Liderc

By Crusader1307

From Hungary, The Liderc is am unusual, multi-faceted legend. Said to be Household Spirits, they must find a home to live on and to do chores! Said to be non-corporeal, they most often take the form of a "featherless" Chicken. One knows one has a Liderc if one finds a black egg. The Liderc is not normally dangerous (in this form), but will become so if one does not give them work. The best way to rid oneself of a Liderc is to destroy their "egg", before it is born. Sometime in the 15th Century, The Liderc legend took a twist. They were portrayed as vampiric in nature, often taking the form of a recently deceased loved one. This was a ruse to get inside, where they would drink the blood of the targeted family member (normally the widow or widower). It was said, if one made a door-tie from the clothes of the deceased person The Liderc was impersonating (and tied their door close at night), The Liderc could not enter and would have to leave (or starve). Another way of ridding one of a Liderc, was to invite them to Church. By staring at them non-stop, they would feel that their pretense was known by all and would simply - vanish.