Wendigo

WENDIGO

Voracious appetite for human flesh. “The evil spirit that devours mankind.”

Said to have glowing eyes, long yellowed fangs and overly long tongues. Tall and lanky and driven by a horrible hunger.

According to the lore, the wendigo is created whenever a human resorts to cannibalism to survive. Many believe the wendigo still exists in Northern Minnesota and Canada.

 

They are believed to be killed by fire.

Werewolf

WEREWOLF

A person who shapeshifts into a wolf, either purposely, by using magic, or after being placed under a curse.

The transformation may or may not be associated with the appearance of the full moon. 

A werewolf allegedly can be killed by complete destruction of the heart or brain. Most legends mention silver as the most destructive thing to a werewolf. 

*In Greek mythology the story of Lycaon supplies one of the earliest examples of a werewolf legend. According to one form of it, Lycaon was transformed into a wolf as a result of eating human flesh; one of those who were present at periodical sacrifice on Mount Lycaon was said to suffer a similar fate.

To Become A Werewolf: 

1. Drink water out of the footprint of the animal in question. 

2. To be directly bitten by a werewolf, where the saliva enters the bloodstream. 

3. May be a hereditary condition, meaning, if one or both parents carry the curse, their child will as well. 

 

The form of a werewolf is not always an ordinary wolf, but is often larger and more powerful than an ordinary wolf. 

Chupacabra

CHUPACABRA - “Goat-Sucker”

It is associated with Puerto Rico, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, and the U.S.A. (Especially in U.S.’s Latin-American communities and Maine.)

Reported habit of attacking and drinking the blood of livestock, especially goats. 

Appearance: 

Typically described as being 3ft (1m) or taller. Roughly humanoid in shape.

Said to appear in 3 specific forms:

1. A lizard-like being, appearing to have leathery or scaly greenish-gray skin and sharp spines or quills running down its back. This form stands 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2m) high, and stands and hops in a similar fashion to a kangaroo. A forked tongue, large fangs, and known to hiss and screech when alarmed, as well as leave a sulfuric stench behind. When it screeches, some reports note that the chupacabra’s eyes glow an unusual red, then give the witness nausea. 

2. Bears a resemblance to a wallaby or dog standing on its hind legs. It stands and hops as a kangaroo, and it has coarse fur with greyish facial hair. The head is similar to a dog’s and its mouth has large teeth. 

3. Described as a strange breed of wild dog. This form is mostly hairless, has a pronounced spinal ridge, unusually pronounced eye sockets, teeth, and claws.

This animal is said to be the result of interbreeding between several populations of wild dogs, though enthusiasts claim that it might be an example of a dog-like reptile. 

Some reports claim that the chupacabra’s red eyes have the ability to hypnotize and paralyze their prey—leaving the prey animal mentally stunned, allowing the chupacabra to suck to animal’s blood at its leisure.

Unlike conventional predators, the chupacabra sucks all of the animal’s blood (and sometimes organs) through a single hole or two holes. 

Acheri

ACHERI 

Acheri are plague demons or spirits. They live in the mountains and at night they come down to prey on their victims, which are usually children.

Acheri appear as gray-skinned little girls. 

They kill their victims by infecting them with diseases.

According to legend, Acheri will sing and play drums and other instruments in the night and anyone who hears them will soon grow sick and die. It is also believed that Acheri kill their victims with their shadows. 

Defense Against Acheri: 

Parents would place a red ribbon or thread around the necks of their children in order to protect them from Acheri.

 

According to Chippewa tradition, the only way to kill an Acheri is to wrap a medicine woman’s red cloth around its neck. Avoid the shadow of an Acheri at all costs.

 

Banshee

BANSHEE

It is an Irish/Scottish fairy. It’s an ancestral spirit appointed to forewarn members of certain Irish families of their time of death. 

Chiefly appears in one of 3 guises: 

1. A young woman

2. A stately matron

3. A raddled old hag 

She usually wears either a grey, hooded cloak or the winding shee or grave robe of the unshriven dead. She may also appear as a washer-woman, and is seen apparently washing the blood-stained clothes of those who are about to die.

She is not always seen, but her mourning call is heard, usually at night when someone is about to die. 

In some parts of Leinster, she is referred to as the “Keening Woman” whose wail can be so piercing that it shatters glass.

