This is a tale passed down through Kentucky families familiar with the Yahoo:
Long ago, before the Smoky Mountains were scouted by European pioneers, there was an explorer traversing the Appalachian mountains; he was mapping out the region, documenting local flora and fauna, as well as noting places best for future development. After several days, he came to a particularly rocky section of terrain. With a poor step, he tumbled down the mountainside and broke his leg. With several agonizing cries, the explorer pulled himself into a cave he had spotted near the base of the cliffside. To his relief, the cavern appeared to be uninhabited. Hoping for the best, he straightened his leg out, tore his overshirt into lengthy strips, and tightly wrapped them around a thick stick placed against the injury. The man tried to quiet and calm himself, but even the brush of wind against his leg elicited a shrill yelp of agony. After much time spent in excruciating pain- and after his adrenaline had depleted- he lost consciousness. A giant, black creature seemed to loom over him, prod his leg, and place a burning, slimy substance on it. The explorer wasn’t sure if it was a hallucination or a real monster. Unfortunately, the creature that had visited him was a bigfoot known as Yahoo; the female was lured to the cave by his howls. Each day, the creature would visit the man and put a gooey substance on his leg (likely a chewed up herb), and each week would leave a deer carcass by his side. The man was too weak to move or resist the creature’s prodding hands, flitting feverishly in and out of consciousness; the creature made advances on the man while he was in a delirious state, and became with child. In horror of the creature and realization of events that had taken place, he planned for escape- or at least a quick death. However, he greatly feared the Yahoo and remained still and quiet in its presence. The explorer’s health improved somewhat- though the meat gave him a stomachache- and he was able to sit up or hobble to and from the cave’s entrance, where he drank from a pool of rainwater. Once the pain mostly subsided, he leaned on a large stick and tried to make his way down the mountainside. With a frightening cry, the Yahoo appeared and grabbed the man roughly, throwing him back into the cave. Everytime the man tried to leave, the Yahoo brought him back. Many months later, the Yahoo continued to imprison the man, bringing him an assortment of food each week. The man’s mental state declined. During the cold season, the explorer used buck skins to stay warm and ate snow to stay hydrated. The Yahoo gave birth to a halfling, often seen hanging around its mother’s neck. The man’s leg had healed poorly and a bit crooked- pain sometimes shooting up his leg with a badly placed step. His dream of escape was waning, as every attempt was thwarted. One day, though, the creature appeared ill. Once it left the man and cave, he sprinted quickly down the mountain, ignoring the pain engulfing his bad limb, searching for the river he saw over a year ago. He was hoping to hide his scent and tracks in the swift waters, but to his great surprise he saw a boat. With tears in his eyes and words stuck in his throat, he yelled frantically and incoherently to the crew. Hoisting him up onto the ship, he collapsed in relief, crying and stammering. They feared he was insane and possibly dangerous, until they heard a spine-chilling howl: YAH-hoooo! The black creature stood on the bank, snarling, screeching, and shrieking. It threw rocks at the ship, chasing after it when it drifted farther down the river. With one last howl, it grasped the halfling child over its head and ripped it in two, throwing it against the boat’s side with a loud thud. The crew looked at the beast in fear and wonder, before returning their attention to the laughing, deranged man.
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The Red Oculus
Little Kanawha River Wanderlight As wanderlights are wont to do, Red Oculi have been mesmerizing their victims to step into a precarious situation since the early 19th century. Some of their earliest encounters were with men using the river to transport timber to the state’s interior during the late evening or at night by lamplight. As the logs were drifted down the river and fashioned into thick rafts, a distant, bright red glow caught a worker’s eye. The left to right and right to left arching sway of the Red Oculi was- and still is- hypnotizing. Each stretching about 10 feet after the other, the Red Oculi appear in curved lines of five. The orbs are about six inches wide and six inches tall, floating three feet off of the ground. When their viewers approach too close (3 feet away), the front-most wanderlight vanishes, seeming to appear at the line’s end. Once an individual’s attention is unquestionably acquired, a woman’s voice can be heard. It calls its follower by name, requesting it come nearer and nearer. Far away from people, familiarity, and other light (including that of the moon), the orbs that disappear with nearness do not return. One wanderlight, however, remains and continues to beckon. With a brief, bright flash, all evidence of the oculi and individual vanish to the paranormal plane. It is unknown whether the humans abducted ever return or for what purpose they were lured and taken. These events only occur at dusk or during the night. They are less common on nights with a full moon, but more common on new moon nights. Red Oculi can be found up and down the shores of the Little Kanawha River, though the best hunting spot is under the Pratt-Through truss bridge in Burnsville. For those searching for the ghostly lights, they appear more frequently to those easily entranced, unfamiliar with the area, and to the absentminded. The tracker can not be harmed as long as they have a newly found object in their pocket; as with other teleporting entities, freshly obtained trinkets ground an individual to this plane. These objects/trinkets must be human-made items that are given, found, or purchased no longer than three days past. Stallion of the Mist
