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Post by Rod,the baldander on Mar 3, 2019 17:13:08 GMT
Post to talk about creatures of mythology and folklore from India. Most of the time I only encounter nagas,rakshasas,vetalas,Garuda,Ranuman (these last two are gods,no creatures really). Are there other creatures besides these? I also accept book leads,especially if you can find it online.
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Post by chaoticmythboy on Mar 3, 2019 17:51:16 GMT
there isn't a huge number but there are definitely more
examples- Archeri - A demonic spirit from INDIA and eastern mythology, the Archeri takes the form of a little girl and delights in spreading disease to children and the elderly. She is often seen as a frail little girl with pale grey skin who lives in the mountains. When disturbed by human activity she will come down from the mountain and dance into festivals and harvests in order to attract children to her. Children are then infected by the Archeri casting its shadow on them. Falsely believed to be native american
Churel - ( India/Hindu) ghost of a woman who died in child birth come back for vengeance , blood, and semen of all her male relatives, she drains their life force. she has sagging breasts, messy hair, backwards feet or legs, a pot belly, claw like hands, scruffy long pubic hair, a thick black tongue, and tusks
Baital-large brown skinned muscular man bat creature with goat tail can take over bodies buried beneath its tree. skin is impossible to pierce or damage.Baital / Vetal:Another Indian vampire, the Baital may resemble small, bat-like humans, monstrous bats or emaciated corpses that hang upside-down. Their most noteworthy ability is to possess dead
bodies, which take on a grotesque appearance, and, like the Churel, inverted limbs.This creature is most famous for its role in "The Twenty-five Tales of the Baital", a collection of stories often compared to the Arabian Nights.
Pishacha- India/Hindu flesh eating demons. dark complexion with bulging veins and protruding, red eyes They feed on human energies. Sometimes, they possess human beings and alter their thoughts, and the victims are afflicted with a variety of maladies and abnormalities like insanity.
Preta or hungry ghosts seem to be shared among india and china
Makara (Sanskrit: मकर) is a sea-creature in Hindu culture. It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal in the frontal part (stag, deer, crocodile, or elephant) and half aquatic animal in the hind part (usually a fish or seal tail, though sometimes a peacock or even a floral tail is depicted.)
Mom- is a strange hybrid, half cat, half lion, though some Lanna artisans present it as a big lizard. As a result, it's often a decorative feature of the entrance to the vihara (chapel) of Buddhist temples. The story behind them is that they are a great deal smarter than human beings (which may not be saying much - just look at us!) but because they cling to what they have and know, they are unable to achieve enlightenment and have forfeited Nirvana. We are supposed to take it as warning to avoid trishna/tanha - 'clinging' - if we want to move beyond our limitations.
Ceremonially, just as for other aquatic creatures - frogs etc - the Mom is invoked for rain. During the hot dry period, before planting, farmers would put a carved representation of the Mom in a wicker basket and take it in procession through the village and to the temple...rain sure to follow - sometimes. For some reason this rain-making business is also attributed to cats. One of the Chiang Mai historians, the late Ajarn Kraisi Nimmanahaeminda, has written of the custom of dowsing a cat during the Songkran period, which citizens believed to be a sure-fire method of getting the downpour they needed. And even nowadays, during the Songkran ceremonies, an important Buddha image is carried through town and respectfully lustrated for the same reason.
To come back to the Mom, some folklorists believe it's akin to the Chinese kilen - a sort of dog/lion hybrid, but the fact is that accurate memory of origins and function have faded, so that to most of us it's become just a decorative feature. One of the places you can see it is in the back of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, next to the sightseeing area.
What's that? You don't want to invoke the rain. You're going trekking? Well, OK, but remember the poor farmers. Just a little bit of rain, Mom, but not too much.
Uchchaihshravas - Created during an event called Samudra manthan, this heavenly seven-headed horse is said to be the Vahana (vehicle) of numerous Hindu deities and demons, such as Surya and Bali, and is also regarded as the king of all equines. There is a legend about deities betting over the colour of its tail, and a demon cheating in this bet. It is coveted by other deities, and one god was cursed by Vishnu for ignoring his commands due to being too distracted by the beauty of the creature.
