THE ANCESTRAL TRAIL
Morbane's Book of Monsters and Magic
Some of the characters within “THE ANCESTRAL TRAIL STORY”
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Nya Nya / Scylla / Gilikango / Rusalski / Biliku / Arachne
Name: Nya Nya - On magic
skins and their properties
Origin: Southern Africa
Abode: Water
Great power is said to reside in the skin of the water monster called Nya Nya. The beast is ugly and huge. Thick moss grows on its skin and it is armed with long fangs and claws. Evil wizardry makes the pelt stick fast to anyone who wears it, and no amount of pulling or tearing will get rid of it. Ths skin must be taken from a freshly killed beast and little can be done to break the spell.
It is said that an evil king ordered his warriors to wrap his own daughter in the pelt of Nya Nya. The warriors used guile to lure the beast out of the water. When the monster lunged towards them they sank their sharpest spears into its heart. They knew they must not lose time. Quickly they stripped off its dark green skin and threw it on the struggling princess. No matter how hard she tugged and pulled, the slippery skin stayed put. It had become her own. Now her body was covered in moss, her teeth were fangs and her hands had become claws.
On rare occasions, positive forces can be used. Thus did the girl break the spell. An old magician gave her an enchanted stick. With it, she could regain her old shape when she bathed in the river, though on land she was still a monster. A prince chanced to see her change. He resolved to pay no attention to the way the princess looked out of the water. This strength of spirit rendered the evil harmless. The skin slipped off the girl's back, forever losing its power on her.
Name: Scylla - On sorcery
worked in seas and rivers
Origin: Ancient Greece
Abode: Water
On no account trust the cool, tempting waters of rivers and streams, nor even the sparkling morning sea. By evil magic, a philter poured upon the waves can summon from the depths monsters that absorb their victims. With enormours bodies and six gaping, sharp-fanged heads on long writhing necks, these monsters have strength beyond belief. No-one can escape their cruel embrace.
Thus the beautiful nymph Scylla was ensnared. A mighty sorceress who grew envious of Scylla brewed a magic potion of terrible potency. The philter glittered, green as her jealousy, as she walked to the shore in the pale moonlight. Slowly, she poured it upon the sleepy waters.
In the morning, Scylla went to bathe in the sea. As soon as she waded in, the waves rose menacingly and turned a threatening green. Scylla screamed as the slimy sea congealed into a giant six-headed snake. It slapped and grabbed at her face and body, pushing her towards the depths. As she fought against the writhing water, she saw her reflection in a glassy wave. She gave a long howl of fear and despair. She was now part of the monster. Even her voice was no longer human.
Such is the dreadful danger that lurks in enchanted waters. Now a terrifying monster, Scylla was fated never to change back. Again and again she would rise from the sea to wreck passing ships and she became feared by all who sailed the Mediterranean.
Name: Gilikango - False
welcome at the water's edge
Origin: Southern Africa
Abode: Water
Grassy river banks and cool crevices may offer a treacherous welcome. For these are the abode of the feared Gilikango, which love to lounge and play amidst the lush reeds and ferns that grow at the water's edge. The creatures are nible and quick-witted, with sharp black eyes. Their squat bodies are covered in slinky fur the colour of baked earth and a stiff quiff grows on their heads. Yet knowing all this may of little use. For Gilikango possess a power which has been sought by many and achieved by few. They can become invisible.
There lies the source of their evil repute. If a Gilikango falls into the hands of a witch, she can bend it to her will and use it to help with her evil works. As soon as she seizes the Gilikango, the witch shears its head, for she knows that without its hair, it has no willpower. Then she sends it forth to do her bidding. Under cover of invisibility, the creature slips into houses and sprinkles poison on food, spreads illness and brings quarrel and discord.
If left free, however, Gilikango are merely playful and mischeivous. They enjoy minor havoc and the company of children, whom they like to treat to wonderful feasts and exciting adventures. But even then Gilikango can bring unwitting danger. In their ordinary form, they resemble small children in size and behaviour. Misguided adults have been known to mistake a child for a Gilikango and kill it.
Name: Rusalki - The
ghostly appeal of water spirits
Origin: Slavonic Countries
Abode: Water
It is whispered that powerful spirits haunt many pools and streams. They are the ghosts of young girls who drowned and became one of the pitiless Rusalki or water maidens. Such ghostly maidens appear in many guises: the loveliest are as sweet as spring, draped in dresses of mist. But some drowned girls are not so lucky - they turn into terrifying hags. Their skin rots and becomes grey, their eyes bulge in dreadful menace and their wet, tangled hair hangs sadly about their pale faces.
The mere sight of these spectres can strike fear into the stoutest heart. Danger from the water maidens is greatest in the wintertime, when they spend long months dwelling in rivers and ponds. At a whim, they can bewitch man or child.
As the Rusalki rise from the cold misty water, they call to their victims in imploring voices. Their prey cannot resist such pleas. They wade in after the sprite and barely feel the cold bite of the river. As they take the maiden's icy hand, she pulls them into the dark water. She takes them down further and further until they drown and join them in death. Some Rusalki even rejoice in inflicting drawn-out tortures upon their unhappy victim!
Thus do water maidens hold dangerous powers. Travellers should always carry the one known talisman against their witchery - a sprig of wormwood, the charmed herb used to ward off enchantments.
Name: Biliku - On the
spider that spun the world
Origin: South East Asia
Abode: Earth
On the hot, humid night of the tropic, Biliku goes about her business, respected by all who live at the mercy of the storms she unleashes. Biliku is a giant spider. Dark and forbidding, she moves swiftly and silently, her eyes flickering with deadly alertness.
Before the world was even created, Biliku wove her webs and stalked the great empty night. Then Biliku sat down, and with her great feelers, she fashioned the Earth and placed in it the sky. After that, Biliku made the first people, and put them on the Earth. She was so pleased with her creation that she decided to live on Earth herself.
The people found that their creator was unpredictable. When she was in a good mood, she sent fine weather and was helpful to the people. When she was angry, she summoned up enormous clouds, terrifying winds and lashing storms. Her bellows of rage became thunder, and she threw huge bolts of lightning across the sky. Rivers broke their banks and flooded the land and houses were swept away with their inhabitants.
Soon Biliku tired of the people she had created, and went back to the sky. But everyone on Earth still fears her terrible temper.
Name: Arachne - On the
spider that spun the world
Origin: Ancient Greece
Abode: Earth
Who would think watching the humble spider, that one such creature lived as Arachne, a proud and beautiful maiden? Now few people admire Arachne - she scuttles on spindley legs, fangs swivel in her greedy mouth, and she sees the world through four pairs of beady eyes.
As a girl, Arachne could weave better than anyone. She thought her work so wonderful that she challenged Athene, the goddess of the homely arts, to best her in a contest. Thinking that she would teach Arachne a lesson, the goddess accepted.
The girl and the goddess sat at their looms. Athene's work was soon finished - perfect in design and execution. Meanwhile, the finest cloth in the world appeared as Arachne wove. Pale with fury, Athene realised that it depicted the failings of the gods.
Athene tore the fragile cloth and cried, "Since you have such a talent for weaving, let it be your task for evermore." As soon as the words were spoken, Arachne felt her skilful hands shrink and curve into tiny spinning organs. She saw her skin turn hard and shiny. Her entire body shrivelled up. She had become a spider. To this day, the curse of the goddess follows her - Arachne still spins and weaves her perfect webs.
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Morbane's Book of Monsters
and Magic is © Marshall Cavendish Ltd & Frank Graves 1992.
It was published in a 26 section partwork - "The Ancestral Trail"
- well worth tracking down to read.
