Vampires
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Isholugo
The Isholugo are dangerous creatures of South African myth. They are thought to be Impundulu who have escaped magical binding and are no longer forced to serve any magic user. They have a wild bloodlust and are incredibly difficult to track. They can only be killed if they are contained and burned to remove their supernatural strength. 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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Intaka Yezulu
The Intaka Yezulu is a creature from South Africa, and a variation of the Impundulu. It’s name translates to “bird of the sky”, and it appears as a big white bird with a red beak and red legs. It may sometimes take the form of a handsome man to seduce women, and then drain them of their blood. The flapping of their wings makes thunder, and their droppings become lightning. Their very presence can cause miscarriages and hemorrhages. They possess the ability to control eagles, owls, and hammerhead sharks and use them to find prey. Sometimes people bitten by the Intaka Yezulu turn into witches. They can be destroyed by…
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Impundulu
The Impundulu is a strange creature from the myths of South Africa. There are known to be several different variations of the Impundulu. They are often thought to be familiars belonging to witches that are then passed down through the generations. However while they commonly serve witches, it is unclear if they do so willingly, or are forced to do so with magic binding. They most commonly target the enemies of those in charge of them. They survive by draining the blood from livestock. If the Imundulus boss is angry enough at someone then the Impundulu may kill them and their entire families and their livestock completely unprompted. Sometimes they…
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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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Talas
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Ghaddar
The Ghaddar are mythical creatures from the deserts of Yemen, Tihamah, and Egypt. They’re described as female demons appearing as women so attractive almost none can resist her seduction. They lure men away, beat them half to death, torture them for hours or days, and then eat their genitals. The victim is often alive when she feeds but is certainly not afterward. Only those who are devoutly Muslim are thought to be able to resist their seduction. 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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Gashadokuro
Gashadokuro are Japanese Yōkai. They are giant skeletons that walk around at night. After hundreds of people die and rot without funeral rites, the many bones gathered in their restless anger to turn into this. They are recognizable by the sound of chattering teeth, but don’t always make noise. They sneak up on people traveling alone at night, catch their victims, crush them in their hands and bite off their heads. They cannot be killed but eventually wear out over time. Citations: Meyer, Matthew. The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons: A Field Guide to Japanese Yōkai. United States, Matthew Meyer, 2015.
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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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Farkaskoldus
The Farkaskoldus is a vampiric form of werewolf from Hungary. Its name translates to “wolf beggar.” Oftentimes they are undead creatures that in life, were abused shepherds. Sometimes a person could become a Farkaskoldus if they consumed the flesh of someone who was executed. They return from the dead to right some serious wrong and are known to be incredibly dangerous and easy to anger. Sometimes the spirit that brings them back will fade quickly after getting revenge. They can take the form of a cat, dog or goat, and they use these forms to discreetly seek out prey. After finding prey, typically sleeping people, they sit on the person’s…
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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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Empusa/Empusae/Mormolykiai
The Empusa is a bizarre creature that comes from Ancient Greece. They have human bodies, a bronze leg, and a donkey leg and face. They were seen as demonic creatures that served the goddess Hecate.They would lie in wait, hiding in dark spots by the side of the road. Their strange appearance is sometimes believed to be used to hide their true faces which are too terrifying for people to handle. They have the power to disguise themselves as attractive women, or vanish into thin air. They would consume the flesh of their victims. In one specific account, one was kept away when someone used harsh language towards it. Citations:…