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Post by QuirkyBestiary on Mar 8, 2019 13:56:28 GMT
Here are all the creatures which are either from Indian mythology or to be found in India which are currently canon in L&O. This means that they are all the Indian creatures that I have currently found in my exploration of world mythology. The Acheri is not on this list because I have no clue where it should actually be...
Aeternae - Resembling humanoids with the heads and faces of triceratops dinosaurs, these massive Indian ogres were encountered by Alexander the Great and his men according to ancient Greek traditions. They killed their victims by impaling them on their bony horns and frills, and then eating their mutilated corpses.
Airi - Always accompanied by packs of baying hellhounds, these terrifying Indian ghosts are born from the souls of those who are killed in hunting accidents, and will haunt the general area in which they died. Their saliva is said to be so toxic that anyone who is exposed to it will die unless a special ritual is carried out. Anyone who encounters one of these monsters will either be burnt to death by their fiery eyes, savaged by the hounds or will have their liver torn from their body.
Alvantin - Indian vampires, these creatures are supposedly created when a cursed woman dies in childbirth, and will return from the grave to hunt down all those involved in the death. They will spread an incurable sickness among these people through bites and scratches, which will eventually cause paralysis and death.
Apsara - Mentioned in the religions and Hindu traditions of Asia and India, these Heavenly nymphs usually resemble unnaturally beautiful human women with thin waists and wide hips, as well as long flowing garments. They are well-known for their dancing skills, and are commonly sent by powerful deities such as Indra to monitor humans that have special connections to them, often deliberately distracting them from their practices if they get too powerful. This is often done through seduction.
Asrapa - Usually appearing as completely nude humanoid women, these Indian vampires are said to have either been born from a sage named Kashyapa and his wife Muni, or to have been created as tulpas when Brahma was angry, and are described as shapeshifters that can reanimate the dead using magic given to them by the goddess Kali. The ghoulish witch-like creatures will wander cemetaries, and are known to consume the flesh of any humans they find, be they alive or dead.
Baital - Thought to be extremely similar if not identical to the Vetala, these creatures hang upside-down in caves and caverns across India, and are known to venture into graveyards in order to possess human cadavers, which they will reanimate and use as vehicles. They can make their presence known by driving humans in their vicinity mad, as well as killing children and causing miscarriages. However, they have sometimes been said to guard villages against lesser evil spirits.
Betikhan - Found in the Indian Nilgiri Mountains, these satyr-like spirits are greatly revered by the local human population, and are said to have the torsos of humans and the legs of deer. They are also alleged to hunt wild beasts in their vicinity, thus aiding the balance of a natural ecosystem. Despite the tricksterish behaviour of their faun relatives, there is currently not enough information available to determine if the Betikhan are dangerous.
Bouders - Enormous in both power and stature, these brutish Djinn are referred to as standing guard over powerful Hindu deities such as Shiva in Indian mythology. Very little is known about their lifestyle or abilities, and they are rarely seen because of the sparsely with which deities manifest on Earth. They are thought to be evil, and are distantly related to demons.
Brahmaparusha - Feeding on the brains and blood of their victims and using their entrails as trophies and ornamentation, these horrendous Indian vampires are thought to represent hybrids of demons and the infamous undead monsters. They are incredibly difficult to kill, and have been known to possess human corpses in order to camouflage themselves among their potential victims' communities.
Cauga - Also known as 'Lau', these semi-aquatic Indian spirits are found in the seas surrounding the Andaman Islands, and are held to be the ghosts of ancient ancestors or other deceased islanders in the local Hindu folklore. They are presumably capable of shapeshifting, because they apparently come ashore to live among the natives and spread supernatural diseases among vulnerable populations. Their name is also used to refer to aquatic ghosts in general.
