Roc (Rukh)

In Arabian legends, the Roc are gigantic birds, often referred to as 'the Great', and capable of carrying off elephants for food. They are found in various stories of 'The Thousand and One Nights', and are also mentioned to by Marco Polo on his travels. Their eggs, according to Sinbad the Sailor, could measure up to 50 paces in circumference.
The Rocs are probably based on the Elephant-bird, which lived on Madagascar.


Rod

In Slavic mythology, the Rod are the spirits of deceased female ancestors and are considered to be goddesses of fate and fairies. As three women they appear at the cradle of a newborn child and decide the child's fate. In invisible letters they write on the child's forehead the life span and the way he or she will die. They also decide whether the child will live a poor or rich life, and the measure of poverty or wealth.
They can be compared with the Norns, the Norse goddesses of fate, and the Greek Moirae.


Sea Witches

For centuries stories of sea witches have predominately enhanced British folklore. The tales are believed by many in the sea faring trade. Allegedly these beings, which have been described as phantoms, or ghosts of the dead supposedly have the supernatural powers to control seamen's fate on the waves. Sea witches are still believed to lurk up and down the coast ready to scuttle ships upon the rocks, and cause them to founder in storms. In legend Sir Francis Drake is said to have sold his soul to the Devil in order to become a skilled seaman and admiral. The Devil allegedly sent Drake sea witches, who raised a storm which helped him to defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588. The area where the battle occurred near Devil's Point, overlooking Davonport, is still believed to be haunted by witches.


Selkie

The shy Selkies are marine creatures in the shape of a seal. They can be found near the islands of Orkney and Shetland. A female can shed her skin and come ashore as a beautiful woman. When a man finds the skin, he can force the Selkie to be a good, if somewhat sad, wife. Should she ever recover the skin, she will immediately return to sea, leaving her husband behind. The male Selkies are responsible for storms and also for the sinking of ships, which is their way of avenging the hunting of seals.


Sirens

In Greek mythology, the Sirens are creatures with the head of a female and the body of a bird. They lived on an island (Sirenum scopuli; three small rocky islands) and with the irresistible charm of their song they lured mariners to their destruction on the rocks surrounding their island. The Argonauts escaped them because when he heard their song, Orpheus immediately realized the peril they were in. He took out his lyre and sang a song so clear and ringing that drowned the sound of those lovely fatal voices. When on another journey the Argonauts passed the island again, Odysseus had the sailors stuff their ears with wax. He had himself tied to the mast for he wanted to hear their beautiful voices. The Sirens sang when they approached, their words even more enticing than the melody. They would give knowledge to every man who came to them, they said, ripe wisdom and a quickening of the spirit. Odysseys' heart ran with longing but the ropes held him and the ship quickly sailed to safer waters.
Homer mentions only two sirens, but later authors mention three or four. They were regarded as the daughters of Phorcys, or the storm god Achelous. According to Ovid, they were nymphs and the play-mates of Persephone. They were present when she was abducted and, because they did not interfere, Demeter changed them into birds with female faces.


Sluag
Pronounced 'sloo-ah'. Sluag was the Pictish/Scottish fairy of the Highlands and Host of the Unforgiven Dead. Related to the Irish/Celtic Sluagh.