Shapeshifters
-
Mandurugo
The Mandurugo is a creature from the Capiz people of the Philippines. Its name means “bloodsucker.” It commonly takes the form of an attractive woman to lure people in, though their true form is a rotting corpse with sharp teeth. Sometimes they are thought to be a form of undead, but sometimes is thought to be a form of living vampire. This living form of Madurugo will lead a normal human life but will go to their window at night when others are asleep, transform into a flying monster, and hunt for blood. They can be hurt with weapons, but not killed. They are vulnerable to fire and little else.…
-
Macan Gadungan
Macan Gadungans are creature from the folklore of Java, Indonesia. They are Therianthropes( humans that turn into animals) that can turn into a tiger. Their name means “false tiger” or “disguised tiger.” It is a crazed or rabid tiger with the soul of a sleeping human inside of it. People who lack a philtrum (the depression in skin between your nose and your upper lip) could activate this transformation with a ritual called Ngelu Gadungan. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
-
Likichiri
The Likichiri is a vampiric creature from Peru. It drains people of their blood and body fat as they sleep. It can shapeshift into various animals to sneak into homes. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2017.
-
Leshy/Lechies (plural)/Leshouikha (male)/Lešak/Leshak/Leshii/Leshiy/Lesiy/Lesní Mužik/Lesnik/Lesny Mužik/Lesny Ded/Lesovij/Lesovik/Lesovy/Lesun/Lešy/Leszi/Leszy
The Leshy is a creature from Slavic myth. They have been classified as nature spirits and old gods and were named as demons in the Dictionaire Infernale. The name Leshy translates to “forest.” They were often compared to Satyrs having goat ears, beards, and horns. They live in forests and are known to run through their woodland homes. They can grow to the height of tall trees or shrink themselves down to the size of a blade of grass. They are thought to have a cry like a Banshee and can imitate voices to lure humans to their cave homes. When they lure in humans, the Leshy will tickle them…
-
Lamiai
The Lamiai are vampiric creatures from Greek myth. They drink blood and consume the flesh of newborns. They attack their prey and rip out their entrails, drinking blood and any milk in the infant’s stomach. They may target pregnant women to kill the mother and the child. Sometimes they would seduce men, have sex with them, and rip out their throats right at the end. They are named after a queen of Libya named Lamia, who was one of the many people Zeus cheated on Hera with. Hera in her rage killed all the children Lamia had with Zeus, and Lamia cursed her for this cruelty. To get her revenge…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Kigatilik
The Kigatilik is a monster from Inuit mythology. They rise from the water to consume the blood and flesh of priests and shamans. They’re thought to consume the heart and other organs. They like to corrupt people from their beliefs. and can shapeshift into attractive women to seduce married men. They may also use these human forms to speak against religious beliefs. Their true form however has thick white fur like a polar bear, large fangs, and massive claws. 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.
-
Khmoch
The Khmoch is a reanimated corpse from the myths of Cambodia. They have rotting flesh, sunken eyes, and a terrible smell. They are known to eat human flesh and blood. They are also thought to appear as an owl before a person’s death using its call to bring the death quicker. They are often believed to be ancestors that came back to control the living through possession. To avoid this, people have to honor their ancestors. Citations: Enright, Laura. Vampires’ Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Bloodthirsty Biters, Stake-wielding Slayers, and Other Undead Oddities. United States, Potomac Books Incorporated, 2011. Leach, Mark M. Cultural Diversity and Suicide: Ethnic, Religious,…
-
Kawelo
Kawelo is from Hawaiin mythology. He lived in Kauai, Hawaii near the Wailua River. There are three rocks where Kawelo was known to stay. The one on the land near the river is called the “Shark Stone,” which was his home on the left side of the river. The rock in the stream was his river home, and the rock at the mouth of the river was his ocean home. He would listen for people on canoes that were heading to the ocean to go fishing and then he’d greet them as they approached wishing them luck. Their fishing, however, would go poorly. They would catch nothing and be attacked…
