Welcome to Gaia! ::

Addie walked into Mythology class slightly disappointed that no one else had arrived yet. The girl made her way open to her usual spot hoping her friends would arrive soon so she didn't have to sit her alone for too long.

Professor Harlowe began her spiel telling them to copy down the notes and Addie grudgingly pulled out her parchment and began copying in shorthand what was written. It was a slightly comical story of wizarding gone wrong. Addie couldn't believe people would actually be trying to transform them into a creature and it made her wonder if the McClivert's meant to do that. Or why didn't they transfigure the family into a bunch of houseflies at least those things would be dead within 24 hours.

Location: Mythology - Thursday @ 8:00am

Grace raced down the hall in a panic. She was running late which wasn’t exactly her plan. She’d been fine for muggle mythology two days before and now had to live with having the same professor. Hopefully Professor Harlowe wouldn’t be too displeased with her. Sliding into class just as the class lights dimmed, Grace quickly took a seat and pulled out her parchment and quill. Luckily she’d only missed out on the usual remind of how class was operated.

Taking a breath, Grace got to work taking notes and listening to Professor Harlowe, as she began telling the story of two tribes. The tribes fought at a local pub and when the MacBoon won against McClivert, the McClivert clan turned the MacBoon clan into beasts. However the Quintapeds were too powerful to control killing the McClivert clan. When Professor Harlowe asked if they had any questions, Grace decided she better make up for being late. “I suppose there were many fights among the two clans with their only being one pub… Though I am curious Professor, why would one group transfigure another into something so powerful that they couldn’t handle?” She asked. “I mean that’s a pretty bad idea the way I see it.”




Status: I'm Late!!! Made it in time for the lecture though...
With: Class...

Wearing: Ravenclaw Uniform

OOC: ---



Lily the Rabbit

αи∂ ∂ α я ℓ ι и g , ι ω ι ℓ ℓ вє xxxxxxxxxxxx
ℓ σ ν ι и g у σ υ 'тιℓ ωє'яє ѕ є ν є и т у xxxxxxxxx
αи∂ вαву му н є α я т ¢συℓ∂ ѕтιℓℓ xxxxxx
fαℓℓ αѕ нαя∂ αт т ω є и т у - т н я є є xxx

════════════════════════════════════════════╗


spaceAmata sat, perched as ever on her desk, and watched as her students came in and took their seats. She waited a moment for them to get situated and to take out their things before beginning the lecture. "Afternoon, class. Today we'll be talking about Unicorns, and the Legend associated with their blood." She dimmed the lights and let the same light, creepy music fill the room as the week before. She wondered why fourth year was apparently the year of scary stories, but she wouldn't complain; she rather liked scary stories. "According to legend, the Unicorn was born a pure creature, untainted by wickedness and evil. It is a symbol of purity, hope, and innocence. And as with all creatures who are innocent and pure, there are those with dark hearts, who wish to blot out that light forever, and taint the purity with evil. A long time ago, one such being, a wizard whose heart was dark and twisted with evil, came across a Unicorn, drinking from a small pond in the middle of a glen. His tainted soul could not stand to be so near a creature so good, and so, he slayed the Unicorn, and, in an act of perverse victory, drank its blood. The Powers that Be saw this, and were appalled at his actions. As time wore on, the wizard realized that he had stopped aging, and believed himself immortal. But, his longevity was not a blessing, but a curse. For killing and desecrating a creature so pure, the wizard had been cursed to live forever, but only to live a half-life, filled with misery and failure. He wandered the Earth, his every waking moment drenched in suffering, his sleep plagued by horrible visions. From the day that dark wizard had slain the Unicorn, so every other being who who do the same was cursed the same. To drink the blood of a Unicorn is said to welcome the curse onto you." She gave her students a gentle smile. This particular lesson tended to disturb some students, particularly any with a strong liking of animals. But, well, she wouldn't be doing it justice if she didn't try to give it a little horror. She waited a moment so that the lecture could sink in, and then asked, "Anyone have any thoughts? Questions?" She waited patiently. The story she'd told was an old one, lost to the ages, seldom told in the modern day and age. But, her mother being the leading expert on such things, she'd been told the legend from a young age, usually while seated in a dark room, the light of a single candle casting shadows on the walls. Her mother knew how to tell a scary story; Amata could only hope to be as good a storyteller.


