In India, there is a vampiric spirit that is called a vetala. One is created every time a child dies and does not receive proper funeral rites. When a vetala possesses a corpse it causes a hideous transformation to take place: the feet and hands twist backward; the face twists about until it resembles a fruit bat with slitted eyes; the skin becomes discolored by turning either green, light brown, or white; and the fingernails grow long and carry a poison on them. While the vetala possesses the corpse, it is able to animate it and will use its magic to find human blood to drink, for as long it does so regularly, the body that the vetala is possessing will not decompose. It will call to it a green horse that it will use as its mount.
Using its magic, the vetala will enter into a home by use of an enchanted thread being fed down a chimney. Typically it preys on those who are asleep, using the opportunity to drain them of their blood, but it will also take advantage of a person who has passed out drunk. Women who have gone insane are also fed upon, the idea being no one would believe them if they reported it. But above all, its favorite prey is children. Regardless of whom it attacks, the vetala mostly feeds on intestines and excrement.
Vetalas can cause insanity and miscarriages, and anyone who survives one of its attacks will first suffer through a severe illness before he can begin to recover. However, because of the vetala’s ability to see into the past, present, and future, as well as its deep insight into human nature, it is often the goal of a sorcerer to capture one and use it for his own intent. When not seeking out prey, vetalas are at rest hanging upside down from trees in cemeteries, dark forests, or any deserted place. They may be appeased with offerings of gifts, but should that not work, they can be driven off with the use of magical spells. Should all else fail, the body of the child that caused the creation of the vetala must be found. Then proper funeral rites must be performed over it, essentially destroying the vetala.
One of the Vetala’s most remarkable attributes is its ability to see past, present, and future. This trait, often associated with deities and seers, places the Vetala in a unique position within Hindu mythology. It’s akin to a “spiritual GPS”, capable of spanning the vast expanse of time and space.
The Vetala myth presents a compelling paradox. On the one hand, the Vetala is depicted as a creature of horror, lurking in the most ancient and secluded forests, preying on unsuspecting travelers. Yet, it is also portrayed as a source of wisdom and assistance, imparting valuable knowledge to those able to control it. This duality, at once frightening and enlightening, adds a new dimension to the Vetala, transforming it into a character that defies simple categorization.
Famous stories tell of King Vikramaditya’s numerous attempts to ensnare a Vetala, only to be outwitted time and again. This highlights the Vetala’s sly and elusive nature. The Vetala, unlike the stereotypical undead creatures of western lore, holds a complex relationship with demigods. It is not just feared, but also respected, often attributed with the protection of Hindu temples and priceless treasures.
Adze
The Ewe people of southeastern Ghana and southern Togo, Africa, believe that this vampiric spirit looks like a corpse candle, the constant light of a firefly, or like a shining beetle when not
possessing the tribe’s sorcerer. The adze, whose name means “an axelike tool,” is attracted to, hunts, and takes the blood from only the tribe’s most beautiful children. Although the creature would normally drink blood, it can be staved off with offerings of kokosmilch (coconut milk) and palmoel (palm oil). If captured while in its ball of light or insect form, the adze will immediately shapeshift into the form of a human. While it is in this form, any means that would normally kill a human will destroy the vampire.
Much like the corpse candles of Welsh and Irish folklore, the Adze could look like small balls of light from afar. Up close, however, it could appear more or less as a common firefly or as an unusual kind of glowing beetle. But, don’t let yourself be fooled by its looks! The Adze shapeshifts into this form deliberately and full of ill intent. The glow? Perhaps, it is to lure children or draw those who are unfortunate enough not to know the lore of the Adze. And the itty-bitty size? Well, that is for the element of surprise.
In the same way, humans can also willingly summon the Adze to possess their bodies. Those who do so are believed by the Ewe people to be sorcerers or witches. They do this to gain the shapeshifting abilities and supernatural powers the vampire spirit has – attainable, at the expense of their physical body, being a vessel for the Adze to come near communities and walk alongside people without anyone getting suspicious. What happens is, as soon as the Adze host – locally known as adzeto – selects a victim – typically, a person from their tribe that they envy – a firefly would emerge out of their mouth, nose, or head.
However, if someone takes notice of what is happening and successfully captures the Adze in its firefly form, it will turn into its rarely seen but absolutely dangerous, quasi-human form. In this form, the Adze – believed to be at its most desperate, and thus most vicious, state – would almost always try to fiercely attack the person behind its capture. It is because it knows that only in this humanoid form could it be destroyed and defeated – using any of the ways humans could be slain. Be that as it may, there is also a belief that if the human captor effectively lets the Adze realize that it is overpowered, the vampiric being will then start to beg for mercy. Should the person grant the Adze freedom, it is believed that it would become a friend and would vow never to bother the tribe again.
Vrykolaka(s)
A vampiric demon from Greek lore, the vrykolaka (“vampire” or “wolf fairy”) possess the corpse of a person who died a violent death, was improperly buried, was cursed to undeath by a priest, or was excommunicated by the church. When it rises from the grave it looks every bit like the bloated, animated corpse that it is. It will go to the homes of the people it knew in life, its former friends and family, and knock upon their doors. Whoever has the misfortune to answer, the vrykolaka, a bloodthirsty and ravenous thing, will ruthlessly attack by day or by night.
