Questions tagged [mythology]
Mythology should be used for questions involving stories or the origin of stories which will be important to some culture.
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Why do Ichisongas hate elephants and hippos?
In the mythology of the Lambas people of Zambia, there is a creature called the Ichisonga. It is a herbivore, and very rhinoceros-like in appearance.
Upon hearing a hippopotamus, it allegedly sneaks ...
8
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9answers
680 views
What could be a means to defeat a child’s nightmare? [closed]
In my world, there is a monster that materializes as a childhood nightmare (nothing specific, just this general fear children feel when they are alone in the dark). I wonder what would be a nice way ...
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5answers
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How big is my Giant?
The hero saves the captured giant, and as a reward, the giant presents the hero with a magic ring... However, the ring is made for giant fingers, so the hero decides to wear it as an armband instead.
...
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0answers
138 views
How can there be endangered humanoid species? [closed]
In my urban fantasy, I have several human species that coexist with humans. I'd imagine some like species such as who're classified as Faeries have a stronghold to have intercommunication with humans. ...
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10answers
399 views
Earth-elemental gods who wielded a hammer
The world I'm crafting is an extension of human mythology and I am drawing a blank on mythological gods who wielded a hammer and represented the earth element. And if possible the water element.
I ...
6
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3answers
469 views
Why would dragons who predates humans hoard gold? [closed]
EDIT: I have been asked to create a more concise and specific question.
The question I would ask is what would be a (good) reason for my dragons as a species, having no inherent reason to share human ...
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8answers
1k views
Historical or mythological Monster Hunter organization
My search for "Monster Hunter" invariably gives me a ton of results related to the videogame and this is making my research a bit tricky.
What I'm looking for is any instance in history of a real ...
58
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12answers
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Justifying why a troll's skin would turn to stone in sunlight
It's a fairly common legend that trolls turn to stone when exposed to daylight, and I was thinking about using such a creature in a story. I'm searching for a plausible way of justifying such a ...
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3answers
127 views
In a universe created by and controlled by malevolent or passive non-humanoid beings, what would cause the creation of humanoid gods? [closed]
Forgive me if a question like this is too general and isn't accepted here.
I'm currently working on creating a new universe to possibly be used in a D&D or RPG setting. I've been working on the ...
29
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14answers
7k views
Why would nature spirits be naked? [closed]
In the world I'm writing about, nature spirits such as dryads and nymphs are real. I want them to appear undressed to those humans who encounter them. In the course of the narrative, one of the dryads ...
5
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4answers
973 views
Who administers soul exchanges? [closed]
Mythology is replete with examples of people selling their soul to the devil. Except... how does that actually work, mechanically?
Let's say you sign a contract agreeing that the devil may take your ...
9
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6answers
564 views
How would the existence of multiple mythological and religious pantheons be justified?
It's common trend for many stories within the Urban Fantasy genre to feature various mythological pantheons co-existing with one another. For example, High School DxD has a universe where Judeo-...
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2answers
159 views
Realistic Mythical Creatures [closed]
What mythological creatures could be realistically created? In my world, there are people capable of advanced genetic creation and manipulation. I was just wondering what creatures would be plausible ...
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7answers
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Could a humanoid species exist with vastly different heights?
Many mythological humans vary in depictions. Let's use Trolls from Scandinavia as an example. Some are said to be giants compared to humans (I'd imagine twice the height), and some, like Danish Trolls,...
2
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1answer
497 views
Anatomically Correct Satyrs
Satyrs are creatures from Greek mythology said to resemble a human with the ears, horns and lower half of a goat. They are known for throwing wild parties, heavily drinking and a fondness for music. ...
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4answers
240 views
References to evil star myths?
I'm in a D&D campaign where astronomy plays a big deal. I want to name drop and reference some good astrology myths about evil or cursed stars, but I'm having an awful time finding anything. The ...
9
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3answers
404 views
Would centaurs shoot more accurately than a cavalryman from horseback?
The question is fairly simple. If a Mongol and a Centaur ride by and shoot at you, who has the better chance of giving an arrow a new home in your gizzard?
That is, given equal skill in shooting, ...