Centycore - Sometimes mistaken for unicorns because of the single antlers that grow from the middle of their foreheads, these sinister creatures are found in the plains of India according to medieval bestiaries, and combine the features of bears, horses and lions. Some sources mention that the creatures have human voices, which could suggest that they have mimicry-based abilities.
Chedipe - Either created when women die unnatural deaths such as through childbirth or suicide, or were prostitutes in life, these undead witches are known from the folklore of the Godavari River region in India, in which they are said to appear at night as nude humanoids riding atop tigers. They will choose a specific household on which to feed, draining the blood of the men in the house from their toes overnight. If the men do not seek medical treatment, they will slowly weaken before dying.
Chhattisgarh Spaceman - Descending from the skies in mighty, disk-shaped crafts, these alien ultraterrestrials are depicted in ancient Indian cave paintings dating from 10,000 years ago. They are depicted as having long faces and large eyes, as well as sometimes wearing space suits and abducting human victims. Some of the modern-day natives of the area worship the paintings out of fear that the beings will one day return.
Chordeva - Mentioned in the folklore of the Oraon hill tribe of India's Bengal, these shapeshifting dark magic users are capable of changing their souls into the forms of cats so that they can send them out to prey on the elderly and sick by stealing or poisoning their food. They can also shapeshift into humanoid cat-like vampires, capable of mesmerising people through eye-contact. Anything that can kill a normal cat can kill their feline forms, but their therianthropic forms are indestructible.
Chordewa - Detailed in the Oraon folklore of Bengal, these Indian dark magic users have the ability to separate their souls from their bodies in the forms of black cats in order to enter the houses of sick or dying people, where they will eat all of their food and lick their lips, causing them to die shortly after. It is very difficult to capture one of the cats, but once they are caught the witches will go into a coma, and all the harm done to the cats will appear on the witches. They are likely identical to the Chordeva.
Choromandae - Similar to humanoid lemurs, these Indian creatures were discovered by Pliny the Elder, who found their primitive settlements and villages dotted around the country. They have pronounced snouts and dexterous tails with which they can swing from trees, and communicate between each other in an indiscernible language.
Citipati - Considered to be protector deities in Tibetan Buddhism and the Vajrayāna branch of that same religion present in India, these wrathful entities usually appear as a pair of skeletons dancing wildly while surrounded by a halo, representing the eternal dance of death and perfect awareness. They are said to have originally been two monks who were deep in meditation in a graveyard when they were beheaded by a thief, leading their deified ghosts to declare war on all thieves and criminals.
Ḍākinī - Energy beings in feminine form, these aerial nymph-like spirits are mentioned in the lore surrounding the Vajrayana Buddhism religion, and are also spoken of in the legends of India and Asia in which they are sometimes compared to the Peri. There are many different classes of Ḍākinī, all of which fill different roles such as acting as psychopomps or muses, protecting storytelling traditions and aiding in meditation despite being wrathful and violent by nature. They are related to devas.
Dharmapāla - Wrathful and violent towards those who wish to harm followers of the Buddhist faith, these fearsome deities are actually akin to Buddhas, meaning that they are the embodiments of compassion, and only act in an animalistic manner for the benefit of other sentient beings. They are considered to be the protectors of the Dharma, meaning that they guard the laws of the universe and the Buddhist religion. In Indian and Asian artwork, they are shown as fanged humanoids with colourful skin.
Dundubhi - Armed with sharpened horns and brute strength, this monstrous demon is mentioned in the Ramayana (an Indian Hindu epic poem), which details how it was the embodiment of primal evil and was one of the servants of the rakshasa king known as Ravana. Its name, which translates as 'Drum' is thought to be reference to the monstrous bellowed emitted by the creature. Eventually its reign of terror was ended when a demigod called Vali killed it and hurled its carcass away into the mountains.
Elephantiger - Bulky and powerful mesonychids, these predators are known to exist in small groups in the forests and grasslands of India. They have faces and torsos resembling those of tigers, even mimicking their stripes for camouflage, and heavy legs that are adapted for walking long distances through flat terrain. They are said to have been used as the mounts for the historical king of India known as Phan.
