#liderc

The lidérc is a spirit from Hungarian folklore. Descriptions of its appearance and behaviours vary, but it is often seen as a seductive incubus-like figure. It is most often said to look like a chicken, though it can change its appearance.

The most traditional stories of the lidérc tell that it will be born from the egg of a black hen, and if its owner is a woman, will transform into a man to seduce her. It will then drink her blood. Others say that the lidérc enjoys hoarding gold, and can bring wealth to its owner.

Image source.

Monster master list.

HALFWAY THROUGH

Two of Swords- also, halfway through the deck!  

As long as I don’t do anything silly like include an extra card (or four) specific to this deck! =D

Anyway, the Liderc is this Hungarian creature that goes by several forms, but this particular one is great for the two of swords. Here we see the widow of a loved one clutching at her recently deceased husband, avoiding the truth and the pain to live in this seemingly better place, but if she just looked a little closer, she’d notice that not everything about her “husband” is as it should be.

Lidérc

RARITY: ★★★☆☆ | THREAT: ★★☆☆☆ SIZE: Chicken-sized.

HABITAT: 

Most commonly found in Gatlin Fields and in rural farmsteads across the globe, though they originated in Hungary and Eastern Europe. They have a fondness for attics and henhouses.

OVERVIEW:

Lidérc are vampiric chicken-like creatures. The first lidérc in a given area during a population boom is usually born when the egg of a black hen is incubated under a human’s armpit for nine days. Given the specificity, this is almost always an intentional act by a troublemaker or some kids trying to test the folklore out. When hatched, the chick is certainly no chicken, despite appearances; lidérc have glossy black feathers, a beak of needle-sharp teeth, glowing red eyes… and they immediately want blood. 

While lidérc do feed on ordinary chickens and create more of their kind this way, their preferred meals are humans or other sentient creatures. They choose their host. In the case of incubated lidérc, this is frequently the person who hatched the egg, but anyone will do. They visit their victim nightly to feed on their blood and vitality while they sleep. However, the lidérc’s host benefits, because the lidérc will lead them to prosperity and wealth. It demands more attention and resources over time, and the victim becomes increasingly isolated and sick from the feeding, neglecting relationships and responsibilities in favor of tending to the lidérc – sometimes called a miracle chicken for a reason – and maintaining their wealth. It’s not uncommon for victims to try to hide evidence of the creature feeding on them and they refuse to blame or think poorly of their lidérc. This bond grows harder to break with time, so hosts are more likely to survive if they realize they’re under a lidérc’s influence before it’s too late.

ABILITIES:

The bond forged between a lidérc and its victim generates wealth and luck by simply existing. But they also have a supernatural sense for valuables, which they bring to their host for short-term benefit.

Lidérc are not ill-mannered and endear themselves to people with surprising ease. 

Lidérc subsist on blood and life force, which they consume using their hollow, needle-like teeth. These teeth leave a faint but tell-tale mark on their victims, which there is often an attempt to conceal.

They create more of their kind when they feed on but do not kill chickens. While the first lidérc in an area is an unlikely event, the ones that result from that original lidérc can create a dangerous population boom.

Can slip through small openings. They are agile and will not allow those with intent to harm them to come close

WEAKNESSES:

If a host is wanting to be rid of a lidérc before it kills them, they can trap the lidérc by assigning it an impossible task, like carrying water in a sieve. The lidérc will be unable to do anything else, allowing for easier dispatching of it.

They are weakened by being around garlic, and also won’t go anywhere near periwinkle. For whatever reason, this includes the paint at Periwinkle Paints.

If its egg form is discovered before hatching, it can be destroyed by throwing it backward over the roof. In fact, just do this with the whole lidérc. 

Although difficult to catch, can be killed through typical vampire-killing means: decapitation, wooden stake, or burning.

Despite not being undead, their vampiric traits allow slayers to sense and dispatch them.