GRGR(11) - Scales and Claws and Footfalls

[David Morris]

Also from:
http://www.bungee.demon.co.uk/

Other Dragons
To start with, the very word dragon can sometimes mean a variety of 
creatures, Wyrms, Wyverns, Serpents, Bailisks and more. Here a few 
descriptions of some of the most famous variations.

The Bailisk
The Bailisk is a famous mythological animal, but not always associated with 
the dragon, but in truth, its origins are interconnected. Holding the upper 
part of it's two foot long body erect, this creature, although small was one 
of the most feared in legend. Its ability to kill the largest animal and 
spilt asunder the biggest boulder made it a formidable foe. The creature 
would foul the land that it travelled across, poisoning any stream it drank 
from and changing fertile countryside into arrid desert. The where only 
three things immune to bailisk, the weasel, the cockerel and a plant called 
rue. The weasel could use rue to heal themselves after battle with the 
bailisk and the cockerels crowing would send one fleeing. It's worth 
mentioning that bailisks were not immune to themselves, an in many tales 
mirrors and other deflective devices were used to kill the bailisk.

The Wyrm
The wyrm (or worm) is a common occurrence in legends world wide, it is 
normally a huge serpent-like being, it will have various individual 
characteristics depending on the legend. The Tatzelworm, for instance, has 
the front legs and head of a cat and the body of a snake. One of the most 
famous worms is the 'Lambton Worm' from County Durham, England. This 
creature had the body of a snake with the head of a dragon. It's main 
feature was that if it was cut apart by a sword or other blade, then the 
pieces would reform, recreating the monster. The term 'Wyrm' is often used 
in modern fantasy as a insult to dragons.

The Wyvern
The wyvern is a small dragon normally with only two legs. In manuscripts 
dateing back to 1448 it is said that Satan often roamed the planet in the 
shape of a wyvern.


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