Post by Tiger on Jun 25, 2012 17:17:49 GMT -5
[/i]John Winchester's Journal is a Survival Guide to the supernatural. Anything in here is vital information you will need to use to survive this world.
Angels:
Angels are supernatural beings originating in Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Islam. The word "angel" comes from the Latin word "angelus", which cam from the Greek word, "angelos", meaning "messenger", which is quite accurate as they are typically God's messengers. They are collectively referred to as The Host of Heaven, and dwell in a very hierarchical society. Much of it operates like a military organization, broken into smaller units called garrisons. The most powerful known angels are the Archangels; Gabriel, Raphael, Michael and Lucifer. Archangels are particular and absolute and the unquestioned obedience to the Archangels and to God is expected of all angels. Those who question orders are often tortured, punished by death or sent from heaven forever.
An angel's power exists in the form of "grace", the absence of which renders them mortal. Some voluntarily remove their grace in order to be reborn as a human. It is a state of being and an energy connected to an angel's true form. Often, the true voice of an angel can be heard as an ear piercing, high pitched sound which can shatter glass, and their true form appears to most humans as a light so bright it can literally blind those who look on it. Only a few humans can withstand the site of their true form.
Angels have superhuman strength and endurance and can also heal humans. They are never affected by plagues and are immune to all diseases. They are able to transport themselves and humans through space and also move through time. By placing two fingers on a person's forehead, an angel can render someone unconscious or change their memories. They have the power to exorcise demons from humans by touching them and can see things outside of human perception, such as Reapers or Enochian Sigils. Angels are vulnerable to a flaming circle of holy oil which will ultimately trap them, angel banishing sigils (as shown above), Enochian Sigils which can be used to hide a humans location from angels or to conceal the contents of a building from the eyes of Heaven, angel killing swords, Death's Scythe, and The Colt. They can also be killed by white-eyed demons.Seraphim:
Typically called the "Torches of Heaven", they are mystics and artists and are both inspiration and messenger. They carry the orders of Heaven to those who need to hear it, and inspire humans with Divine genius. They carry truth and prophecy and are healers of the mind and heart.
Cherubim:
Typically called the "Shields of Heaven", the cherubim are guardians of Heaven and of what Heaven deems worth protecting. When they are on earth, they are usually protecting a particular person or place, a bloodline or idea. They respond to orders given by the Archangels and are often responsible for multiple assignments at once.[/i]
Ophanim:
Typically called the "Swords of Heaven", the ophanim are the warrior angels. They carry out the wrath of God on earth. There are several pictures in history of angels leading armies behind their fiery swords that quite obviously refer to the ophanim.[/i]
Archangels:
Archangels are typically thought of as the greatest of the Host. They are as far above angels as angels are above men and are typically thought of as Kings in Heaven. Their responsibilities include protecting prophets from any harm. If a prophet is in the same room as a demon, an archangel will appear to destroy it. They also appear when others try to interfere with prophecy. The vessels of archangels are maintained through bloodlines and destiny, though no one can fully understand how.[/i]
Fallen Angels:
Fallen Angels have limited to no powers. They may know that they are banished to earth from Heaven or not know they are fallen. Ultimately, they will have false memories of being born on earth or they may actually be reborn into human form on earth. A fallen angel who is experiencing a short punishment and knows that they are an angel will ultimately have more of their former powers than those who do not know. Though all fallen angels are able to hear the voices of other angels. Those who do not know they are fallen angels do not know that they are hearing angels. Often the voices of angels will speak in Enochian, which the fallen will be able to understand but most will not know what it is.[/i][/blockquote]
Angel Banishing Sigil:
An angel banishing sigil does just that, banishes an angel from a certain space. Drawing it in your own blood and then touching the center of the sigil temporarily banishes any angel from the area you're in. Not many people know about this symbol and not many people would be able to make it work.
