Tattlesnusses
Tattlesnusses are a rare yet iconic creature from the upper Yelps Mountains. Beyond their beauty, people know them for a quirk that makes them addicted to secrets. They pursue this addiction as slavishly as a chocoholic pursues hot cocoa.
I also checked out Google Image search and saw some more modern interpretations of the beasts. What I drew ended up being a lot closer to these than the bizarre and harrowing depictions from antiquity. I mean - what the hells is this thing supposed to be?
This one's a bit more like it.
When I was planning the book, I ended up combining the tatzelwurm with another creature I had called a 'snuss' - a type of hairy snake-cat. Finding 'tatzelsnuss' difficult to pronounce, it became the 'tattlesnuss'. I'm not sure if 'tattle' inspired their love of gossip or if it happened by chance, but the name worked anyway!
See Also
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| Tattlesnuss by Zuza Gruzlewska |
These flying snake cats can sometimes be seen flying in the distance, but few get to see them up close. Tattlesnusses only approach those with deep, dark secrets. They'd certainly never harass someone because they did a wee in the swimming pool or secretly found grog a bit gassy.
When not pursuing secrets, tattlesnusses function like any other large cat. Well - they do besides the flying, anyway. If you thought regular cats could be sneaky, that's nothing compared to ones that can divebomb you from hundreds of feet above.
Tattlesnusses have no natural predators but plenty of unnatural ones. The Yelps never eradicated its monsters because they bring in tourists. As much as people enjoy monster hunting, the thrill pales in comparison to capturing an elusive tattlesnuss picture. The only snag is that anyone who gets one inadvertently announces they're hiding a big, juicy secret.
When not pursuing secrets, tattlesnusses function like any other large cat. Well - they do besides the flying, anyway. If you thought regular cats could be sneaky, that's nothing compared to ones that can divebomb you from hundreds of feet above.
Tattlesnusses have no natural predators but plenty of unnatural ones. The Yelps never eradicated its monsters because they bring in tourists. As much as people enjoy monster hunting, the thrill pales in comparison to capturing an elusive tattlesnuss picture. The only snag is that anyone who gets one inadvertently announces they're hiding a big, juicy secret.
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| You can download The Quest Factor for free from several retailers. You can buy it in paperback at Amazon. |
Tattlesnuss Facts
- A pack of tattlesnusses are collectively known as a 'conspiracy'.
- Tattlesnusses make all manner of cat noises. When anticipating a secret, they'll purr; when receiving one they'll dribble.
- These creatures are actually part of a much wider family of snake-cats known as 'snusses'.
Creation Notes
The tattlesnusses have two points of origin. They're largely based on the 'tatzelwurm' - a mythological creature from Europe that combined lizard-like elements with the features of a cat. I came across them while researching monsters from the Alps and Germany for The Fame Eaters.
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| "HEY! HEEEEEEY! YOU GOT MY MONEY? YOU GOT MY MONEY!?" |
I also checked out Google Image search and saw some more modern interpretations of the beasts. What I drew ended up being a lot closer to these than the bizarre and harrowing depictions from antiquity. I mean - what the hells is this thing supposed to be?
-Drachensage-217-Bergstuz_oder_Stollwurm.jpg/800px-Dalla_Torre(1887)-Drachensage-217-Bergstuz_oder_Stollwurm.jpg) |
| It looks like some sort of wolf-gherkin or rat-eel |
This one's a bit more like it.
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| I've had cats that dribble like this |
When I was planning the book, I ended up combining the tatzelwurm with another creature I had called a 'snuss' - a type of hairy snake-cat. Finding 'tatzelsnuss' difficult to pronounce, it became the 'tattlesnuss'. I'm not sure if 'tattle' inspired their love of gossip or if it happened by chance, but the name worked anyway!
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- The Fame Eaters
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