Shapeshifters
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Isithfuntela
The Isithfuntela is from West Africa. They are created when witches enter the bodies of those who have committed suicide. The witch will cut out the corpse’s tongue and drive a wooden peg into its skull to bind it. They can also control them separately to themselves. They lack physical strength and cannot fight a healthy person one on one, but can shapeshift, often turning into bats and rats, and can hypnotize people. They can also raise the dead which turn to dust once the sun rises. They must feed on human blood to survive. They hypnotize their victims and drive wooden pegs into their brains to kill them, then…
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Irimu/Rimu/Izimu
The Irimu is from Wachaga myth. A man would become an Irimu by breaking some taboo. Descriptions of what it looks like varies. Sometimes it is a man who has brambles growing out of his body until he’s just a walking bush, and then he eats everyone. This form is cured by burning the bushes growing out of him. One story tells of one that got swept away in a river and got turned into a banana tree on the shore. A child took a banana and lost a finger in a type of sympathetic magic thing. Sometimes it is seen as an ogre-like creature. It is also sometimes in…
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Gjakpirë
The Gjakpirë are undead creatures from Albania. Though they can take many different forms, their true form is that of a rotting corpse. They travel at night, and often turn into nocturnal predatory birds. They are known to use trickery to lure in their prey, often lying by the side of the road pretending to be an injured traveler in need of help. When victims approach, the Gjakpirë stabs them in the groin or throat with a sharp stick. After the victim is sufficiently weakened, the Gjakpirë drains them of blood before returning to their grave to rest. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That…
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Estrie
The Estrie is a dangerous monster from Hebrew belief. They are thought to be shapeshifters who have been known to take the form of dogs, cats, insects, or snakes. Along with these animal forms, it could take the form of a human, or even specific individuals if it helped them to lure in its prey. They specifically feed on the blood of children and lure them to isolated locations. Once alone, the Estrie reveals their true face and consume their victims. It is believed none have ever seen the face of an Estrie and lived to tell of it. The Estrie may unintentionally lead to the execution of an innocent…
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Eigi Einhamr
The Eigi Einhamr are shapeshifters from Norway and Iceland. Its name translates to “not one-skinned” and they are believed to be capable of taking the form of any animal whose skin they wear. Sometimes it is believed that their shapeshifting is rather them sleeping and astrally projecting themselves in the form of various animals. They can switch between human and animal voluntarily and retain all intelligence and morals between their different forms. Some believe their powers of shapeshifting are gifts from the god Odin. 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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Waillepen
The Waillepen is a form of undead shapeshifter from Mapuche myth. They are thought to take the form of animals, though they may sometimes appear as a horrific conglomeration of animals, commonly a cow and a sheep. They can also appear in the form of a human. They are evil creatures living in swampy woods known to spread disease and attack newborn animals and babies, causing blindness. It is because of these attacks that blind people are sometimes referred to as Waillepen themselves. They are vampiric creatures that feed on flesh and blood, but also chase prey for extended periods to feed on their fear. The Waillepen can only be…
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Cabyll-Ushtey/Glashtinhe
The Cabyll-Ushtey is a mythical creature from Manx folklore. Their name means “water horse” and they are similar to the Kelpie and Each-Uisge. They resemble pale grey horses, but may take the form of a handsome man. They prey on cattle and humans, and are known to stampede horse herds and steals children. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Büxenwolf/Boxenwolf/Böchsenwolf
This is a Werewolf from the Schaumberg region of Germany. A Büxenwolf is formed when a person makes a pact with the devil for knowledge, wealth, and power. They use a magic girdle to fully change from a human to a wolf. In wolf form they have enhanced speed, strength, and intelligence on top of their animal instincts and senses. They are known to be incredibly sadistic and will attack people from behind aiming for the neck to drag victims away. Despite their supernatural power, they can still be killed by normal weapons. Putting a piece of iron or steel above the creature’s head will break its connection with Hell.…
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Buggane
The Buggane is a variation of the Boggart from the Isle of Man. They have bestial bodies, taloned hands, sharp teeth, and large heads. They’re thought to be shapeshifters that take the form of large calves, horses, or dogs. They live primarily in the water, near waterfalls and ponds, and only go on land to hunt. 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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Bruxsa/Bruxa
The Bruxsa is a form of vampiric witch from Portuguese myth. These monsters consciously choose to be evil. They take the form of beautiful women during the day, and can fully pass as humans. At night they turn into birds and like leading travelers astray, attacking them when they have lost hope. They prefer to feed on children’s blood and sometimes they seek men to impregnate her so that she can have a child, and then consume it. They’re immortal and invulnerable using magic to bring drought, illness, destructive rain, and cause livestock to miscarry. Charms made of fresh garlic can be used to keep this creature away and mixing…
