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Mythic Transformations, by Kris Schnee – Book Review by Fred Patten
Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer.
Mythic Transformations, by Kris Schnee
Seattle, WA, CreateSpace, December 2017, trade paperback, $7.99 (189 pages), Kindle $2.99.
This collection of fourteen short stories by Schnee is about transformations rather than anthropomorphic characters. “In this story collection, people not only encounter these beings but become them.” (blurb)
“Guardians of Mistcrown” is set in a traditional fantasy world. Darius, a young mapmaker, is looking for a new caravan route through the Mistcrown mountains. He finds a cave guarded by Zara, a griffin, who is compelled to kill anyone who comes too close to a hidden source of magical mana. Darius and Zara trade bodies, to Darius’ dismay. But he finds that there are advantages to being a powerful, flying, ageless griffin – if he can just break the wizard’s spell that binds him to the mountain cave with the mana.
“The Petlyakov-15 Amusement Engine” is for video-game geeks.
Devjn, a hard-core video-gamer, finds an old 1980s Eastern Bloc video game in a yard sale.
“He called the saleslady over from her busy work of rearranging battered stuffed animals. ‘Is this some kind of custom case on a Nintendo?’
She shrugged. ‘It was my cousin’s, but then he moved out all of the sudden. Wasted all of his time playing video games.’” (p. 27)
Devin is intrigued by the “PE-15” Cyrillic lettering, and amused by its apparent imitation of old American/Japanese video games.
“The next day he dug up a copy of ‘The Legend of Zelda’ and blew dust out of it. He smiled at the shine of the classic golden cartridge. The PE-15 came on and showed him … ‘The Legend of Svetlana’?” (p. 28)
Devin plays deeper and deeper into the PE-15. Since Mythic Transformations is a collection of stories of “people not only encounter[ing] these beings but become[ing] them”, the only question is what will Devin turn into? Hint: it isn’t a fairy-tale princess.
“Little Grey Dragons” takes place in a classic poor Russian village. Washerwoman Alexi’s brother Petrov, the blacksmith’s assistant, finds two strange warm eggs in the forest.
“They turned at a noise from the egg that Alexi had touched. It was cracking. Alexi stared as the cracks spread for several long minutes, and finally a creature’s head emerged. Grey flesh, a grey snout, and a grey eye watching her. She stood there frightened and confused. ‘Petrov,’ she whispered, ‘what is this?’
Petrov murmured, ‘Not Firebirds. Zmei.’ He stared at the other egg, obviously willing it to crack, and it began to do so.” (p. 37)
Petrov determines to use the dragons, Washer and Cinder, to make their fortunes. Alexi becomes more fearful that he is overreaching himself. Eventually Petrov becomes Cinder:
“Alexi froze. Petrov, or the dragon, or whatever they had become, reared up on powerful hindlegs and crushed a boulder. There was no Cinder, only one being that was as large as her old cottage. She stared up into a fanged muzzle that was like an echo of her brother’s face.” (p. 58)
In “Griffin Rider Venn”, Venn is a farm boy who is drafted into the town militia and ordered to guard – something. When the militia is defeated by Imperial soldiers riding dragons, Venn flees into the forest until he comes to an overgrown ziggurat.
“The light took him through twisting halls to a room so big its upper reaches were lost in the shadows, hinting at a tangle of metal cords up there. All along the walls stood glassy jars bigger than a wagon on end and covered with frost. Venn shivered. Whatever this stuff was, it came from ancient times and might do anything at all. No two legends agreed on what the ancient world had been like, except that it had ended in collapse and the forgetting of many wonders. Some of which were dangerous to learn.” (pgs. 62-63)
One of the glassy jars decants a griffin that Venn names Nev and learns to ride as an aerial battle charger. The reader won’t be surprised when Venn becomes Nev early in the story. It’s more about how he as a flying griffin combats the Imperial human-mounted dragons to save his people.
“Kentauroi” is obviously about centaurs, if you know your Greek. Cecrops and his tribe are building a new community in ancient Greece when Athena and Poseidon appear before him.
“Cecrops stood up, shaking, and dared to speak. ‘I don’t understand, glorious ones.’