Angiak:
According to Eskimo lore, Angiak's are the children of the living dead. Eskimos often had to give up their new-borns during harsh times and would abandon them in the snow. Angiak's are the ghosts of their sacrificed babies come back to haunt them and are said to gain strength upon each visit. When it is powerful enough, it will seek revenge on the elders. Angiak's are vulernable to being tricked into consuming human breast milk, and that will ultimately kill them.
Anti-Possession Symbol
Anti-possession symbols protect against demon protection. Its pretty simple and self-explanetory, really. Making it effective isnt though. Getting a normal tattoo is so much easier but very ineffective. The medium -- bracelet, charm or tattoo -- has to have salt, cold iron, and silver mixed into it. Certain prayers have to be said while working different parts of the design as well. They're really hard to get your hands on, unless you can find someone capable of creating a working one.
Banshee:
Banshees are a type of death omen but they can also cause harm in their own way. Often times, they are described as wearing white or a sheet, and sometimes even a burial gown. They come in the form of a beautiful woman, a matron, or a hag -- following the different stages of womanhood -- and can be seen at rivers, washing bloody clothes. Justice for their killer or anyone who wronged them in life will lay them to rest.
Black Dog:
Black Dogs are spirit apparitions that appear at night. They can be distinguished from normal dogs by features like large or glowing eyes, sometimes only one; an ability to disappear or appear out of thin air or into and out of the ground; no head, two heads; ability to change size or appearance. They're often seen on roads or other places where people move from one location to another -- footpaths, bridges, crossroads, gates, doors, stairs, corridors, etc. They also seem to like graveyards. For some people, the Black Dog is a death omen. They think that if you see one, it either means that you, or a family member or someone close to you will die. Others believe that black dogs are helpful, leading lost travelers into safety or protecting them from harm.
Changeling:
Changelings are often in the form of children. They will steal children in a neighborhood from their beds at night and take their place in the family home. The real children are kept alive and fed on by the "mother" changeling who often appears as a normal adult woman, sometimes also taking her place in neighborhood society and always controlling which children are taken. The children-changelings feed on the human mothers synovial fluid by suckling with their round, many-toothed mouth at the back of the human woman's neck. Often this will go on until the mother wastes away and dies. Any humans who come between the changeling and its human feeder are killed. Changelings look like perfectly normal human children unless they are looked at in their true form; discolored, slimy skin, hollow eyes, round mouths with many teeth. The true appearance of a changeling can only be seen by looking in a reflection of the child. They are vulnerable to fire and the death of the "mother" changeling.
The Colt
The Colt is a revolver made by Samuel Colt (for a hunter). According to legend, anything shot by this gun, using one of its thirteen original bullets, will die, including creatures normally immune to any and all weapons. It is a Colt ball and cap gun modified to fire metallic cartridges. On the barrel of the gun, the Latin phrase "non timebo mala", meaning "I will fear no evil" is inscribed and on the handle of the gun is a carving of a pentagram.
The story told by John Winchester is as follows:
"Back in 1835, when Halley's Comet was overhead, the same night those men died at the Alamo, they say Samuel Colt made a gun -- a special gun. He made it for hunter. Colt made thirteen bullets. The hunter used the gun a half dozen times before he disappeared, the gun along with him. They say this gun can kill anything."
Croatoan Virus:
The Croatoan virus is a disease of demonic origin. It may or may not be a true virus, but it causes murderous rage in the people it infect, and is transmitted through blood to blood contact. It can be detected by traces of sulfur in the blood, which can be seen after a few hours of exposure. The symptoms of the Croatoan virus start to manifest within four hours, and the desease is thought to be virtually incurable. Those infected are very aggressive and murderous and also have an ability to use weaponry in their attempts to kill or deliberately infect others that would not normally show had they not been infected.
Crocotta:
A mythical beast of Indian and Ethiopian origin, it has been described as being an animal that looks like it's been produced by the coupling of a wolf and a dog. It is said to be able to break anything with its teeth and instantly swallow and digest it. In legend, it is commonly mentioned that it lures people by calling their name, using a persons natural curiosity against them and luring them into the forest where it devours them. In modern times, it has been known to contact people by phone or computer, imitating the voice of a dead loved one to convince a victim to kill himself. Any type of conventional weapon can kill them.
