MONSTERS, CRYPTIDS AND SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
MOTHMAN
The Mason Bird-Monster
Mothman is a 7 foot ( 2,1 meters) tall, bipedal, flying creature; sometimes speculated to be an alien entity, due to the large amount of ufo sightings and mysterious light anomolies, which were reported around the same time. In West Virginia folklore, he was reportedly seen in the Point Pleasant area from November 12, 1966, to December 15, 1967 and is said to be have been periodically active across America ever since. In the late 1960s, Mothman hysteria gripped the tiny Ohio River town as dozens of people reported seeing a tall, winged, red-eyed monster and up until this very day the region is known for the strange sightings, making mothman one of the worlds most famous cryptids. It’s thought that the sightings foreshadowed the 1967 collapse of the Silver Bridge, which once connected Gallipolis, Ohio to Point Pleasant. Forty-six people died in the disaster, which was eventually found to be the result of a faulty eyebar. The Popular legend holds that the Mothman is a supernatural being who only shows himself to warn people of an impending disaster, yet despite his status as a harbinger of doom, many people go to Point Pleasant, West Virginia specifically to look for him. Since the events of the 60s his popularity has grown exponentially, with reports of him being seen at the scenes of disasters, such as the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 and the 2011 Japanese tsunami.
Physiology:
Mothman is described as a bipedal, winged humanoid and despite his name, is by no means moth-like, having the appearance more like that of a large humanoid owl. His colouration varies between the darker shades of black, gray or brown and is reported to be about 7 feet tall, with a wingspan of about 10 to 15 feet. He is described as having two huge, glowing or reflective red eyes, which in some reports are set as low as the chest, due to the head appearing hunched or non existent.
Etylmology:
The name "Mothman" comes from an anonymous Ohio Newspaper copy editor, whom was thought to have given the name after the "Batman" comic character, which was also a popular tv show at the time.
History:
On November 12, 1966, five men digging a grave at a cemetery near Clendenin, West Virginia, witnessed a man-like figure fly over their heads. This is identified as the first sighting of the Mothman. The first newspaper report was published in the Point Pleasant Register on November 16, 1966, titled "Couples See Man-Sized Bird ... Creature ... Something".
Territory:
America
Origination:
Mothman is one of the most enagmatic creatures in the annals of cryptozoology to date. He has been described as being anything from a large barn owl or sand crane, to an alien or ultraterrestrial. John A. Keel's 1975 book "The Mothman Prophecies" documented a year spent in Point Pleasant where he saw and experienced many of the stranger manifestations personally. Unearthly noises, ghostly lights in the sky, mutilated animals and visitations from the mysterious "Men in Black" were just some of the things he tells of, suggesting that this creature is not of this world.
Nature:
Mysterious and forboding. The mothman is a controversial figure, which has divided many over the years.There are those whom believe his appearance forwarns of an impending disaster, whilst others claim he is the cause of such events. Any illness experienced following an encounter, could be the result of the creatures natural biology rather than an actual intended attack.
Modus Operandi:
Will normally appear prior to a disastrous event. Whether this is to forwarn of its coming or to initiate it is unknown. If otherwise encountered it chooses not interact or attack, but to fly from the scene. Even so, some witnesses are left phycologically distressed or bare physiological reactions that can persist long after the encounter.
Vulnerability:
As yet unknown. All encounters have been thus far, brief and concluded without conflict. Due to a lack of data there is no base with which to draw any definitive conclusions.