╚════════════════════════════════════════════

xxx αи∂ ι'м т н ι и к ι и g 'вσυт нσω
xxxxxx ρєσρℓє f α ℓ ℓ ι и ℓ σ ν є ιи муѕтєяισυѕ ωαуѕ
xxxxxxxxx ωєℓℓ мє, ι fαℓℓ ιи ℓ σ ν є ωιтн уσυ єνєяу ѕ ι и g ℓ є ∂ α у
xxxxxxxxxxxx αи∂ ι נυѕт ωαииα т є ℓ ℓ у σ υ ι α м




xx» ╳ ♥ ╳ «xx
xx» oυт oғ cнaracтer «xx
Please do not quote for replies!
Questions will be answered later in the week, or when the lesson closes.

αи∂ ∂ α я ℓ ι и g , ι ω ι ℓ ℓ вє xxxxxxxxxxxx
ℓ σ ν ι и g у σ υ 'тιℓ ωє'яє ѕ є ν є и т у xxxxxxxxx
αи∂ вαву му н є α я т ¢συℓ∂ ѕтιℓℓ xxxxxx
fαℓℓ αѕ нαя∂ αт т ω є и т у - т н я є є xxx

════════════════════════════════════════════╗



spaceAmata entered the classroom with a gentle smile, eager to start the new term. She assumed her typical stance, sitting on the edge of her desk, back straight, and looked over the classroom a moment before beginning. "Hello, everyone, in case you've forgotten over the Summer holiday, I'm Professor Harlowe, and this is fourth year Mythology. If you're in the wrong class, feel free to quietly exit while everyone is watching me and won't notice." She grinned impishly at her students. "Now then, you should all remember the rules and such from last year, so I'll only go over the most important ones very quickly: You come in, you copy the notes, then we open the floor for discussion. Contributions will earn you house points. However, it should be noted that a lot of what is covered in this class can be somewhat controversial. That said, I will not tolerate anyone who is rude or belittling to their classmates, no matter what subject you might disagree with them on. Respect is key to an enlightening and stimulating conversation, so keep your minds open."

spaceAmata paused, giving them a moment to let that sink in. Not that she expected problems from any of them, but one could never be too sure, after all. After a decent pause, she gave an introduction. "As we are moving past the tradition of storytelling, and into the study of proper Mythology, the first lesson of the year pertains to the difference between mythology and history, legend and fact. If you'll copy down the notes on the board, we can begin." The sound of quills scratching lasted for a while, given that the notes on this particular subject were a bit on the wordy side. She waited until it began to slow and quiet, and then launched into the lecture proper. "History is considered to be the study of factual information regarding the past and it's events. Mythology, on the other hand, is the study of stories and tales that were, at one point, believed to be history, but are no longer so. The reasons a story can go from history to myth are numerous. For instance, as the generation who lived through an event dies, the story can lose or change details that there is no one around to remember or correct, until the secondhand recollection of the event only marginally resembles what actually happened. Or, something can be proven wrong or fictitious by study, though this is something of a murky area." She paused, pursing her lips. This was one of the more confusing things about her area of study, and incidentally, one of her favorites. "It is, after all, rather difficult to proven emphatically that something does not exist, or that something did not happen. Muggle myths are an excellent example of this; many creatures they believe to be mythological are in fact very real, and known to the magical world. Creatures such as mermaids have been 'proven' fake, through explanations of supposed sightings (stating mermaids are really manatees seen from a distance, claims that the sailors who spotted them were hallucinating, or that they were a mirage), and the debunking of countless fabricated 'mermaid' corpses. However, the only thing that has actually been proven by any of this is that mermaids known to muggles have been fake, not that mermaids do not actually exist."

spaceShe shifted her weight from one hip to the other, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her knee, fingers laced together. "Our own existence is another example; while there is some belief of magic in the muggle world, for the most part, with the advancement of scientific study, we have been 'proven' impossible in the eyes of many. We, then, are myths. And there are a good many 'myths' in muggle culture that are history, unknown as such to them because the presence of magic during the events has made them unable to take it as truth. And, one might think that magical accounts of history are therefore more accurate, since obviously, we do not lack belief in muggles. But, wizard culture has been largely closed off to the muggle world, and thus lacks attention to detail for them. The truth of history lies somewhere between the two, with neither side truly understanding. Thus, we have myths." She smiled widely at her students. "And now, I'm opening the floor to discussion. Questions and comments are welcome, and worth house points." She waited patiently; hopefully, she hadn't bored them to death with her little lecture/rant. She knew she tended to ramble, and exposure to Grayson had only made it worse over the years. Having someone who listened so intently, and who responded just as enthusiastically, tended to make you forget that some people found this sort of thing dull.


