One of the unique creatures found in medieval bestiaries is the loatron. The loatron is believed to have roamed western Europe during the early middle ages, although an ancient Grecian jar with a loatron painted on it has been unearthed in the ruins of the Acropolis.
The loatron is a mythical animal described as a large horned goat with scales instead of fur. They have a slender lizard-like muzzle and long prehensile tail which, like a monkey tail, can wrap around objects. The tip of the tail contains three finger-like appendages that can hold food, weapons, or even tools. Loatrons come in a variety of colors. Without camouflage to hide them from predators loatrons rely on their hard scales, running, and their protective magic to keep them safe.
Little is known of this protective magic. Medieval manuscripts and drawings include loatrons that breath fire, run up walls, and even shoot bees from their mouths. This magic seems to vary from loatron to loatron. Besides magic, the strange animals were known to be intelligent conversationalists. A monk from 952 AD recorded a conversation he had with a lime green loatron who begged the man to teach him to read and write. Perhaps the creature wished to join the monastery.
In medieval times, Loatrons were found in western Europe, particularly around the area today known as Scotland. A common phrase, “You’re as thick-skinned as a loatron,” is still heard in the highlands. One Scottish clan even had a rearing loatron on their coat-of-arms before changing it to the unicorn. Apparently, loatrons are friendly and enjoy discussing politics and religion. The stoic highlanders, horrified at these lengthy conversations, avoided the hills and forests on full moons in case a loatron spied them and wanted to chat. “Stuck with a loatron” then meant getting backed into a corner by a boring conversationalist with no way out.
Irish fairy tales include the story of a loatron that saved a village from a fire-breathing dragon. The Irish harpist, Jack Wheeler, sang an old ballad his granny taught him about a hornless loatron who freed the Isle of Man from evil fairies. On the emerald isle the talkative loatrons were appreciated, especially before modern entertainment. A loatron in a tavern pulled in a crowd of eager listeners.
While loatrons, along with unicorns and dragons, have disappeared from Europe, their legend continues. In the sparsely populated islands off Ireland rumors persist that on brightly moonlit nights you can still run into a loatron. If you smile and wave, you might lure them close enough for a lively conversation about the current state of the government or which team will win the world cup.
Want to learn more about loatrons? Read SARGON THE NOT SO GREAT book 1 in the Tales of Enda series.