Friends of Legend

This week, after wresting back our audio equipment, we investigate the Yuletide justiciars on both sides of the Alps: Krampus and Knecht Ruprecht.

This week, for our Season 1 finale, Claire has brought us a whole family of holiday characters: Grýla, Leppalúði, Jólakötturinn, and the Yule Lads. If you think the names of these Icelandic icons are a handful, wait until you see what they get up to! Happy holidays to our listeners in every Friend tier, and thank you for sticking with us through Season 1!

This week, we opt not to light a campfire on our Appalachian camping trip, so as not to upset the Wampus Cat. This fearsome feline is infamous for its dreadful howl and curious mode of locomotion, but could it be yet another victim of bad PR?

This week, we trek across the coastline of Africa, hoping to catch a glimpse of Mami Wata. This goddess beneath the waves has an impressive retinue of powers and possessions, and may even be the original mermaid.

This week, Claire and Vince book it back to Japan to catch a glimpse of the elusive Tsuchinoko. This rotund reptile is a friend of many talents, and has a bounty on its head that may be too good to pass up.

This week, we delve into caves and peek into ovens in search of those pint-sized pranksters you know and love. Goblins are infamous for their abundance of tricks, but this Halloween, will we discover the treats they have to share?

This week, we stay up at night behind closed windows in the Philippines, hoping to catch a glimpse of the manananggal. These feisty females often get compared to vampires, but that might be unfair... to the vampires, that is.

This week, we sit quietly in the cow-pastures of Scandinavia in search of the elusive milk hare. We learn the bewitching origins of these lactophilic lagomorphs, as well as the service they render to the spellcasters to whom they are bound.

This week, we wander the Alps, watching our step for the weird and wonderful Tatzelwurm. This furtive mountain creature is half-snake, half-cat, and 100% primo Friends of Legend material!

This week, we carefully inspect chicken coops for evidence of basilisks and cockatrices. We uncover the curious lineages of each, as well as their off-putting habits and even more off-putting aversions.We were feeling bold and decided to videotape this episode! Check out the whole video (same audio) here:https://youtu.be/irqbM9cgCq8

This week, we scan the Hellenic skies for everyone’s favorite famous horse: Pegasus. Everyone has seen at least one movie featuring this soaring stallion, but have we been getting the real story?

This week, we sit quietly near peaceful ponds to catch a glimpse of a wulver! These furtive furballs may look like the menacing werewolves of popular culture, but their behavior and hobbies tell a different tale.

This week, we warily traverse the American Southwest, keeping an eye out for the Yee Naaldlooshii. Instead of being a creature that sparks imagination, this one is a human with access to potent power, and the difference has a marked effect on how we handle it.

This week, we keep our eyes to the skies as we hunt for the phoenix! This fiery feathered friend is well-known across the world for its powers of resurrection, but that might not be the only power they have hiding up their quills.

This week, Claire and Vince listen for the telltale sounds of splashing in the waters of Eastern Europe, on the hunt for the Vodyanoy. This fishy fellow has a lot of nasty habits, but could there be a heart of gold underneath his black scales and mossy hair?

This week, Claire takes us through the jungles of Brazil as we carefully track the Curupira. We discover the habits and anatomical curiosities of this fiery little friend, and learn how to avoid its formidable bad side.

This week, we visit the ponds and caves of the Korean Peninsula looking for the elusive Imugi. We share stories of their many interactions with humans and learn about the journey each Imugi embarks on to become a true dragon.

This week, we chase echoing screams down haunted Irish halls in search of the infamous banshee. We learn that much of the fear surrounding their baleful cries is unfounded, and that they may even performing an important service!

This week, we island-hop across the North Atlantic in search of the Orcadian Nuckelavee and its Norse counterparts, the Nykur and Nøkk. We look at their similarities and differences, and even theorize on how the connection between the three may have led to the Nuckelavee’s unsavory appearance.

This week, we scour the world from the sands of Egypt to the jungles of southern India in search of the very icon of mystery: the Sphinx. We learn of their significance in various cultures and discover that while not all sphinxes are cut from the same cloth, they may have held a place in society for as long as society has existed...

This week, we step lightly through the waters of Japan, in a cautious search for the famous Kappas. Their odd appearance and even odder eating habits have us concerned, but could there be a friend hidden underneath that turtle shell and fishy skin?

This week, we recite the infernal spell and bring forth the mischievous and maligned imp. While devilish in nature, these little fiends have a playful intelligence that may surprise you!

This week, we shed our preconceived notions like a snake’s skin and learn about Nagas! This race of serpent people appear imposing and hold great power, but we discover that there may be more than meets the eye, as the stories we retell indicate they have benevolent qualities, bordering on divine...

This week, Claire works overtime to help us make two new friends: the Swan Maiden and the Selkie! We learn about the problematic history mankind has had with these majestic underwater friends, as well as what we can do now to give them the respect and dignity they deserve.

This week, we take to the skies in search of a group of authentic American creatures: thunderbirds. We look at many stories of these feathered friends to assess their powers, their pride, and their surprisingly active role in human affairs!

This week, we rummage through derelict coat closets in search of the elusive and mischievous Kasa-Obake. This lonely yet sweet being is fascinating, from the way it looks to the way it comes to inhabit the human world. Join us as we learn more about the Kasa-Obake and the lessons it has to teach about first impressions and taking care of our belongings!

This week, we scour the countryside of Provence in search of the mighty Tarasque. This tragically misunderstood creature has had some bad PR in recent decades, so come in with an open mind as we talk about how the Tarasque’s history, attitude, and even appearance may not be all your D&D Monster Manual has led you to believe.

This week, we wander out into the birch forest and look for Baba Yaga. We learn about her appearance, disposition, and unique home, all while trying to stay out of her oven and off her dinner table. Enjoy this Mother’s Day treat as we try to befriend the Mother of Witches herself!

This week, we crouch down and look under every mushroom to learn more about gnomes. What do they eat? Where do they live? What's up with the pointy red hats? We answer these questions and many more as we start our quest to become friends with every mythical creature we can.