Daeva:
Daeva's are shadow demons; Zoroastrian demons of darkness. They are savage and animalistic shadow-creatures who often do the bidding of a more powerful force. Not much is known about them but to destroy the altar that its master uses to control it will stop them, or a very bright light.
Demons:
The very first demon is believed to have been created when God banished Lucifer from Heaven for refusing to worship humans. In defiance, Lucifer took a woman and stripped away her humanity to create the first demon, Lilith. For this, Michael was commanded by God to imprison Lucifer. All demons were once originally human. Lucifer however is not a demon but an archangel. To end up in hell -- and ultimately as a demon -- a person sells their soul to a Crossroads demon. It is unclear what other things someone may do to gain their ticket into hell but once they are there, they are tortured until they lose all humanity and become demons.
Demons do not have bodies of their own. They will appear as black smoke in their incorporeal form and their presence leaves traces of sulfur. They possess humans to manifest on earth and exorcism will drive them from its human host and back into hell, though a possessed human may be physically damaged while the demon is present, including fatal injuries. During this period, they are unaffected until they are dispossessed. Most dispossessed humans die. Demons are vulnerable to many things; salt, exorcism, holy water, the Colt or Ruby's Knife, Death's Scythe, Devil's Traps and the name of God. To identify them in the demonic hierarchy, their eyes must be viewed when they choose to display their true natures.
Black-Eyed:[/i]
Black-Eyed demons are the most common type seen on earth. They appear to hold different ranks in demon society and display a range of abilities and powers. They are grouped together because when they possess a human, they can turn the hosts eyes entirely black at will. Most of them serve a higher ranking demon or entity. They exhibit mind control over humans and psychics, telekinesis, superhuman strength, and enhanced endurance. Damage to the body doesnt show until the host body takes so much damage that it is about to be destroyed, at which point a demon nearly always vacates the body voluntarily, leaving the human to die. They can be accompanied or presaged by odd weather phenomena and electrical interference as well as the presence of sulfur and EVP. They are vulnerable to holy water, salt, exorcism, the Colt, Ruby's demon-killing knife, Death's Scythe, and a Devil's Trap.
Red-Eyed:
Typically known as Crossroads demons, they make bargains with people, granting a wish in exchange for claiming their life and soul at a fixed point in time. When a person dies before his or her time, or is killed by a hellhound at the end of the appointed period, that persons soul is sent to hell. Most crossroads demons are middle-men of a sort, with the contract itself being held by a higher up demon. Deals are often sealed with a kiss. They are vulnerable to holy water, salt, exorcism, the Colt, Ruby's demon-killing Knife, Death's Scythe, and a Devil's Trap.[/i]
Yellow-Eyed:
Higher up in Hell's hierarchy are yellow-eyed demons whose appearance is presaged for up to a week by cattle deaths, electrical storms, and temperature fluctuations in a certain area. Clocks stop and electrical devices go haywire with the presence of these demons. They appear to be impervious to holy water and salt. They can possess human hosts and also reapers. They can create and manipulate fire, are telekinetic, and can enter a human's subconscious and use mind control. They have the ability to make deals, potentially even more powerful ones than those made by Crossroads demons. They are vulnerable to the Colt, Ruby's demon-killing Knife, Death's Scythe, and a Devil's Trap.[/i]
White-Eyed:
Also known as the Lilin. According to Hebrew tradition, the Lilin are Lilith's children and are the most dangerous demonic entities, considered to be the children born of Lilith after her escape from the garden of Eden. They are commonly credited as Kings of Hell, second only to Lucifer in power and there are only a handful of them. None except Lilith have shown themselves on earth for thousands of years. They are immune to holy water, salt, holy ground and exorcism. They can kill angels and are known to have deadly telekinetic abilities and the abilities to force lesser demons out of their vessel and take over that host. They can unleash a demonic energy that will incinerate anything it touches. Its isnt known what these demons are vulnerable to.[/i][/blockquote]
Demon-Killing Knife
A knife of unknown origin, it was formerly possessed by a demon named Ruby. The knife is capable of killing lesser demons, however it cannot kill more powerful demons. It looks to be an ordinary hunting knife with a curved, serrated-edged blade and a wooden handle. Upon closer inspection, there are symbols engraved into the blade. It is rumored that Samuel Colt also invented it as he invented the Colt.
