The Legend of Drangue

       High above the jagged peaks of the Albanian Alps, where storm clouds brood like ancient spirits and the wind howls in forgotten tongues, a winged warrior soars — Drangue, the sky-born protector of humankind. Born of a mortal mother and a divine force of nature, Drangue came into the world during a thunderstorm so fierce, it split trees in half and turned rivers backwards. His cries echoed like thunder, and when he stretched his tiny arms, the first flashes of lightning danced across the sky.  As he grew, so too did his strength and the winged membranes beneath his arms — leathery and powerful, like those of a storm dragon. The villagers whispered that he was a gift from the gods, sent to protect the Earth from the horrors slithering beneath it.  His nemesis was Kulshedra, a massive, multi-headed serpent-demon who hoarded clouds and scorched the earth with droughts. The Kulshedra demanded blood sacrifices to release the rains, but Drangue would have none of it. Every time the Kulshedra rose to coil around the mountains and blot out the sun, Drangue launched into the sky like a bolt of lightning. Their clashes were the stuff of legends — shaking the heavens, ripping clouds to shreds, and scattering thunder like shattered shields.  One tale speaks of Drangue saving a drought-stricken village by hurling a flaming boulder into the Kulshedra’s throat, freeing the rains and restoring the land.  Another tells of him summoning a sky army of lesser storm spirits to banish her back into the earth’s molten core.  To this day, when a storm rolls through the Albanian highlands with no warning, some say it's not just the weather — it's Drangue taking flight once more, keeping ancient evils at bay.
Symbolism of Drangue:
Drangue is far more than a mythical warrior — he is the personification of resistance, protection, and elemental balance.
- Protector Archetype: In contrast to the fearsome monsters of Albanian folklore, Drangue symbolizes hope. He’s the hero who steps in when the natural world is under siege, much like a guardian angel rooted in native tradition.
- Storm Bringer, Not Destroyer: His association with lightning and storms is not about chaos — it’s about cleansing, change, and restoration. Unlike the Kulshedra’s droughts and decay, Drangue brings life-giving rain and a reset to scorched lands.
- Spiritual Duality: Born of human and divine origins, he stands between two worlds — a bridge between the mortal and the mythic. This duality reflects the human struggle between fear and bravery, passivity and action.
- Cultural Pride: To Albanians, especially in the north, Drangue embodies the valor, independence, and fierce resilience of mountain people. His image is sometimes invoked as a symbol of national strength and freedom.