Shadowcats

These shadowcats are dangerous big cats living in the wilderness of the continent of Westeros. They're mostly found in the Mountains of the Moon, the vast cold landscape north of The Wall, the Riverlands and the Red Mountains. These carnivorous cats are able to kill someone with a single strike of a paw. Their claws are very sharp, and their thick fur is black and covered in white stripes. Their teeth are curved and lethal as swords. The sounds they make varies from a blood curdling deep growl to an awful chilling screech. It's said they hunt alone, and in complete darkness and silence. They often consumed all of the meat from their prey, and they crack through the bones to get at the marrow. They leave little of their victims left! These ferocious cats seem to avoid human habitats unless they're starving. It's more than likely for a lone traveller to be attacked by a shadowcat. In prehistoric times, the Children of the Forest lived in tree towns so they avoided the dangerous shadowcats. It's possible to keep a shadowcat as a pet, because a skinchanger, who was of the Free Folk, kept a shadowcat who was under his power. Shadowcats are one of the most interesting animals found in the world of Planetos, in A Song of Ice and Fire books by George R. R. Martin. 

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Countess Bathory

One of the most infamous women in history is Countess Bathory. She's best known as Elizabeth Bathory, the "blood countess" who killed around 600 women. A powerful Hungarian noblewoman of the 16th century, she's always been associated with vampire traits, as she had a thirst for blood. Many horrific tales of her includes bathing in the blood of her victims as she believed this restored her youth. Born as Erzebet Bathory on 7th August 1560 to a family who ruled Transylvania. Her uncle was Stephen Bathory, the king of Poland. Erzebet grew up at her family estate of Ecsed Castle until she married young at age 15. Her husband was a "little Carpathian" lord, named Count Ferenc Nadasdy. Erzebet moved into Cachtice Castle to be with her husband in the region of dark forests. Her husband was often away serving in the Ottoman-Hungarian war, so she was left to run the household. Rumours began among the poor that peasant women were going missing. At the time this wasn't taken seriously because they were assumed as gossip. Young girls as young as 10 worked in the castle began to experience horrors. It's believed the countess also killed the daughters of wealthy families who were less powerful. Apparently, Erzebet used to torment her victims, subjecting them to endless cruelty such as burning, beatings, mutilation, torture and even cannibalism. It wasn't until 1610 that this was properly investigated, on order of King Mattias II. There was found hundreds of witness testimonies that described what Erzebet had done. She was arrested and in her home were some of her latest victims. A few of her most loyal servants were also arrested for helping her to commit awful murders and brutality. During the trial, Bathory was officially accused of killing around 80 people, even though many claimed there were hundreds of victims. She was confined as a prisoner in her own castle, locked in a cell room, until her death on 21st Autust 1614. 

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The Poison Garden

This poisonous garden sounds like it's from a fantasy novel but no, it's a real place! It's known simply as The Poison Garden, an area filled with plants that are deadly. Located in Alnwick Gardens, a huge and wonderful flowery place with many different sections. Found near Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England. Created centuries ago. this super garden is divided with many different features set around a lush water display. The site is beautiful and worth visiting but the Poison Garden needs to be mentioned. It was first made in 2005 by authority of the duchess of Northumberland, who fancied a unique little garden that was completely rogue and interesting. The idea itself is to educate people on poisonous plants and drugs. The poisonous garden has more than 100 types of poisonous deadly plants that include hemlock, foxglove, Deadly Nightshade, angel's trumpets, golden rain, hellebore and wolf's bane. Also many plants are quite commonly found in the wild, such as the poisonous laburnum tree. A very scary place to visit for holiday!

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The city of Asshai

Asshai (pronounced "a-shy") is the name of a port city in the far east of the continent of Essos. This is located in the World of Ice and Fire book by George R. R. Martin. The city of Asshai is a well known busy port city near the mountains known as The Shadow or Shadow Lands, because it's always dark there. The vast city of Asshai is so huge that several other cities could fill it! Despite the enormity of the city, the population is very small. It's believed there's no children living in Asshai but the city residents are workers of magic and sorcery, called shadowbinders, who hide themselves in cloaks and masks. The city is so dark that it seems to absorb light because the structures are made of black stone. The city is by the coast overlooking the Jade Sea. It's busy with trade too. Asshai exports gemstones, gold and dragonglass. Flowing through the city and pouring out into the sea is the river Ash. It's got dark water that glows green at night. It would be unwise to drink from it or consume the deadly fish from there. Nobody knows how old Asshai actually is but it's "always been there". Even the shadowbinders don't know when the city was built. Also near the mountains of the Shadow is an invasive white grass called "ghost grass" spreading around and destroying other plants. Various islands nearby, as well as a neighbouring city called Stygai are so dangerous that even shadowbinders won't go there. It must be mentioned that animals taken to Asshai become deformed and die soon after. Some believe there are hidden mysteries, ancient knowledge and hidden dragons in that city. 