The banshee may also appear in a variety of other forms, such as that of a hooded crow, stoat, hare, and weasel—animals associated in Ireland with witchcraft. 

There is no harm or evil in her presence, unless she is seen in the act of crying—but this is a fatal sign.

 

Demon

DEMON (DAEMON) 

Demons are fallen angels under the command of Satan. Demons can enter the body of a human, therefore taking command of the human. The human may or may not be conscious during this time. Demons possess the bodies of humans because their true forms have almost no power on Earth. They use their stolen bodies to commit acts of evil and chaos. 

Species of Demons: 

1. Fates, who alter destiny

2. Poltergeists, who cause mischief

3. Incubi and Succubi, who stimulate lust and perversion

4. Marching hordes, who bring about war 

5. Familiars, who assist witches

6. Nightmares, who disturb sleep through bad dreams

7. Disguised demons

8. Demons who assail the saintly

9. Demons who instigate witchcraft 

Powers: Intellect, knowledge, emotion, self-awareness, will, ability to speak. 

Demons have no fixed appearance; they are able to take every look they find required. 

 

Ghoul

GHOUL 

The Arabian ghoul lures travelers into the desert wastes to slay and devour them, and also robs graves and feeds on the flesh of the dead, or on young children. It is known as a skin-walker demon that can transform itself into the guise of an animal. Their appetite is nearly insatiable. 

Powers: The ghoul is impervious to pain, does not age, needs no air to breathe, and is immune to drugs, poisons, and gases. Guns and knives can wound them, but they will not destroy them, as ghouls possess remarkable regenerative powers, enabling them to withstand large caliber weapons and even small explosives. They are no stronger than humans, but they are agile and fast. The ghoul possesses keen night-vision and can smell human flesh from up to a mile away. 

Weaknesses: The ghoul is a nocturnal creature, and is repelled by sunlight and artificial light. Neither cause any real harm, but their speed and strength are reduced. They are highly susceptible to fire. Decapitation is another effective way to destroy one. 

After eating a person/animal’s flesh, the ghoul gains the ability to transform into him or her. 

 

Shtriga

SHTRIGA

In Albanian folklore the shtriga is a vampiric witch which sucks the blood of infants during the night. After she had had her fill, she would then turn into a small flying insect (moth, bee, fly, etc.) and make her escape. She would also sometimes take adult victims by sucking out their “spiritus vitae” (life force) while they slept.

She prefers to drink from infants and young children because their life force is stronger. 

The victims of a shtriga will get extremely sick, go into comas, and then die. 

The shtriga was typically seen as a woman who lived in secret within the community. A common telltale sign was a young girl whose hair was turning white. Others believe that the shtriga is a flying demon who would only attack at night. 

Often said to be vulnerable when eating, but only with iron-wrought rounds. 

Said to take on the appearance of an old woman (hag) during the day.

Would carry around an inverted cross. 

 

The Fates

THE FATES 

Have the power of deciding a man’s destiny. They decide whether he is good or evil. They decide how long he lives, how he lives, and what happens along the way.

There are three Fates:

1. Clotho, who spins the Thread of Life

2. Lachesis, who chooses the lot in life one will have

3. Atropos, who at death with her shears, cuts the Thread of Life

At the birth of a man, the Fates spin out the thread of his future life, follow his steps, and direct the consequences of his actions according to the counsel of the gods.

Zeus, if he chose, had the power to save even those who were on the brink of death. 

They were prophetic deities, whose ministers were all the soothsayers and oracles. They were described as ugly women, who were severe, inflexible and stern.

Clotho carried a spindle or a roll (the book of fate), Lachesis a staff with which she pointed to the horoscope on a globe, and Atropos a scroll, a wax tablet, a sundial, a pair of scales, or a cutting instrument.

At the birth of each man they appeared spinning, measuring, and cutting the thread of life.

In Roman mythology they were known as Nona, Decuma, and Morta. 

They wielded the power to bring death even to the gods, and so were feared by Zeus himself. Zeus, Apollo, etc. would occasionally persuade the Fates to let certain people live a little longer, sometimes out of kindness, sometimes because of a need for revenge.

Countless mortals prayed to the Fates for a long life, the healthy birth of a child, and a good harvest. 

 

Basilisk

BASILISK 

Comes from the Greek basileus, meaning king. The basilisk is the King of the Snakes and is the most poisonous creature on Earth. 

