Myths And Legends

It's quiet. Too quiet. It has been years since the last blood libel and the Jewish community in Prague is starting to relax. Then, the Maharal receives a sign from God a few days before Passover, letting him know that the danger is far from over.  On the creature of the week, if you can't take the heat, get out of the desert. Or stay in the desert and be like the Funeral Mountain Terrashot. S Music: "Just need a walk under the lights of the boulevard" by Bisou de l'enfant sauvage "After midnight kiss" by Bisou de l'enfant sauvage "Ocean Ending" by Soft and Furious "The Coil Winds" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lost in Russia" by TRG Banks "Alchemical" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

As a way to say thank for voting for Myths and Legends for the Webbys (and for being the reason why we won!), we wanted to share an additional story this week. It's from the southern United States, and it was originally an episode on the Myths and Legends member feed. It's a story of two wives in a stupidity arms race over who has the worse husband. The creature is the reason why the owl is such a shady bird that never comes out during the day. Thanks again for your vote. If you liked this episode and want more like it, there are now 31+ other episodes on the member feed. Go to support.mythpodcast.com for more info. All music this week by Podington BearSupport the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 16th century Prague, a people are under attack. Accused of an unspeakable crime they didn't commit, they have no recourse: even the rulers of the city have turned against them. They can't find justice, so they have to make justice - a silent guardian to watch over their community, one to keep the wolves at bay. But is he too late to help guard the innocents against the sinister machinations of one man?  ---  Music: "An Opus in Bb" by Blue Dot Sessions "A Simple Shroud" by Blue Dot Sessions "Beeth" by Blue Dot Sessions "Andelo" by Blue Dot Sessions "Toothless Slope" by Blue Dot Sessions "Valantis" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

The king returns to his homeland after nearly a decade of exile. An evil sorcerer king is at the apex of his power. Owls deliver insults and dating is difficult no matter who you are. The epic story of Sundiata, the first emperor of Mali, concludes.    The creature of the week is the grey man of Ben MacDhui, a...grey man. Who lives on the mountain of Ben MacDhui. And also he's naked because why not?   ---    Music:   "Fantasy and Denoument" by Podington Bear "In" by Podington Bear "Elipse" by Blue Dot Sessions "Waves" by Blue Dot Sessions "Endeavour" by Jahzzar "Ruins" by Jahzzar "We Drive 3 Days" by Blue Dot Sessions "Thin Passage" by Blue Dot Sessions "Pacing" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

A new shadow rises to the north of Mali and an evil sorcerer king (and connoisseur of severed heads) will rise, but not before Djata, Sogolon, and others are forced into exile by the ruthless queen mother. It's part 2 of the story of Sundiata: an epic of old Mali.  The creature this week is a good-guy African dragon who, in a refreshing twist, is the victim of all of his interactions with humans. --  Music: "Somnolence" by Kai Engel "Delirium" by Kai Engel "Oneiri" by Kai Engel "Little Black Cloud" by Blue Dot Sessions "Plum" by Podington Bear "Taoudella" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

The epic of Sundiata, the founder of the Mali empire, has everything - magical old women, evil magician kings, nice magician kings, and helpful buffaloes. The first part is like Mean Girls...if Mean Girls was set in 12th century Africa. But really, it's a fantastic tale of love, loss, and perseverance and I hope you like it.    The creature today has a surprise for you! It's her mule legs! Also she's going to eat you!   ---  Music: "Alum Drum Solo" by Blue Dot Sessions "Gaena" by Blue Dot Sessions "Gale" by Blue Dot Sessions "Daedalus" by Kai Engel "Low Jack" by Podington Bear "Ringtail" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lonely Stairwell" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Reynard, having received a pardon from the Lion who was a King, is up to his old tricks. Like, immediately. He bit the head off the rabbit that was accompanying him on a holy pilgrimmage before he even left the kingdom. Of course, the ground is shrinking beneath Reynard, and it won't be long before the fox who needs to deceive to survive runs into the king's justice and the king will only fall for the same lies so many times.  -- Music "When we set out" by Podington Bear "Bit Rio" by Podington Bear "Massive Attack" by Podington Bear "Puppy" by Podington Bear "Bell Solo" by Podington Bear "Mystery Coat" by Blue Dot Sessions "Noe Noe" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Despite cute talking animals, the world in the stories of Reynard the fox is a rough place. The fox might not be the biggest or toughest animal in the kingdom, but he is the smartest. Once he gets talking, run, because there's no way you're going to come out the other end in one piece.  The creature this week is an angry muddy ghost dad.  --  Music: "Bad Cut" by Podington Bear "LA" by Podington Bear "Reddit" by Podington Bear "Roscoe" by Podington Bear "Curious Process" by Podington Bear "Operatives" by Podington Bear "Cicle Vascule" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Horus's uncle Set murdered his father, and because his mother was shrewd, he gained the throne and the murderer was exiled to the South. There was just one problem: Set wasn't going to go quietly. He vowed on the day he left to kill Horus, feast on his flesh, and reclaim the throne for himself. The boy Pharoah, Horus, watched Set and his followers go, and knew he had to be ready. The war was coming.  The creature this time is the vegetable man, and, no worries, he's not going to make you eat your vegetables. As a (possible?) vegetable himself, he's way more interested in eating you. - --  Music: "Twilight Grandeur" by Podington Bear "Pythagoras" by Podington Bear "Graduation" by Podington Bear "Blammo" by Podington Bear "Bare Shoulders" by Podington Bear "Strange Dog Walk" by Blue Dot Sessions "Dangerous Swing" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