2
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1answer
123 views
Which deities in Hinduism could be most closely equated to Titania and Oberon (fairy king & queen)? [closed]
I am looking to create a version of Titania & Oberon, the Queen & King of the Fairies in Midsummer Night's Dream, that would have context in India. Probably deities or mythological beings ...
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2answers
439 views
Anatomically Correct Typhon
Please avoid the obvious jokes.
Now I know there are different versions of the Greek monster Typhon, so first I will try to describe its properties.
Incredibly large roughly 50-100 feet tall, ...
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1answer
120 views
Would centaurs HAVE to cook meat? [duplicate]
The way I depict centaurs are like very wild people like Tarzan - living in the wild with no clothes equipment, hunting with their hands and hooves. I'm wondering though if a centaur could eat raw ...
45
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4answers
6k views
How does a gorgon sleep?
Weird question but with a head of snakes, do they have to sleep with their head turned to the side? Would it hurt? Do they need an incredibly fluffy pillow?
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8answers
3k views
Why might modern demigods be unable to use guns? [closed]
In Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse, Annabeth’s dad, Dr. Chase comes in at the end of his book and uses a machine gun on his Sopwith Camel, along with some celestial bronze bullets he created in ...
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2answers
157 views
Rosie the Riveter [closed]
Is Rosie the Riveter best thought of as a myth or propaganda?
Propaganda is information that is not objective and is used primarily to influence an audience and further an agenda.
Myths are the ...
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25answers
9k views
Why would an army of angels with air superiority fight demons on the ground?
Angel society is militaristic with all individuals serving as warriors in some capacity. They are locked in an eternal battle against demons from hell over control of the mortal plane. Angels have ...
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0answers
138 views
What kind of cultures would develop on a moon of a gas giant? [closed]
Picture yourself a gas giant which has a system of many moons. on the probably closest moon, which has an atmosphere close to earth's, its orbital period is close to earth's rotation period (Mimas of ...
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2answers
270 views
How different are seasons perceived in a Mediterranean climate when compared to a North European climate? [closed]
My conculture is set in an area similar to the Mediterranean Sea, only it's almost double the west-east width of it, on a longitute around the same as Rome and Athens and a similar climate (let's take ...
4
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3answers
184 views
How would you explain an eclipse in a world where all our myths are true? [closed]
In a world parallel to ours, equal in both technology and philosophy, how would you explain an eclipse but still have science behind in all parts of the world?
How would I be able to tie in all these ...
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7answers
1k views
How Could a Human beat a Centaur in a Fight?
I write centaurs as wild barbarians that love fighting - especially with weakling, little humans. So let's say our centaur and hero are fighting in an open, little, dirt circle in the middle of the a ...
6
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2answers
1k views
Anatomically Correct Nachtkrapp
The Nachtkrapp is a german version of the bogeyman or in a more general term a kind of bugbear. Nacht is the german word for night and Krapp is used in southern germany and austria as a word for raven....
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votes
1answer
685 views
The 12 Zodiac Elements (magic-casting chart idea) [closed]
12 Zodiac Elements (Fire, Earth, Water, Air, Cardinal, Fixed, & Mutable)
Recently I've had the idea to make my elemental magic chart for one of my fantasy stories based off the Zodiac's ...
39
votes
12answers
9k views
Cyclops - depth perception issues
In my land we have a race of human-like cyclops.
The only real difference is their increased strength, and the fact they only have one eye.
Would having one eye affect depth perception, and if so ...
5
votes
6answers
1k views
Is this a realistic creation story for a matriarchal society?
Im going for a culture which endorses and emphasizes gender roles in society. Men and women are equal, but in the complementary rather than egalitarian sense. Magic is only accessible by women. Like ...
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16answers
6k views
How can asymmetrically powerful states be balanced? (AKA why don't legendary heroes rule the world)
We've all heard the stories. The unbelievably chaste Sir Prancealot having the strength of ten men. The undefeatable members of the Kung Few, equal to any five hundred lesser mortals. The frankly ...
