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Obour
The Obour is a form of vampire from Bulgaria. When a person is murdered, their spirit suddenly leaves their body only to attempt to re-enter the body later to find it dead. Nine days after burial, the Obour leaves the grave in the form of a supernatural fireball with telekinetic abilities. If these spirits become too harmful they may be captured and bottled by a Djadadjii. They attack anyone who bites cow udders for blood and milk, manipulate shadows to do obscene things, smear feces on holy things, and make random loud noises. This ethereal vandalism continues for forty days before the Obour rises from the grave in its physical…
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Oupire
The Oupire is a form of vampiric creature from Moravia. They returned from the dead to prey on their villages and families, spreading plague with their bite. They are known to attack humans and livestock. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan, and Kramer, David F.. THEY BITE. United States, Citadel Press, 2009.
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Fext/Kostlivec
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Medawlinno
The Medawlinno are spiritually powerful individuals from Abenaki belief. They can locate wild game, leave footprints in rock, and cure people of illness. They often use drums, and preside over weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies. Music is a very significant too for the Medawlinno, and they can use this to communicate with spirits. Citations: Caduto, Michael J.. A Time Before New Hampshire: The Story of a Land and Native Peoples. Lebanon, University of New Hampshire, 2003. Gill, Sam D., and Sullivan, Irene F.. Dictionary of Native American Mythology. United Kingdom, Oxford University Press, 1994.
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Upior
The Upior is a form of vampire from Polish myth and was a common belief among the Ruthenian people. This term is a reinterpretation of the Russian Upyr into Polish myth in the seventeenth century. They are sometimes believed to be dead people possessed by the devil often described as swollen blood-filled corpses. This blood-filled appearance led to the phrase “red as an Upior” becoming popular. Someone born with two hearts, who later grows evil was thought to become an Upior. Corpses suspected to be at risk of rising would be staked in the heart, burned, decapitated and staked, or have pig manure stuffed in their mouths. It was also…
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Upier/Upierczi(pl)
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Zmeu
The Zmeu is from the myths of Romania and the Balkans. They take the form of a flying ball of light to hunt prey. In Romania they take the form of handsome men. They seduce female victims and drains their life force from them. In the Balkans they are believed to take the form of a scaly ogre who can shapeshift into various animals. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.
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Ziz
The Ziz is mentioned in the Bible, in the book of Psalms. They are giant bird creatures which are five hundred miles tall. Their wings are large enough to block out the sun when spread and cause an eclipse. One female Ziz dropped a giant egg that destroyed three hundred cedar trees and flooded three cities. They were originally created to protect a species of bird now extinct. They will be eaten by righteous people at the day of judgement. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Zitny Smij
The Zitny Smij is a form of dragon from Lithuanian myth. It is known for being good natured, and its name means “corn dragon.” They bring corn to their favorite people and look like fire streaking across the sky. They are thought to be one of many forms of household dragons. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Lecouteux, Claude. The Tradition of Household Spirits: Ancestral Lore and Practices. United States, Inner Traditions/Bear, 2013. MacKenzie, Shawn. Dragons for Beginners: Ancient Creatures in a Modern World. United States, Llewellyn Worldwide, Limited, 2012.
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Zeroids
The Zeroids are a form of alien whose name was proposed by Dr. Franklin Ruehl. The Zeroids are theorized as a way to explain UFOs, saying they are living creatures originating in space. Prebiotics in gas clouds are thought to be their origins, and organic compounds that are known to exist in space could serve as building blocks for these creatures. They could be simple or complex creatures in their structure. Due to their origins out in the universe, it is possible these creatures could be older than any known species. It’s theorized that they consume intergalactic dust and gas, or possibly each other. It is thought they would have…
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Zduhać/Aloviti/Vjedogonja/Wind Chasers/Cloud Chaser/Hail Defender/Fairy Man/Dragon Man
The Zduhać are mythical figures from Slavic myth. They are described as people capable of protecting people, homes, and entire villages from rain and hail. They are often thought of as mythical creatures, like dragons or fairies, but in human form. Sometimes they were seen as prophets and connected to angels and saints. They are generally seen as heroic figures that look entirely human, though often melancholic, thoughtful, strong, resourceful, and resilient. A Zduhać could be detected from birth if they were born with the caul still on their head, and they would also often have an affinity to crows. Some believed however that a Zduhać could only be born…
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Yurei
The Yurei is a ghost from Japanese folklore. They are created when a person dies unexpectedly or is murdered or commits suicide. They return from death to enact revenge. They are often seen wearing white kimonos and headbands. This is due to the color white representing mourning. They also often have wild hair, solid upper bodies, fading lower bodies, and feet that are not visible. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.
