Pegasus/Winged Horse/Nightmare

[Baggins]

There are some slight contradictions in the dialogue with some of the earlier games as well.

For example if you look at those winged horses in the castle, it states they are an image of "a Pegasus". Pegasus however was a singular being in previous KQ games. Most specifically you are given his name in KQ5, where it states, "Stone statues of Pegasus guard the old, crumbling temple".

In other words, Pegasus was intended to be a singular being, not a species.

[Delling]

There are some slight contradictions in the dialogue with some of the earlier games as well.

For example if you look at those winged horses in the castle, it states they are an image of "a Pegasus". Pegasus however was a singular being in previous KQ games. Most specifically you are given his name in KQ5, where it states, "Stone statues of Pegasus guard the old, crumbling temple".

In other words, Pegasus was intended to be a singular being, not a species.

I understand where you're coming from, but Pegasus is actually a singular being in the original Greek because it is a name.

The games themselves have demonstrated that more than one winged horse exists (KQ2, KQ6) (something not true in Greek mythology at least for a very long time after Bellorophon and Pegasus went galavanting around), and Pegasus as a term is often used for all winged horses in regards to their species since Pegasus is such an iconic example of a winged horse.

This is just a weakness in the terminology surrounding the idea of a winged horse in fantasy. Rule of Cool: Pegasus sounds cooler: let's go with that.

[Baggins]

The winged horse in KQ6 is actually, "a winged horse", or the Nightmare, named Night Mare . The species is simply "winged horse" (as per KQII narration, and KQ6 if you look at nightmare, IRC), did you ever try looking at said image in KQ6? Its an image of a "galloping horse".

http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/Pegasus

[Baggins]

So I tried to do some research, came across a few vague references to the "Night-Mare". Apparently it was a female black winged horse in Greek myth. It is actually based on greek legend that predates Pegasus, apparently. It concerns a female winged horse named Aganippe or Aganipe, which apparently was a avatar form of Demeter. Best I can tell the myth is pretty obscure, and I haven't found much more about it.

It seems in another myth Aganippe was a spring formed by the hooves of Pegasus.

In anycase the earlier myth apparently was adapted into medieval vampiric myth about a black mare, "Night-Mare" that would land on people's chests while htey slept causing difficulty in breathing and try to take there soul/cause terrifying dreams or some such. Also called a Mara, IIRC. Of course where we got our term, "nightmare" from, for aweful dreams, apparently.

[crayauchtin]

Using one of my favorite web sites -- Encyclopedia Mythica -- I was able to uncover a few myths about Pegasus, and one about a winged horse called Al Borak (although Al Borak sounds more like something you'd hallucinate rather than an actual winged horse )
According to Encyclopedia Mythica, Aganippe is the name of a nymph that lives at the Hippocrene (the fountain that sprung up from Pegasus' hoof striking the ground) -- apparently the fountain is also sometimes called the Aganippe.

Also, several medieval demons sat on the chests of their sleeping victims, making breathing difficulty and/or stealing their soul and/or causing nightmares. Most famous of all of these are incubi and succubae -- although those are also known to be MUCH more sexual than what you're discussing. Most of the demons that do that, however, are said to have cloven or hooved feet which makes me wonder if they don't all spring from the same source of inspiration.

[KatieHal]

I've split this discussion into its own thread; I'll be moving it to Fan Feedback in a moment.

[Baggins]

So there are essentially three uses for the name Aganippe in various green legends apparently, earliest is the Night-Mare, an aspect of Demeter, then the Nymph, and the Spring created by Pegasus. All seem to have some connection to the winged horse legends. Albeit the Night-Mare and the Nymph legends may be more closely related, as in one developed into the other in some form. Apparently that Aganippe means something along the lines of the "Mare that kills mercifully".

It seems that its probably the early Night-Mare that Roberta probably was inspired by, rather than the saxon succubi style one.

The mara/nightmare/mare/succubus stories have there modern equivalents as well...

Some of the alien abduction stories. Ever notice how many relate having some alien sitting on their chest, and not being able to "move"?

I've read that the feeling actually comes from som recognized medical condition, forget what its called, but basically its a deep REM hallucination of sorts. Basically mentally awake during the REM cycle, as in eyes open, somewhat aware, but the rest of the body in deep sleep.

Apparently there are also early myths for a winged horse named Arion that predates Pegasus as well, and very well may have evolved into the later Pegasus legends. Thus both may essentially be the same being.