The golden basilisk poisoned everything by his mere look.

The evil-eye basilisk terrorized and killed every creature by his third eye on the top of a golden head.

The sanguineness basilisk sting made the flesh fall off the bones of his victim. 

Said to be endowed with a crest upon its head, constituting a crown. 

"He does not impel his body, like other serpents, by a multiplied flexion, but advances lofty and upright. He kills the shrubs, not only by contact, but by breathing on them, and splits the rocks, such power of evil is there in him." – The Roman naturalist Pliny.

No agreed upon image, but often described as having the head and feet of a rooster, the tail of a great serpent, and the body of an eagle, with wings sometimes covered in scales.

When other snakes heard the basilisk coming, they slithered away as fast as they could, no matter what they were doing before, even if they had been eating the most tasteful of meals.

It was generally believed that if a man on horseback killed a basilisk with a spear, the poison would run up the weapon and kill not only the rider, but the horse as well. 

One particularly effective way to kill a basilisk was to show it a mirror, and in a sort of poetic justice, let its own deadly gaze take its life. 

 

Djinn

DJINN

Known as “genies” in English, Djinn have deep roots in Arab culture. They were first mentioned in stories told by Indian, Persian, and Arabian storytellers, gaining international fame when they were featured throughout the tales Scheherezade told in The Thousand and One Nights.

Many believe that they are angry spirits born from smokeless fire—man was born of the earth itself.

Although the djinn does inhabit the earth, its dimension makes it somewhat separate and distinct from the normal human realm. 

Known for their illusion casting. Can manifest into any form and travel anywhere instantly. Known to live in ruins. Said to avoid salt and steel. 

There are five different types of djinn: The least powerful is the Jann, next is the Djinn, and then the Sheytans (devils). The Afrits are very powerful, but the Marids are the most dangerous of all. 

Djinn are believed to be responsible for illness and mishaps. It is said that the great and wise King Solomon shut misbehaving Djinn in lead-stoppered bottles and threw them into the sea. 

The Djinn would often gruesomely punish anyone who wronged them, even unintentionally.

Wraith

WRAITH

Apparition of a living person. Usually an omen of dead. Can alter the perceptions of those they appear in front of, causing hallucinations.

 Queen Elizabeth I, Catherine of Russia, and the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley claimed to have seen this omen. After seeing her own double, Catherine ordered her guards to fire upon it.

 In Scotland, it was believed that the wraith of one about to die would appear wrapped in a shroud; The higher the shroud reached, the closer one was to death.

 A wraith's true form is revealed in a mirror. Contact with silver can weaken—or in severe cases, burn—a wraith, while piercing its heart with silver will effectively kill it.  

Mermaid/Merman

MERMAID/MERMAN

An underwater creature with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish.

In the earliest lore, the goddess Atargatis transformed herself into a mermaid after accidentally killing her human lover. Mermaids have since been known to easily fall in love with humans.

Associated with dangerous events, such as shipwrecks, drowning, storms, floods, etc. They are associated with sirens, of the Greek myth, due to their similar habitats and tales of bewitching sailors and dragging to the bottom of the sea, drowning them.  

Mare/Mara

MARE/MARA (NIGHTMARE)

An evil spirit, which originated in Scandinavian folklore, and was known for sitting atop a person's chest while he slept, causing bad dreams.

A mara could take the form of a beautiful woman and visit men in their dreams, torturing them with desire and dragging the life out of them.

In Serbia, the mare (mora) entered a bedroom through the keyhole, sat on a sleeping man's chest, and strangled him in his sleep. Children were advised to place an upside-down broom next to the bedroom door at night, and sleep facing the window. Others would say an elaborate prayer poem. 

Kelpies

KELPIES

Water horse

A water spirit that takes the form of a horse-like creature. Resides in lakes and rivers in Scotland and Ireland.

Used the form of a pony to lure children to the water, then pulled them down to the bottom until they drowned.

Usually docile, but if a man mounts it, the creature will plunge into the water with him, never to resurface. 

Changeling

CHANGELING

The offspring of a magical creature that was secretly left in place of a human child.

Children with birth defects were most likely the origin of changeling lore.

Have been known to feed on the human mothers they are left with, bringing bad omens to their home and livestock.

The only weapon to work effectively on a changeling is fire.

