31 Days of Monsters - Day 16: Bergmonch

Bergmonch is a German spirit that takes the form of a giant white haired creature wearing a monk's hood. He lives in mountains and likes to play dangerous, often fatal tricks on ill-tempered hikers and miners. He has foul breath that can kill an entire mining crew, and shapeshift into the form of a long-necked horse.

31 Days of Monsters - Day 23: Aufhocker

Aufhockers are Germanic vampire spirits that tear the throats from their victims. They have no consistent shape, but can change to any form that serves their ability to find victims. Aufhockers cannot be killed, but church bells and sunlight frighten them.

31 Days of Monsters - Day 9: Erdhenne

An erdhenne is a house spirit that is normally invisible. It watches over a home and clucks like a chicken when danger is near. If an erdhenne appears, it shows itself as a shaggy grey hen with a short neck. Seeing an erdhenne in this form means you will die within the year.

31 Days of Monsters - Day 4: Nachzerer

In Germany some unfortunate souls reanimate after death as a kind of vampire known as the Nachzerer. Upon rising from the grave, Nachzerer begin eating their own funeral shrouds. After that appetizer, they begin feating on their own corpse. As they devourer their earthly remnants, their family members begin to waste away. A Nachzerer can be paralyzed by placing a coin in its mouth. It can then be destroyed by beheading.

31 Days of Monsters: The Nachtrapp

The German Nachtrapp is a giant bird that only comes out at night. It searches for naughty children, which it abducts from their beds and takes home to tear apart and devour. The Nachtrapp has no eyes, only empty sockets, and if you look into them, you will die instantly.

31 Days of Monsters: Werewolf of Bedburg

In 1589 in the village of Epprath near Bedburg, Germany, a farmer was apprehended and put on trial for witchcraft and murder. Peter Stumpp was tortured on the rack and eventually confessed to congress with the devil and 14 murders while in the form of a monstrous werewolf. After his confession, he was flayed and beheaded, and prior to death Stumpp's arms and legs were broken with an axe to prevent him from returning from the grave. 

31 Days of Monsters 2014: Krampus

We end this year’s 31 Days of Monsters with a favorite of mine. Krampus is a devilish beast from Germany and Bavaria who accompanies St. Nicholas on his Christmastime travels. While St. Nicholas is benign and gives gifts and treats to good boys and girls, Krampus has something else planned for the bad children of the world. Carrying a switch and an enormous length of chain, Krampus tracks down children who have been particularly bad, and kidnaps them in the night before Christmas. With his switch be beats them for their ill manners, and then he wraps them in chains and carries them away never to be seen again. The mere mention of Krampus is enough to keep even the nastiest brat in line sometimes, so you’d better watch out, because the days are growing shorter and the temperatures are dropping. Christmastime is on its way, and so is Krampus kiddies. Be good, or else!

Happy Halloween