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briefbestiary.bsky.social
BriefBestiary
@briefbestiary.bsky.social
210 followers 13 following 550 posts
Legendary beasts and beings posted on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Run by @oriondagger.bsky.social
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briefbestiary.bsky.social
Literally meaning "oil presser", it is typically thought that the spirits of those who stole oil, during a time period where it was a precious commodity, would become this yokai.
[Top Section] Abura Sumashi; Region: Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan [Middle Section] A greyish-blue older humanoid with an oversized head. He appears to be wearing a straw coat and carries a walking stick in his right hand an a bottle marked "abura", meaning oil, in his left. Accompanied by descriptive text. A mountain-dwelling yokai. If you happen to be within the mountains and passes of Kumamoto and speak about how he used to live here, he'll reply that he still does. Rarely, it seems he'll even spontaneously appear in front of travelers to chastise them about talking about someone who is listening to them. Primarily believed to be the spirits of oil thieves. The common depiction of this yokai was popularized by Shigeru Mizuki, a mangaka famous for his depictions of various yokai. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: GeGeGe no Kitarō Franchise (1969 - Present)
December 11, 2025 at 9:09 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Monstrous beings known to dwell high in trees, and if someone goes too far into the forest, they're likely to go missing within the creature's territory.
[Top Section] Sasabonsam; Alternate Names: Asanbosam, Asasabonsam, Susabonsam; Region: Parts of Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, & Togo [Middle Section] A pinkish humanoid with long arms with claws and long, curled legs that terminate in hooks. It has long, straight, dark red hair. Its ears are curved and pointed and its teeth are sharp iron. It seems to have vaguely wing-like membranes stretching from its wrists to its hips. Accompanied by descriptive text. Humanoid beings said to come from Asante folklore. They hang from forest trees, catching their prey with their hook-like feet. Its teeth are iron, and it hangs its legs down from high in the trees. Often sasabonsam is considered distinct from asabonsam, having differences such as wings or hooks. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: Black Leopard, Red Wolf (2019)
December 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
An enigmatic being, though its variations each have their distinct forms. Regardless, it likely cares not how it is perceived, simply ready for more hapless humans to find their way to it.
[Top Section] Hantu Balung Bidai; Alternate Names: Hantu Bidai, Sulur Bidar; Region: Malaysia [Middle Section] A white, square woven mat. Each of its four corners appears to have a mouth resembling that of a softshell turtle's. Accompanied by descriptive text. Lurking aquatic spirits. They drift through bodies of water, patiently waiting for a victim to enter the water. Some describe it with the appearance of a simple mat, however it seems that it has mouths resembling those of a softshell turtle's at each of its corners. Sometimes described instead as a round-headed serpent with smaller venomous serpents for hair. Some say its presence can be identified by bubbles rising from beneath the water's surface, bringing up dry leaves from below. Wraps itself around its victims and drowns them. May also be capable of overturning boats. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
December 4, 2025 at 2:31 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Blizzard-bound beasts, a whirling creature that adds to the danger of being outside during such a heavy snowstorm.
[Top Section] Whirling Wampus; Region: Minnesota, U.S.A. [Middle Section] A white-furred feline beast that appears to be rotating clockwise. Accompanied by descriptive text. A fiercely swirling beast, it is unclear if it is a relative of the ape-like whirling whimpus, the infamous wampus cat, or perhaps neither critter. When it comes upon prey it grasps them with its forearms in a tight embrace that tends to squeeze its prey's life out. Dangerous but rare, seeming to only come out to hunt during blizzards, itself whirling through the fierce snowfall. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
December 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A creature possessing a strange life cycle; spontaneously generated in the form of a worm by rotting mud, transforming into a fish when water levels return to normal, then quickly rotting away itself.
[Top Section] Alphoraz; Alternate Names: Albures, Alforas, Alforus; Origin: Medieval Legend [Middle Section] A murky brown fish with long, tattered fins and pale white eyes. Accompanied by descriptive text. A somewhat strange fish, alphoraz manifest from rotting mud when ponds or lakes are without water. An alphoraz begins life as a worm, then when water once again fills the lake this worm-like form will metamorphose into its fish form. As a fish, the alphoraz has a short lifespan, quickly deteriorating within water. Supposedly, if its head and eyes remain, it will eventually rise again for a much longer life. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: TrawledFromTheDeep [Figurine on Etsy]
November 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Child of the Fuath, horrid water spirits. A hazy thing lacking a defined body.
