The International Guide to the Mythological

Origin: English and Scandinavian Habitat: Churchyards Behavior: Moderate Description:  A ghost of a big black dog. Facts:  Church grims oversee the welfare of a particular  church  and protects the  churchyard  from those who would profane and commit  sacrilege  against it.  It dwells in the churchtower or some other place of concealment, or wanders the grounds at night.  In English and Scandinavian folklore, when a new churchyard is opened it is believed that the first person buried there had to guard it against the devil. In order to prevent a human soul from having to perform such a duty, a dog is buried on the north part of the churchyard as a substitute.  In Yorkshire tradition, it is an ominous parent and is known to toll the church bell at midnight before a death.  They are associated with dark stormy weather . It often appears as a  black dog  but is known to take the fo...

Origin: Norse  mythology Habitat: Graveyards/Gravesite Behavior: Aggressive Description:  They are d ead bodies usually swollen, blackened or dead blue skin, and generally hideous to look at. Their bodies are described as being extremely heavy. Facts: Draugar live in their graves, often guarding treasure buried with them in their burial mound, wreak havoc on living beings, or torment those who had wronged them in life. They are animated corpses — unlike ghosts they have a corporeal body with similar physical abilities as in life. Older literature makes clear distinctions between sea-draugar and land-draugar.  Draugar possess superhuman strength , can increase their size at will, and carry the unmistakable stench of decay.  They are also noted for the ability to rise from the grave as wisps of smoke and "swim" through solid rock ,  which would be useful as a means of exiting their graves.  In folklore, draugar slay their victims through va...