Croatia
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Vrukolak
The Vrukolak is a vampiric creature from Northern Dalmatia, related to the Vrykolakas. They are created when a cat or dog jumps over a corpse, or when someone is murdered without any witnesses. They first target former friends and family from life, and victims of a Vrukolak also become a Vrukolak. They can transfix people with eye contact or an unnatural screech. It’s impossible to kill them, but they can be crippled to keep them from rising again. To do so you have to cut the tendons in their legs and then nail the coffin down and drive the final nail into their hearts. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire…
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Kudlak
The Kudlak is a creature from Croatian myth. They are born with a caul, which would either result in Kudlak or a Krsnik. They are a form of living vampire that preys on humans in the area. They are thought to have the ability to shapeshift and often takes the form of pigs, oxen, or horses, typically with a black coloration. They are also believed to fly on night winds and use magic. With magic they can magically learn secrets, cause illness, and kill whenever possible. It is often believed every community would have one Kudlak and one Krsnik. Though classified as a living vampire, they can rise from the…
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Krsnik/Kresnik
The Krsnik is a monster hunting creature from Croatia. They are thought to be the only creature powerful enough to oppose the Kudlak. They are born with a caul, which would either result in Krsnik or a Kudlak. Krsnik quickly become aware of their own nature and seeks out evil to combat. It is often believed every community would have one Krsnik and one Kudlak. They are thought to have the ability to shapeshift and often takes the form of pigs, oxen, or horses, typically with a white coloration. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United…