╚════════════════════════════════════════════

xxx αи∂ ι'м т н ι и к ι и g 'вσυт нσω
xxxxxx ρєσρℓє f α ℓ ℓ ι и ℓ σ ν є ιи муѕтєяισυѕ ωαуѕ
xxxxxxxxx ωєℓℓ мє, ι fαℓℓ ιи ℓ σ ν є ωιтн уσυ єνєяу ѕ ι и g ℓ є ∂ α у
xxxxxxxxxxxx αи∂ ι נυѕт ωαииα т є ℓ ℓ у σ υ ι α м




xx» ╳ ♥ ╳ «xx
xx» oυт oғ cнaracтer «xx
Please do not quote for replies!
Questions will be answered later in the week, or when the lesson closes.

αи∂ ∂ α я ℓ ι и g , ι ω ι ℓ ℓ вє xxxxxxxxxxxx
ℓ σ ν ι и g у σ υ 'тιℓ ωє'яє ѕ є ν є и т у xxxxxxxxx
αи∂ вαву му н є α я т ¢συℓ∂ ѕтιℓℓ xxxxxx
fαℓℓ αѕ нαя∂ αт т ω є и т у - т н я є є xxx

════════════════════════════════════════════╗



spaceAmata entered the classroom with a gentle smile, eager to start the new term. She assumed her typical stance, sitting on the edge of her desk, back straight, and looked over the classroom a moment before beginning. "Hello, everyone, in case you've forgotten over the Summer holiday, I'm Professor Harlowe, and this is fourth year Mythology. If you're in the wrong class, feel free to quietly exit while everyone is watching me and won't notice." She grinned impishly at her students. "Now then, you should all remember the rules and such from last year, so I'll only go over the most important ones very quickly: You come in, you copy the notes, then we open the floor for discussion. Contributions will earn you house points. However, it should be noted that a lot of what is covered in this class can be somewhat controversial. That said, I will not tolerate anyone who is rude or belittling to their classmates, no matter what subject you might disagree with them on. Respect is key to an enlightening and stimulating conversation, so keep your minds open."

spaceAmata paused, giving them a moment to let that sink in. Not that she expected problems from any of them, but one could never be too sure, after all. After a decent pause, she gave an introduction. "As we are moving past the tradition of storytelling, and into the study of proper Mythology, the first lesson of the year pertains to the difference between mythology and history, legend and fact. If you'll copy down the notes on the board, we can begin." The sound of quills scratching lasted for a while, given that the notes on this particular subject were a bit on the wordy side. She waited until it began to slow and quiet, and then launched into the lecture proper. "History is considered to be the study of factual information regarding the past and it's events. Mythology, on the other hand, is the study of stories and tales that were, at one point, believed to be history, but are no longer so. The reasons a story can go from history to myth are numerous. For instance, as the generation who lived through an event dies, the story can lose or change details that there is no one around to remember or correct, until the secondhand recollection of the event only marginally resembles what actually happened. Or, something can be proven wrong or fictitious by study, though this is something of a murky area." She paused, pursing her lips. This was one of the more confusing things about her area of study, and incidentally, one of her favorites. "It is, after all, rather difficult to proven emphatically that something does not exist, or that something did not happen. Muggle myths are an excellent example of this; many creatures they believe to be mythological are in fact very real, and known to the magical world. Creatures such as mermaids have been 'proven' fake, through explanations of supposed sightings (stating mermaids are really manatees seen from a distance, claims that the sailors who spotted them were hallucinating, or that they were a mirage), and the debunking of countless fabricated 'mermaid' corpses. However, the only thing that has actually been proven by any of this is that mermaids known to muggles have been fake, not that mermaids do not actually exist."