Athena sighed hard enough to rustle the trees. ‘Don’t bother with flattery. You’ve already been marked by fate. You and your clan are destined to rule this land and build a mighty city. The great wet one over there, and myself, will offer you gifts. All we want is for you to choose one of us as your patron goddess.’
‘Or god,’ Poseidon rumbled.” (p. 78)
Whichever one Cecrops chooses, he is bound to offend the other one, and the Greek gods are notorious for punishing those who offend them. The title gives away what Cecrops and his tribe are turned into. But is being a powerful horse-man really such a curse?
“Ivan and the Black Riders” (reprinted from ROAR vol. 6) is a sequel to “Little Grey Dragons”. It’s also the first story in which the protagonist gets to choose what he becomes. Petrov, now the powerful Dragonlord, offers to recruit Ivan.
“The dragoness [Alexi] held the scroll up to Petrov’s left eye. The Dragonlord rumbled, ‘As I thought. My lieutenant says you’re a former mercenary with a good head on his shoulders. You wish to be young and healthy again? Then join my Black Riders.’
Ivan straightened, feeling the weight of years seem to lift from him already. He guessed: ‘The wolves outside?’
Petrov tapped dagger-length claws on the floor. ‘Exactly. You wouldn’t cross one of them, would you? You’ll have the brains of a man, and be healthier than you ever were while killing some tribe of goat-screwing bandits or bowing to your local Tsarevich bastard. You like hounds, yes? All I ask is that you become mine.’
Ivan stood in the hot cavern, staring at the dragon. He’d come this far; he’d made a sacrifice. If the Dragonlord wanted to change him, it was worth accepting. He lowered himself to his creaking knees and said, ‘Yes, my lord.’
Petrov smiled and shrank. Ivan startled. The Dragonlord had become human, a young man in flame-colored robes. He paced around Ivan, casting shifting shadows. ‘What shall I try? I’ve been experimenting with my powers. I could make you a nice stealthy black wolf, or white with powers of healing and inquisition, or red for battle. Maybe a she-wolf? They can fight. Or even a pup that I can put through a few extra years of training.’” (pgs. 88-89)
Ivan chooses a black wolf-man, to become one of the Dragonlord’s Black Riders. Later, he comes to regret his choice. What he does about it is the story.
The remaining eight stories are short, mostly under ten pages each except the last, “The Temple Beneath the Ashes”. A couple are not transformation tales, but all are fantasies. Mythic Transformations (cover by Fotokostic) is an enjoyable collection of imaginative fantasies, almost all about men (or women) transforming into something other than human.
Like the article? It takes a lot of effort to share these. Please consider supporting Dogpatch Press on Patreon. You can access exclusive stuff for just $1, or get Con*Tact Caffeine Soap as a reward. They’re a popular furry business seen in dealer dens. Be an extra-perky patron – or just order direct from Con*Tact.
S7 Episode 9 – What Do We Do With Our Fursonas, Fursuits, Art, etc. When We Die? - It's a subject the vast majority of us don't want to talk about - our mortality. But as furries, we have so many more unique things to consider - our character, our art, ou
NOW LISTEN!
Show Notes
Special Thanks
Patch, our guest.
Nuka
Anonymous
AusiKat
Music
Some music was provided by Kevin MacLeod at Incompetech.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. We used the following pieces:
Brittle Rille
Echoes of Time
Master Disorder
Space News Music: Fredrik Miller – Orbit. USA: Bandcamp, 2013. Used with permission. (Buy a copy here – support your fellow furs!)
Closing Theme: Serious Moon Business: halc and Miearth - Overclocked Remix. USA: Overlocked Remix, 2010. (Check it out here.)
Patreon Love
The following people have decided this month’s Fur What It’s Worth is worth actual cash! THANK YOU!
Artorias Ichisake
Rifka, the San Francisco Treat!