The Devil's Trap
The devil's trap is a mystical symbol that hunters use on demons. It immobilizes them and controls them, also inhibiting the use of some demonic powers. Its like a circle of salt but much more powerful. Hunters usually paint it or etch it in place. If a demon walks inside a devil's trap, it's physically trapped and cannot leave. They can also be used in entrances to deter demons from entering a certain building, room or container. There are two major variations of the devil's trap:
The Pentagram
The Heptagram
Djinn:
Typically known as a genie. They are spirits who knock people out using their own powers. The "spell" put on them while they are unconscious puts them into a dreamlike state, and instead of being granted wishes, the person is sent into their own fantasy universe. It shows them what they desperately want more than anything, while it feeds on their blood. Silver weaponry dipped in lambs blood will kill one.
The Fae:
The fae are mythical beings/creatures, who have sometimes been thought of as spirits of a sort. They resemble various beings of other mythologies, sometimes describing goblins or gnomes. The word fairy derives from Middle English faierie, a direct borrowing from Old French faerie, meaning "land", "realm" or "enchantment".
Fairies are generally described as human in appearance and having magical powers. Their origins are less clear in folklore, but some cultures believe they are a form of angelic being (demoted angels). Others believe they are demons or creatures of a sort. Much of folklore about fairies revolves around protection from their malice. Cold iron is poisonous to fairies, as are rowan charms and herbs. Changelings have often been thought to be a type of evil fae. Elves are also thought to be of the Fae, along with goblins, gnomes, dwarves, etc. The Fae are believed to have connections to the elements and are often depicted controlling them. Pagan deities such as the Tuatha De Danann of Irish legend are thought to be fae gods and goddessess. The Tuatha De Danann were spoken of as having come from the islands in the north of the world, or from the sky.
Ghost:
A ghost or spirit is often attached to it through unfinished business or an unwillingness to move on. Because of that, it remains connected to the mortal realm and often have a desire for revenge against those who they think caused their deaths. Some were evil in life and continue their deeds in the afterlife. Salt or iron will temporarily keep them at bay but to get rid of them permanently, their remains must be located, salted and then burned.
Death Echo:[/i]
Death Echo's are ultimately harmless and powerless (though, not entirely). Its a "trapped" ghost that is stuck reenacting its death over and over in a loop. Often times the spirit can be shocked into moving on, mostly by a person who had a connection with the deceased. They can also be reasoned with but not often.
Vengeful Spirit:
Vengeful spirits are ghosts that act violently in order to avenge some wrong done to them. The spirit can also belong to someone still alive but close to death, like a coma patient, or someone kept alive by machines. Justice being brought against those who wronged them will dispel them, as well as reasoning with them sometimes.[/i][/blockquote]
Ghoul:
The name "Ghoul" is derived from the medieval Arabic "ghul" which is a creature that digs up graves and devours the dead. They are monsters which do just that. Feeding off the blood and flesh of the dead keeps them alive. They reside in sewers, mausoleums, and tunnels near or beneath old graveyards, making it easier to get to their food source. They can be killed by decapitation or total destruction of the head.
Hellhound:
It is debatable whether these are real dogs or creatures but they are controlled by and serve demons. Hellhounds are aggressive and commonly appear to kill a person who has made a deal with a Crossroads demon. The persons soul is sent to hell ultimately. In the days before the end of that person's life, they dream or hallucinate about their deaths. They see the true faces of demons possessing humans in this stage. Hellhounds are invisible to humans unless that human has made a deal with a demon. Salt, Goofer Dust, Devil's Shoestring, iron and explosives are things that will either kill them or keep them at bay, but once they have the scent of a condemned human, they wont stop until they catch them.
