Category Archives: Alterpedia

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION

Alterpedia: Krampus

In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Krampus

As the Holiday Season comes to a close, one figure has received some harsh treatment by those who know his name. Krampus, the dark companion of Saint Nicholas, is known throughout many countries as a figure of terror for “bad” children. Carrying sticks or whips to beat wicked children and a bag to potentially carry them off to some terrible place, the Krampus is the stick to Saint Nicholas’ carrot.

But is this reputation deserved? Have Krampuses really been tormenting children unprovoked as a jolly man laughs in the corner? Or is this just a case of propaganda being used to keep an underrepresented class in check?

Continue reading Alterpedia: Krampus →

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, Alterpedia Historia, FICTION

Alterpedia Historia: The First Ones

(I hate that I have to say this, but this is a fictional account of the history of a fictional world. I do not believe these things, nor should you, as I am making them up. If I receive any comments that I did not do my research into these events, you will be mocked.)

In the Agent of Argyre series of books, there is an organization called the Alter Control Task Force. Though ostensibly an organization for policing activities of the Alter race, an attempt to prevent an eventual race war, they are actually representatives of a city-state on the ocean: The Republic of Argyre.

The Republic of Argyre, an artificial island anchored to an oceanic ridge in the pacific, is a city-state established by Alters for the sake of harboring their kind and establishing a relationship with the mainstream human population. Despite being an artificial island and attached to no primary landmass, the city’s structure is capable of potentially supporting all 12 to 15 million active Alters on the planet.

How did a race of people who’ve lived in hiding for centuries manage to construct such a city? Why would they build their city in the middle of the ocean? Where did they get the resources for such a task? In the Alterpedia Historia, we will answer these questions and discover the history of the Alters. Today we address…

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Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION, Mythology World Tour

Alterpedia: Yara-Ma-Yha-Who

In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Yara-Ma-Yha-Who

Source

A creature of the wild lands of Australia, the Yara-Ma-Yha-Who is said to be a vicious little creature that feasts on its prey for several days as it continues a cycle of draining blood and then slowly digesting until the prey becomes another of the horrible little creatures.

All in all, typical aggressive Aussie animal behavior.

But how much of that is true? Why do these creatures continue the process of regurgitating their prey over repeated instances and how’d a creature that bizarre avoid being spotted for so very long? Today we take a look at one of nature’s most misunderstood creatures. Continue reading Alterpedia: Yara-Ma-Yha-Who →

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION, Mythology World Tour

Alterpedia: Naga

In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Naga

Source: Ninsianna

The enemies of Garuda, the Naga is an entity of many forms and functions in Hindu mythology. Though they are often depicted as violent aggressors, the tormentors of all living creatures, they also have been known to serve the gods and bring balance to the Earth. Because of this, Naga, and the snakes they are based on, have a love-hate relationship in many parts of South East Asia, with some villages even worshipping cobras and the deities they represent.

But are they just snakes or is there something more to them? What are the Naga really? Continue reading Alterpedia: Naga →

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION

Alterpedia: Selkies

In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Selkies

Though not as well known as their Merfolk cousins, the Selkies, seals that may take human form, are prevalent in the area surrounding the British Isles. Though identified as shape-shifters by some, they’re really masters of disguise and are known to simply remove their seal skins as they walk onto the beach. And, despite being a seductive sea creature like some others, the Selkie is often not harmful to humans, rather often being taken as husbands, wives, or amusing zoo attractions.
So are all of the seals really people in disguise? Or is this myth trumped up to explain the adorably talented trained seals we’ve all come to know and love? Let’s take a look.

Continue reading Alterpedia: Selkies →

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION

Alterpedia: Dwarves

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In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Dwarves

Short, angry and hairy: Dwarves are the Norse version of Chibification, with all of the personality quirks of the Viking horde at a quarter of the terror.

Like cute little mascots they’ve represented hairy axe-wielding maniacs from the North for centuries. Given credit for fine craftsmanship and excellent skill in battle, besides from this the Dwarves are, today, primarily known for being the butt of many jokes and having a striking resemblance to certain team mascots.

So what do we really know about them?

Continue reading Alterpedia: Dwarves →

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION

Alterpedia: Elves

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In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Elves

The woodland spirits of magic and mystery that have been depicted many ways over the years and rarely in a stable fashion. They’ve been everything from mischievous spirits to detached angelic beings. They’ve become the subjects of folklore, legend and movies adapted from books that didn’t really feature much of them.

So which is the true depiction? How do you separate the different depictions and sort them out? How far off was Tolkien? Let’s find out.

Continue reading Alterpedia: Elves →

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION

Alterpedia: Ghosts (part 2)

In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week, to continue from last week we’re covering:

Ghosts

As the days of the dead come to an end and the veil between the living and the dead supposedly strengthens once again, the question still goes unanswered: Just what did you feel moving in the night as the ghostly apparition floated out of the corner of your eye?

We all know the dangerous one is Christina Ricci

With the revelation that many other creatures of the night have been real entities it has become harder to deny that the possibility of ghosts may be entirely accurate. But the other creatures are flesh and blood it would be easy to wonder just how these things could possibly exist in a rational world.

So do they really?

Continue reading Alterpedia: Ghosts (part 2) →

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION

Alterpedia: Ghosts (part 1)

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In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Ghosts

Source
The days of the dead have come again. Every year, different cultures in the world recognize festivals and holidays devoted to the dearly departed. These celebrations often involve colorful costumes, feasting on sweets and celebrating into the late night hours. Though there’s always a solemn respect under it all because a question has always loomed and weighed heavily on the hearts and minds of the people celebrating.
We all know that spirits are supposed to carry on and leave the mortal plane. But it’s undeniable that people have seen something lurking in the dark corners of rooms and floating weightlessly through hallways and outside windows. You hear things move and shift in the night or the faint whispers of someone you can’t quite find. A chill runs through you to the bone as you swear that you feel something entering the room with you while your back is turned.
Are they still with us?

Continue reading Alterpedia: Ghosts (part 1) →

Agent of Argyre, Alterpedia, FICTION

Alterpedia: Dullahan

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In the Alters’ World (and the series of books found here), creatures of legend reveal themselves to the world. Born through genetic abnormalities, defects and mutations, the Alters have lived for centuries as outcasts of human society, hiding their true nature from the world while colorful stories have been written by many to describe what they’ve seen. How are these creatures different from what was described in the stories? What relationship do they have with humanity? Every entry of the Alterpedia will delve into a new creature from around the world. This week we cover:

Dullahan

A haunting figure, the headless horseman roams the countryside hunting while typically carrying their own severed head under their arm. Though originally an Irish myth, an unseelie fairy, the Dullahan has grown to be more commonly associated with the Headless Horseman of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Because of this, the Dullahan sits in a strange place in folklore as both being incredibly well known and yet have very few people recognize its name.

With the rise of shows such as Sleepy Hollow, the figure of the Headless Horseman has come back to the cultural mind again. This raises a question: Does this dark rider truly exist, or is it just a folktale used to scare people into staying off the late night roads?

Continue reading Alterpedia: Dullahan →