[Top Section] Brollachan; Alternate Name: Grollican; Region: Scotland [Middle Section] An hazy thing with primarily undefined shape, however it has a visible pair of eyes and a mouth. Accompanied by descriptive text. Shapeless things, in the Sutherland story about the Mill of the Fuath, the brollachan is described as the child of the Fuath. Lacks shape and form, however it is known to be capable of having a pair of eyes and a mouth. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: The Moon of Gomrath (1963); Knightmare, Season 7 (1993)
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Mysterious young women yokai. While she was supposedly found along Usui Pass, its unclear what exactly she may do.
[Top Section] Shumoku Musume; Region: Usui Pass, Japan [Middle Section] A pale yellow humanoid in a peach-coloured kimono. Her head is a distinct shape, with large bulbous eyes at either end. Accompanied by descriptive text. A female yokai that is primarily known for her appearance on cards in some obake kurata decks, though she also appeared in some prints. Named after the shumoku, a type of mallet, that her head somewhat resembles. Other than her head, name, and home area, little about this yokai girl are known. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
November 20, 2025 at 11:27 AM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Half-equine women. Potentially wealth hoarders, potentially the result of a goddess' vengeful curse.
[Top Section] Anggitay; Region: The Philippines [Middle Section] A woman with golden eyes, a horn atop her forehead, and the lower half of a horse. In her hands she appears to be holding various jewels. Accompanied by descriptive text. Beings with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a horse. Some claim they are the female equivalent to the tikbalang. There are some who say anggitay are greedy beings, utterly captivated with gathering gold, jewelry, and gems. There are claims that the first anggitay was a woman cursed by Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan, the Visayan goddess of greed. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
November 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A mountain-dwelling beast, zheng are said to be ferocious big cats resembling leopards, though other than its appearance, voice, and nature little else is known about it.
[Top Section] Zheng; Region: Chinese legend on Zhang'e Mountain [Middle Section] A red-hued leopard with a single curved horn and a cluster of five tails. Accompanied by descriptive text. A vicious beast described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Its appearance is like that of a red-furred leopard with a set of five tails and a single horn on its brow. Its voice is described like stone clashing against stone. [Bottom section] Some depictions in popular culture: Onmyoji [Scarlet] (2016); Flowers in the Mirror of Mountains and Seas (2020)
November 13, 2025 at 9:29 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Mysterious critters whose sole existence seems to be the nocturnal delivery of maple flavour to maple sap that's being tapped. They work in the crisp night air of early spring, the tree branches still bare.
[Top Section] Mapolian; Region: The North Woods, North America [Middle Section] A small creature of various maple syrup colours. Its upper body is vaguely humanoid, while its wings and tail are somewhat rough and woody in texture. It appears to be carrying a bowl and ladle with an unknown substance within. Accompanied by descriptive text. Winged critters of the North Woods. Although other than having wings nothing else about their physical appearance is described. Supposedly, when maple sap is collected around the turn from winter to spring, these small critters will flit about the maple trees at night. Obscured by the nighttime darkness, mapolians busy themselves about the sugar bush (a forest stand of maple trees for collecting maple syrup). While there, they deposit the distinctive "maple flavour" into the sap. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
November 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A haven for doves and a bane of dragons. Peridexion trees were used as an allegory for the Christian church.
[Top Section] Peridexion Tree; Alternate Names: Perindens, Aradixon, Circa dextram, Environ destre, Arbore Perindens; Region: Medieval legend placed in India [Middle Section] A tree with curling branches tipped with a set of leaves and clumps of berries. Accompanied by descriptive text. A legendary tree that bears sweet fruit liked by doves. Dragons and serpents fear the tree and its shadow. Despite their fear, a dragon will wait opposite the tree's shadow, hoping to catch a straying dove. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
November 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A man among rats, in death or in form. A gruesomely tragic tale in terms of ghost stories, or a classic urban legend of hiding a child that was born with an inhuman form.