Gandaberunda - Despite their fearsome appearance, these monstrous Indian toothed birds are said to be the predators of various monsters and demons in Indian or Hindu mythology. However, they are very protective of their territory, and have been known to carry off various animals or people that encroach on their habitat, including elephants.
Gold-Digging Ant - Found in both Africa and India, these large insects are said to be covered in hair, and to spend their time constantly digging up gold and precious stones in sandy areas. The locals of these areas will then collect the metals that the creatures find for them, making it a mutually beneficial relationship.
Gumpee Nimitr - Dwelling in the Himmapan Forest found among the Himalayas Mountains just below the Buddhist Heavens, but commonly depicted in the artwork of India and Thailand, these unique hybrid creatures are thought to be related to kinnaras, and resemble angelic humanoids with reptilian legs, often compared to those of crocodiles. The forest in which they dwell may be comparable to the Faery Realm, seeing as it is usually invisible to the human eye.
Hahn Saburo - Normally invisible unless hunting prey, these vampiric Indian spirits resemble will-o-the-wisps in their true forms, appearing as balls of light or lanterns, and are known to lure unwary travelers deep into forests by either making strange noises or summoning packs of hellhounds to chase them towards them. Once the travelers have been driven satisfactorily far away from any sort of help, the vampire will drain their blood before leaving their bodies for the hellhounds to devour.
Ichchadhari Nag - Once a normal king cobra survives for over a hundred years without biting anyone and thus preserving its venom, it will transform into one of these curious shapeshifting beings that are mentioned in Indian folklore. They have red gems on their foreheads that are formed from their venom, and it is this artifact that grants them their abilities. If the gem is stolen, the creature will hunt down and kill the person who took it.
Jigar Khoy - Stealing seed-like organs containing the souls of their victims from their magically-mesmerised bodies, these bizarre North Indian vampires will then implant the stolen organs into their own legs in order to cook them, literally roasting their own limbs over a fire to make the organs edible before serving them to other members of their species. They can also make more of themselves by recruiting apprentices who are willing to learn dark magic and then eat cakes made of human livers.
Jnana Dakini Simhamukha - Manifesting as a humanoid female with the head of a lion, this violent and wrathful entity is known from the Vajrayana Buddhism of India and Asia, and is said to be a vengeful remnant of a previously-existing Ḍākinī as opposed to a spirit subjugated by magic. It acts as a meditation deity known as a Yidam, repelling attacks by malevolent psychics or demons. This being is the Buddhist equivalent of the lion-riding Hindu deity known as Durga, both repelling demons.
Karyōbinga - Preaching Buddhist religious messages in their hypnotically beautiful voices, these winged beings resemble the classical sirins or harpies, and were originally mentioned in Indian mythology. They are believed to start emitting spiritual songs whilst inside their eggs, and to then move on to a special realm of Paradise when they die. Listening to their songs can help people achieve enlightenment.
Lycaon - According to ancient Greek explorers such as Pliny, these carnivorous creatures are found in the plains of India, and resemble wolves or big cats with large manes as well as the ability to change the color of their skin like a chameleon. Although they share their name with an individual who is widely regarded as the first werewolf, they are not thought to have any relation to this creature. Pliny said that they are related to the Parandrus and the Thos.
Macrobi - Living to 140 years old according to the literature produced by numerous Ancient Greek writers and explorers, these long-lived humanoids are said to live in mountain ranges across India and to grow to heights of around 8ft. Some sources suggest that they do not cast shadows, and that they subsist on a diet of snake's flesh, allowing their bodies to be free from any potentially harmful microbes. They do not biologically age, but instead die when their bodies appear to be middle aged.
Mande Barung - Living in the forests of India, this apelike creature has been receiving a large amount of attention from hunters in recent years, and is thought to be 9ft tall and omnivorous. It has been observed feeding on both crabs and fruit, and is covered in a thick coat of dark hair. There is debate as to whether it is a relative of sasquatch, or a relict gigantopithecus.
