Fae
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Troll/Hill Men/Hill-People/Jutul/Orcs/Rise/Trolds/Trows/Trulli
Trolls are creatures from Scandinavian folklore. Some count them as one of four kinds of fae seen as enemies to mankind. They are larger than humans, initially by a major degree but over time the difference was lessened, though they are always significantly stronger than humans. They are thought to be cannibalistic creatures that eat humans. They have hunched backs, long crooked noses, grey clothes, and red hats. They can become invisible through the use of their magic hats and are thought to be capable of giving immense strength to someone, see the future, and shapeshift into any form. In ballads they are said to have a king, but this…
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Nisse
The Nisse are a form of Fae from Scandinavian myth. They resemble small humans standing no more than a few inches or feet tall, with one eye, grey or white beards, and pointy red hats. They have wool-like hair, large lower lips, and no thumbs. They live in barns and need to be fed on Thursdays and Christmas Eve. It’s thought that they’re only active at night when people are asleep. They could be helpful, bringing good luck and doing work in exchange for a third of a houses crops. They could however be harmful, tripping people, pushing them down stairs, releasing animals from their pens, and playing various pranks.…
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Knockers
The Knockers are a helpful form of Fae from Cornwall. They are believed to work alongside miners to help them find lost things and lead them to veins of ore. They tap against the walls to lead people to these veins. They are typically helpful but can be dangerous if annoyed. Knockers can be angered if someone whistles or swears, and they throw rocks until these offender apologizes. While most believe Knockers to be a form of Fae, there are other possible origins. – Some beliefs suggest that they are the spirits of Jewish people made to work in mines. – Some suggest they are the spirits of those who…
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Goayr Heddagh
The Goayr Heddagh are from the Manx people from the Isle of Man. They glow with a natural luminescence. They are big scary goats that prey on lone travelers at night, but they will run away if challenged. Citations: Rose, Carol. Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth. United Kingdom, Norton, 2001.
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Féar Gortagh/Fair Gortha/Fear Gortach/Fod Gortach/Fairy Grass/Hungry Grass
The Féar Gortagh is from Irish myth. It’s thought to be a patch of grass where someone died a violent or unnatural death, though it is indistinguishable from any other grass. It drains the life force of its victims, with them sometimes dying if they don’t immediately eat or drink something. Some believe that any who step on Fèar Gortagh becomes so hungry they eat themselves. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2020. 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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Faery Dragon/Fey Dragon/Fairy Dragon/Penny Dragon
The Faery Dragon is a creature commonly from South American folklore. They resemble the typical European Dragon but range from the size of a mouse to a foot long. They also have two sets of wings resembling a dragonfly or butterfly, long tapered snouts, large iridescent eyes, and coloration matching their surroundings. Their scales are thought to reflect rainbows in the correct light. Citations: Zell-Ravenheart, Oberon, and DeKirk, Ashley. Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry. United States, Red Wheel Weiser, 2006.
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Endrop
The Endrop is a form of Fairy Animal from Romanian myth. It’s descrption is incredibly similar to the Kelpie and Each-Uisge . It appears as a horse and entices people to ride on its back. They then dive into the water and drown the rider. It’s thought that victims can only save themselves if they pray to Jesus. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Ellewoman
The Ellefolk are a form of Fae from Denmark, and the females are called Ellewomen. They live in the areas surrounding moors and often resemble gnomes. They appear as beautiful women from the front, but from behind have a massive hole in their back and a bovine tail. They have no heart which is visible due to the hole in the back. The Ellewoman will often begin playing instruments like a harp to further lure in the men they seek to attract. If a man can break the trance and escape being lured in, he is cursed with illness. If an animal grazes in a field where one of the…
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Elleman
The Ellefolk are a form of Fae from Denmark, and the males are called Elleman. They resemble wrinkled old men with flat hats pulled over their brows. They lay down pretending to be in distress or lie in wait for people. When someone approaches the Elleman will curse that person and possibly their entire village, causing illness. If an animal grazes in a field where one of the Elleman has peed or spit, the animal will quickly waste and die, and if it is a cow then this sickness can be passed through the milk. This can be avoided if the farmers ask permission from the Elleman for their animals…
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Le Croque-Mitaine
Le Croque-Mitaine is a bogeyman from France. Its name means “hand cruncher” or “mitten biter.” It is unclear as to what it is. Some guesses are a fairy, one of the Fates, a goblin, or a cat-like humanoid who is sporadically savage and sly. It grinds its teeth. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
