| Term |
Definition |
L
|
|
| Lama / Lamassu |
Benevolent demons or guardian angels from ancient Assyria, Sumeria and Babylon who are guardians of palaces and temples, where their images are preserved to this day. They are depicted as winged lions or bulls with human heads. The females are called Lama or Lamassu; the males are called Sedu or Shedu. |
| Land |
In certain legends, demi-gods are transformed into land or landmarks. Atlas, who held the sky up in Greek mythology was turned into a mountain when Perseus showed him the severed head of Medusa. Ymir, a primordial giant of Norse mythology was slain and fashioned into the world. Likewise the Hawaiian island of Maui is supposedly the remains of a Hawaiian hero-god named Maui (and indeed the island does look somewhat like the back of a person floating dead and face down in the water when viewed from above). Other landforms or features are sometimes associated with being built by giants as well- such as Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. |
| Language |
A transformation of the spoken word requires thousands of years to accomplish, and a certain amount of isolation, or a critical event, usually the invasion and occupation of a foreign people who impose their own language on an occupied country. For instance, the Norman (French) invasion of England in 1066 resulted in a large number of French words being adopted into the English language and making the original English terms into crude words of profanities (I.E. "Excretment" comes from the French, while "Shit" comes from the old English). Words come into and fall out of use as culture and technologies change as well - "Tyg" refers to a shared tavern mug with three to twelve handles, while the now well known "DVD" would not have been recognised as a term ten years ago. |
| Latex |
A flexible rubbery material used in the construction of masks, suits, and modeling. |
| Lilith |
In certain Hebrew tales not included in the Bible, Lillith was the first woman created at the same time as Adam. She was something of a shapeshifter, and is sometimes portrayed as a serpent. Lillith though for whatever reason, walked out on Adam (who gave his rib to create Eve). Outside of Eden, Lillith became the mother of many monsters, and causes trouble for humanity as her revenge on Adam. .Because the tale is so old, there are many variations to it, but because of the similarities of her name "Lilith" and the Hebrew word for night "layil" she has become associated with the night. |
| Lizard, The |
A Marvel Comics villian and Spider-Man foe, the Lizard was a doctor seeking to invent a regeneration procedure to restore an arm that he lost as the result of a war injury. Since lizards can regenerate, he based his research on lizards, and came up with a serum that resored his arm - and turned him into a very hostile lizard-man. He can be changed back, and is usually transformed into the lizard via a stress induced trigger, much like the Incredible Hulk. |
| Lizardmen |
A generic humanoid reptile species, used by a variety of comics, cartoons, and other media sources, usually cast in the role of the villian. |
| Lob Ombre |
Spanish for Werewolf. |
| Lob Omem |
Portugueese for Werewolf |
| Lobison |
In Brazil and Uraguay, a werewolf or wereboar. |
| Lotion |
Something usually spread on the body to prevent sunburn, moisten skin, or relieve pain. Sometimes used as a transformation agent, usually affecting the portions of the body it is applied to. See also Tubes. |
| Loup Garou |
French for Werewolf. In Haiti, it is also applied to a vampire like monster. |
| Lung |
A generic Chinese term for Dragon. |
| Lupo manaro |
Italian for werewolf. |
| Lycanthrope |
The Greek term for Werewolf. |
| Lycanthropy |
1. The ability to change from human to a wolf. 2. Werewolf. |
| Lycaos |
The first named werewolf from classical literature, mentioned by Ovid in :Metamorphoses. For trying to trick Zeus, by serving a dish of human flesh, the enraged god destroyed his house and condemned him to live forever as half man and half wolf. |