Mandi - Similar to humans in most respects, this curious race of people is described in the writings of Pliny the Elder, and are supposedly found on the plains of India. They live in a matriarchal society akin to that of the legendary Amazons, and reach full physical maturity at age seven. Worryingly, they grow old and die at an age of roughly 40 years.
Masan - Created when a bully child from a low caste (roughly analogous to social class) dies, these grotesque undead vampires are known from the folklore of India, and delight in tormenting and draining the life force of children in its vicinity, turning their skin hideous shades of yellow and purple. They are attracted to households containing people who incorrectly put out fires. The only way to save the life of a child being harassed by a Masan is to have them weighed in salt.
Mechho Bhoot - Continuing to sustain themselves on the resources offered by bodies of water even after death, these ghostly fishermen are known from the Bengali mythology of India. They sometimes appear to living fishermen and members of waterside communities, begging to be given portions of fish. If they are not given this kindness, they will become threatening and violent.
Muhnochwa - Found in the suburbs of the Indian area of Uttar Pradesh, these terrifying phantom attackers resemble monstrous insects or mechanical drones with bright red and green lights attached to them, and are sometimes referred to as 'face scratchers' because of the vicious claws that are attached to their six limbs. They usually attack in times of droughts or in areas of low light, causing mass hysteria and localised panic. The wounds that they inflict are accompanied by burning sensations.
Mukai - Easily recognisable by their backwards-pointing feet, these bizarre vampires are known from Indian tradition, and are born when a woman dies in childbirth or under any other conditions considered to be 'unnatural' in local belief. They will attack members of their own family, hunting down all of the males first and draining them of blood overnight, before moving onto all the others. If a man is given a piece of food by a Mukai, and he accepts, all of his hair will turn white overnight.
Mumiai - Known for their persecution of the peasantry and lazy individuals of lower castes, these Indian ghosts single out those who have demonstrated bad habits and lacklustre behaviour, or have stolen from their neighbours, and inflict severe poltergeist-like hauntings on them. The ghost will take hold of their possessions, smashing their pottery and trampling over their gardens until the victims finally relent and are forced to move away from their houses.
Nāga - Capable of both good and evil, these venomous humanoid serpents are found in the religion and lore of India and Asia, in which they are said to be almost godlike in power and mannerisms. They are curious beings, who often emerge from their watery habitats in human forms. Although they are said to protect villages from floods, they are sometimes said to cause them as well.
Nāgarāja - Sometimes worshipped as snake deities, these powerful nāgas are known from the Indian lore surrounding the Hindu religion. Three individuals of the species are known, and they represent different aspects of snakes, with one signifying the helpful connotations of the reptiles in that they drive rodents away, while another of the creatures is aggressive and venomous. A Hindu epic describes how one of them, Vāsuki, sought refuge near to one of the temples when threatened by Garuda.
Nejamesha - Related to white storks and Cupid, this Indian deity resembles a humanoid woman with large wings and the head of a goat. It is sometimes compared with Baphomet because of its similar appearance, and is known to grant children and pregnancies to its followers through immaculate conception.
New Delhi Monkey Man - Also known as Kala Bandar, these Indian hairy humanoids are thought to either be ultraterrestrial or phantom attackers in origin, and were known to attack by scratching and biting human victims. They would leap and jump from rooftops and balconies, attacking unsuspecting prey from above. Their bodies are covered in dark hair and they appear to wear helmets, and have flashing lights on their chests.
Odontotyrannos - Resembling a multiple-horned theropod dinosaur, these creatures are found in the swamps and forests of India. It is said that they hunt large mammalian prey such as elephants, but are not afraid to target the camps of human settlers if food is scarce. They live semi-aquatic lives, and will often ambush prey by lunging out of lakes or swamps.
