Myths and Legends

A reboot, of sorts, of Reynard the Fox, everyone's favorite brutal, amoral trickster. I found a much older, much more nuanced version of the fox's stories. Today, we meet his father, get an origin story, and see him trying to make things right in a society run by predators...or is he working a long con to eat all the animals in his charge? With Reynard, we never really know. The creature this week is the Talasam, who will very politely ask you for a human sacrifice. -- Sponsors: Bombas! Check out http://bombas.com/legends for 20% off your first purchase. Indeed - go to http://indeed.com/legends to get a free $75 credit to boost your posting -- Music: "Forces" by Podington Bear "Little Door" by Podington Bear "Away Game" by Blue Dot Sessions "Cach" by Blue Dot Sessions "Her Caliber" by Blue Dot Sessions "Cicle Gerano" by Blue Dot Sessions

Dionysus was the god of wine from Greek myths and the last Olympian to earn a place on Mount Olympus. His story starts with him being born from Zeus's thigh...and then somehow gets weirder. He does make a lot of really fun, dangerously intense fans among the humans, though. The creature is the Tenjoname! He's a helpful ghost who will clean your ceilings with his filthy tongue! -- Sponsors: Indeed: Try Indeed out with a free $75 credit at http://indeed.com/legends Hello Fresh: Go to http://HelloFresh.com/myths80 and use code myths80 to get a total of $80 off your first month, including free shipping on your first box. -- Music: "Shiny" by Podington Bear "Um Pepino (Artos Mix)" by Blue Dot Sessions "Silent Flock" by Blue Dot Sessions "Tarnish" by Podington Bear "Sylvestor" by Blue Dot Sessions "KeoKeo" by Blue Dot Sessions "KeoKeo (acoustic version)" by Blue Dot Sessions -- Extras: A public domain version of the latter half of today's story: https://myths.link/bacchae Good source on the Tenjoname: https://myths.link/tenjoname Cardboard cutout of Guy Fieri: https://myths.link/fieri

A completely new version of the Mulan legend, sourced from a story from the late middle ages, so even if you think you know the Mulan story, this version has twists and turns that make her big secret, that she's a woman pretending to be a man, the least of her worries. The creature is the Manticore! It's terrifying, but not for the reasons that it should be terrifying! The episode post (and horrifying pictures of the Manticore): https://myths.link/194 The earlier Mulan episode based off "The Ballad of Mulan": https://myths.link/4 -- Sponsors: You. Yes, you. Hi. I don't say this enough, but thank you so much for listening. This podcast would not be where it is today without your support, whether you're a member, you've supported one of our sponsors, told a friend, tweeted, shared the show, or simply listened weekly for years, you're the best. Thank you. -- Music: "Insatiable Toad" by Blue Dot Sessions "Inside the Origami Violin" by Blue Dot Sessions "Cocoon Transit" by Blue Dot Sessions "Vibrant Canopy" by Blue Dot Sessions "Moving Emotional Piano Hero Track" by Daniel Bordovsky "Broken" by Michael Vignola

We're on the road with the monk, Xuanzang, and Monkey King, Sun Wukong, as they start their Journey to the West... that is, if Sun Wukong is coming back from taking off in a huff (he is). Once he gets back, the trip won't be without problems, though, like river dragons, murderous monks, and bear ogre birthday parties. -- Sponsors: We think it's the best in home security. Give it a shot with free shipping and a 60-day risk-free trial at http://simplisafe.com/legends Preparing for a standardized test? Go to http://magoosh.com and use the code MYTHS for a 20% off discount. -- Music: "Blue" by Podington Bear "Messy Inkwell" by Blue Dot Sessions "Li Fonte" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lunette" by Blue Dot Sessions "The Gall" by Podington Bear "All the Colors in the World" by Podington Bear

We return to the stories of the Monkey King and pick up at the end of his long imprisonment under a mountain, for trying to overthrow everyone and everything. Meanwhile, a messenger from heaven is on the move, looking for a pilgrim to make a dangerous journey that will bring them into contact with demons, monsters, and companions to help him along the way...who might just be more dangerous than anything on the road. Show post: https://myths.links/193a Check out the Myths and Legends store at http://www.mythpodcast.com/store -- Sponsors: Give a pair when you buy a pair, and get twenty percent off your first purchase at http://bombas.com/legends Check out Magoosh at http://magoosh.com and use the promo code myths for a 20% off discount! -- Music: "Follow Me" by Keith Anthony Holden "In Epic" by Valentina Gribanova "Lonely Drive Home" by Lance Conrad "Left on my own" by Judson Lee "A Horrible Piano" by Bobby Cole "Cracked Nut Suite" by Podington Bear "Calisson" by Blue Dot Sessions

