Redcap

The Redcap is a form of Fae and Unseelie from Scottish myth. They resemble short stocky old men, with tangled greasy hair, and bright red hats. They have cat-like claws and wear iron boots. They’re strong enough to overwhelm the average human and can run incredibly fast. Once a victim is mortally wounded, it dips its hat in their blood, leading to the red color. They live around graveyards, castles, and ruins, seldom traveling. They draw strength from the atmosphere of fear, pain, grief, death, or violence. They’re known to play pranks on humans and often trick humans into walking off cliffs, into deadfalls, or thorns. They also may startle horses to make them buck off their riders. Quoting bible passages at them will shame them into leaving.

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.