OSCHAERT
One of the many fearsome Black Dogs mentioned in the folklore of Europe. This particular creature, which originates in the area around the town of Hamme, near Duendemonde in Belgium, shares the characteristics of the rest of its kind, and has been described as the size of a horse with fiery eyes. In common with most of these creatures, it preys upon travellers at night, leaping onto their backs and growing heavier until it crushes its victim beneath it. The Oschaert is known especially to seek out those troubled by guilty conscience. A local priest is said to have exorcized the monster a number of years ago and banished it across the sea for a period of 99 years.
Text from The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John and Caitlin Matthews (HarperElement, 2005)










