Post by abraxas on Jun 10, 2010 7:42:29 GMT -5
Ive recently been inspired to write a series of stories based on Gargoyles, which will be original fictional works that revolve around a group of creatures that have existed throughout time. I know there are a few members of CLAD that also write original fiction and so anyone interested in contributing a story is welcome. I will be writing the basic outline for the initial characters, and I encourage everyone to create their own characters and story lines, to elaborate on the basic themes and characters that I will be creating.
You can write any kind of story you like, no limits.......
For anyone that would like to know more about gargoyles I have added a few links below that might be useful.
www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~bump/oxford/gargoyles.html
www.stratis.demon.co.uk/gargoyles/gg-ety-hist-myth.htm
www.stratis.demon.co.uk/gargoyles/gargoyle.htm
www.ulrikehoinkis.de/gargoyles/grotesques.html
www.ulrikehoinkis.de/gargoyles/gargoyles.html
www.underthegargoyle.com/
A lot of these sites contain images of gargoyles, to give some idea of how the creatures in the stories might look, of course everyone is encourage to make up their own.
Since most gargoyles are on the sides of cathedrals I thought it might be a good idea for everyone to familiarize themselves with what they are. Here are some terms concerning such structures, just some little technical details that I personally like to put into my stories.
Starting with one of the most famous cathedrals Notre Dame, in these you can learn about the various parts that make up a cathedral, such as a Flying Buttress, nave, cloister, etc.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_buttress
So if anyone is interested just let me know in this thread, I will be working on my first few stories in a few days, just finished several days of research.
Here is a little example, still needs a little re-writing
The bride and the Gorgon
Perseus was a beautiful youth with a medium paled completion, softly curled brown hair, and a sturdy strong build. He had come from Serifos, an island municipality, and one of the 220 small islands collectivly known as the Cyclades, situated in the Aegean Sea. The climate of Serifos was dry and mild, the soil had limits in terms of agricultural possibilities, hence the main profession of many of the residents of the small isle was that of fisherman. Livadi was a town by the shore, where Perseus’ fathers boat was moored, traveling on foot for more then two hours in the earliest hours of the day to fish. Perseus and his father worked the waters just offshore, a hard life indeed, but an important factor in turning a gentle boy into a man of strong will and great stature.
Reaching his 18th year Perseus decided to travel across the eastern Mediterranean to Joppa in Phoenicia, it would be in Joppa where Perseus will come to face his destiny. The decision was completely arbitrary, for the Galley that he would board was already heading for the port city of Phoenicia.
Having left his home of Argos as an infant and being raised on Serifos Perseus was quit stunned by the beauty of Joppa, particularly the inner city. The glittering beige toned buildings with hints of pure white marble was particularly impressive to his eyes. Perseus had no notion of such a busy and bustling city, he had arrived on the 7th of Thargelion (May) and the festival of Apollo was well on its way. Perseus was standing in the agora watching the first-fruits sacrifice.
Some of the citizens who had contributed to the ritual stood in the market place, pouring the first grains into a pot as an offering to the gods. Perseus was not familiar with this particular festival ritual and so his attentions were fixed on the scene before him. He had not noticed that the most beautiful of all Joppa’s inhabitants was now standing beside him.
“Are you a stranger to our city?”
Perseus diverting his glance to his right to find the most beautiful women he had ever seen standing at his side. The vision before him was a tall, slender girl with blackish hair and wide, intense green eyes.
“Yes, I am a stranger to these lands, to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”
“I am Andromeda, daughter to king Cepheus, ruler of the fair city of Joppa. May I ask who you are?”
“Perseus” he replied
At which point Phineus, Andromeda’s uncle and the one to whom her hand was promised interrupted them. Without uttering a single word he wrenched her away from Perseus, as he and Andromeda disappeared into the crowd, Phineus cast one last glare towards the youth. Even though Perseus was a stranger to Joppa it was clear that Phineus knew exactly who he was.
You can write any kind of story you like, no limits.......
For anyone that would like to know more about gargoyles I have added a few links below that might be useful.
www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~bump/oxford/gargoyles.html
www.stratis.demon.co.uk/gargoyles/gg-ety-hist-myth.htm
www.stratis.demon.co.uk/gargoyles/gargoyle.htm
www.ulrikehoinkis.de/gargoyles/grotesques.html
www.ulrikehoinkis.de/gargoyles/gargoyles.html
www.underthegargoyle.com/
A lot of these sites contain images of gargoyles, to give some idea of how the creatures in the stories might look, of course everyone is encourage to make up their own.
Since most gargoyles are on the sides of cathedrals I thought it might be a good idea for everyone to familiarize themselves with what they are. Here are some terms concerning such structures, just some little technical details that I personally like to put into my stories.
Starting with one of the most famous cathedrals Notre Dame, in these you can learn about the various parts that make up a cathedral, such as a Flying Buttress, nave, cloister, etc.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_buttress
So if anyone is interested just let me know in this thread, I will be working on my first few stories in a few days, just finished several days of research.
Here is a little example, still needs a little re-writing
The bride and the Gorgon
Perseus was a beautiful youth with a medium paled completion, softly curled brown hair, and a sturdy strong build. He had come from Serifos, an island municipality, and one of the 220 small islands collectivly known as the Cyclades, situated in the Aegean Sea. The climate of Serifos was dry and mild, the soil had limits in terms of agricultural possibilities, hence the main profession of many of the residents of the small isle was that of fisherman. Livadi was a town by the shore, where Perseus’ fathers boat was moored, traveling on foot for more then two hours in the earliest hours of the day to fish. Perseus and his father worked the waters just offshore, a hard life indeed, but an important factor in turning a gentle boy into a man of strong will and great stature.
Reaching his 18th year Perseus decided to travel across the eastern Mediterranean to Joppa in Phoenicia, it would be in Joppa where Perseus will come to face his destiny. The decision was completely arbitrary, for the Galley that he would board was already heading for the port city of Phoenicia.
Having left his home of Argos as an infant and being raised on Serifos Perseus was quit stunned by the beauty of Joppa, particularly the inner city. The glittering beige toned buildings with hints of pure white marble was particularly impressive to his eyes. Perseus had no notion of such a busy and bustling city, he had arrived on the 7th of Thargelion (May) and the festival of Apollo was well on its way. Perseus was standing in the agora watching the first-fruits sacrifice.
Some of the citizens who had contributed to the ritual stood in the market place, pouring the first grains into a pot as an offering to the gods. Perseus was not familiar with this particular festival ritual and so his attentions were fixed on the scene before him. He had not noticed that the most beautiful of all Joppa’s inhabitants was now standing beside him.
“Are you a stranger to our city?”
Perseus diverting his glance to his right to find the most beautiful women he had ever seen standing at his side. The vision before him was a tall, slender girl with blackish hair and wide, intense green eyes.
“Yes, I am a stranger to these lands, to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?”
“I am Andromeda, daughter to king Cepheus, ruler of the fair city of Joppa. May I ask who you are?”
“Perseus” he replied
At which point Phineus, Andromeda’s uncle and the one to whom her hand was promised interrupted them. Without uttering a single word he wrenched her away from Perseus, as he and Andromeda disappeared into the crowd, Phineus cast one last glare towards the youth. Even though Perseus was a stranger to Joppa it was clear that Phineus knew exactly who he was.