spaceShe shifted her weight from one hip to the other, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her knee, fingers laced together. "Our own existence is another example; while there is some belief of magic in the muggle world, for the most part, with the advancement of scientific study, we have been 'proven' impossible in the eyes of many. We, then, are myths. And there are a good many 'myths' in muggle culture that are history, unknown as such to them because the presence of magic during the events has made them unable to take it as truth. And, one might think that magical accounts of history are therefore more accurate, since obviously, we do not lack belief in muggles. But, wizard culture has been largely closed off to the muggle world, and thus lacks attention to detail for them. The truth of history lies somewhere between the two, with neither side truly understanding. Thus, we have myths." She smiled widely at her students. "And now, I'm opening the floor to discussion. Questions and comments are welcome, and worth house points." She waited patiently; hopefully, she hadn't bored them to death with her little lecture/rant. She knew she tended to ramble, and exposure to Grayson had only made it worse over the years. Having someone who listened so intently, and who responded just as enthusiastically, tended to make you forget that some people found this sort of thing dull.


╚════════════════════════════════════════════

xxx αи∂ ι'м т н ι и к ι и g 'вσυт нσω
xxxxxx ρєσρℓє f α ℓ ℓ ι и ℓ σ ν є ιи муѕтєяισυѕ ωαуѕ
xxxxxxxxx ωєℓℓ мє, ι fαℓℓ ιи ℓ σ ν є ωιтн уσυ єνєяу ѕ ι и g ℓ є ∂ α у
xxxxxxxxxxxx αи∂ ι נυѕт ωαииα т є ℓ ℓ у σ υ ι α м




xx» ╳ ♥ ╳ «xx
xx» oυт oғ cнaracтer «xx
Please do not quote for replies!
Questions will be answered later in the week, or when the lesson closes.

αи∂ ∂ α я ℓ ι и g , ι ω ι ℓ ℓ вє xxxxxxxxxxxx
ℓ σ ν ι и g у σ υ 'тιℓ ωє'яє ѕ є ν є и т у xxxxxxxxx
αи∂ вαву му н є α я т ¢συℓ∂ ѕтιℓℓ xxxxxx
fαℓℓ αѕ нαя∂ αт т ω є и т у - т н я є є xxx

════════════════════════════════════════════╗



spaceAmata sat, perched as ever on her desk, and watched as her students came in and took their seats. She waited a moment for them to get situated and to take out their things before beginning the lecture. "Alright, class, today we're going to be learning about the Tale of the Quintaped." Amata paused, giving them a moment to let that sink in. Not that she expected problems from either of them, but one could never be too sure, after all. After a decent pause, she smiled widely. This was one of her favorite lessons, after all. A few waves of the wand to set the mood. She dimmed the already fairly soft lighting. These lights would continue to dim over the course of her 'lecture,' until the room was lit only by the floating-lily candles placed on the student's desks (an addition she'd made for this exact lesson). The faintest sounds of music could be heard, a soft, simple melody that would grow darker and more discordant as she spoke. When she began, her voice was soft, a campfire voice, for a spooky campfire story. "Back in the days when Scotland was still known for being just as likely to fight with itself as outsiders, there were two families, the MacBoons and the McClivert, living on the Isle of Dreer. The families were said to be in a constant war over the land on the Isle, with both sides claiming that the whole of the Isle was their family's by birthright. Records don't go back far enough for us to know which one of them was truly the first on the land, and they were both convinced that their ancestors were the founders. Now, there was a sort of 'safe zone' on the Isle, a village that was home to inhabitants that were not of either family, and in this village there was a pub, which both family heads frequented. One night, they both happened to decide to go for a drink, and they ran into each other at the bar. After hours of drinking and trading insults, one or the other challenged his rival to a duel. This was back when duels were still fought to the death, and to the death it was, with MacBoon winning by taking the life of McClivert. The McClivert clan, in retaliation, is said to have turned the whole MacBoon family into a herd of beasts, known as Quintapeds, or Hairy MacBoons. These creatures were quite powerful, and dangerous, and transfiguring the clan into them proved to have been a mistake. In an attempt to change them back to their original state, the entire McClivert clan was murdered. To this day, the Isle of Dreer is home to the dreaded creatures, and it is expressly forbidden for anyone to go there, for their own safety. The Quintapeds are monstrous creatures, with huge fangs and a hunger for flesh. And few who have seen them in person have lived to tell the tale." She paused dramatically, an eerie smile on her face, the flickering candlelight casting odd shadows on the walls. She watched her students carefully, her eyes playful and curious. She had no idea why she enjoyed treating this lesson as a scary story (well, other than that it traditionally was supposed to be one), but she did. After a moment, she asked, "Any questions?" Her voice was soft, gentle. She wanted very much to know what her students had to say about this particular myth.