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Medusa

In Greek mythology, there is a frightening monster called Medusa. Her hair is made up of venomous snakes. Her teeth are very sharp and her eyes are so hideous that anyone who dared looked at her would be turned to stone. She was one of the three Gorgon sisters, who were like Medusa. They were called Stheno and Euryale. All three gorgon sisters were once depicted as having golden wings but their appearance changed over time. Only Medusa was the only one who was mortal. There are different versions to the myth. Another origin story written by the Roman author Ovid described Medusa as being once a beautiful woman that served as a priestess in the temple of goddess Athena. The sea god Poseidon fell in love with her, and then he went straight to her in the temple, causing her to be pregnant. This defiled the temple and angered the goddess, so Medusa was cursed to become the evil monster with hair of snakes. She was sent away to live in a grim cave. Later she was slain by the hero Perseus. When Perseus beheaded Medusa, her blood dripped from the hole in her neck and out emerged two remarkable offspring, the children of Medusa and Poseidon. They were Pegasus and Chrysaor. Even though Medusa was dead, her powerful eyes were still capable of turning anyone and anything to stone. Perseus put the head of Medusa into a sack and used it as a weapon on his continued adventures. Later on in the story, the head of Medusa was added to the shield of Athena. 

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Catacombs of Paris

The Catacombs of Paris is an underground tomb filled with millions of human bones. It's a complex system of tunnels that was once an ancient site. First made to extend the old city's full cemetery, and then it became a vast ossuary to lay the dead to rest. During the 18th century, work was done to tidy it up and the skeletons were used to adorn the walls. During the 19th century, the Catacombs was opened as a public display and thus began tourism there in the beautifully made tomb. It's full of mysteries and hauntings. There are strange disappearances and stories of people driven mad while exploring the catacombs. Entering the so-called Gate of Hell, the labyrinth is more frightening further inside. Deeper in the catacombs is an eerie silence. While passages are marked to show people around, there's still a danger of wandering off into oblivion. What's more scary is the fact there are no phone signals down in the catacombs. One particular victim of the catacomb is Philibert Aspairt who died while exploring the catacombs. Addicts of the catacombs (people who keep going back there) are nicknamed cataphiles. These were responsible for having parties in the catacombs, which annoyed the Paris authorities, so various locations were sealed off. It should also be warned that the catacombs can flood, and there are rats living inside them!

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Count Dracula

 

The most famous vampire is Count Dracula. He's a major character from Bram Stoker's novel named Dracula. It's a gothic horror story published in 1897 that explores this mysterious individual who lives in a castle in Transylvania. Dracula is a nobleman that existed for centuries, who has strange powers and a thirst for blood. He's nocturnal and incredibly strong. What's more is that he doesn't cast a shadow or appear to have a reflection. Dracula is known to be a shapeshifter, he can turn into an animal such as a bat, wolf, dog and even whirling dust so he can pass through cracks underneath doors. He selects victims to drink blood from and these are often women. Not all victims die from being bitten by him but they become vampires gradually. It's as though he's infected them with the same condition. Protection against him is mountain ash, wild roses, garlic, sacred relics, religious protection symbols, holy water, sacramental bread and fire. Dracula is terrifying but he's also handsome and charming, which makes him different to other vampire creatures that look like undead corpses. He can be seen as both evil and a romantic figure. Dracula is based on a real historical person, a Wallachian prince of the 15th century called Vlad Dracul, better known as Vlad the Impaler. 

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Highgate Cemetery

Located in the leafy suburbs of London is Highgate Cemetery. Thousands of people are buried there from rich and poor. The cemetery itself was consecrated in 1839 and is now part of the Western section, the oldest area of the cemetery which is now locked. In 1854 the extension of the cemetery was made and called the Eastern part, which people can be allowed to explore today. Highgate Cemetery soon became widely appreciated and a popular tourist attraction. The Victorians were often fascinated with all things gothic anyway so the cemetery inspired them. It's not just a burial ground as it has protected sites with nature walks, woods, winding paths and avenues. It's got unusual attractions like the Egyptian Avenue, Circle of Lebanon, Nero the Lion, Colunnade and Terrace Catacombs. The huge cemetery is mainly filled with statues and curious stone structures. The tombstones and mausoleums are works of art. Besides the fascinating cemetery itself are old legends about ghosts and vampires living there. Sightings of dark robed figures, demons with red eyes and ghouls are some of the spooks reported in the cemetery. Dead animals have been found and blamed on supernatural entities. At one time the coffins exploded because of intense energy and gas. The sounds of eerie voices and screams have been heard at the cemetery during late hours. No one dares to be in the spooky cemetery at night.

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