Vǎrkolak

From Balkan and Slavic folklore comes the chilling tale of the vrykolakas, also known as vǎrkolak. These strange creatures are undead, cursed by their sacriligious way of life, excommunication and burial in unconsecrated ground. Or, you might be cursed by eating the meat of an animal wounded by a werewolf. The difference seems to be how far back in time you go, and how strong a grip Catholicism has on the area. Near as I can tell, anyway.

Some stories say that first, the person becomes a werewolf, living part of their life in the form of a wolf, hunting and killing as one. That’s why meat tainted by a wolf is dangerous - if it were a werewolf and not a regular wolf, then it passes the curse to you.

If a werewolf is killed, it is said they rise anew from the grave as a vǎrkolak. They keep their wolf-like fangs, hairy palms and glowing red eyes, but stalk the land in search of blood, not flesh.

And they must be something to see, because they’re described as having “drum-like” bodies, swollen with blood they’ve gorged on (or possibly putrefying) and a ruddy complexion. Some regions held that people with red hair and grey eyes were vǎrkolaks!

The worst part is these vampires didn’t just roam the night in search of veins - they could do much worse. They had the power to create poltergeist-like activity, knocking on doors and calling the residents out in voices they’d recognise. They can suffocate victims by sitting on them in their sleep (sleep paralysis?) and even cause epidemics of disease.

But it seems they’re not that smart: all you need to do to stay safe from vǎrkolak attack is avoid eating meat from anything you haven’t killed and inspected yourself, and never answer a door on the first knock. Vǎrkolaks never knock twice, so as long as you ignore the first one, you’re safe enough - for now.

Legend says that Vǎrkolaks grow stronger if left alone, and the only way to stop it is to destroy the body while in its grave - which only happens on Saturdays. Why? Who knows.

The usual methods will do: beheading, impaling, cutting to pieces, exorcism and cremation… And then they are released from living death, and the community can answer the door again without fear.

So next time you hear a knock in the middle of the night, and a voice you know calling you to come outside, maybe wait for a second knock. Just in case.