Tarasque

 

 

ORIGIN

Technically from Galatia, but associated with Provence, Southern France.

 

FIRST SIGHTED/RECORDED

I can't seem to find an actual date as to when the tale came around but if a saint is involved then the tale is likely to be about 600-700 years ago.

 

APPEARANCE

The beast is a sort of dragon with 6 short legs like a bears, an ox like body covered with a turtle shell, a scaly tail ending with a scorpion sting and the head of a lion.

 

GENDER

Appears to be genderless although, there is a possibility that it has been referred to as a male.

 

ALSO KNOWN AS

N/A

 

REPELLED BY

The creature seems to be affected more by charm, but not your average gentlemanly kind! It took the charm of a Saint to tame it.

 

MAGICAL POWERS/SKILLS

It doesn't necessarily have any powers but it is obviously quite destructive so superhuman strength may be one of its skills so to speak.

 

HISTORY/ABOUT

The beast was said to have come from Galatia (highlands in modern Turkey). It is the offspring of Onachus and Leviathan (or possibly another water monster). The beast was said to have inhabited the area of Nerluc, devastating the landscape far and wide. On the last Sunday of June, every year, a festival is held in honour of the beast.

 

CAN BE FOUND

The creature was found all over the region, it didn't seem to be attracted to one particular spot. Maybe places where the population was higher was a likely place to find it.

 

TALES

There is a tale that the King of Nerluc tried to attack the creature with all the knights and catapults that he could provide yet to no avail. Then Saint Martha found the creature and charmed it with hymns and prayers. She managed to tame the creature and led him back to the city. The people in the city however, were still petrified of the beast so attacked it. The beast did not resist and died on the spot. Saint Martha converted everyone to Christianity and when they realised what they had done, they renamed their town Tarascon. The creature even features on their coat of arms.

 

ANY SIGHTINGS?

It is said that in Halong Bay, Vietnam, a monster was spotted along the bay. The French who ruled at that time said that it was the Tarasque.

 

SIMILAR CREATURES

The beast from Beauty and the Beast, King Kong (the anti-hero in tales)