╚════════════════════════════════════════════

xxx αи∂ ι'м т н ι и к ι и g 'вσυт нσω
xxxxxx ρєσρℓє f α ℓ ℓ ι и ℓ σ ν є ιи муѕтєяισυѕ ωαуѕ
xxxxxxxxx ωєℓℓ мє, ι fαℓℓ ιи ℓ σ ν є ωιтн уσυ єνєяу ѕ ι и g ℓ є ∂ α у
xxxxxxxxxxxx αи∂ ι נυѕт ωαииα т є ℓ ℓ у σ υ ι α м




xx» ╳ ♥ ╳ «xx
xx» oυт oғ cнaracтer «xx
Please do not quote for replies!
Questions will be answered later in the week, or when the lesson closes.

╓xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xx» wнere «xx
xxxMythology Classroom
xxxxxxxx» wιтн «xx
xxxxxxxxxFourth Year Students
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx» ғeelιng «xx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxCalm
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx╜

ιf уσυ ωєяє fαℓℓιиg, тнєи ι ωσυℓ∂ ¢αт¢н уσυxxxxxxxxxxxx
уσυ иєє∂ α ℓιgнт, ι'∂ fιи∂ α мαт¢нxxxxxxxxx
'¢αυѕє ι ℓσνє тнє ωαу уσυ ѕαу gσσ∂ мσяиιиgxxxxxx
αи∂ уσυ тαкє мє тнє ωαу ι αмxxx
════════════════════════════════════════════╗


spaceAmata sat, perched as ever on her desk, and watched as her students came in and took their seats. She waited a moment for them to get situated and to take out their things before beginning the lecture. "Alright, class, today we're going to be learning about the Tale of the Quintaped." Amata paused, giving them a moment to let that sink in. Not that she expected problems from either of them, but one could never be too sure, after all. After a decent pause, she smiled widely. This was one of her favorite lessons, after all. A few waves of the wand to set the mood. She dimmed the already fairly soft lighting. These lights would continue to dim over the course of her 'lecture,' until the room was lit only by the floating-lily candles placed on the student's desks (an addition she'd made for this exact lesson). The faintest sounds of music could be heard, a soft, simple melody that would grow darker and more discordant as she spoke. When she began, her voice was soft, a campfire voice, for a spooky campfire story. "Back in the days when Scotland was still known for being just as likely to fight with itself as outsiders, there were two families, the MacBoons and the McClivert, living on the Isle of Dreer. The families were said to be in a constant war over the land on the Isle, with both sides claiming that the whole of the Isle was their family's by birthright. Records don't go back far enough for us to know which one of them was truly the first on the land, and they were both convinced that their ancestors were the founders. Now, there was a sort of 'safe zone' on the Isle, a village that was home to inhabitants that were not of either family, and in this village there was a pub, which both family heads frequented. One night, they both happened to decide to go for a drink, and they ran into each other at the bar. After hours of drinking and trading insults, one or the other challenged his rival to a duel. This was back when duels were still fought to the death, and to the death it was, with MacBoon winning by taking the life of McClivert. The McClivert clan, in retaliation, is said to have turned the whole MacBoon family into a herd of beasts, known as Quintapeds, or Hairy MacBoons. These creatures were quite powerful, and dangerous, and transfiguring the clan into them proved to have been a mistake. In an attempt to change them back to their original state, the entire McClivert clan was murdered. To this day, the Isle of Dreer is home to the dreaded creatures, and it is expressly forbidden for anyone to go there, for their own safety. The Quintapeds are monstrous creatures, with huge fangs and a hunger for flesh. And few who have seen them in person have lived to tell the tale." She paused dramatically, an eerie smile on her face, the flickering candlelight casting odd shadows on the walls. She watched her students carefully, her eyes playful and curious. She had no idea why she enjoyed treating this lesson as a scary story (well, other than that it traditionally was supposed to be one), but she did. After a moment, she asked, "Any questions?" Her voice was soft, gentle. She wanted very much to know what her students had to say about this particular myth.


