 Fantasy: December 19, 2007 Issue [#2110] |
  Fantasy
This week: Edited by: zwisis
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On the contrary, she seemed strangely proud of the dark, goatish-looking infant who…. was heard to mutter many curious prophecies about its unusual powers and tremendous future.
– H.P. Lovecraft, THE DUNWICH HORROR
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Written in 1928, The Dunwich Horror tells the story of Wilbur Whateley, born to an albino mother and an unknown father. Dunwich is a town suffering – years of inbreeding between the residents have created a dismal, depressing and decaying place. Wilbur is fully grown by the age of ten, and we learn his grandfather made a deal with a supernatural being known as Yog-Sothoth, allowing it to mate with her. Naturally Wilbur does not look like a regular human, and wears clothing to disguise his “differences”. He is also fully versed in the dark arts, thanks to the tutorage of his grandfather. The description of Wilbur’s appearance is not immediately revealed, but when it does it is truly shocking to the reader. It’s considered one of the best descriptions of a half-human monster ever written. Here’s an excerpt:
Above the waist it was semi-anthropomorphic; though its chest… had the leathery, reticulated hide of a crocodile or alligator. The back was piebald with yellow and black, and dimly suggested the squamous covering of certain snakes. Below the waist, though, it was the worst…
Lovecraft story does not just contain the result of breeding between two species; it also relates the genetic heritage of inbreeding within a species. Wilbur’s albino mother was evidence of this, as was his grandfather who seemed happy to sell his daughter to a demonic being. History and mythology is filled with stories about half-human or genetically contaminated characters, and usually the non-human elements have been the dominant personality trait. Even if these negative characteristics are suppressed in future generations there is always a chance they could manifest in later generations. This situation is a great one for the fantasy writer because a number of options may be worked into the story:
 The character tries all within his/her power to overcome the “trait”.
The character needs a daily dose of some special medication to suppress the “trait”.
The character is able to summon the “trait” in an emergency, or when required.
The character avoids/seeks out situation that encourage the “trait”.
The character is being sought by someone who wants to use the “trait”.
There are also a number of reasons for creating your half-human character. Perhaps there is a feature of our world that is fatal to the “foreign” species, and breeding with humans will enable them to withstand the threat. Perhaps our sun is too powerful for their skins, or oxygen poisonous to their lungs. What is the reason they need to create a separate being using the genes from two different species? Perhaps they need to use a plant unique to our world, or perhaps they need specific knowledge unique to mankind. In order to meet their requirements there are a number of ways the half human character can be created:
Through forced interbreeding, such as abduction.
Through a willing pact, such as members of two different species falling in love.
Through arrangement of a pact with a third party, such as Wilbur Whateley.
Through payment for a debt or magical act.
The half human creature does not have to be a monster or malevolent being – there are many characters in mythology and literature with positive traits received from their mixed parentage. Christian literature claims the wizard Merlin had a demon for a father. In his poem “Merlin” Robert de Boron claims Merlin’s parents were a devil and a virgin, but his immediate baptism after his birth saved him from becoming the AntiChrist. His demonic heritage bestowed upon him the knowledge of the past and present, and his baptism meant he was able to retain these “gifts” with God giving him the power of prophecy; the ability to predict the future.
Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” books offer the belief that the offspring between a good and an evil creature can take on either characteristic. Tolkien’s evil Uruk-Hai was the result of a union between a human and an orc, while the offspring of a relationship between a human and an elf could choose to be either. Those who chose elfdom gave their own children the same choice. Tolkien’s influence has spread to many parts of the fantasy genre, with computer games like “Dungeons and Dragons” featuring half elves, half orcs and the occasional half-minotaur and half-dwarf. There’s even a half dragon, possible because the game suggests dragons have the ability to morph into different shapes…
Greek mythology is full of half human characters, all with different personalities, characters and traits. There are far too many of them to include in this newsletter, so I have selected a few of the most interesting:
Centaur – part human, part horse, and symbolic of unrestrained passion and chaos. Generally depicted with a love for wine, women and song the centaur Chiron was unique among his kind. He was civilised, intelligent and respected for his medical knowledge. Chiron raised Jason, famed for his Argonauts. It is thought that Chiron’s character has helped centaurs evolved over time, so today they represent honour, intellect and strength.