Incubi:
An incubus -- from the Latin verb "incubo" meaning "to lie upon" -- is a demon in male form who, according to a number of mythological and legendary traditions, lies upon sleepers, primarily women, in order to have intercourse with them. An incubus pursues sex with a woman in order to father a child, or to feed on the life force of said woman. There is no known way to kill an Incubus.
Psychics:
Psychics are humans with specific powers through either genetics or supernatural gain. True psychics are those who were born with their powers, though some of their powers may not have developed until later in life. They may possess powers of extra sensory perception (clairvoyance, palm readers, mediums, etc), or kinetic powers such as manipulation of elements or the world around you, or healers. They are only mortal though.
Rakshasa:
A demon or unrighteous spirit in Hinduism that feeds on human flesh. They are ultimately shape changers and magicians and can appear in the forms of humans, dogs, and large birds most often. They have the ability to make themselves invisible and cannot enter a persons home without being invited. They were often wicked humans in previous incarnations and are known to disturb sacrifices, desecrate grave and possess human beings. Translated to English, the name Rakshasa means "injurer". They can be killed using brass weaponry.
Rawhead:
A Rawhead is a water monster which inhabits deep ponds and marl-pits. It drags children into its lair to devour them, following a rhyme originating in Yorkshire/Lancashire:
Rawhead and Bloody Bones
Steals naughty children from their homes,
Takes them to his dirty den,
And they are never seen again.
Electricity can kill them.
Reaper:
Reapers are servants of Death. They assist in maintaining the Natural Order, and are completely neutral -- not aligned with Heaven or Hell or Purgatory. Reapers will sometimes appear in mass gatherings to prelude a great disaster such as the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii. They can be controlled by Black Magic but it is not advisable. Those who are controlled by black magic can be released by smashing the Rosario controlling it, upon which they will turn on the person who was controlling it. They are naturally invisible to the naked-eye unless dealing with the deceased or choosing otherwise, though angels can see them either way. They can also teleport to any place, even human minds, and resurrect the dead, though most dont do it.
Other powers of theirs include Terrakinesis, time manipulation, astral projection, their killing touch, telekinesis, immortality, flight/levitation, perception altering, healing, and memory manipulation. The only known way to kill a Reaper is with the scythe of Death and a special incantation. They are completely under Death's control, though powerful demons such as Azazel and Alastair can overpower Reapers or even possess them. They can be imprisoned and warded off by spells, however nothing other than Death can permanently stop them.
Rugaru:
Flesheaters and deformed monsters in their fully-developed form, the rugaru "gene" runs in families. It can appear as a human for years, never knowing its true nature until it eventually becomes consumed with a terrible hunter. During this time it will feed on any meat it can get its hands on, until it finally gives in to the craving for human flesh. It demonstrates superhuman strength and its bones move under its skin. One bite of human flesh and the rugaru will transform into a monster and will never be able to appear as human again. The only known way of killing it is to set it on fire.
Shapeshifter:
It is debatable whether or not these things are humans with... powers or mutations. But they can take on a living persons physical appearance and access the thoughts and memories of the person they are mimicking. Some shapeshifters copy deceased people from pictures and film. When they change from one form to another they quiet literally shed their skin, teeth, and nails and are often identified by a retinal flare that shows up when they are filmed.
Animal shifters are the same as shifters who can turn into humans. They must shed their skin to take on the form of an animal t hough they maintain their humanity and complete human control. Shifters are always shifters from birth. Silver weaponry to the heart can kill them and silver in general burns them.
Shtriga (or Striga):
An Albanian witch / vampire. Legends about them date back to ancient Rome. They feed on Spiritus Vitae, or life essence, mainly from children, leaving them with a very weak immune system and making them vulnerable to illnesses which can kill them. They most often work their way through the siblings in a family before moving onto the next family. They can be killed, while they're feeding, by being shot with consecrated wrought iron buckshot or pistol rounds.