A story about a king and his garden...that somehow turns into a story with genies, witches, boats full of male models, guys getting boiled alive, angry kitties, and secret agent mice. It's the story of the bronze ring, as collected by Scottish writer Andrew Lang.  The creature this time just wants to pop on by your hut for a beer and maybe turn you into an undying goblin. Because he likes you so much. - ---  Music: "Cicle Ariel" by Blue Dot Sessions "Nuthatch" by Blue Dot Sessions "The Molerat" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lime Beat" by Podington Bear "Lamb" by Podington Bear "Two Faces" by Podington Bear "Soldier's Story" by Podington Bear "Smack" by Podington Bear Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Charlemagne is the Holy Roman Emperor, and as a Holy Roman Emperor in a legend, it's not surprising that he'd get a command directly from God. What is surprising, however, is that the command is less than holy.  The angry, bitter bird people on the creature of the week will be the death of chairs as we know them.  ---  "Little Strut Surprise" by Podington Bear "K2" by Podington Bear "Gentle Marimbas" by Podington Bear "Chrysalis" by Podington Bear "B7 Bomber" by Podington Bear "Cicle Gerano" by Blue Dot Sessions "Cobalt Blue" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

What do you do if an obvious witch stops you on the road and asks a favor? Keep walking, right? Well, for the first time in possibly the entirety of this podcast, here's an example of someone speaking to an evil-looking witch in the dark forest and it actually working out. It's the story of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Tinderbox". Our second story is from Vietnam, and a poor family, a smart child, an evil moneylender, and a fly conspire to cause some legal difficulties.  --  Music: "Down and Around" by Podington Bear "Holding Hands" by Podington Bear "Lens Flare" by Podington Bear "Solemn Oath" by Podington Bear "Storm Passing" by Podington Bear "Scalloped" by Blue Dot Sessions "Wahre" by Blue Dot Sessions "Slider" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

Things get weird this week. The knights continue their quests through the Country of Strange Adventure, and the side-quests becomes the main quest as the knights get involved with: Bad breakups Vengeance Dragons eating dogs eating stags Death choirs Elderly women looking for a good time Church decorations Way too much more Also, were you wondering what happened to Arthur's incestuous offspring, Mordred? Neither was anyone else! But he's back just in time for something horrible to happen.    The creature this time is the cuero, a nice looking blanket to keep sand off you on the beach and also maybe your skin as well.    -- Music:   "Lick Stick" by Blue Dot Sessions "Dark Water" by Podington Bear "Nocturne Op 27 No 1" by Podington Bear "Rain on Glass" by Podington Bear "Pxl Cray" by Blue Dot Sessions "Plataz" by Blue Dot Sessions "Vik Fence Lardha" by Blue Dot Sessions "Bivly" by Blue Dot Sessions "Mad Scientist" by Fog Lake "Connect the Dots" by Statusq Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membersh

Yvain and Gawain are just two best friends taking a fun trip together. Nevermind that they've been exiled from Camelot forever, making it a mandatory best friends vacation. It sparks the beginning of a yearlong quest filled with morbid church decorations, dragon diets consisting solely of puppies, and sad, creepy knights. Basically your standard Arthurian legend.  The creature of the week is a fearsome critter who loves your scent...especially if that scent is rum...  -- Music: "Blue Highway" by Podington Bear "Ice Pack" by Podington Bear "In My Head" by Podington Bear "Miss You" by Podington Bear "In the Back Room" by Blue Dot Sessions "Peacoat" by Blue Dot Sessions "Borough" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