Pa Snake - Found in China, Greece and India where they are also known as Bashe and Cyonoeides, these enormous blue serpentine dragons are known to hunt elephants by lying in wait in lakes and rivers, and ambushing their prey before grabbing them by the trunk and dragging them beneath the water. After one to three years to digestion, they will spit out the bleached bones of the elephants. Eating the flesh of a Pa Snake is known to cure lung and heart ailments such as tuberculosis.
Pard - The fastest land animals on record, these feline predators are found in the grasslands of Africa and India, where they hunt large animals in packs. Because they are so fast, it is said that they are incapable of being completely still for any amount of time, and will vibrate furiously when stood in one space. Supposedly, leopards are the offspring of lions and these cats.
Penchapechi - Appearing as monstrous owl-like creatures, these unique Indian ghosts stalk lonely travelers through the forests of Bengal, waiting until they are completely alone and defenceless before killing them and eating their bodies. Unlike other ghosts, they are known to physically consume the corpses of their victims in a manner more akin to vampires or ghouls, suggesting that they may not actually be conventional ghosts.
Pey - Found on battlefields and areas of conflict across India and Sri Lanka, these cannibalistic humanoids resemble normal humans at first glance, and can often be seen scavenging the bodies of fallen soldiers and innocent bystanders caught in the conflict. They will drain the corpses of blood while on site, and will then take the exsanguinated remains back to their dwellings to cook and eat them.
Picacu - Closely related to Pishacha, these ghoulish Indian creatures take on loosely feminine forms, and haunt cemeteries and graveyards in which they dig up and feast on the corpses of the dead. Very little is known about them, though they are thought to be able to possess humans that they encounter and drive them to madness, forcing them to commit heinous crimes and sins.
Pishacha - Haunting the cremation grounds and graveyards of India, these shadowy demons are known for their glowing red eyes and protruding veins that cover their bodies. They are capable of shapeshifting into any form that they desire, and can alter and feed off human emotions through possession. In order to keep the demons away, religious officials would give them a share of the food used in traditional ceremonies.
Pogeyan - Large and grey, these strange cats are found in the grasslands or mountainous forest areas of India, and are referred to as 'mist cats' in the local language. They are known to hunt and kill human children, using their plainly-colored pelts to camouflage themselves against the thick trees of their habitat.
Purushamriga - Known to have apotropaic properties when they are depicted in sculptural artwork, these South Indian sphinx-like creatures are often represented in architecture around the entrances to temples or places of religious devotion, for the purpose of cleansing those who walk through them of their sins. They are also often seen acting as the Vahanas (mounts) of a Hindu deity known as Lord Venkateswara during annual festivals or parades such as Srivari Brahmotsavam.
Rompo - Although small in size, these ghoulish creatures resemble skeletal ferrets or weasels, and feed exclusively on human corpses. They are aggressive in behavior, and make a crooning sound when they eat. Despite mostly being found in African grasslands, there are some stories of the creatures also being present in India.
Satyral - With a face like a human, long horns like those of an ox, and the body of a tiger, these mighty Indian beasts are truly a sight to behold. They are much rarer than manticores, to which they are thought to be closely related. There is a belief among local cultures that these creatures represent humans using shapeshifting abilities, though this is currently unconfirmed.
Sciapod - Also known as monopods, these almost-ridiculous humanoids were first discovered living in India and Africa by ancient Greek explorers, though were also mentioned in European literature from the Middle-Ages. They are known to lie on their backs and protect themselves from the heat of the midday sun using the shadows generated by their single feet. Despite this physical characteristic that might otherwise be considered a handicap, they can leap great distances.
Shudala Madan - Known from the folklore of the Tamil people of India and Sri Lanka, these unique ghoulish elementals are normally found in graveyards, and linger about in places where executions or murders have taken place. They are said to be comprised of fire and water, and will either live underwater or in areas of extreme heat and flammability. Due to a gift from the deity Siva, they can shapeshift as well as transmute matter into other materials.
Sirin - Often confused with sirens, these magical birds are found in India but are known from Russian folklore, where they produce beautiful music that will make all mortals who hear it forget everything they know and ultimately die. It is said that only those who are truly happy with their lives can see and hear the creatures, which seems ironic seeing as their music causes death.
