tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post5425099863332139229..comments2023-07-27T14:49:37.837-07:00Comments on Back in the Labyrinth: Minotaur and Medusa: The Commonest of Proper Nouns?Sean Robsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429301144221551751noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-3031206956506728432012-02-04T17:49:41.578-08:002012-02-04T17:49:41.578-08:00Googles "Topsell Gorgon" and found a num...Googles "Topsell Gorgon" and found a number of links. Look at the image on the bottom of this page: <br /><br />http://www.strangescience.net/stmam2.htmravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-2074771830279354512012-02-04T17:46:25.246-08:002012-02-04T17:46:25.246-08:00I am pretty sure that is not the case. Of course,...I am pretty sure that is not the case. Of course, memory will be what it is, but I did once come across a reference to a gorgon as a bull from a bestiary reference. This was a number of years ago, more than 20, so it is entirely possible that I am mistaken.<br /><br />Giants, Monsters, & Dragons (author: Carol Rose) says:<br /><br />"This is an alternative name for the Catoblepas as described in the seventeenth century by Edward Topsell. Its description had been much modified from the original image of the Catoblepas, and he described the beast, which he called a Gorgon, as covered in scales, having wings like a dragon, enormous blood-shot eyes covered by a long mane, gigantic teeth, and hands instead of paws or hooves. It was said to browse only on poisonous plants, by which its breath was also made poisonous, as well as having eyes that could petrify any mortal thing, if it ever looked upon them."<br /><br />Hope that is of some help.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-37013469139917323472012-02-03T11:52:53.413-08:002012-02-03T11:52:53.413-08:00@ravencrowking: The medieval bestiary was probably...@ravencrowking: The medieval bestiary was probably mixing up the gorgons with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalkotauroi" rel="nofollow">metal bulls</a> from Jason and the Argonauts.Talysmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02162328521343832412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-78353647010317693222012-01-27T06:45:09.460-08:002012-01-27T06:45:09.460-08:00I had book of greek mythology as a kid that descri...I had book of greek mythology as a kid that described the gorgons (Medusa and her sisters) as having scaled skin and horns growing from their cheeks as they were so hideous.JDJarvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07691101939920824546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-12516893623588259232012-01-26T21:24:09.331-08:002012-01-26T21:24:09.331-08:00Time Bandits!!
Best Minotaur ever!<i>Time Bandits</i>!!<br /><br />Best Minotaur ever!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-92132212026313265432012-01-26T19:59:02.621-08:002012-01-26T19:59:02.621-08:00@Lasgun: yes, it is wrong. Very wrong, but in the...@Lasgun: yes, it is wrong. Very wrong, but in the best possible way!<br /><br />@Niccodaemus: Pegasus is another good example of a singular mythological creature pluralized, but I've actually used or seen one in a game. Given how rarely they are used, if one were seen it probably would be unique.<br /><br />@Shane: Yep, I remember that minotaur, too, but from the other side of the screen. I believe I bought that Citadel minotaur at the top specifically for use in Keep on the Borderlands. <br /><br />@Ravencrowking: Thanks for the confirmation; it sounds like a reasonable explanation to me. Gary was too well-versed in mythology to have made a mistake.<br /><br />@Trey: Yep, D&D monsters have, indeed, been supersized. That first minotaur looks like a baby compared to the modern models. I think baby minotaurs running around with little axes, chopping at adventurer's ankles has possibilities, too!Sean Robsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16429301144221551751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-6262806618174769682012-01-26T19:04:28.834-08:002012-01-26T19:04:28.834-08:00I had no idea there been such a "minotaur srm...I had no idea there been such a "minotaur srms race" in miniatures, but it makes sense with a ever-developing sense of badassery. Of course, now that I say "minotaur arms race," I think it has possibilities. ;)Treyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04647628467658839351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-82045718067066776992012-01-26T18:10:50.504-08:002012-01-26T18:10:50.504-08:00I am almost 100% certain that the metal scales for...I am almost 100% certain that the metal scales for the gorgon come from a Medieval bestiary as well. When I first came across a "real-world" reference to what I had believed was a "D&D-only" monster, I was flabbergasted, I can tell you.<br /><br />The degree to which Gary Gygax was well-read never ceases to astound me.ravencrowkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09315630554847698555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-37676818835970458912012-01-26T17:48:53.087-08:002012-01-26T17:48:53.087-08:00Thanks to Keep on the Borderlands I suspect the Mi...Thanks to Keep on the Borderlands I suspect the Minotaur was one of the monsters that most old-school players had to face on their very first adventure. I still remember the sense of doom that washed over me as we realized we had come face to face with one! We did more running than fighting, and if memory serves two of the five members of our party died in that encounter. One kid almost started crying because his fighter died! My thief was able to hide in shadows as the beast ran by without noticing, and I landed a backstab! It didn't kill him, but hurt him bad enough that we suddenly had a fighting chance. Those were simpler times, as illustrated by the comparison of the array of 'taurs you have on display.Shane Mangushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03865733072718219138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-33230914589613582202012-01-26T15:18:56.586-08:002012-01-26T15:18:56.586-08:00Don't forget what I consider the biggest offen...Don't forget what I consider the biggest offender of this type, "the" Pegasus. Pegasus of course, is the name of an individual, not a species.<br /><br />Also, the unicorn is no more a horse than a platypus is a duck, but tends to be described as a "horse with a horn".Niccodaemushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12969643475763823901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-68292156338409647302012-01-26T15:09:57.465-08:002012-01-26T15:09:57.465-08:00Is it wrong that I would like to see a group of Sa...Is it wrong that I would like to see a group of Saurons at a table together, eating or plotting or whatever, and then when our crew of murder hobos bursts in the door, the saurons bring out their maces and start bashing?<br /><br />And yes, turning unique monsters into races of monsters can be very silly.Lasgunpackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13529298072677726064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-3779340666236673902012-01-26T14:29:25.444-08:002012-01-26T14:29:25.444-08:00Thanks, Gwydion, that's more than I knew and i...Thanks, Gwydion, that's more than I knew and it sounds like a reasonable explanation!Sean Robsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16429301144221551751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7384696295028916937.post-86867761055002605402012-01-26T13:51:04.156-08:002012-01-26T13:51:04.156-08:00A Medieval bestiary apparently mixed up the Catobl...A Medieval bestiary apparently mixed up the Catoblepas and the Gorgon. It listed a bull-like creature with a huge head and poison breath called the "Gorgon."<br /><br />The metal scales, as far as I know, came from either Gygax or Arneson.<br /><br />Or at least that's what I read on the internet once. Take it for what it's worth.Dennis Laffeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03053699552003336733noreply@blogger.com