[Top Section] Ratman of Southend; Alternate Name: Ratman; Region: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England [Middle Section] A translucent humanoid with clawed fingers and toes, an exposed skull face, and rats along his back and in his eye sockets. Accompanied by descriptive text. A Southend legend said to be found beneath a particular overpass. There are two varieties to his tale: the ghost of a homeless man and the mutated child. In the version where the Ratman is a ghost, an old homeless man would take shelter from the elements at this overpass. One night he was beat to near-death by a group of teens and left to freeze as rats ate away his face. Shortly after, a ghostly figure and the sound of rats and claws started being heard down there. In the version of the mutated child, they were born this way due to a curse upon the mayor at the time for his infidelity. Supposedly a hidden chamber's entrance was built discreetly below the underpass for the child to hide in during the day. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: Folktales of Cryptids Vol 2. (2020); The Ratman of Southend (2019)
November 4, 2025 at 4:43 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A friendly face carrying an endless flow of water or sake. Among tsukumogami, kameosa are among the few who do not begrudge their owners.
[Top Section] Kameosa; Region: Japan [Middle Section] A yellow-brown earthenware jug overflowing with water. Cracks and holes on its surface form the shape of a face. The jug also appears to have sprouted a pair of hairy arms and legs. Accompanied by descriptive text. An alcoholic tsukumogami of an old jar or bottle. Unlike most tsukumogami, a kameosa is typically friendly and beneficial to have around; kameosa may be a bit impish, but aren't known for doing anything extreme. Bring good luck and an unending supply of the liquid they carry, either sake or water. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: The Great Yokai War (2005); Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, E21 [Sasamatage] (2009)
October 30, 2025 at 7:51 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Spirits, omen-bringers, and even gods. A vanishing hitchhiker can often be a spine-chilling tale, though more somber or hopeful results are theoretically possible.
[Top Section] Vanishing Hitchhiker; Alternate Names: Phantom Hitchhiker, Disappearing Hitchhiker, Ghostly Hitchhiker; Region: Worldwide [Middle Section] A human with a heavy brown backpack, brown pants and boots, green jacket, and yellow bucket hat that obscures their eyes. Accompanied by descriptive text. An old roadside phenomenon, seemingly normal hitchhikers at first, however by the end of the trip, regardless of what happens along the way, they disappear. Typically either ghosts or prophets, but may rarely be gods such as Pele of Hawaii. The ghostly variety often ask to be brought to a graveyard or other location associated with their death. This type of hitchhiker typically leaves an item that hints toward their true identity and nature. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: The Vanishing Hitchhiker (2020); The Haunted Mansion [Disney Ride Attraction] (1969 - Present); The Hitch-Hiker (1941)
October 28, 2025 at 8:52 PM
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Dakhanavar, the vampire formerly known for guarding the mountains of Ultmish Alto-tem. It is said that he never returned after that fateful trick.
[Top Section] Dakhanavar; Alternate Name: Dashnavar; Region: Ultmish Alto-tem, near Yerevan, Armenia [Middle Section] A humanoid with sharp claws, ears, and teeth. He wears large pants and a waistcloth. Accompanied by descriptive text. A territorial vampire of Armenian legend. Dakhanavar guarded his home mountains and valleys of Ultmish Alto-tem. Lived in caves, though he worried explorers attempting to count the valleys of his home would uncover all his dwellings. When trespassers stepped upon his land he stalked them closely until they stopped to sleep. Drains victims of their blood, sucking it out through the soles of their feet. Once, a pair of explorers, knowing his habit, slept with one another's head covering the other's feet. As it was dark he examined them by touch. Finding two heads and no feet, as bewildered Dakhanavar lamented how he had never seen such a being in all 366 valleys of Ultmish Alto-tem then fled, never seen again. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: Spirit Halloween: Hanging Vampire/Hanging Lord Dakhanavar Vampire (2020 - 2022)
October 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A monster with such inconsistent descriptions, this particular illustration vaguely based on the Challicum Bunyip with some mixed bunyip features. Bunyips make various freshwater regions, such as billabongs, rivers, swamps, and more their home.