Satrys – part human, part goat and companions of Dionysus, Greek god of wine. Like the centaur satrys have a predilection for wine and all pleasures of the flesh. The love dancing, and are obsessed with nymphs, frequently chasing these objects of their affection. Pan, Greek god of shepherds and flocks, is usually depicted as a satyr.
minotaur – part human, part bull, it lived in a maze at the centre of the labyrinth. It had the head of a bull and the body of a man, and was extremely ferocious. King Minos (whose wife had fallen in love with a white bull because of a spell cast upon her by Poseidon and produced the minotaur) was forced to sacrifice seven youths and seven maidens because he failed to return the white bull to Poseidon, who punished Minos with the spell.
Heracles – part human, part god, the result of one of Zeus’ many passions. Heracles’ mother Alcheme attracted the king of the gods’ attention with her intelligence and her beauty. He took the form of her betrothed in order to consummate his passion, and Heracles was the result. He completed his twelve labours, despite the interference of Zeus’ wife Hera, whose inexplicable hatred for Heracles was stronger than her hatred for any of Zeus’ other illicit offspring.
Helen – part human, part god, and possessed of outstanding beauty. Helen was the product of yet another of Zeus’ lusty passions. He fell in love with her mother Leda, disguising himself as a swan who rushed to Leda for protection when an eagle chased him. As a result of Zeus’ attentions Leda produced two eggs, which hatched four children, one of which was Helen.
The Nephilim is an antediluvian race of humanoid giants that appears in the Biblical book of Genesis. They were the result of liaisons between the daughters of men and the Sons of God, and their appearance in the Bible is synonymous with God’s announcement that a flood was going to destroy the world. Some theologians believe the behaviour that resulted in their creation and its effect upon mankind was the main justification for the flood. There is some contention as to the meaning of Sons of God – some stories claim they were fallen angels who corrupted mankind, while other believe they were righteous men who “lost their way” and fell prey to temptations of the flesh. For the sake of this newsletter we will explore the “fallen angels” belief. The following is taken from the New International Version of Genesis, Chapter 6 verses 1-7:
1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal ; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. 5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them."
According to some beliefs the angels responsible for siring the Nephilim were sent to purgatory, cast into a place of complete darkness. There is not much detail of their appearance, but they are said to be evil – a legacy of their “unholy” heritage, I suppose. After the flood ten percent of the Nephilim were retained on earth as demonic entities, to tempt man and lead him astray through sins like idolatry and following false religions. The Nephilim will apparently be with us until Judgement Day…
In conclusion I want to emphasise that birth defects and physical abnormalities are a feature of our world, and any writer wishing to create a half human monster must be considerate of these people and their “disabilities”. Many fictional monsters have been described as beautiful in appearance, but with a character or personality that is pure evil – such as Jada, the White Witch in CS Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. Not all physically imperfect individuals are evil. It is said that compassion is one of the fundamentals of humanity… writers have with the power to influence and create illusions through their words and descriptions. Be sure your words create the right kind of monster.
I’d like to thank all readers for the support of this newsletter during the year. I have enjoyed writing this newsletter, and your support has been an important part of this writing experience. May you all have a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful new year. The next issue I am editing is due on 23 January, 2008, and will highlight Science Fiction in the Fantasy Genre.
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PCP 
Hi there, regarding the question of who said 'that magic is only science fiction you don't understand' - I believe the quote comes from Arthur C Clarke:
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
Arthur C. Clarke, "Profiles of The Future", 1961 (Clarke's third law)
English physicist & science fiction author (1917 - )
(http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/776.html)
It has even been called Clarke's Third Law!