An off-the-wall story from the Grimm Brothers about a young man who knew no fear...and why that was a massive problem for him. The creature is a man who you don't want to high five. Mainly because he has eyeballs on his palms. Also mainly because he'll drink your bones with a straw. Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14487/192-grimm-brave-traveler/ -- Sponsors: Simplisafe: Check out the best in home security. Go to Simplisafe.com/legends for free shipping and a 60-day risk-free trial! Squarespace: There's no place better to launch your passion project. Go to Squarespace.com/myths for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use the code MYTHS to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. -- Music: "The Consulate" by Blue Dot Sessions "Scary Sounds" by Bobby Cole "Storm Passing" by Podington Bear "Relinquish" by Podington Bear "Demon Dollhouse" by Bruce Zimmerman "Nervous Whisp" by Blue Dot Sessions "Sorrento" by Podington Bear

In this episode from Norse legends, we'll see that the worst breakups involve Thor breaking up the couple with his hammer and we'll see that even though Odin can shapeshift, that doesn't mean he skips the conditioner. It's the Saga of King Gautrek, a story spanning generations of Viking warriors and their bizarre and dangerous interactions with the gods, giants, elves, and everything in between (but mostly just those three). The creature this week likes to drill holes in your boat with its nose. Hope you don't mind awkward tickle sessions... -- Sponsors: Check out Best Fiends on the Apple App Store or Google Play! Planning to take the G-R-E, G-MAT, L-SAT or M-CAT? Magoosh has got you. Check out their awesome test prep at http://magoosh.com and use the code MYTHS for a 20% off discount. -- Music: "Illa Villardo" by Blue Dot Sessions "Lens Flare" by Podington Bear "Paper Boat" by Podington Bear "Solemn Oath" by Podington Bear "Minor Islands" by Podington Bear "Flor Vjell" by Blue Dot Sessions "Samara" by Podington Bear "Threshold" by Podington Bear -- A darkly funny take on the Ättestupa from the show "Norsemen" on Netflix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwD7f5ZWhAk

In one story, a dragon is rampaging around the countryside unless he gets his favorite meal: teenage girls. In the other, a young woman trapped in an impossible situation meets a new friend who might just be able to save her: a parrot with a secret. Two stories with two very different heroines who share one defining characteristic: their unbreakable will to survive. On the creature of the week, when it comes to making a deal with the devil, you could choose infinite wealth, power, or epic guitar skills...or you could do what the strix did and become a stinky owl monster. Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14475/190-chinese-folklore-fierce/ -- Sponsors: Get what U.S. News and World Report named "best overall home security of 2020" with free shipping and 60-day risk-free trial by going to http://simplisafe.com/legends Planning to take the G-R-E, G-MAT, L-SAT or M-CAT? Magoosh has got you. Check out their awesome test prep at http://magoosh.com/myths and use the code MYTHS for a 20% off discount. -- Music: "Where it all happened" by Blue Dot Sessions "Dark Skies Above" by Bobby Cole "Lemon and Melon" by Blue Dot Sessions "Betty Dear" by Blue Dot Sessions "Topslides" by Blue Dot Sessions "Low Slopes" by Blue Dot Sessions "Really Scary Piano Music" by Bobby Cole "Artic Draba" by Blue Dot Sessions "Sincerely Yours" by Podington Bear -- Links: A discussion of gender and Confucianism as it relates to the first story today: https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/blog/corrections/li-chis-historiography-totally-wack

In the third and final part of our series on the Nibelungenlied, the hero of the story, Siegfried, is dead and his wife, the princess, has a score to settle. The creature this week is the strong toad, a super cool toad who can read your mind, but he's so nice and definitely not making me write this right now. -- Sponsors: Magoosh: Test prep for standardized tests doesn't have to be stressful, boring, or expensive. Visit https://magoosh.com and enter the code MYTHS for a 20% off discount. The Sandman! Check out the new Audible Original at http://audible.com/thesandman -- Music: "Prayer" by Enzo Orefice "Plasticity" by Blue Dot Sessions "Clockwork by Michele Nobler" "Kreis" by Luis Berra "Chain link" by Blue Dot Sessions "A Florentine Story" by Michele Nobler "Cicle Deserrat" by Blue Dot Sessions

We pick up right where we left off last week: Gunther has tricked his way into marrying Brunhild, and Brunhild decided to give him a minor test of strength on their wedding night. He failed, and ended up naked and hog-tied, yelling out for help while dangling upside down from the rafters. The creature is the Tsurube-otoshi (釣瓶落とし), from Japan, who will go head-to-head with you in the forest. Because its a giant head. -- Disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14462/189b-nibelungenlied-heinous/ -- Head to http://squarespace.com/myths and use the offer code MYTHS to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Check out Best Fiends on the Apple App Store or Google Play! -- "Two boys and a girl" by Podington Bear "Places" by Michael Vignola "Shapeshifters" by Podington Bear "Sad Goodbyes" by Mark Kueffner "Dark Time Ticking" by Robert Valenti "We are Nowhere" by Sander Kalmeijer "Sad Hymn" by Ceiri Torjussen