Lokimutt and Guardian Lion and Cody
Plus Tier Supporters
Skylos
Snares
Swift
Booga
Simone Parker
McRib Tier Supporters
Ilya / EpicRive
Other Supporters
TyR
Next episode: Video Games in the Fandom V! It's a season classic and it's time for it again! Send your comments by February 19, 2016! S7 Episode 9 – What Do We Do With Our Fursonas, Fursuits, Art, etc. When We Die? - It's a subject the vast majority of us don't want to talk about - our mortality. But as furries, we have so many more unique things to consider - our character, our art, ou
189 - Ferret Fitness - See you guys at Fur Squared! Be sure to check ou…
See you guys at Fur Squared! Be sure to check our website for all Things Dragget Show! Podcasts, videos, merch and more! Also, don't forget we stream the D&D sessions Friday at 7pm Central on YouTube! YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/DraggetShow Patreon: www.patreon.com/thedraggetshow telegram chat: t.me/draggetshow 189 - Ferret Fitness - See you guys at Fur Squared! Be sure to check ou…
Black Ink and Big Creatures
A recent discovery from the Long Beach Comic Expo. Seung Woo Cha currently works as a director at Dreamworks TV… but he is also a fine artist, known for his imaginative depictions of wild life from around the world — especially gorillas and other apes. Often working in black ink, he paints in broad artistic strokes that nonetheless capture the essence and power of his subjects. Recently he collected several of his works together into a hardcover portfolio book, appropriately enough entitled The Art of Wild Life. You can purchase the book over at his web site, and see examples of his work as well.
image c. 2018 Draw 4 Life Studios
FC-292 Soon Loose Goose - Back from a three week break we jump into the largest roundup ever, then get collectively silly with some news.
Back from a three week break we jump into the largest roundup ever, then get collectively silly with some news.
Watch Video Link Roundup:- Paradox’s Flickr
- Nuka’s Furry Psychology 2018 Presentation
- FurScience interview on Vice Canada
- TiHusky and ShiaCabbit’s devastating fire
- @FreezeFrame’s The Matrix but with Tide Pods
- SciShow does scientific deepdive on why people are into Tide Pods
- Joaquin Baldwin’s furry support tweets
- Andrew W.K. pay’s for man’s speeding ticket
- E4 furry clip
- Ticer gets quarter finals in Russian Ninja Warrior
- EZCoolDown announces new PCM packs
- Patreon invites some furry creators to present information about furries
- Humanimal Bodypaint Tutorial and YouTube channel
- South China Morning Post article about Hong Kong furries
- Hola Chile’s news clip about furries
- Why Dogs Have Floppy Ears: An Animated Tale
- United Airlines Forced Emotional Support Peacock to Give Up Its Seat
- Onion article about Red Wolf in congress
- Furry.science another interactive 3D furry game
- Tiger suit samsung commercial
- Culturally F’d History of Fursuits series
- FWA 2018 News from the Edge
- Telegram temporarily removed from iOS App Store
- Critical flaw in Telegram’s desktop client allowing hidden malware to be sent fixed
- Awesome InfoSec podcast TechSNAP, also mentions Telegram zero day
- Mozilla tweets at furries from Firefox account
- Rusfurence photos courtesy of Lozi Cheetah
- Rusfurence’s awesome theme
- Furry Fiesta cancels some panels run by Altfurs
- Ask The Werewolves has new Merch
- Sonic Mega Drive upcoming retro game
- The Real Cost Commercial: “Straw City”
- A Dildo Maker Has Finally Determined What The Shape of Water’s Fish Dick Looks Like
- 1979 magazine issue talks about gay animal culture
- Dogpatch Press interview with Commiss.io CEO
- Wolfgang Doe – Teaser – 4k – 2018
- DreamKeepers publishes 400th Prelude
- Waterfall & river under Anthrocon’s convention center flooded
- Toronto Streetcar Furry Party
- Bisexual Polyamorous Goose Love Triangle Ends
- Store Hires Robot To Help Out Customers, Robot Gets Fired For Scaring Customers Away
- Fitness App Releases Data, Accidentally Reveals Top-Secret Military Information
- s0ph0s – Mo’ans
FC-292 Soon Loose Goose - Back from a three week break we jump into the largest roundup ever, then get collectively silly with some news.
Back from a three week break we jump into the largest roundup ever, then get collectively silly with some news.
