Ghosts
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Radiant Boys
The Radiant Boys are from Europe and Great Britain specifically and are the ghosts of children murdered by their mothers. They glow like phosphorus. They chase people for miles and lure them into bogs. 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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Poltergeist
The Poltergeist is a form of ghost whose name means “noisy ghost” in German. They make their presence known by moving things, breaking things, and even interacting physically with the living. Often they are defined as ghosts that cause mischief, sometimes unexplainable noises. They are sometimes believed in modern days to not be actual creatures, but examples of a phenomenon called RSPK, meaning Recurrent Spontaneous Psychokinesis. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. 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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Mjertovjec
The Mjertovjec is an undead creature from the myths of Belarus. They have the features of vampires, werewolves, and witches, and are created when a werewolf or a witch dies. They may be the ghost of someone who cursed their father during church service. They are described as having purple faces. One could also become a Mjertovjec if they committed heresy, abandoned their faith, or committed crimes against God. They feed on human flesh and blood, hunting only at night. Mjertovjec can be destroyed by sprinkling poppy seeds on the road between their grave and their former house. They could also be killed by driving a nail into their coffin. Citations:…
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Mejenkwaad
The Mejenkwaad is a form of ghost or demon from the Marshall Islands. They are formed when the husbands of pregnant women leave, and do not return before the birth. After transforming, they devour their husbands as soon as they return. It was believed this was the fate of any lonely pregnant woman. There is a story of the island of Airok which had an incredibly high pregnancy death rate and was filled with Mejenkwaad. There were two women who never gave birth and lived to be old. They treated these Mejenkwaad as their daughters. They lived on the oceanside of Airok and none passed through that area because of…
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La Llorona
La Llorona is a well-known ghost from Latin America whose name means “the weeping woman.” It is believed she is the ghost of a woman who’s man left her after impregnating another woman. In an attempt to get revenge against him, she drowns their children in a pond. Due to her crime, she is bound to the area for eternity. She is thought to sing songs common to mothers to lure in children, often from under any body of water, and drags them to their deaths. Sometimes they would need to enter the water, but other times she would simply pounce on them as they get close to the waters…
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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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Jerangkong
The Jerangkong are from Indonesian myth. They are ghosts in the form of human skeletons and are sometimes covered in blood or dirt. They make a chattering sound like hard wood hitting together. They create a gap in their graves and emerge in the form of smoke. They mean no harm. They burn on contact. They have various origins but are said to have been egg thieves in life. They will continue to steal eggs when in the form of the Jerangkong. They will not break the egg but will suck the egg out through the shells pores. Citations: A Book of Indonesian Ghosts. N.p., StoryTale Studios
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Hantu
Hantu is a term used when referring to creatures from Malaysian myths. Hantu is often translated as “ghost” “demon” or “spirit.” They live in a place called Pulau Hantu, roughly meaning “ghost island.” They can generally be split into three classifications these being minor, medium, and greater. They’re nocturnal spirits and typically represent smaller dangers, preying on mankind. It’s believed there is a Hantu for every evil. They can bring disease, and insanity, and may possess people or herald Iblis. They are often invisible and can only be heard rather than seen. Each Hantu has specific strengths and weaknesses, and what these are can vary from town to town or…
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Goryō/gGoryo/Goryo-Shin
The Goryō is a Yokai and a form of ghost from Japanese myth. They are commonly known from the Heian period of 794-857. They’re believed to be the vengeful spirits of people killed as the result of political intrigue, accidents, or unusual circumstances. Some believe anyone could choose to become a Goryo at the moment of their death. It’s thought they bring disease, natural disasters, and wars. They can be identified through necromancy and divination or can be appeased by making them into Goryo-Shin, or Goryo deities. Goryo can be warded off by reciting Buddhist nembutsu, which sends the spirit to the afterlife, or through the use of Inyo magic.…
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El Fantasma Malo
El Fantasma Malo is a form of ghost from El Salvador created when someone builds a house and later dies in it. It’s thought that the effort they put into the building is what ties them to it and leads them to refuse to give up the house to anyone else. They often pull down blankets, throws things, hides things, and move around furniture. It’s thought they may hover over sleeping children in the form of a thick mist and make it hard for them to breathe, making them ill. They may also inhale the breath of a child to steal its life force which causes them to become sick…
