N is for...Nut

Nut (meaning 'sky') is the goddess who supports the sky in Egyptian mythology. She is seen as a woman covered in stars and arched over the world, supporting the heavens with her body. Sometimes she is pictured as a giant cow whose four legs form the four pillars of heaven. Nut was believed to protect the sun and moon as they passed over her body - she would swallow them at dusk and they would pass through her body during the night before being reborn again at dawn.

Nut was also believed to be the protector of the dead and she was often painted on the inside lid of sarcophagus to protect the body within. Vaults and tombs would also be painted dark blue and covered with stars to represent Nut.

M is for...Monopod

These creatures are said to have the upper half of a human, but their lower half is just one large leg and foot. The Monopod can move extremely fast on this one limb and will lie on their backs when it rains to seek shelter under their giant foot, or to keep cool when the sun is too hot. They carry fruits with them at all times and live off of the perfume it produces, however if the fruit dies then so will the Monopod.

L is for...Leshii

Every forest has its own Leshii who lives deep within the trees with his wife and children. The Leshii normally takes the form of a man with hair and beard of leaves, grass and vines, but he can also take on the shape of any animal or plant. He is the guardian of the forest and protects all the animals living there. The Leshii is not evil but he does enjoy misguiding travellers and leaving them lost within the woods. If he is befriended, however, he will pass on his knowledge of magic.

If there is more than one Leshii in a single forest then they will fight violently to claim the territory as their own, leaving a trail of fallen trees and scared animals. When travelling through the forest it is sensible to take a gift of bread for the Leshii to ward off his troublesome nature.

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L is also for LATE.

I had pre-written and scheduled this post for Saturday and then I went away, but apparently it was shy and wanted to stay in hiding. So I apologise for this a-z post being a few days late.

K is for...Kirin

The Kirin comes from Japan and takes the form of a multicoloured horse-like creature with a horn on its head, much like the well known unicorn. It is often depicted as covered in fire and is thought to be a good omen - bringing peace and prosperity. 

The Kirin is a very gentle creature and loves all living things. It is careful to never tread on any small animals while walking and barely even disturbs the blades of grass that its hooves touch. However, if the Kirin witnesses a pure person being threatened by a sinner than it will turn fierce, even breathing fire from its mouth.

J is for...Jerff

Deep in the forests of Sweden lives the Jerff. This creature lives on a diet of carrion (the dead flesh of animals), which it eats and eats until it is fat and bloated. When it can eat no more it will find two trees growing close together and squeeze itself between them - pushing the meat through its body at the same time - and then begin the whole ritual again.

Hunters would wait until the Jerff was wedged between the two trees and then attack and kill. The creature was not hunted for its meat, but rather for its blood which is believed to have aphrodisiac qualities. This blood would be mixed with honey to make a sweet drink and served to couples on their wedding day.