Watch Video Link Roundup:- Paradox’s Flickr
- Nuka’s Furry Psychology 2018 Presentation
- FurScience interview on Vice Canada
- TiHusky and ShiaCabbit’s devastating fire
- @FreezeFrame’s The Matrix but with Tide Pods
- SciShow does scientific deepdive on why people are into Tide Pods
- Joaquin Baldwin’s furry support tweets
- Andrew W.K. pay’s for man’s speeding ticket
- E4 furry clip
- Ticer gets quarter finals in Russian Ninja Warrior
- EZCoolDown announces new PCM packs
- Patreon invites some furry creators to present information about furries
- Humanimal Bodypaint Tutorial and YouTube channel
- South China Morning Post article about Hong Kong furries
- Hola Chile’s news clip about furries
- Why Dogs Have Floppy Ears: An Animated Tale
- United Airlines Forced Emotional Support Peacock to Give Up Its Seat
- Onion article about Red Wolf in congress
- Furry.science another interactive 3D furry game
- Tiger suit samsung commercial
- Culturally F’d History of Fursuits series
- FWA 2018 News from the Edge
- Telegram temporarily removed from iOS App Store
- Critical flaw in Telegram’s desktop client allowing hidden malware to be sent fixed
- Awesome InfoSec podcast TechSNAP, also mentions Telegram zero day
- Mozilla tweets at furries from Firefox account
- Rusfurence photos courtesy of Lozi Cheetah
- Rusfurence’s awesome theme
- Furry Fiesta cancels some panels run by Altfurs
- Ask The Werewolves has new Merch
- Sonic Mega Drive upcoming retro game
- The Real Cost Commercial: “Straw City”
- A Dildo Maker Has Finally Determined What The Shape of Water’s Fish Dick Looks Like
- 1979 magazine issue talks about gay animal culture
- Dogpatch Press interview with Commiss.io CEO
- Wolfgang Doe – Teaser – 4k – 2018
- DreamKeepers publishes 400th Prelude
- Waterfall & river under Anthrocon’s convention center flooded
- Toronto Streetcar Furry Party
- Bisexual Polyamorous Goose Love Triangle Ends
- Store Hires Robot To Help Out Customers, Robot Gets Fired For Scaring Customers Away
- Fitness App Releases Data, Accidentally Reveals Top-Secret Military Information
- s0ph0s – Mo’ans
[Live] Soon Loose Goose
Back from a three week break we jump into the largest roundup ever, then get collectively silly with some news.
Link Roundup:- Paradox’s Flickr
- Nuka’s Furry Psychology 2018 Presentation
- FurScience interview on Vice Canada
- TiHusky and ShiaCabbit’s devastating fire
- @FreezeFrame’s The Matrix but with Tide Pods
- SciShow does scientific deepdive on why people are into Tide Pods
- Joaquin Baldwin’s furry support tweets
- Andrew W.K. pay’s for man’s speeding ticket
- E4 furry clip
- Ticer gets quarter finals in Russian Ninja Warrior
- EZCoolDown announces new PCM packs
- Patreon invites some furry creators to present information about furries
- Humanimal Bodypaint Tutorial and YouTube channel
- South China Morning Post article about Hong Kong furries
- Hola Chile’s news clip about furries
- Why Dogs Have Floppy Ears: An Animated Tale
- United Airlines Forced Emotional Support Peacock to Give Up Its Seat
- Onion article about Red Wolf in congress
- Furry.science another interactive 3D furry game
- Tiger suit samsung commercial
- Culturally F’d History of Fursuits series
- FWA 2018 News from the Edge
- Telegram temporarily removed from iOS App Store
- Critical flaw in Telegram’s desktop client allowing hidden malware to be sent fixed
- Awesome InfoSec podcast TechSNAP, also mentions Telegram zero day
- Mozilla tweets at furries from Firefox account
- Rusfurence photos courtesy of Lozi Cheetah
- Rusfurence’s awesome theme
- Furry Fiesta cancels some panels run by Altfurs
- Ask The Werewolves has new Merch
- Sonic Mega Drive upcoming retro game
- The Real Cost Commercial: “Straw City”
- A Dildo Maker Has Finally Determined What The Shape of Water’s Fish Dick Looks Like
- 1979 magazine issue talks about gay animal culture
- Dogpatch Press interview with Commiss.io CEO
- Wolfgang Doe – Teaser – 4k – 2018
