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  • K,  Thailand,  Vampires

    Krasue/Phi Krasue

    The Krasue are vampiric creatures from the myths of Thailand. They resemble human heads with entrails hanging down, but look completely human throughout the day. They’re often known to crawl on the ground rather than flying and may use their long tongues to pull themself along. They eats feces to get slight traces of life essence, and attacks sleeping humans to feed through the bowels. They cannot be killed, but can be warded off by charms made by a form of spiritual healers called Maw Du. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing…

  • Japan,  K,  River Monsters,  Yokai

    Kappa

    The Kappa is a water-dwelling yokai from Japanese myth. Its name can be translated as “river child.” Sometimes, the Kappa are revered as a form of water gods. They are often depicted with scaly skin that is red, green, or blue. Their faces consist of bulging eyes and turtle beaks. Commonly they have a bowl-like dip in the top of their skull meant to hold water. They’re amphibious or reptilian and move effectively in water, but are clumsy on land. They have webbed hands and feet that lack thumbs, and a turtle shell on their backs. Oddly they have an elastic-like waterproof skin that smells like fish and can be…

  • Germany,  K,  Switzerland

    Kobold

    The Kobold is a form of household spirit from Germany and Switzerland. They test the house and its occupants early on. It carries a pouch containing dust and dirt and will sprinkle some in the family’s milk. If this goes unnoticed, then the Kobold decides it is welcome in the home. They settle in the house, often under the stove. They assist when cleaning if not being watched and keep other spirits from the house. They move on only after the last of the family dies. If any servants were employed at the house, they would have to be taught how to not anger the Kobold, or suffer bad luck…

  • Germany,  Ghosts,  K

    Kindermorderinn

    The Kindermorderinn is a form of ghost from Germany. It’s thought to be the angry spirit of children who were murdered by their mothers. 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. Ogden, Tom. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ghosts and Hauntings. United States, DK Publishing, 1999.

  • Ghosts,  H,  Japan,  K,  P,  S,  T,  Urban Legends,  Yokai

    Teke Teke/Shaka Shaka/ Pata Pata/ Kata Kata/Koto Koto/ Hijikake Babā

    The Teke Teke is a form of ghost from Japanese urban legends. The name is an onomatopoeia meant to reference the sound of them dragging themselves with their hands. They are almost always women and look like people cut in half at the waist. Despite the fact that they crawl, they are thought to be capable of keeping up with cars when in pursuit, sometimes reaching 150km per hour. They commonly carry scythes or sickles. Teke Teke can be found in urban areas, commonly along dark roads. Getting attacked by a Teke Teke is horrific, but stories are often unclear about the specifics of these attacks. Commonly victims are cut…

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  • Inuit,  K,  Q

    Qupqugiaq/Kokogiak

    The Qupqugiaq is a creature from the myths of the Inupait Inuit people. They are described as resembling large polar bears with ten legs, sometimes the size of a whale. They’re thought to hunt and kill like a regular polar bear, and walk with their feet in unison so their tracks resemble those of a typical polar bear. Catching a Qupgugiaq was often seen as good luck. They are often seen as spirit animal helpers, typically only serving shamans who ride on their backs. Some believe normal polar bears turn into Qupqugiaq when they become the spirit animals to shamans. Citations: Iñupiatun Uqaluit Taniktun Sivuninit/Iñupiaq to English Dictionary. United States,…

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  • K,  New England,  P,  Urban Legends

    Phantom Clowns/Killer Clowns

    The Phantom Clowns are an odd phenomenon encountered in New England, 1981. Many others were seen in various locations during the spring of 1981. Witnesses described various clowns attempting to lure away children, often into vans. They were noted to have targeted elementary school children, often trying to lure children in with candy. Some brandished weapons. They evaded capture and detection by any, other than potential victims. Despite their name, they are believed to be flesh and blood. They do however add a layer of validity to a larger Urban Legend of killer clowns. Citations: American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore [3 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia…

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  • Hawaii,  K,  L,  N,  Shapeshifters

    Niuhi/Lala-Kea/Kihikihi

    The Niuhi is a class of man eating sea creature from Hawaiian myth. An alternate name Lala-Kea was once treated as a proper name, but eventually became synonymous with this classification. Sometimes any shark measuring over 3.5 meters is identified as a Niuhi, though they are sometimes believed to be the souls of demigods entering sharks after, or even before, their death. Alternate names like Lālākea refers to reef sharks, and Kihikihi refers to hammerhead sharks. They are believed to be capable of taking human form, have glowing fiery eyes, and are feared for their ferocity and reputation to devour all people. They are dark grey in color with lighter…

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  • Aliens,  K,  Kansas

    Kansas Four Armed Alien

    The Kansas Four-Armed Alien was sighted late at night in Summer 1972. The witness was driving on an empty road when he saw lights in a field and went to investigate. He parked and approached the lights to find a tall, well-built humanoid figure wearing black coveralls and a skull cap, along with white gloves and a belt. It had inhuman facial features including large round eyes, and possessed four arms. The being explained in English that he was a “miscreation” as well as the fourth in command of the nearby ship, which was hidden by glare. The witness claims to have convinced the being to allow him on the…

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  • France,  K,  M

    Mahwot/Karnabo

    The Mahwot, later called the Karnabo, is a monster thought to live in the Lower Meuse Ardennes in France. It is described as an amphibious creature as large as a calf and shaped like a lizard. It rarely leaves the Meuse, and it foretells disaster and destruction. It is thought to come when mothers call for it to attack disobedient children. It is known to make a nasal sound that paralyzes and suffocates people who get too close, and it kills cattle. Later iterations had a human face, eyes like a basilisk, and a trunk-like nose. It is often thought to be locked away in an abandoned slate quarry. Citations:…