origin story of the gorgon is one that tends to vary wildly from tale to tale. In a later version, which follows the Medusa myth, by the poet Ovid, Medusa was originally a beautiful maiden, "the jealous aspiration of many suitors," but after Poseidon raped her in Athena's temple, the enraged Athena transformed Medusa's beautiful hair to serpents and made her face so terrible to behold that the mere sight of it would turn onlookers to stone. After her transformation, she was cursed to spend the rest of her days in isolation. on a remote island never to have contact with the outside world.
Nature:
It is no suprize that these creatures were hateful and extremely hostile, especially towards men, whom would often hunt them for fame and renown. That said, legends tell of the area surrounding a gorgons cave being littered with the petrified corpses of men, women and children, all frozen in their last terrified moment of life before falling prey to the creatures stare.
Modus Operandi:
Will utilse its surroundings, clinging to the shadows and approaching with stealth, like a snake. Once its prey is in a vulnerable position it will strike either with a bow, killing them silently or by suprising the attacker, thus forcing them to turn and fight, at which point they would immediately fall under the gaze of the gorgon and turn to stone.
Vulnerability:
Although the gorgons were magical beings, created by the very gods themselves, they were still vulnerable to standard weaponry of the time (swords, bows etc.) The hardest obstacle to overcome when attempting to kill one of these creatures was their petrifying gaze, which would hinder any form of attack against them, making combat virtually impossible. In the tale of Perseus, this was countered with a magical shield, crafted by Athena. Perseus was able to see Medusa's reflection in the polished inner surface of the shield, without suffering her petrifying effects and (walking backwards) was able to sneak up on her and behead her.