- DreamKeepers publishes 400th Prelude
- Waterfall & river under Anthrocon’s convention center flooded
- Toronto Streetcar Furry Party
- Bisexual Polyamorous Goose Love Triangle Ends
- Store Hires Robot To Help Out Customers, Robot Gets Fired For Scaring Customers Away
- Fitness App Releases Data, Accidentally Reveals Top-Secret Military Information
- s0ph0s – Mo’ans
Dungeons & Draggets #05 - for all things Dragget: draggetshow.com Here is …
for all things Dragget: draggetshow.com Here is video of it w/ illustrations and more! -- youtu.be/Kx_RdplCKQE Our Patreon w/ great new rewards! www.patreon.com/thedraggetshow Telegram Chat: t.me/draggetshow Dungeons & Draggets #05 - for all things Dragget: draggetshow.com Here is …
Beware of Bunnies with Sharp Things
We found this in a recent Previews magalog: Stabbity Bunny, written by Richard Rivera, illustrated by Dwayne Biddix, and published by Scout Comics. “Seven-year-old Grace, still clutching her adorable plush bunny, is kidnapped by supernatural forces that have been hunting her family for generations. She awakens in a shack on the outskirts of town, and for the first time in her life, the little girl can’t sense her mother’s presence. Her captor knows the family’s secrets, and that link has been severed. When her escape attempt fails, it seems there will be deadly consequences, but an unlikely protector intervenes. It’s a big mistake to kidnap a child with a plush toy named Stabbity Bunny!” Oh you just know someone is working on a movie adaptation of this, don’t you?
image c. 2018 Scout Comics
Fursuiting: A History – a video miniseries by Culturally F’d.
Guest post by Arrkay from Culturally F’d, the furry youtube channel. See their tag on Dogpatch Press for more.
Yesterday we posted a sneak peek of our multi-part miniseries. It looks at animal-costume history from the basics of the mask, theatrical outfits, Hollywood rubber-suits, fandom cosplay, and our very own fuzzy army of unique performers.
Now here’s Part 1: Masks. This video explores the very idea of the mask itself and its ancient origins. Of course we focus on animal-masks, since we’re talking about Fursuit History, not just costuming in general.
This was truly a collaborative effort, so allow me to specifically point to some of the amazing furs that helped make this series not only possible, but brought the quality above and beyond just a simple YouTube blog:
- Thanks to our special guest speaker Archaesophilia for sharing some anthropological insights.
- This installment of Fursuiting: A History was co-written by show-runner Arrkay and Tempe O’Kun.
- Extra big thanks to EZ Wolf for allowing us to use some of the gorgeous convention and fursuit videography from his YouTube channel.
- Sherbert also contributed some of the Mascot footage featured.
- As always the thumbnail artwork and graphic design was handled by co-producer Underbite Dragon.
- The episode also featured music by Eluti, “Speed of Design” (youtube.com/RevamptOrchestra soundcloud.com/caero_musician) and some royalty-free Kerbal Space Program tracks.
- Our opening title animation was created by ButterscotchOtter, with theme music composed by Khord Kitty.
NEXT TIME ON FURSUITING: A HISTORY –
We look at Pantomime Animals and Skin Parts as was explored right here on Dogpatch Press, with a video dedicated to the theatre!
NEXT UP ON CULTURALLY F’d –
We aren’t just releasing Fursuiting: A History. We’re also keeping our regular programming of furry media analysis and fandom videos. We have an all new film-space to work in, so we’re itching to get back into filming on the regular.
- Tempe O’Kun has written up a romantic analysis of the 1973’s Disney’s Robin Hood.
- We animate Arrkay and Underbite’s interview on the podcast #CreatorTown.
So SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL ALREADY!
Like this and want more? Buy Culturally F’d Merch, Support Culturally F’d on Patreon, and subscribe to the Newsletter.