╚════════════════════════════════════════════
xxxι'∂ вυу уσυ яσgαιиє ωнєи уσυ ѕтαят ℓσѕιиg αℓℓ уσυя нαιя
xxxxxxѕєω σи ραт¢нєѕ тσ αℓℓ уσυ тєαя
xxxxxxxxx'¢αυѕє ι ℓσνє уσυ мσяє тнαи ι ¢συℓ∂ єνєя ρяσмιѕє
xxxxxxxxxxxxαи∂ уσυ тαкє мє тнє ωαу ι αм




»» ╳ ♥ ╳ ««
xxoυт oғ cнaracтerxx
- - -


show spoilerhide spoiler
u s e r n a m e

Mythology Notes

Lesson 2: The Quintaped

The Creature:

spaceThe Quintaped is a carnivorous five legged beast, covered in hair, also known as a Hairy MacBoon. They are indigenous to the Isle of Drear. It is classified as extremely dangerous by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. They are believed to have, at one time, been wizards. This cannot be verified, however, as they have resisted all attempts to be Untransfigured. Due to their dangerous nature, the Isle of Drear has been made Unplottable to prevent people from going to the island and being harmed.

The Myth:

spaceLong ago, the Isle of Drear was home to two warring clans, the MacBoons and McCliverts. One night, the two family heads engaged in a drunken wizards duel, and McClivert died. In retaliation, the McClivert clan transfigured the entire MacBoon clan into Quintapeds. However, they soon realized that this was an awful idea. The MacBoons were famous for being wholly inept at casting magic. But, as the Quintaped, they became powerful, and quite dangerous to their McClivert rivals. In their attempts to rectify the situation and return them to their natural state, the entire McClivert clan met their doom.

Homework: Discuss whether or not you believe it is possible that the Quintaped is in fact a family of Transfigured wizards.

xxxx× × ×xxxxSTUDENTSxxxx× × ×xxxx
Any registered student who fails to post at least once this year will have their house docked ten points at the end of the term.
Exceptions can be made provided you contact Cara MiaKitty and are able to provide a reasonable excuse.

╓xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xx» wнere «xx
xxxMythology Classroom
xxxxxxxx» wιтн «xx
xxxxxxxxxFourth Year Students
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx» ғeelιng «xx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxCalm
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx╜

ιf уσυ ωєяє fαℓℓιиg, тнєи ι ωσυℓ∂ ¢αт¢н уσυxxxxxxxxxxxx
уσυ иєє∂ α ℓιgнт, ι'∂ fιи∂ α мαт¢нxxxxxxxxx
'¢αυѕє ι ℓσνє тнє ωαу уσυ ѕαу gσσ∂ мσяиιиgxxxxxx
αи∂ уσυ тαкє мє тнє ωαу ι αмxxx
════════════════════════════════════════════╗


spaceAmata entered the classroom with a gentle smile, eager to start the new term. She assumed her typical stance, sitting on the edge of her desk, back straight, and looked over the classroom a moment before beginning. "Hello, everyone, in case you've forgotten over the Summer holiday, I'm Professor Harlowe, and this is fourth year Mythology. If you're in the wrong class, feel free to quietly exit while everyone is watching me and won't notice." She grinned impishly at her students. "Now then, you should all remember the rules and such from last year, so I'll only go over the most important ones very quickly: You come in, you copy the notes, then we open the floor for discussion. Contributions will earn you house points. However, it should be noted that a lot of what is covered in this class can be somewhat controversial. That said, I will not tolerate anyone who is rude or belittling to their classmates, no matter what subject you might disagree with them on. Respect is key to an enlightening and stimulating conversation, so keep your minds open."