R.D. Bailey Lake Kelpie (West Virginia) On the far side of the lake, a beautiful, white horse stands knee high, accentuated by bright green woodlands and rolling hills. But, there is something odd about the creature; upon closer inspection, it’s form seems to swirl in intricate patterns, its tail and mane wispy, in motion, even without wind. Pieces appear to break off, churn, and dissipate into nothingness, seemingly replaced on the body soon after. The creature surveys the lake and is well aware that it is not alone- but it does not care. The beast stomps a front hoof into the murky waters, snorts loudly. Mist emanates from the stallion’s splashes, coating the lake in a thin layer that grows thicker by the minute. The horse grows in size, but its swirling visage also takes on the quality of transparency. Thick, sticky, and a ghostly gray, the fog encompasses all; shrill neighs echo over the calm waters and permeate the hazy atmosphere. Hours after its initial appearance, the fog vanishes, and the kelpie does as well. Encounters with this creature are more likely on late autumn or early spring mornings with a clear forecast. It cannot be summoned, is not afraid of human activity, and is not harmful. Brushes with the Stallion of the Mist may bring about inconveniences; its presence lowers visibility and temperatures. Another entry in my bestiary; you can see more about the project here:www.kickstarter.com/projects/4… Disappearing Wolfman the Burlington Blue specter In the city of Burlington, an ethereal image materializes into and out of thin air. It often appears human-like, stumbling down hallways on two legs similar to an injured man; but, it glows a soft blue, is covered in a wavy mass of hair, has a protruding snout, pointed ears, large, luminescent, crystalline eyes, a wavering, fiery tale, and pawed, lengthy extremities tipped with blunt claws. It’s also transparent- a creature easily missed if quickly glanced over.
The wobbling gait it is so well-known for never lasts long. It always drops down on all fours eventually, looking more at ease as it dashes, jumps, and slinks to and fro. The creature can often be seen playing with a ball, running in circles, and sprinting around corners or out of sight. It seems to be interested in dogs- perhaps due to their similar appearance- and has been seen approaching them cautiously, but not aggressively. In response, dogs perk up with curiosity and fear, their hair bristling, tail tucking, and often emitting a low growl. However, if it notices human presence, it will disappear instantly. As a benign spector, it cannot be summoned and is not dangerous. It makes no sounds that can be heard by human ears and appears almost randomly- in homes during the day, in public places after hours, in the park, near the river, or on the road. Its gaunt body and dead-eyed gaze is evocative of classic tales about undead creatures, and may be a type of paranormal entity that has helped build these kinds of lore. A strange creature flitting between planes, it resembles the dogs we are familiar with, and therefore is commonly mistaken as an old pet living after death. Contrary to ghostly-animal folklore, this entity can interact with objects as long as it is in the dark; as with most paranormal entities, the absence of light allows the entity more presence in this plane. Its energy consumption, banishment token, and needs are unknown. In order to spot this creature, one must have luck, patience, and the ability to be deathly still and quiet. The Grafton Monster the skulking, hairless, upright-walking humanoid A cross between bigfoot and troll, the Grafton Monster is a hairless, aggressive mammal that fears loud noises and consumes only meat. Habitat
Concentrated in Grafton, West Virginia: population spreading to nearby, dense woodlands Sandwiched between the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and the Tygart Valley River, the small town of Grafton boasts a population of a little over five-thousand people, bountiful farmland, a dense woodland, and elusive creatures known as Grafton Monsters. Graftons can live in any densely wooded, temperate habitat, but (either by choice or forces of nature/humanity) live in concentrated populations near Grafton, West Virginia. These creatures have been spotted as far north as Michigan and as far south as Virginia. Size, Population, & Other Physical Traits Fully grown Grafton Monsters have hulking, muscular bodies that are lean in the spring and grow pudgier until winter. At their thinnest, males weigh around six-hundred pounds and females seven-hundred pounds; at their heaviest, males weigh about eight-hundred pounds and females nine-hundred pounds. They can be anywhere from seven to nine foot tall even with their strange posture; the creatures always keep their head tucked close to chest, even while sleeping. This may be due to the neck’s vulnerability: Grafton’s hide is thick and rough, except around the neck, where it is thin, stretchy, and smooth (this is where offspring hang onto their mothers). Graftons have a hairless, stark white hide that darkens to a chestnut brown mid-summer and pales again after mating season (early fall). Their skin is also compared to that of a seal because of its slick appearance, which is caused by a thin layer of sweat and musk. All Graftons live in pits dug after the winter thaw or recycled from a previous year. The pits are large to comfortably house the creatures, and are supported by beamlike branches. It is important to note that females’ dens are lined with stones and colorful objects, unlike males’. The Grafton population is less than fifty, but more than thirty. Life Cycle, Lifespan, and Reproduction The Grafton lifecycle can be divided into four sections: infantile, youth, juvenile, and adult. Infants are born blind, deaf, and unable to walk; mothers remain with offspring for three months, only briefly leaving the nest to discard of refuse. At three months of age, the creatures are left alone for the first time; uneasy without the presence of their caretaker, they crawl around the dark tunnel and yelp. A large boulder is placed at the pit’s entrance, blocking their escape and