Let's start locally, in my hometown Östersund. Östersund is built next to a great lake by the name of Störsjön, which literally translates to "The Great Lake". This lake is home to one of our most appreciated tales and its very special inhabitant is one of few creatures of the swedish folklore that still lives on in the muggle community. It has become an icon of the city that is diligently used in advertising and childrens activities. The creature I'm talking about is of course the Great Lake Monster, henceforth referred to as Storsjöodjuret.

Despite it's name it is not a single monster, atleast not anymore. Storsjöodjuret is a whole species, but I'll come back to that later on. Let me first talk about the origin of these magnificent creatures. 

"A long, long time ago two trolls, Jata and Kata, stood on the shores of the Great-Lake brewing a concoction in their cauldrons. They brewed and mixed and added to the liquid for days and weeks and years. They knew not what would result from their brew but they wondered about it a great deal. One evening there was heard a strange sound from one of their cauldrons. There was a wailing, a groaning and a crying, then suddenly came a loud bang. A strange animal with a black serpentine body and a cat-like head jumped out of the cauldron and disappeared into the lake. The monster enjoyed living in the lake, grew unbelievably larger and awakened terror among the people whenever it appeared. Finally, it extended all the way round the island of Frösön, and could even bite its own tail. Ketil Runske bound the mighty monster with a strong spell which was carved on a stone and raised on the island of Frösön. The serpent was pictured on the stone. Thus was the spell to be tied till the day someone came who could read and understand the inscription on the stone."

This is the first documented story about the origins of Storsjöodjuret, written down by vicar Morgens Pedersen in 1635. While true for some parts, magical and muggle sources alike have disproved great parts of the story.  The most obvious mistake is that the stone mentioned has never depicted the lake montster. There is indeed a stone risen on Frösön, but as a memorial of the christening of Jämtland, with a picture of a serpent believed to be the Midgård Serpent, not Storsjöodjuret.

The second mistake, according to the magical society, is that the brewers, while named Jata and Kata, were not trolls, but witches. Trolls, not even the Swedish troll species, have the ability to brew potions.

So far 200 sightings by 500 muggles has been documented and since the 1689 International Statue of Secrecy was formed the magical community has had trouble concealing the monster, or rather - monsters. It has since being brewed by Jata and Kata laid several eggs and multiplied. 

1892 hunters gathered with the goal of capturing the beast. They were offered money by King Oscar II and the City of Östersund contributed money for the creation of a special trap. Meanwhile the magical community were fighting with the provincial government for the protection of the monster, as well as practically protecting it, but it wasn't until 1986 that the provincial government did something about the matter and protected the species of the Great Lake monster, along with its eggs and habitat. However, since the Magical community weren't keen on letting out proof of the existence of the species the law of protection had to be dissolved 30 years later. Today no one, muggle or magical, is seeking to harm the monster.

Currently a new muggle project is going on, financed by a business association in Svenstavik, as well as the Berg municipality, and the EU funds at the provincial government's disposal. Though this time it's not about harming the monster, but proving its existence, and since the magical community have had a hard time keeping the offspring hidden one of the serpents has been caught on muggle camera. Despite this the Storsjöodjur is under no immediate threat. most muggles regard the sightings as hallucinations.

The storsjöodjur is commonly used in wand making. It's scales as well as dropped whiskers make for excellent cores. Any wand with storsjöodjur in it is excellent in performing any kind of underwater-related magic, as well as care for underwater plants. The core is also great when brewing potions and it is believed this is due to how the monster were born. It sees the potion as the source of life. 

Whiskers and scales are frequently used as ingredients in local potions and candy and when a person is rescued from drowning they are often given a whisker to chew on.