Skōlex - Serpentine aquatic crocodiles, these Indian creatures are known to devour livestock and humans that wander into their river habitat. They have large square teeth and bodies that measure roughly 4 meters long. Because of their appearance and distribution, they are often confused with the indus worm.
Skondhokata - Disturbing Indian ghosts, these headless entities are born from the souls of those who are killed in train or railway-related incidents, and will haunt the place of their death. They are known to lash out randomly at any that disturb them, and seeing as they are usually present at train stations, these victims are often unsuspecting passengers. Despite this, they seem content to frighten passersby rather than doing any real harm.
Syrictæ - Found in the deserts and jungles of India according to Medieval bestiaries, these strange humanoids have snakelike faces and scales running down their arms and legs. Despite their savage appearance and carnivorous diet, they are a civilized race, and are known to construct cities and towns for their people to live in.
Thanacth - Quadruped primates, these animals come from India and are often mistaken for genuine sphinxes. They are covered in tawny brown fur, and hunt midsized prey silently using their padded feet. They have faces like humans, except with notably stubbed noses, and are thought to be related to gibbons and monkeys.
Vetala - Armed with supernaturally enhanced senses, these Indian creatures are capable of inhabiting human corpses and turning them into vampire-like creatures which do not decay. They can be found in graveyards and burial chambers, and have a strong venom that can paralyze human prey. They are said to hang upside down from trees during the day, sleeping like bats.
Vidyadhara - Appearing in various religious sources from India and Asia, these airy faeries are known to amass in groups to watch human prowess and combat, and are often seen to enjoy dancing or singing. They are known to leave ornate patterns of flowers on abandoned battlegrounds, and are usually found in mountains and other areas that are secluded and inhabited by powerful Hindu deities, that they attend and support in an angelic fashion.
Visha Kanya - Although they may appear incredibly physically similar to elves or nymphs, these Indian beings have bodily fluids which are incredibly poisonous to humans. They are said to be able to kill with a touch, and their eyes resemble those of snakes when in their true forms. Because of their lethal abilities, they are often employed as mercenaries or hitmen.
Vrikshaka - Capable of making trees and plants bloom with nothing more than touches of their hands or feet, these beautiful humanoid nature spirits are known from the Hindu lore of India, and are thought to be closely related to dryads or nymphs because of their voluptuous feminine forms. They can be attached to single trees or to entire forests, bringing fertility to all forms of nature with which they come into contact. Hindu devotees regard seeing them as beneficial, representing abundance.
Water Lion - These semi-aquatic cats are found in both India and Africa, and are relatives of the prehistoric saber-toothed cats. They are feared by the locals in their habitat, and have often been known to drag livestock and humans alike into the water. I need to rewrite the entry on this creature because it's currently woefully lacking in detail due to it having been written in the very early days of this project...
Weretiger - Vicious shapeshifting predators, these Asian and Indian creatures are usually the result of dark magic users transforming themselves into feline beasts to menace villages and destroy livestock, though they are sometimes also brought into being by hereditary curses. Although they usually hunt livestock, they have been known to become man-eaters on nothing more than a whim.
Yakshini - Although they look demonic, these beautiful and voluptuous Hindu spirits are actually benevolent and helpful. They often divided up into 36 different categories or subspecies, though all of these share the common trait of granting believers in their faith wishes. Despite this, there are thought to be some evil individuals of this species in India, where they act as vicious guardians of an underground treasure.
Yidam - Regarded as tutelary deities of meditation in the Buddhist faith of Asia and India, these nebulous beings are contacted during meditation, when the yogi will identify their own thoughts and physical aspects with that of a Yidam for the purpose of spiritual transformation, seeing as the beings are associated with purity of mind. Among their ranks are other gods such as Chakrasamvara, and esoteric shrines are sometimes built in their honour. Some have argued they may be Tulpas of a sort.
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