Jure Grando

Jure Grando - The Prophet Magician

  Hello again my dear friends! I cannot believe that it has been so long since my last letter! This last year has taken me on a wild goose chase from Italy to the old Silk Road, China and back again. I had uncovered sufficient data to believe that something of supernatural importance was lost on that road all those years ago, and I am still searching as of yet. But I'm sure you'd be interested in that story at a later time. For now, I have another 'beastling' that I think you will find far more interesting. I will keep this letter as short and as informative as I can without losing too much detail for I am at the moment writing by the ever fading sunlight. No, I have been misfortunate enough to forget my lamp along with my luggage. Ah, the adventure of traveling...
  Jure Grando may seem quite an ordinary name to those who have not heard tale of this "sorcerer," yet I have found recently in my travels that it is quite a significant name when it comes to the supernatural world - the vampire end of the supernatural world, that is. Apart from Count Dracula himself, Grando is the oldest vampire that I have had the fortune to research, living from 1579 to roughly 1656. Yet for 16 more years he terrorized the people of his town.
  Originally from a village in Istra, a region of modern Croatia, Grando's post-1650s appearances earned him the name "štrigon" from his fellow townsfolk. Although the word may not exactly mean vampire when translated to English, it has a definition more similar to sorcerer, which brings me to one of the most intriguing characteristics of this particular legend. For the 16 years that Grando haunted the village, he was reported to be knocking at the doors of villagers. Within the next few days, someone from that house would die.
  The tale of how the villagers dealt with this entity and how Grando's 16 years came to an end are not stories to be listened to by the light-hearted or the children. They aren't, quite frankly, very pretty tales. It would be delicate enough to say that the man was quite literally relieved of his head. But, unless you really wish to hear the details, I think that will suffice. When steaking fails...
  Ah, enough of this darkness, I must find a place to stay. The sun disappears so quickly in the autumn, and I've not yet acquired lodgings. And my luggage... Bah! I've left my inks in my luggage! Just my luck, and when I am running out of pencil too!

       Until I retrieve my luggage,  

              The Friendly Steampunk

Credits to Google Images for the picture 

Gargoyles

 The guardians

  Gargoyles come in many different shapes and sizes, but the classic image is a humanoid with a stony skin and leathery wings (though this was not always the case). Historical origins place the earliest forms of this creature as far back as ancient Egypt, but gargoyles are far more famous for their appearances in medieval and gothic times.

  Architectural origins of gargoyles are very simple. They were originally created to drain the rain water of parapet gutters during storms and then divert the water away from the buildings. It was only later, during the boom of the gothic era, that gargoyles really developed their role as 'guardians'.

  Gargoyles developed such hideous looks as a means of protection, in addition to their natural stony defenses. With looks so terrifying that demons themselves will turn tail and flee at first sight, gargoyles are said to protect the buildings and fountains that they occupy. And, when treated with respect, gargoyles may bond and protect humans as well.

  If you ever pass by an old granite statue with patiently folded wings and an overly fierce expression, be sure to take a moment and say hello. You never know when it might come to life and save you.

  Ah, my ink is smudging; please excuse the smears. I have yet to find a brand that I can write comfortably with. And, until I do, I'm afraid that this is good bye for now.

       Until next week,

              The Friendly Steampunk

Credits to Google Images for the picture