folklore and weakness

[marycatelli]

In folklore -- especially if you cross cultures -- creatures have all sorts of weaknesses.  You wouldn't dare put them in a random generation table for a role-playing game.

Kitsune are vulnerable to virtuous officials.

Evil spirits can be kept from harming Japanese actors by sprinkling the stage with salt.

Vampires are obsessive compulisve counters.

Werewolves need their clothes to change back to human form.

Fairies are vulnerable to iron, bread, church bells, clothing turned inside outside, and running water.

Rumpelstilskin and his ilk are vulnerable to their true names and seem to usually be forced to tell their victims that.

Etc.  Even though -- especially though -- not all of the creatures suffer all of the vulnerabilities associated with their type.

I've got an idea that turns on their random nature.  But looking at the starting outline, I realize -- gotta research first.  'cause which creatures I choose will determine a lot of the plot, and I need to know their vulnerabilites.  Sometimes you can't just let it grow and determine what you need after.

Comments

[headnoises.livejournal.com]

How vulnerable? Like, the foxes break out in hives if they are touched by a good cop, or they're effectively a normal but weak person against them?

[marycatelli]

The official, if virtuous, could perform a successful exorcism -- the foxes being, of course, prone to stay out of view.

[headnoises.livejournal.com]

Hm... I think I can use that, warp it a little to the foxes being BOUND to follow lawful orders if they're given by virtuous officials. (And then have the virtuous official also be a total ass, so it's a surprise.)

[marycatelli]

Have fun!

[headnoises.livejournal.com]

One of the over-used advantages of urban fantasy is that you can always explain away any weakness. :D

[marycatelli]

Immensely overused. . . sometimes better than others.

[headnoises.livejournal.com]

"Wait, you're a supernatural being? I USE YOUR WELL KNOWN WEAKNESSES!"
"lOLZ, U r 2 cute."

-.-

As opposed to, say, the Dresden files-- where it's a good mix of real, fake, and "wrong flavor."

Not sure if he's used vampire OCD yet, though.

[marycatelli]

I would like one where Hollywood's innovations were all false.