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 

Vampires in Literature

 

Vampires - Fiend or Fiction?

  Due to my current circumstance I have been unable to properly conduct research on the species of creature that I was hoping next to write about, so, for now, I have composed a short list of Vampire fiction that I hope will be of interest to all those who prefer the fictional beast over the more horrific reality of the creature. These vampires that I list have all contributed traits to our modern fictional vampires that make up the characters we know and love today. So, if you would like to learn more about the literary history of these beasts, or perhaps simply read a good book or two, I  strongly suggest reading the following books.

The Vampyre  - Dr. John Polidori (1819)

  The real author of this masterpiece (which, originally, was published anonymously) is credited with creating the first "Vampyre." Although thought to originally have been written for the purpose of good humor, this is the earliest written piece that is said to have helped shape the ragged and ill-dressed image of vampires.

Varney the Vampire; or, The Feast of Blood - James Malcolm Rymer and Thomas Peckett Prest (1847)

  While this story's vampire may not, at first, seem to contribute much in the way of originality to the fictional creatures of this world, Sir Francis Varney is the first vampire noted to have possession of particularly sharp teeth.

Carmilla - Sheridan Le Fanu (1871)

  Perhaps most widely known as one of the more romantic vampire tales of earlier vampire literature, this work is also the first to add a stake through a vampire's heart. It's vampire Carmilla, however, will forever be remembered for her relationship with the narrator, Laura.

Count Dracula - Bram Stoker (1897)

  An absolute classic and must read, Count Dracula is said to be both prototypical and archetypal vampire in subsequent works of fiction. Depicted as mostly a beast in the novel, the vampire Count perfectly portrays the typical belief people held of vampires at the time: old relics that had no time, nor care, for the most of humanity, except to feed on them and their loved ones.

  Unfortunately I do not have much time to write lengthy and more detailed descriptions of the books I have mentioned, but I hope that they prove to be fascinating reads, should you chose to read any of them. But oh, the hour is late and I must put down my pen. I trust that we will meet again, sometime soon, perhaps. 

       Until time returns,  

              The Friendly Steampunk

Credits to Google Images for the picture 

Vampires ~ A Small Tidbit of Information

What is a vampire? A fanged monster that talks ~ but that's not important right now

Literature

  Vampires are classic monsters in literature that have become very popular and very diverse since their earlier appearances. The earliest know vampire story that set the scene for the 'traditional' blood suckers that we know today was published in 1819 under the title "The Vampyre". The story itself was meant as a sort of joke at the time, but, unbeknownst to it's creators, has created a sort of backbone for most (if not all) vampire legends that followed. 

Diseases

  Many diseases and disorders have attributed to the traits of vampires - the plague, rabies, and tuberculosis to name just a few. But there's one that I believe really adheres to what are considered vampiric qualities. 

  Porphyria - a rare genetic disease - has some very vampire-like characteristics. Persons can be sensitive to the touch of sunlight, deprived of oxygen in the blood, and can also have urges to ingest/drink the blood of others to help lessen some of the disease's symptoms. 

Powers

  In modern times there are so many vampires that making a complete list of all their powers would be nearly impossible. However, some traditional and folkloric powers include the ever popular abilities to transform, live forever, and hypnotize prey - not to mention super strength and simple powers over nature. 

Alas, my friends, I seem to have misplaced my ink bottle...perhaps the next time I write to you I shall have better luck. I have only included a small fraction of knowledge in this letter to you today, but I hope you found my words interesting. I have tried to state only facts, but everyone is flawed. 

        Until we meet again, 

              The Friendly Steampunk

Credits to Google Images for the picture