The Mods (![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} mysteria_mods) wrote,@ 2007-12-09 18:02:00 |
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Gargoyles
According to legend, gargoyles are stone effigies of inhuman creatures that adorn structures and act as guardians. Upon the setting of the sun they come alive in order protect the sleeping populace from creatures of evil. Though it is also said they were representations of the sins of man. They began to first appear on buildings, especially churches, around 1200AD and varied widely in appearance, from the beautiful, to the horrific, to the humerus.
The above is close to the truth.
The Three Gargoyle Types
The general term “gargoyle” refers to the entire gargoyle race. Among gargoyles there are three very distinct types: the large(6'-8') and winged gargoyles, the slightly smaller(4'6"-6') and flightless gurgoyles, and the diminutive gargoylites(under 4'6"). The gargoylites are typically winged like the gargoyles.
There is no such thing as a common appearance among gargoyles as skin color varies widely, taking in virtually any color imaginable. Horns are typical but again vary in size, shape and number. The facial structure can appear virtually human but animal heads are typical as well, so are combinations of the two. Truthfully their appearances are extremely varied; bat wings, feathered wings, tail, no tail, two arms, four arms, claws, four fingers, three fingers, and the list goes on.
Powers/Drawbacks
In comparison to human gargoyles are much stronger, faster and agile and heal faster though not near as fast as vampires and werebeasts. They can see in the dark and those with wings are capable of flight. Due to their size some gargoyles must launch themselves from a height in order to attain flight.
The most impressive power of gargoyles is the ability to turn to stone at sunrise and if they chose they can voluntarily enter this state at any time. While in stone form they recover rapidly from wounds and do not require food or air and can maintain the stone form indefinitely. It is said many of the old “sculptures” in Europe are elder gargoyles, resting. Though vulnerable in this state they are much sturdier than typical rock and it would take a significant impact to damage and shatter them. If they chose a gargoyle can revert to normal in daylight to fend off an attack but in doing so their flesh begins to burn almost immediately upon contact with the sun’s rays. It is this vulnerability to the sun that leads to the hypothesis that the rock state is a natural defense that has developed over time.
Other abilities of gargoyles include the ability to become “living” stone. This ability is similar to their day time stone sleep but are capable of full movement. While in this form they are vastly stronger and capable of soaking up massive amounts of damage but sacrifice speed and the ability to fly. This is a rare ability and commonly only seen among elder gargoyles that are around 300 years old or older. The rarest of abilities is to change into a human upon the rising of the sun. The gargoyle doesn’t just appear human they become human, losing all their supernatural abilities and strengths. This can be a gift as well as a curse. The gargoyle can live among humanity but must be ever vigilant of when the sun sets as they instantly begin a rather painful transformation into their true form. Those that can sense supernatural creatures will still be able to feel the gargoyle despite their human form.
Society
Gargoyles generally form groups(clan, family, gang, etc.) which can be as small as a handful of members to hundreds. A lone gargoyle is not unheard of. The strongest of them will almost always be the leader and the position is determined through combat. The fight can be to the death or until one yields depending upon the particular groups’ customs. Those that are stronger or have proven themselves in some manner are given higher status. Also it is rare for different groups of gargoyles to battle but it has happened.
They love the high ground, especially the winged ones, and if given the choice will congregate in the mountains. With humans constantly building taller and taller structures gargoyles have begun to adapt to settling on them as well. Gargoyles are unsettled by humans building machines to fly as they feel the human are trespassing in a domain that does not belong to them. Most will avoid planes and the like but evil gargoyles may go out of their way in an attempt to cause a plane to crash. The mischievous ones may only give the pilot the scare of his life. Of course gargoyles can only match speeds with the slowest of planes and at an altitude they can still breath at.
Enemies
For some reason most gargoyles have an instinctive hatred for evil supernatural creatures, vampires in particular. Most supernatural creatures are simply avoided as long as they are not up to no good but vampires are attacked on sight. This may have something to do with churches being a favored roost. People for the most part are avoided as well though gargoyles may come to their aide. A natural dislike to evil does not mean all gargoyles are on the side of good and justice as there can be gargoyles every bit as evil as the most vile of vampires.