Siren:
Sirens are mythic creatures that can change their shape to appear human, though its true face can be seen in mirrors. It can appear as either a male or female, depending on how it chooses to approach its victims and can manipulate feelings of love -- both sexual and platonic -- and cause the victim to kill someone they love. The siren's call is transmitted through saliva and it goes through the process of charming its way into the victims life by reading their thoughts or pretending to be the persons "perfect match", then infecting them by fluid transfer. The infection leaves traces of oxytocin -- a love hormone -- in the persons blood which provokes feelings of euphoria. A bronze dagger dipped in the blood of someone it has infected will kill it. And the death of a siren will release its victims from its spell.
Skin Walker:
Skin walkers are humans that can make a complete transformation into a canine, the breed varying based on the person. They eat the hearts of their victims, like werewolves but their mutations arent limited. They have enhanced senses and can infect another person by way of bite. They are allergic to silver.
Specials:
Specials are humans who have been previously given the blood of a certain supernatural species, giving them certain powers based on the species.
Succubi:
A succubus is a female demon who appears in dreams and takes the form of a woman in order to seduce humans -- primarily men -- through sexual intercourse. During intercourse with a human, they feed on the life force of the human they are bedding. Sometimes, they appear in reality and are high attractive seductress' or enchantress'. According to the Malleus Maleficarum or "Witches' Hammer" by Heinrich Kramer, a succubus will collect the semen from the men she seduces which is then used by succubui's male incubi mate to impregnate human women, thus producing their children, also called cambions. There is no known way to kill a succubi.
Vampire:
Self explanatory. They live in packs called nests and mate for life. Their thirst for blood is insatiable and it takes a great deal of power to resist. A person must take the blood of a vampire into their body to become a vampire. They have enhanced speed, senses, strength and immortality. However, unlike older legends, these vampires can go out in the sunlight. It only weakens them and sometimes gives them severe sunburn. Dead man's blood and beheading are the only ways to kill them.
Wendigo:
Wendigoes were once human until they were transformed into an immortal evil spirit when it took up the practice of cannibalism. Wendigoes are cursed to wander the land, eternally seeking to fulfill their appetites for human flesh. Different Native American tribes tell different versions of wendigo stories and refer to it by different names -- Wendigo, Witigo, Witiko and Wee-Tee-G0 -- but each version roughly translates to mean the same thing. Around 1860, a German explorer translated the word as "cannibal".
Wendigoes are believed to live in the Northern woods of Minnesota and in the North central regions of Canada. They are generally rumored to be gigantic spirits, over fifteen feet tall, lanky, and with glowing eyes, long yellowed fangs, terrible claws, and overly long tongues. other times they are described with sallow, yellowish skin; and sometimes with matted hair. Their full abilities have never been recorded but it excels at stealth and is a near-perfect hunter, knowing and using every inch of its territory to its advantage. They are vulnerable to fire and explosives.
Werewolf:
Lycanthropy is often described as a disease that a human is infected by which allows them to change into a wolf. Some believe it is also done by magic -- a person being placed under a curse of sorts. The transformation is brought on by the appearance of a full moon. In shifted form, a werewolf has canine-like teeth and claws and enhanced strength and agility. They remember nothing of their time as a wolf once they are human again. It is believed that the only way to kill a werewolf is with a silver bullet through the head or heart but they can be killed by any wound to the heart or the brain.
Woman In White:
The woman in white is commonly known as a folk tale. Women in White are ghosts who seek out living people (usually men) who are unfaithful or dishonest and punish them with a death which usually mimics their own. When they were alive, these women were in love with or married to men who cheated on them. As a result they killed their own children and either killed themselves or were sentenced to jail or sent to the gallows, only to come back as a vengeful spirit. Forcing them to confront their own sins will kill them.
Wraith:
Wraiths are apparitions, or visions, or doubles of another living person. They commonly appear to a person who is going to die. This is because in fact wraiths are creatures which feed directly on the cranial fluid of humans. Their true form is revealed in mirrors and silver weaponry can kill them.[/blockquote][/blockquote]