spaceAmata paused, giving them a moment to let that sink in. Not that she expected problems from any of them, but one could never be too sure, after all. After a decent pause, she gave an introduction. "As we are moving past the tradition of storytelling, and into the study of proper Mythology, the first lesson of the year pertains to the difference between mythology and history, legend and fact. If you'll copy down the notes on the board, we can begin." The sound of quills scratching lasted for a while, given that the notes on this particular subject were a bit on the wordy side. She waited until it began to slow and quiet, and then launched into the lecture proper. "History is considered to be the study of factual information regarding the past and it's events. Mythology, on the other hand, is the study of stories and tales that were, at one point, believed to be history, but are no longer so. The reasons a story can go from history to myth are numerous. For instance, as the generation who lived through an event dies, the story can lose or change details that there is no one around to remember or correct, until the secondhand recollection of the event only marginally resembles what actually happened. Or, something can be proven wrong or fictitious by study, though this is something of a murky area." She paused, pursing her lips. This was one of the more confusing things about her area of study, and incidentally, one of her favorites. "It is, after all, rather difficult to proven emphatically that something does not exist, or that something did not happen. Muggle myths are an excellent example of this; many creatures they believe to be mythological are in fact very real, and known to the magical world. Creatures such as mermaids have been 'proven' fake, through explanations of supposed sightings (stating mermaids are really manatees seen from a distance, claims that the sailors who spotted them were hallucinating, or that they were a mirage), and the debunking of countless fabricated 'mermaid' corpses. However, the only thing that has actually been proven by any of this is that mermaids known to muggles have been fake, not that mermaids do not actually exist."

spaceShe shifted her weight from one hip to the other, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her knee, fingers laced together. "Our own existence is another example; while there is some belief of magic in the muggle world, for the most part, with the advancement of scientific study, we have been 'proven' impossible in the eyes of many. We, then, are myths. And there are a good many 'myths' in muggle culture that are history, unknown as such to them because the presence of magic during the events has made them unable to take it as truth. And, one might think that magical accounts of history are therefore more accurate, since obviously, we do not lack belief in muggles. But, wizard culture has been largely closed off to the muggle world, and thus lacks attention to detail for them. The truth of history lies somewhere between the two, with neither side truly understanding. Thus, we have myths." She smiled widely at her students. "And now, I'm opening the floor to discussion. Questions and comments are welcome, and worth house points." She waited patiently; hopefully, she hadn't bored them to death with her little lecture/rant. She knew she tended to ramble, and exposure to Grayson had only made it worse over the years. Having someone who listened so intently, and who responded just as enthusiastically, tended to make you forget that some people found this sort of thing dull.


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u s e r n a m e

Mythology Notes

Lesson 1: The Difference Between History and Mythology

Definition of History:

- A branch of knowledge that records and explains past events

Definition of Mythology:

- An allegorical narrative
- A body of myths, IE
-- The myths dealing with the gods, demigods, and legendary heroes of a particular people
-- A pattern of beliefs expressing often symbolically the characteristic or prevalent attitudes in a group or culture
- A branch of knowledge that deals with myth
- A popular belief or assumption that has grown up around someone or something

Explaining the Difference:

- 'History' at its core is accepted as fact. That which is 'historical' is assumed to have happened in the past, with little room for argument. Events are recorded as they occur, or evidence of past events are discovered, and the findings are recorded and taken as a factual account of an event or era or culture.
- Mythology, on the other hand, is widely believed to be a story, having either been disproved by science and historical fact, or belief in the truth of it having been forgotten or let go of as time progressed.
-- The difference between Mythology, and Fiction, then, is that a Myth was, at some point in history, taken as fact, and Fiction has more or less always been known to be untrue. Myths are works of fiction, but they were believed to be truth at some point.

Blurring the Lines:

- Myths of ancient cultures typically stemmed from a desire to explain that which ancient peoples lacked the ability to explain.
- As time has progressed, many have been either disproved through study, or the cultures that believed them have lost touch with that belief.
-- For instance, it is technically impossible to prove the existence of one set of ancient gods over the other, or to prove that any particular set of deities does or does not exist at all, but most modern peoples accept that the gods of their ancestors are myths, not fact.
-- Likewise, muggle study of science has proven, to the best of its ability, that certain myths are simply not true.
- There was a time when all so-called myths were taken as fact; therefore, it can be assumed that, in the future, that which we consider history might be proven myth as well.
- Likewise, history is recorded and written by man, and is therefore subject to subjective interpretations and, in some cases, heavy editing via exaggeration and omission. History is accepted as fact, but it can often be just as unreliable as mythology is.

Homework: Put yourself in the position of an ancient scholar, and write a short 'myth' regarding a common, everyday occurrence, such as the phases of the moon or a thunderstorm.

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