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3answers
144 views
We're up to our ears in after-lives. What about a before-life? [closed]
If we assume the human soul doesn't end with the body, it might be fun to entertain the idea that it doesn't begin with the body either. Suppose it exists in some dimension or realm before it is born. ...
3
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4answers
289 views
How would pixie to human two way communication work?
Pixie, no bigger than a tennis ball, has coexisted along side human for as long as history can remember, note that the pixie were never treated as pet, however slavery and smuggling activities are on ...
4
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2answers
488 views
Difficulties of transforming from mermaid to human and vice versa?
Anatomy wise, how could growing legs or having your legs melded together to form a large fin happen in a matter of hours? How could the change work in reverse?
I want this to be able to work without ...
24
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3answers
3k views
Naming the forces of the Purgatory?
I'm trying to build a world loosely based on ideas about afterlife in Christianity. In my world God is nowhere to be found and supernatural forces are split into three factions: Hell, Heaven & ...
0
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2answers
226 views
How different would life be in India if all of the myths would be true [closed]
India has a rich cultural heritage and mythology. 330000000 gods (Acoording to Hymns) and many many legends. How different would life be in Ancient (not Indus Valley) India if all these legends would ...
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3answers
206 views
How to explain polytheistic gods in a world with a monotheistic origin [closed]
My world was created by a single God who (at the moment) has no physical form.
But there are also humanoids gods with physical bodies. They have similar powers to the creator God but they are a lot ...
14
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3answers
6k views
The Centaur--Let's Get Real, Shall We?
Undoubtedly, one of mythology's most iconic creatures is the centaur, a human being with his or her waist glued to the torso of a horse. For this post, we are avoiding the question of how ...
23
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8answers
4k views
Feasibility of Centaur Hussars
Would centaur cavalry be able to hold their own in an early 1800s setting? What kind of advantages and disadvantages would they have over the regular man-on-a-horse cavalry? What kind of niche would ...
5
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3answers
606 views
Anatomically Correct Tomte
The tomte is a creature from scandinavian mythology. It's pretty small, humanoid and has clothes and a beard. They live on farms and in houses where they help out with farmwork and other labour, ...
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8answers
7k views
Garlic and Silver — What's the Big Deal?
In popular mythology, wearing a garlic wreath is a good defense against vampires. Silver kills werewolves.
But why? How could garlic, a spice whose only offense is plain stink, deter an attractive ...
18
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7answers
4k views
Anatomically Correct Sleipnir
Sleipnir is Odin's steed - an eight-legged horse in Norse mythology. How and where to place its legs to make it faster than four-legged horses? What other benefits or drawbacks may arise from the ...
3
votes
1answer
247 views
How would the existence of the Yokai phenomenon change society? [closed]
By "yokai phenomenon" I mean the way anything, anyone or even concepts/ideas can become magical, animate, sentient and possibly predatory, as commonly depicted in Japanese mythology and modern fiction....
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2answers
157 views
Trying to make a dreamscape/dreamworld with real-world inspirations…? [closed]
I am trying to craft a story around the idea that, when we dream, we actually access another indeterminable plane of existence, a kind of repository into which the dreams and thoughts of all living ...
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vote
1answer
146 views
Could a traditional phoenix be resurrected after being dead for centuries? [closed]
In my novel I want my character to discover a phoenix. However, in my low-fantasy setting, magic and everything magical is believed to be long dead or nonexistent. To retain the idea that magic is a ...
2
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5answers
722 views
Creation Myth Development Help [closed]
C.W Lewis's Narnia and J.R.R Tolkien's Middle-Earth series all had creation myths for their characters to believe.
I want to have a go for one of my projects but I'm stuck.
I would like suggestions, ...
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3answers
275 views
How can I explain a sudden rediscovery of magical capability on humans? [closed]
First I apologize if this question or similar already exists.
In my world, humans are naturally very powerful creatures (think of it as in "magic" since it's not really important in the question ...
7
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5answers
1k views
Demons come from another planet instead of “Hell”. How would this affect human's beliefs, mythology?
I want demons to appear in my story, but having them originate from Hell was never appealing. Anyways, these "demons" are summoned to Earth- a planet that's only just discovering magic.
They are- in ...
