#capelobo

Look at this creature from my country's folklore, it's so cool!

The Capelobo

Along the Xingu in the Brazilian state of Pará, a capelobo is said to resemble a humanoid tapir with a hooked snout. Along the Pindaré River in the state of Maranhão to the northeast, it looks more akin to an anteater, killing by sucking out its victim's gray matter as if it were devouring termites in a mound.

The capelobo had once been a man, but it was now a monster, prowling through the night feeding on human blood and brains (and also on puppies and kittens). Along the Xingu in the Brazilian state of Pará, a capelobo is said to resemble a humanoid tapir with a hooked snout. Along the Pindaré River in the state of Maranhão to the northeast, it looks more akin to an anteater, killing by sucking out its victim’s gray matter as if it were devouring termites in a mound...

My horrific myths series! Realized I didn't have a compiled post of them all together yet that wasn't a sale announcement. I'll still link my etsy though.

Part of the Capelobo Clan, these three help protect the waterways of the Amazon.

Iauara- Based on a lowland tapir and named after the cryptid tapire-iauara which translates to "tapir water nymph". Uses magic and is particularly powerful at spells relating to dreams and sleep. Performs rituals with the tsantsa.

Boto- Based on a river dolphin. He is fascinated by humans and can take human form. In folklore, boto encantado transform at night, but I might make it so that he can transform during the day or at will; I'm not sure yet, he'll definitely be a cute twink tho. His attitude towards humans sometimes puts him at odds with the clan leader, Juma, who is not fond of them.

Bebe- based on an Amazonian manatee. A big sweetheart baby that doesn't prefer to fight, but will use their massive body to defend friends, this tendency has resulted in some scars on the back. Everybody loves them, but Boto especially takes care of them (in folklore it's said that river dolphins are the guardians of manatees).

These are the other, and eponymous, members of the Capelobo Clan:

Side note: Later on your going to see a LOT of creatures from Brazil, because god DAMN do they have some interesting stuff. It’s funny, all around the world you see repeats of similar cryptids with slightly different aspects and names. I could spend all day talking about different cryptids from different parts of the world that are bipedal, unusually large primates, or long necked, humongous sea monsters the seem to find their way into any lake big enough to fit a kayak. But Brazil?? If you want something unique and original , look to almost any cryptid that’s popped up in Brazil.

Capelobo: NOW, I best be getting to the actual topic of the day; the capelobo of Brazil! Capelobo’s are lycanthropes, like Werewolves! ….. except werewolves are probably not the best comparison. So let’s go through the process of the Capelobo. Let’s say you’re old, wrinkly, hunched over and frankly just sick of being well…. Old. So! You do what any sensible senior citizen such as yourself would do: sell your humanity and sense of morality in exchange for a new body, your Capelobo body!! Now remember, once you have chosen to become a capelobo, you may never return to your human body or your humanity, but you are gifted with two new forms! These two forms would include your animal form, a tapir with some oddly dog like features, and your humanoid form. Now, the animal form is really just for disguise, what capelobos are REALLY known for is their primary humanoid, ‘werewolf’ form. You are given the head of an anteater (or in some, rare myths, the head of a tapir or a dog), the body of an incredibly buff man (plus a bunch of fur), long, powerful anteater claws, and two bottle shaped legs with PERFECTLY rounded hooves that make your tracks especially unique! Plus! You are also gifted with a banshee screech that can be heard from over ten miles away and drive victims straight up insane, incredible strength, basketball player hight, impenetrable skin, and a foul smell! And yes I know, compared to all of your other new abilities, foul smell sounds like an insult, but honestly….. it’s kind of your new best weapon. When I say foul, I mean FOUL. The sheer power of the capelobo’s stinky-ness is enough to stun its prey, rendering it completely unconscious and giving it headaches and dizziness for days after if it were to somehow survive the encounter. All together, I don’t know about you but that sounds like a pretty damn good deal to me! You could waste away in a nursing home watching jeopardy as you slowly fade into eternal unconsciousness, OR, you could spontaneously become an (honestly ) kind of over powered buff ass furry that lives significantly longer life being a forest goblin! I mean, really, of course my default answer would initially be “FUCK YEAH!! FURRY-IFY ME!” But before we get to hasty, let us into our ‘lovely’ little capelobo life style first….

The Tea:

Despite what you may assume from their giant claws and muscles capable of ripping a man in half without a sweat, capelobos aren’t necessarily meat eaters. But they sure as hell are carnivores! Capelobos are actually vampiric! They survive primarily out of sucking the blood out of their victims, and sometimes sucking the brains of their prey straight out of their skull.

Capelobo’s are beasts, and they are considered evil, but not because they’re man eaters. Don’t get me wrong, capelobo’s are known for draining a guy who’s in the wrong place at the wrong time, but humans really aren’t on their list of common prey. See, it’s the diet that me back the hell out, and drops these guys out of lost for my top three favorite cryptids. These guys just live off cute baby animals. Specially kittens, puppies and baby goats. Like- all of the cutest baby animals of all time.

Where to find in other media:

Capelobo is a monster that can be found in DND, and an inscription mod set! Unfortunately though, that’s all I could really find for this one!

credit to cryptidwiki and H. Kyoht Luterman!

TW: FOR MILD BLOOD AND VIOLENCE