The story starts out with one prince slaying a dragon and getting rich. It starts there. The wild ride of the Nibelungenlied has echoes of one of our most beloved stories, the Saga of the Volsungs, with it's over-the-top characters, the ridiculous situations, the betrayals, and, yes, dragon fights. The creature is a dragon cat with poison breath. -- Sponsors: Go to http://simplisafe.com/legends and get free shipping and 60-day money-back guarantee on a fantastic home security system. Magoosh: Test prep for standardized tests doesn't have to be stressful, boring, or expensive. Visit https://magoosh.com and enter the code MYTHS for a 20% off discount. -- Music: "Order of Entrance" by Blue Dot Sessions "Palladian" by Blue Dot Sessions "Highway 430" by Blue Dot Sessions "Ranch Hand" by Blue Dot Sessions "Elegant Weasel" by Blue Dot Sessions "Searching for Hope" by Neil Cross "In the Box" by Blue Dot Sessions -- God of War: The podcast: On the site (go down to "The Lost Pages"): https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/god-of-war-ps4/ Youtube link The Stollenwurm: https://godofwar.fandom.com/wiki/Tatzelwurm

Two stories from the bawdy, funny, and oftentimes deeply unsettling 17th century fairytale author Giambattista Basile, both of which have to do with pets. The first pet is a rooster, whose owner just can't bring himself to kill it. No judgement there. The second pet is a flea...the size of a lamb. The creature this week is a cat that's either evil and smells like a skunk dog, a hero who defeated a demon, or a hunter who needs a toothbrush. -- Sponsors: Squarespace: turn your passion project into something real. Go to http://squarespace.com/myths for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use the code MYTHS for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Check out our Squarespace site at https://www.fictional.fm Magoosh: Test prep for standardized tests doesn't have to be stressful, boring, or expensive. Visit https://magoosh.com and enter the code MYTHS for a 20% off discount. -- Music: "Cake" by Podington Bear "Quatrefoil" by Podington Bear "Scaffoldings" by Podington Bear "Leafeaters" by Podington Bear "Go to Sleep" by Podington Bear "Lerennis" by Blue Dot Sessions "Sunbeam" by Blue Dot Sessions

Agamemnon is coming home from the Trojan War. He has no idea what's waiting for him. There are over fifty bonus episodes on the Myths and Legends bonus feed! Check out that and weekly ad-free shows at https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Check out the store at https://shop.bardic.fm Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mythsandlegends Find the episode post and the disclaimer at https://www.mythpodcast.com/14441/187-greek-myths-the-end-to-all-our-pain/ -- Go to http://simplisafe.com/legends and get free shipping and 60-day money-back guarantee on a fantastic home security system. Your mental health matters. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at http://betterhelp.com/legends -- Music: "Deadly recitation" by blue dot sessions "Leadin" by Blue Dot Sessions "Thin Passage" by Blue Dot Sessions "The PI Sleeps" by Blue Dot Sessions "Glimpse into a Dark Mind" by Lance Conrad  

A story from the Grimm brothers about three down-on-their-luck soldiers who get everything they could ever dream of and then do their absolutely best to lose it. The extended creature of the week is a fearsome critter from Colorado - a land whale called the Slide Rock Bolter who exclusively eats tourists who care about the environment. The Myths and Legends store is up! Check it out at http://www.mythpodcast.com/store Get access to over 50 member episodes and weekly ad-free shows: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership -- Sponsors: Squarespace: turn your passion project into something real. Go to http://squarespace.com/myths for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use the code MYTHS for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Magoosh: Test prep for standardized tests doesn't have to be stressful, boring, or expensive. Visit https://magoosh.com and enter the code MYTHS for a 20% off discount. -- Music: "Little Door" by Podington Bear "Broken Branch" by Podington Bear "B7 Bomber" by Podington Bear "Blur and Coalesce" by Podington Bear "Moonglow" by Podington Bear

The story of Eglė the Queen of Serpents, from Lithuanian folklore, about a young woman who is faced with an impossible choice: witness the destruction of her family...or marry a snake. The creature is an wet, inebriated chicken named skrat who will either make you rich or burn down your house or both of those things. -- The Myths and Legends membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/membership Merch: https://shop.bardic.fm -- Sponsors: Simplisafe: I don't think you can beat Simplisafe. We've been happy customers for years. See what I mean with free shipping and a 60-day money-back guarantee at http://simplisafe.com/legends Bombas! The most comfortable socks in the history of feet are even more awesome because when you buy a pair, you give a pair, and by going to http://bombas.com/legends, you can get 20% off your first purchase. -- Music: "Delamine" by Blue Dot Sessions "Tiny Bottles" by Blue Dot Sessions "Donnalee" by Blue Dot Sessions "At our Best Alone" by Blue Dot Sessions "Basketliner" by Blue Dot Sessions