keeping them from harm. Sight and sound are fully developed in the creatures by five months of age, though they are still unable to stand until eight months. At six months, mothers will begin carrying offspring on their neck while hunting. Meat is introduced into their diet at about one year (when all forty-three teeth have grown into place), though their mother’s milk is still their dominant source of nourishment. At fourteen months, Grafton Monsters learn to hunt and are allowed out of the nest without supervision, marking the beginning of their youth. Though out of sight, the creatures never venture outside of their mother’s marked territory. Grafton Monsters leave the nest on their second summer and never return. At the age of two, they are juveniles. Males wander the woodlands, hunting for food and a mate (that is, if an acceptable candidate is happened upon). Females begin looking for a suitable nest location, but are not fully mature until age three. Grafton Monsters gather in pairs once every summer to mate. This is one of few non-violent meetings between the beasts. When a female has reached maturity, she will claim a section of land near water that is secluded by trees and other foliage. Due to the small population, there are rarely fights over breeding territory; disputes that do occur are settled by displays of strength that may include rock throwing, terrain destruction, or physical violence- which sometimes results in death. Once a nest has been secured, females will mark its boundaries with their scent and gashes on trees; they will live here for life unless challenged or evicted by natural or human activity. After Graftons feel their territory is secure, they will begin digging a deep pit (about five feet deep and four feet wide; the tunnel is also at an angle). Thick stumps and branches are placed inside the tunnel for support; these areas are often wider for the creature to maneuver around without hindrance. The pit’s entrance is lined with riverbed stones and camouflaged with dried bushes, dead leaves, and branches. Additionally, brightly colored flowers and objects (like toys or soda cans) are collected and arranged in and around the nest. Females decorate their residences with these items and stones to attract the attention of males. Pairs will bond if males find the nest and its arrangement pleasing, signaling their answer by placing a colorful item they have found into the nest. If they are not impressed with the nest, they will take one of the arranged items and leave. Males will return to an expecting nest three times a week with gifts of meat. The food is left at the tunnel’s entrance and the two creatures do not interact. Once the offspring is three months old, the male will cease to visit the nest. Females may have one to three children per pregnancy. Grafton Monsters do not reach old age. Instead, every Grafton that reaches year seven leaves its nest/home and goes to the river. A deep pit is then dug about one foot away from the water’s edge. The creature will lay down in the hole, pulling as much dirt on top of themselves as possible, and remain still. This is the natural end of a Grafton life, though no one knows exactly why. Diet Carnivorous, Solitary Hunters Unlike other bigfoot-esque creatures, the Grafton Monster hunts alone. While hunting, the Grafton Monster emits a low, rumbling whistle that could be mistaken for distant thunder. This sound alerts other Graftons of their presence, warning them to keep away. The creature hunts both at night and during the day, though more often after dusk. It avoids noisy areas, and is seemingly scared of particularly loud sounds. During the winter, Grafton Monsters survive predominantly on fish like Walleye or trout, non-migratory birds, and the occasional whitetail deer or unattended pet. The creatures eat less during the cold season, consuming a large meal only once a month. However, the fat stored from numerous, previous meals provide the beast with much needed energy and insulates it from the cold. For the rest of the year, Graftons will hunt larger prey- like deer or coyote- more frequently and smaller prey- like snakes, squirrels, birds, lizards, turtles, and fish- less frequently. Historic Sighting and Documentation At 11 pm, on June 16th, 1965, Robert Cockrell, a young reporter at the Grafton Sentinel, was heading home on Riverside Drive. Wanting to get there soon, he sped down the curvy, dark roads. Suddenly, his headlights illuminated a huge, stark white creature on the right side of the road, standing on a cleared off section of grass. It was much larger than a man (over seven feet tall and four feet wide), appeared to be headless, had a hide with a sheen to it, and displayed no concern- remaining motionless as he drove by. Fearing what he saw, Robert drove faster and tried to calm down. He and two friends returned to the grassy roadside that night to investigate for over an hour. They found nothing but trampled grass. However, as they searched, they heard a low, eerie whistling sound that seemed to follow them down the riverbank; they never discovered its origin. When Robert returned to work the next day, he was reluctant to share his story, but decided to inform his editor. An article was published on June 18th, sparking a monster hunt. Over one hundred citizens scoured the woods armed with flashlights, bats, and crowbars in hopes of meeting the headless horror. More than twenty claimed to have encountered it. Soon after, the local police department searched the area, but found nothing. The newspapers played down the incident, though word of mouth generated even more interest, clogging Riverside Drive nightly with bumper-to-bumper traffic. On June 19th, the Grafton Sentinel dismissed the creature as a wildly imaginative story caused by a lack of recreational facilities and spring fever. Yet, reports of the beast popped up and down the Tygart River, even as far north as Morgantown. Eventually, the monster huntings died down, though no one forgot about the strange beast by the river. |
AuthorKristen Puckett Archives
August 2018
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