The story of William Tell is so much more than an arrow and an apple. It's the story of a reluctant hero, a tyrannical ruler, and why you shouldn't let your prisoners drive the vehicle you're using to take them to prison.  The creature this week is the cockatrice, and if you see a frog keeping eggs warm, that is just a completely normal and ok thing that won't end up destroying you and everyone you love.  ---  Music: "Cicle Clavis Textile" by Blue Dot Sessions "In Paler Skies" by Blue Dot Sessions "Gullwing Sailor" Blue Dot Sessions "KeoKeo" by Blue Dot Sessions "The Caspian Sea" by Blue Dot Sessions "Vik Fenceta" by Blue Dot Sessions "Waltz for Zacaria" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As I was reading the story of Gouyen, I couldn't believe it was a true story - the lengths and the danger this woman went to in order to bring her husband's killer to justice. She's brave, intelligent, and ruthless when it comes to going after her goals. And her story doesn't end there. Her name ends up associated with one of the most famous Apache warriors in American history and his fight against the United States.  The creature this time is what happens when you reaaaaaaally want to grow wings and pull your own head off (I mean, more than we all want to do all the time) Music: "El Tajo" by Blue Dot Sessions "Drch" by Blue Dot Sessions "Meekness" Kai Engel "Harbor" by Kai Engel "La Costilla" by Blue Dot Sessions "Tolls Folly" by Blue Dot Sessions "Villano" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I feel pretty confident saying that this episode is the most fun you'll have listening to a story about child murder and cannibalism. Jack of Jack and the beanstalk fame is a hero who's...not really a hero. He's a lazy teenager who's kind of stupid. It's ok, though, because he keeps running into a kind ogre who repeatedly feeds him and saves his life...and he repays her kindness by robbing her blind. The second story is that of Jack the Giant Killer, which I just recently learned is a different Jack. His story loops in with King Arthur's too, and it's just a lot of fun...if waking up in matted, greasy giant hair is your idea of fun.  The creature this week is a giant pig monster from Greek mythology! Which giant pig monster? Well, that's the fun (hint: there are too many giant pig monsters in Greek mythology).  --  Music: "Direct to Video" by Chris Zabriskie "Cylinder Two" by Chris Zabriskie "Cicle Ariel" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lanky" by Blue Dot Sessions "March on Gumdrop Field" by Blue Dot Sessions "Plum

Two vastly different stories of children made from snow. The first is one where the king is called on to solve some dating issues...but then discovers something far colder is at play. The second is the completely real story of a totally legitimately born snow child and what do you mean you don't think he's real? Of course he's real? Well, whatever. You can't prove otherwise so what are you going to do about it?  The creature this week is one that likes to make his home (and his toilet!) out of cinnamon.  --  Music: "Cicle Gerano" by Blue Dot Sessions "Cicle Veroni" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lord Weasel" by Blue Dot Sessions "Intermezzo" by Blue Dot Sessions "Paper Feather" by Blue Dot Sessions "Peacetime" by Blue Dot Sessions "This is Our Home" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

A giant otherworldly monster that shoots fire from its mouth. The treacherous chief that killed his father. A super-smart fish dinner. These are just some of the things that Finn MacCool has to deal with as we wrap up the first part of his story and see how he comes to terms with his father's complicated legacy.  The creature is the best at what it does, and what it does isn't very nice. Because it involves sneaking into your house at night and stalking you with its beady little insect eyes and razor-sharp claws.  ---  Music: "So it Goes" by Podington Bear "The Confrontation" by Podington Bear "Gale" by Blue Dot Sessions "Circle DR Valga" by Blue Dot Sessions "Circle Vascule" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lochley Fells" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lumber Down" by Blue Dot Sessions Support the show: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership

If I could have just re-named myself in grade school, it probably would have been Finn MacCool. I mean, yeah, that's only an English transcription and it's actually spelled Fionn mac Cumhaill and it doesn't really mean "Cool guy named Finn" but, loosely, "Fair one who is the son of Cumhaill" but, you know, details. Really, really stupid joking aside, today's story is awesome. It's parts tense human drama, revenge tale, and fantasy epic. It has young people trying to avenge their parents, giant monster fights, and, of course, a very smart fish. It's a two-parter, and it's been one of my favorite stories so far on this podcast.  The creature this week is a fire monster who likes to play with his food. Unfortunately, that involves flinging flaming heads at grieving families.  --  Music: "Cab Ride" by Blue Dot Sessions "Cicle Deserrat" by Blue Dot Sessions "Down by the Bank" by Blue Dot Sessions "Invernen" by Blue Dot Sessions "Headway" by Kai Engel "Slum Canto" by Kai Engel "Evermore" by Kai Engel "Cold War E