Originally the vrykolaka was not an evil vampiric being but rather a restless spirit that needed to fulfill a task or see to a need before it could rest in peace. It could be anything from a simple chore to as specifically complex as packing a bag, moving to another part of the country, marrying, having children, and living out what would have been the rest of its natural life. It was not until the Greek Orthodox Church became influential enough to sway cultural beliefs that the vrykolaka was considered an implement of the devil. It was deemed that only proper church burial could absolutely prevent the vrykolaka from rising from its grave and doing evil. Being excommunicated from the church absolutely guaranteed that a person would become a vampire.
Vrykolakas, according to Balkan folklore, are undead creatures that share some of the same characteristics as vampires. They have an unusual physical appearance that sets them apart from other creatures. Their bodies do not decay, and instead, they swell up and may even attain a “drum-like” form. They are often very large, have a ruddy complexion, and are fresh and gorged with new blood.
According to Greek folklore, the body of a Vrykolakas must be properly buried to prevent it from returning as an undead creature. People believed that if a person died under suspicious circumstances or if they were not buried properly, they could become a Vrykolakas. To prevent this, they would often place a coin in the mouth of the deceased or tie a cloth around their neck. This was believed to prevent the dead from rising and becoming a Vrykolakas.
In some regions, people would dig up the bodies of their loved ones after a certain amount of time had passed to ensure that they had not become a Vrykolakas. If the body had not decomposed properly, it was believed that the person had become a Vrykolakas and their body would be destroyed to prevent them from causing harm.
Part 2
Sources: Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology, Theresa Bane; vetala; adze; vrykolaka
‘ do you think that maybe we could go do something? ‘ he raised an eyebrow, ‘ like going for a walk would be cool.. or like even just dancing at your club or something.. even though i don’t exactly dance cause i just look like a wet noodle when i try to dance. ‘
“Something’s… odd” The pale faced man spoke softly, languid movements had followed as he took up a seat besides the woman within the bar.
Ocean eyes darted from the grinding of perspiring bodies, to the laughter and noise everyone’s was emitting, to a peculiar and yet familiar scent lingering towards the front counter.
Once he had locked eyes on his new muse again, Sebastian had graced the woman with a small alluring smile. “You seem troubled… and I take it, offering you a drink would be the wrong way to go about introductions?” Indicating to the drinks before him, he sure was quite lost himself, given the fact that he roamed the modern life not knowing where to start and who to hunt.
I'm trying to draw my own characters more often, since last year I kinda abandoned them ;w; So here's a little pic I had on my mind for a long time and that I finally drew at the end of last year!
Remember Annelisse, that dark vampire girl who lives at Jessika's home? Are you curious about WHY does she live there? Well, she had some family issues and ended up leaving her own house, and her three sisters (from left to right: Adeline, Arabelle and Ariel) had mixed reactions about this, but why? what happened?? Would you like to know? ;)
❝ honestly ? i’m terrified i’m going to have to spend eternity alone. ❞
Steve frowned as he looked over at Claire before shaking his head slowly, raising the bottle to his lips and taking another swig. “You won’t, you’ll have me till I’m all old and grey, and then it’ll either go two ways, one reincarnation exists and I appear again as someone new just to continue annoy you for the rest of your life, or you’ll find someone else, you’ll gain a new friend and yeah they might not be as hot as me, but I bet they’ll love you just as fiercely”
death. for your muse to comfort mine after they have lost a loved one.
Steve’s hands shook as he placed the phone back on the hook, swallowing harshly as he turned away. It felt like hours but was merely a few minutes before he spoke up. “My mom... My parents had a car accident, my dad is fine... But—” His eyes stopped focusing on the floor and slowly lifted up to meet Claire’s, refusing to let himself cry, because did she really deserve his tears? If the roles had been reversed, would she have mourned her son?
Not allowing himself to dwell on that thought for too long, his arms immediately sought out the other, wrapping around her and holding her tightly as he hid his face into Claire’s neck, praying that she didn’t mind. “She’s gone...” He whispered, shaking his head slowly as he mentally tried to process it, that the void his parent’s had already left in his life was just going to get larger and this time it not being on purpose.
( rake ) for the sender to rake through the receiver’s hair with their fingers.
Steve was tired. It wasn’t often that he really got the chance to actually relax, to sit down and just let his guard down ever so slightly so he wasn’t feeling so tense. Having invited Claire over and the two of them were happily enjoying each other’s company, lounging on the sofa and watching whatever VHS that he had managed to grab on his way out from work earlier.
It had always felt easy with Claire, that he hadn’t ever needed to hide when he was not really feeling great and she must’ve picked up on it judging by the hand that made it’s way to his hair. A soft noise of content left his throat as he tipped his head ever so slightly to lean into the touch, letting his eyes fall shut briefly. “That feels nice” He murmured with a soft smile, blinking slowly as he turned his head to look over at her.