Fursuiting: a History | Part 1: Masks
Son of Dragon: Save the World
New from Humanoids we have Dragonseed, a full-color fantasy graphic novel written by Kurt McClung (Might & Magic) and illustrated by the team of Jimenez and Mateo Guerrero (Warlands). “For centuries the men and creatures of Krath have prepared for a conflict that many hoped would never happen. A half-blood, Adam Serre Shadow, now has just two moons to find the thief of the teardrop stone, stolen from his fire-breathing father, before the Council of Elders trigger all-out war. The son of a Dragon will stop at nothing to find the magical relic and preserve the fragile peace that still exists between the two species.” It’s available now as a digital comic and as a deluxe hardcover.
image c. 2018 Humanoids
Trailer: Fursuit History
Culturally F'd has produced a multi-part documentary on the history of fursuits and here is the trailer. The first episode drops tomorrow. Also we supplied footage from our household collection.
View Video
Fursuit History Trailer
Coming this #FursuitFriday: Animal-costume history that goes way beyond furries!
Guest post by Arrkay from Culturally F’d, the furry youtube channel. See their tag on Dogpatch Press for more.
Get a load of this sneak peak for this weeks long-awaited Culturally F’d Miniseries. Inspired by a series of articles right here on Dogpatch.Press, Fursuiting: A History is an expedition straight into the uncanny valley.
This multi-part miniseries will look at animal-costume history from the basics of the mask, theatrical outfits, Hollywood rubber-suits, fandom cosplay, and our very own fuzzy army of unique performers. Stay tuned this #FursuitFriday for the first installment of our 2018 series – and make sure to subscribe to Culturally F’d on YouTube to catch new videos as they come.
The music used in the trailer is “Ascendance” by Fox Amoore.
Also check out our older, concept trailer that parodies the Westworld opening titles.
Plus you can see our version side by side with the Westworld open:
Like this and want more? Buy Culturally F’d Merch, Support Culturally F’d on Patreon, and subscribe to their Newsletter.
Run, Rodents, Run!
We had not heard about the Hammy and Gerbee series, but now the first volume is out, and apparently more are coming soon. Written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee, the first story of this graphic novel series for young readers is called Hammy and Gerbee: Mummies at the Museum. “Things are looking up for best friends Hammy and Gerbee—a hamster and a gerbil—when they find out they’re both in Miss Capybara’s class. But it’s not long before school becomes a battle between the good (Hammy and Gerbee), the bad (spelling bees and pop quizzes), and the evil (mice twins Anna and Hanna). Can things get any worse? Or mischievous? Yep! They’re going on a field trip to the science museum. What are two rodent friends to do but find their own fun (and trouble)?” It’s available now over at Barnes & Noble, from Henry Holt.
image c. 2018 Henry Holt
FA 099.5 Active Listening and Maintaining Empathy - Is porn a good teacher for sex? Is talking the talk good enough to maintain empathy? Santorum strikes when you least expect it! All this, and more, on this week's Feral Attraction!
Hello everyone!
We open this week's show with a discussion our panel on TFF. We then launch into a conversation about a recent article from the New York Times about how porn might be causing harm in the approach teenagers have toward sexual encounters. We discuss whether or not porn should be expected to be an educator for sex and what we can do better on a societal level.
Our main topic is on Active Listening and Maintaining Empathy. We've had many episodes on how to use nonviolent communication. This is only half of the equation, and that you must employ active listening skills in order to maintain empathy and find a way to bridge the divide between perspectives. We also talk about the terrifying concept that we as people can be fallible and oftentimes are the ones who are causing stress in a relationship, and how we can employ active listening to lower our barriers and identify ways to communicate and reciprocate everyone's wants and needs in a relationship.
We close out the show with a question on anal-- a top is concerned with the amount of Santorum produced when he has sex with his fuck buddy. How can he talk to his friend with benefits about douching before dicking?
For more information, including a list of topics, see our Show Notes for this episode.
Thanks and, as always, be well!
FA 099.5 Active Listening and Maintaining Empathy - Is porn a good teacher for sex? Is talking the talk good enough to maintain empathy? Santorum strikes when you least expect it! All this, and more, on this week's Feral Attraction!