According to legend, gargoyles are stone effigies of inhuman creatures that adorn structures and act as guardians. Upon the setting of the sun they come alive in order protect the sleeping populace from creatures of evil. Though it is also said they were representations of the sins of man. They began to first appear on buildings, especially churches, around 1200AD and varied widely in appearance, from the beautiful, to the horrific, to the humerus.
The above is close to the truth.
The Three Gargoyle Types
The general term “gargoyle” refers to the entire gargoyle race. Among gargoyles there are three very distinct types: the large(6'-8') and winged gargoyles, the slightly smaller(4'6"-6') and flightless gurgoyles, and the diminutive gargoylites(under 4'6"). The gargoylites are typically winged like the gargoyles.
There is no such thing as a common appearance among gargoyles as skin color varies widely, taking in virtually any color imaginable. Horns are typical but again vary in size, shape and number. The facial structure can appear virtually human but animal heads are typical as well, so are combinations of the two. Truthfully their appearances are extremely varied; bat wings, feathered wings, tail, no tail, two arms, four arms, claws, four fingers, three fingers, and the list goes on.
Powers/Drawbacks
In comparison to human gargoyles are much stronger, faster and agile and heal faster though not near as fast as vampires and werebeasts. They can see in the dark and those with wings are capable of flight. Due to their size some gargoyles must launch themselves from a height in order to attain flight.
The most impressive power of gargoyles is the ability to turn to stone at sunrise and if they chose they can voluntarily enter this state at any time. While in stone form they recover rapidly from wounds and do not require food or air and can maintain the stone form indefinitely. It is said many of the old “sculptures” in Europe are elder gargoyles, resting. Though vulnerable in this state they are much sturdier than typical rock and it would take a significant impact to damage and shatter them. If they chose a gargoyle can revert to normal in daylight to fend off an attack but in doing so their flesh begins to burn almost immediately upon contact with the sun’s rays. It is this vulnerability to the sun that leads to the hypothesis that the rock state is a natural defense that has developed over time.
Other abilities of gargoyles include the ability to become “living” stone. This ability is similar to their day time stone sleep but are capable of full movement. While in this form they are vastly stronger and capable of soaking up massive amounts of damage but sacrifice speed and the ability to fly. This is a rare ability and commonly only seen among elder gargoyles that are around 300 years old or older. The rarest of abilities is to change into a human upon the rising of the sun. The gargoyle doesn’t just appear human they become human, losing all their supernatural abilities and strengths. This can be a gift as well as a curse. The gargoyle can live among humanity but must be ever vigilant of when the sun sets as they instantly begin a rather painful transformation into their true form. Those that can sense supernatural creatures will still be able to feel the gargoyle despite their human form.
Society
Gargoyles generally form groups(clan, family, gang, etc.) which can be as small as a handful of members to hundreds. A lone gargoyle is not unheard of. The strongest of them will almost always be the leader and the position is determined through combat. The fight can be to the death or until one yields depending upon the particular groups’ customs. Those that are stronger or have proven themselves in some manner are given higher status. Also it is rare for different groups of gargoyles to battle but it has happened.
They love the high ground, especially the winged ones, and if given the choice will congregate in the mountains. With humans constantly building taller and taller structures gargoyles have begun to adapt to settling on them as well. Gargoyles are unsettled by humans building machines to fly as they feel the human are trespassing in a domain that does not belong to them. Most will avoid planes and the like but evil gargoyles may go out of their way in an attempt to cause a plane to crash. The mischievous ones may only give the pilot the scare of his life. Of course gargoyles can only match speeds with the slowest of planes and at an altitude they can still breath at.
Enemies
For some reason most gargoyles have an instinctive hatred for evil supernatural creatures, vampires in particular. Most supernatural creatures are simply avoided as long as they are not up to no good but vampires are attacked on sight. This may have something to do with churches being a favored roost. People for the most part are avoided as well though gargoyles may come to their aide. A natural dislike to evil does not mean all gargoyles are on the side of good and justice as there can be gargoyles every bit as evil as the most vile of vampires.
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