We return to the Robin Hood stories with a (mostly) standalone episode. Robin Hood and his merry men are throwing a dinner party! With food and wine! And robbery! The creature is a shirtless Jaguar man who can end the world anytime he feels like. -- The Myths and Legends store now accepts cryptocurrency! Membership: https://www.mythpodcast.com/product/membership Merch: https://shop.bardic.fm -- Sponsors: BetterHelp: Go to http://www.betterhelp.com/legends to get 10% off your first month Music: "Pat-a-Pan Whistles and Drums" by Craig S. Elliott "The Gall" by Podington Bear "Miss You" by Podington Bear "Andante in e minor" by Matthew Fagan "The Consulate" by Blue Dot Sessions "Medieval Ritual" by Adrian Ellis

The story of an ancient Indian king who goes on a fetch quest through an evil-looking cemetery and listens to the worst podcasts of all time...hosted by a ghoul he has slung over his shoulder, and if he doesn't pay attention, he could die. The creature is a crow-grasshopper who will make you vomit (if it doesn't kill you with its flatulence) Fictional: https://www.fictional.fm/subscribe -- Sponsors: Simplisafe: Stay safe and go to http://simplisafe.com/legends and get free shipping and a 60-day money-back guarantee on a new security system. Talk to a therapist online and get help at http://betterhelp.com/legends. Save 10% off your first month with the discount code LEGENDS -- "Night Watch" by Blue Dot Sessions "I Recall" by Blue Dot Sessions "Soft Horror Piano Drone" by Bobby Cole "Relinquish" by Podington Bear "We're loosing time(sic)" by Gregory Tripi "Clay Pawn Shop" by Blue Dot Sessions "Dangerous Swing" by Blue Dot Sessions "Escaping Forever" by Michael Vignola

Join Bulat the Brave Companion and Ivan Tsarevich (no, not that one) as they get a magical new horse, escape magical prison, and get in some magical fights. The creature is the shōkera, the slimy guy looking in your window right now. The Bardic shop: https://shop.bardic.fm Subscribe to Fictional: https://www.fictional.fm/subscribe -- Sponsors: Squarespace: turn your passion project into something real. Go to http://squarespace.com/myths for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use the code MYTHS for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Check out Best Fiends on the Apple app store or Google Play today! -- Music: "Kaleidoscope" by Podington Bear "Exploring the Cave Mix Full" by Bobby Cole "Vanagon" by Podington Bear "Setting Pace" by Blue Dot Sessions "Kalsted" by Blue Dot Sessions "The Hero Within (No Drums)" by Bobby Cole "Holding Hands" by Podington Bear

Branch two of the Mabinogion has the kings of Great Britain and Ireland (Bran and Matholwch, respectively) just wanting to bro out, but their nobles and family members will do anything to keep that from happening. Also, why is there never a sundae bar in the wine cellar? Episode post: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14215/181b-mabinogion-with-friends-like-these/ Store: https://shop.bardic.fm -- Sponsors: Simplisafe: Stay safe and go to http://simplisafe.com/legends and get free shipping and a 60-day money-back guarantee on a new security system. Literati! Check out the number one book club for kids and get $25 off your first two orders at http://literati.com/myths -- Music: "Last Winter" by Zac Nelson "Louver" by Blue Dot Sessions "Medieval Ritual" by Adrian Ellis "Talltell" by Blue Dot Sessions "Ghost in the Piano" by Emanuele Dentoni "Forgotten" by Keith Anthony Holden "The Ones You Know (Underscore Version)" by Will Van De Crommert  

King Pwyell just wants to go hunting in the dark forest alone. What's the worst that can happen? Huh? Forced to live for a year away from his people at the demand of an otherworldly king? Yeah, ok, that's kind of bad. It's the first branch of the Mabinogion, the original source for a few of the stories we've told on this podcast, like the very first story from this podcast, that of Yvain and the lady of the fountain. We're finally diving into this amazing work of Welsh folklore and over the next two weeks we'll be covering the first two branches. Fictional is back! https://fictional.fm The disclaimer: https://www.mythpodcast.com/14209/181a-welsh-legends-otherworld/ -- Sponsors: Talk to a therapist online and get help at http://betterhelp.com/legends. Save 10% off your first month with the discount code LEGENDS Squarespace: turn your passion project into something real. Go to http://simplisafe.com/myths for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, use the code MYTHS for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. -- Music: "A quirky cue" by Jermaine Stegall "Serious Situation" by Bruce Zimmerman "Elephants on Parade" by Podington Bear "Aim is True" Podington Bear "Minor Islands" by Podington Bear "Boardwalk" by Podington Bear