 

Arachne

ARACHNE

Humanoid creatures who feed on women and children.

Cannot be killed but by beheading.

The first Arachne was born a woman in Ancient Greece. It is said that she was a master weaver who claimed she was better than the goddess Athena herself. After challenging the goddess to a contest, Arachne wove a tapestry which depicted the gods in the worst light. Furious, Athena tore the tapestry apart, and the distraught Arachne took her own life. Later, Athena resurrected the weaver and bestowed minor godship upon her, making her immortal. This came at the price of Arachne taking the form of a giant spider. The Arachne that are alive today are said to be her children.

 

Lamia

LAMIA

A monster with the head and breasts of a woman, and the body of a serpent.

Known to suck the blood of children and perform witchcraft.

In the original tale, the first Lamia was a Libyan queen with whom the Greek god Zeus fell in love. The goddess Hera, who grew jealous of the queen's beauty, cursed her with the form of a woman's head and waist and a serpent's tail. She was also unable to close her eyes, preventing her from ever resting. Her children, similar creatures who feed on the blood of humans, are said to act like succubi, luring men with their beauty and injecting them with their venom.

WEAKNESSES:

1. A silver knife blessed by a priest

2. rosemary

3. fire 

Hellhounds

HELLHOUNDS

A giant black dog with yellow or red eyes, that possesses great strength and speed.

Must take a soul to the afterlife after a person has died. Thought to be controlled by demons and the devil.

Can be deterred by:

1. holy water

2. rosemary and salt

3. fire

4. a silver knife blessed by a priest

 

Undead

UNDEAD

A living corpse. When a person is dead, but his body acts as if alive.

 

Common examples:

-vampires

-ghouls

-ghosts

-possession by demon

-mummies

-dhampir

 

Thought to have little to no weaknesses, though beheading has proven to be the best way to defeat the undead.

 

Recommended:

1. destroy or remove the brain

2. destroy or remove the heart

 

One of the most well-known examples of an undead is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. 

Boogeyman/Black Annis

BOOGEYMAN

A legendary monster with the ability to change its appearance as often as needed, making it rather difficult to capture or kill.

The first stories of the Boogeyman are thought to have originated in Scotland, where the creature was referred to as a 'boggart'.

The Boogeyman has been known to scratch at your window, manifest in a green fog, or—most commonly—hide under your bed or in your closet. He usually preys upon children who misbehave.

There are many different versions of the boogeyman, depending on what part of the world you're looking at.

Sack Man:

A common character in Latin countries (Brazil, Portugal, and Spain). Described as a thin elderly man with a sack over his head, who takes children away from their homes. Some legends say that the Sack Man eats the children he captures, while others claim that he sells them as slaves.

In Bulgarian lore, the Sack Man is known as the inverse of Father Christmas, and the family partner of Baba Yaga.

 

BLACK ANNIS

A female version of the Boogeyman, popular in English folklore. Seen as a crone or witch with iron claws and blue skin, who haunts Leicestershire.

Parents warned their children of the Black Annis, convinced that she would reach into their homes and snatch them away if they misbehaved.

In the most gruesome of legends, the witch was known to hang the children, then wear their skin around her waist.  

Vampire

VAMPIRE

Known as the living dead, because their corpses rise again when the sun sets.

Night creatures who drink the blood of humans in order to survive. Most often seen with fangs, pale skin, red eyes, and claws. Sometimes linked with the chupacabra, a blood-sucking dog.

Most of the lore centers around the most famous vampire, Dracula. He was known to be vulnerable to sunlight, garlic, crosses, and holy water. A wooden stake to the heart is the most well-known way to defeat a vampire.

The original tales of living dead described them as being similar to bloated corpses with dark purplish skin, and blood dripping from their mouths. At first, fangs were not a typical feature of the common vampire.

It is a common superstition that, because one lacks a soul, a vampire does not possess a shadow and cannot enter a house without a mortal's invitation.

 

Becoming a Vampire:

A common belief was that any warlocks or witches who denounced Christianity could become a vampire after death. Though the most popular belief is that vampires can transform humans into their kind with a bite.

 

Killing the Living Dead:

Although the stake is the preferred method of defeating a vampire—ash, hawthorn, and oak wood, mostly—sprinkling holy water on the demon, exorcism, or decapitation could be used just as well. 

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 19.04.2011

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