Hope this helps. Other authors, e.g Robert Heinlein have also written on the same theme, but I believe Arthur C Clarke was the first.
Thank you for this information. I suppose when one thinks about it it makes sense that Arthur C Clarke is responsible for that quote.
Suze the Rock Chic
What a great newsletter this month. Your tips were especially helpful. I'm not skilled in the least when it comes to drawing with a pencil or on the PC, but would like to create maps and sketches of characters for my fantasy novel. Are there any computer programmes that could be recommended for this?
I have to say, you did miss two very influential children's traditional fantasy authors though I know you can't include everyone. C.S.Lewis also attributes his success to these two: Beatrix Potter and Edith Nesbit. Let's also not forget Enid Blyton. The books by these three authors remain well-loved classic fantasy stories for children to this day. I can't help but wonder if it's children's fantasy that has perhaps inspired and helped create the success of adult fantasy and its authors.
I would have loved to have included those authors, and yes, I probably should have done. Space was a bit of a factor – I do worry my newsletter editorials have become a bit long and wordy! I do think children’s fantasy has been responsible for the growth of the genre. It’s nice to think we retain a little of our childhood imagination throughout our lives.
You should not be ashamed of your map-making skills! After all the maps are initially for your own reference and plot development – right? Have you thought about buying a notebook purely for your own designs? I have found a couple of reference on the web for software used by people designing computer games, many of which are set in fantasy worlds. Prices are a bit steep, but there are several packages available:
http://www.profantasy.com/
http://www.smartdraw.com/specials/map-making.htm?id=12198
marykate
MacDonald: “I write, not for children, but for the child-like, whether they be of five, or fifty, or seventy-five."
I found this quote inspiring. Somehow it describes what I already do, and explains why. Although, thinking of/about a fantasy world at my age is immature, I am quite mature for my age. I don't write for children, but I write for those like me. Those who have longed for the adventurous life that could never be. I have found an escape for my imagination in my stories. I must say that every time I question/ or need help, somehow these newsletters always have the answer. Thanks, MaryKate
Thank you for your kind comments. You sound like quite a lot of fellow writers! I believe there are more writers with a similar approach as yours than you realise! Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld” series comes to mind – I’m not sure if you’ve read any of his work, but the fantasy world he created is a flat disc supported on the backs of four elephants who are standing on a giant turtle! After J K Rowling Terry Pratchett is the United Kingdom’s top selling author. Food for thought!
Lorien
As always, your newsletter is full of fantastic information. I am anxiously awaiting the issue on half-human monsters, and I hope you'll include the oft-overlooked nephilim.
I have indeed, as you probably realise by now! Thank you for reminding us of these creatures – and yes, it is quite sad how forgotten they are, especially when one considers their heritage.
Sweet Musings
Great newsletter and will be booking marking it for a reference to use with the story I am currently working on. I have put time in and time out working on both story and research. I am still working out the details on making my map and hope one day to finish both map and story.
Sounds like you have the right approach – research is important to a fantasy writer. You might want to check out the map links in an earlier comment if you have concerns about your own drawing abilities. Good luck with your story.
Izkata
You're looking for the third of Clarke's Three Laws: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke's_three_laws
Thank you for letting us know, and that link is excellent! 
Jay is studying
Great newsletter, Sarah! I particularly liked the idea of checking market trends to help you shape your book without changing the plot. Your suggestions are great!
It does really make sense, doesn’t it? Just because we’re writing Fantasy doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep up to date with current trends!
Acme
You have no idea how useful your Newsletters are to someone like me - this one is also going into the 'well-thumbed' section of the Acme Library. It's odd that I love to read the fantasy genre, and yet find it a difficult one to write in!
Fantasy certainly isn’t the easiest of genres, because even though we’re creating a world and a story and creatures from our imaginations it must still all make sense! I’m so glad you find the newsletters helpful – it really helps your editors to know we are “on the right track” with the newsletter content.
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