[Top Section] Bunyip; Alternate Names: Kianpraty, Wowee-wowee, Dongu, Yaa-loo; Region: Australia [Middle Section] A large dark-feathered and finned emu-shaped beast. It has a serrated duck bill, a singular dark eye, and a short mane. Accompanied by descriptive text. A big water monster of Australian legend. The bunyip is a primarily aquatic amphibious beast known to have a bellowing roar. Descriptions are wide and varied, from overall shape of starfish, emu, seal, or crocodile. It may have various combinations of features, including dog head, duck bill, horse tail, etc. Sometimes known to eat humans. It may have the power to effect the water level and perhaps could hypnotize people into its slaves. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: Pathfinder RPG, Bestiary 2 (2009); Scribblenauts Unlimited (2012); The Secret Saturdays, S2 E4 "Into the Mouth of Darkness" (2009)
October 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
...and with the 525th entry, we're officially past our backlog!

While this does mean we'll be shifting to only one post per each Tuesday and Thursday, its exciting that we've made it to this point after hopping to Bluesky last year.

Thanks for sticking with me this far, and here's to the future!
October 16, 2025 at 10:57 AM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A strange man of Maine lumberjack tale. Seemingly neutral by nature, though he's liable to be swayed by an offering of good whiskey.
[Top Section] Razor-Shins; Alternate Name: Razorshins; Region: The North Maine Woods, U.S.A. [Middle Section] A man standing with one leg raised. He has long black hair and is wearing a ragged waistcloth. Protruding from his shins are the pointed blades that are part of his shinbones. Accompanied by descriptive text. An immortal being imagined by lumberjacks of the North Maine Woods. Described as a humanoid with razor-sharp shinbones. He is capable of using these as bladed implements. Loves a good jug of alcohol, typically whiskey; especially Bangor whiskey. Accepts a jug as an offering on the first full moon of a new hire. A satisfied Razor-Shins might chop down a tree for the newbie, while a Razor-Shins who finds the greenhorn has failed to leave him booze is liable to scalp and maim the new logger. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: Razorshins by John Connolly (2015)
October 16, 2025 at 10:50 AM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
The accursed mula sem cabeça. Flames burst out from these mules' necks, accompanied by their neighing and wailing.
[Top Section] Mula sem Cabeça; Alternate Name: Headless Mule; Region: Brazil [Middle Section] A bucking brown mule wearing a bridle. It has no head, and instead a burst of flame escapes from its open neck. Accompanied by descriptive text. A woman's soul that has been cursed by God for her sin. The exact sin varies by story, with variations including, but not limited to: sleeping with her boyfriend before marriage or having sexual relations with a priest. It has loud iron horseshoes and a bridle. Seemingly, the curse can be lifted should the heated bridle be removed or if its blood is drawn. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: AdventureQuest Worlds (2012 - Present); Invisible City, S2 (2023); Turma do Chico Bento [Chuck Billy 'n' Folks] (1983 - Present)
October 16, 2025 at 10:46 AM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A large-eyed man responsible for the sound of azuki beans being washed by rivers.
[Top Section] Azuki Arai; Alternate Name: Azuki Togi; Region: Japan [Middle Section] A man with large eyes squatting over a white tub filled with water and azuki beans. Accompanied by descriptive text. The most famous among a small handful of azuki bean washing yokai. Azuki Arai is shy and cowardly. He is rarely, if ever, seen, but the sound of him washing azuki beans is described as the distinct "shoki shoki". He may also be heard singing a song while washing his azuki beans involving pondering if he will be washing azuki beans of finding and eating a human. His sounds will often cause victims to fall into the water surprised, but in turn the noise of someone falling in the water will scare him too, and he flees the scene. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: Yo-Kai Watch 4++ (2019); GeGeGe no Kitarō Franchise (1968 - Present)
October 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A disastrous portent, not an uncommon feature in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
[Top Section] Báo; Alternate Names: Bo, Báoyú, Boyú, Báo-Fish, Bo-Fish; Region: Chinese legend on Nüzheng Mountain [Middle Section] A long brown fish with red whiskers and a single yellow eye atop its head. Accompanied by descriptive text. A somewhat long and thin one-eyed fish described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Its voice resembles the sound of retching. Its appearance precedes coming drought and war. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture:
October 16, 2025 at 10:38 AM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
The slayer of crocodiles, a hydrus. These aquatic serpents would often be conflated with the legendary Hydra or the dropsy-inflicting hydros by bestiary illuminators.
[Top Section] Hydrus; Alternate Names: Ydrus, Idrus, Hidris, Enhydros, Ydre, Idria, Chydrus, Cydro; Region: Medieval European legend placed in the Nile River [Middle Section] A slithering blue serpent with white eyes and long, ear-like protrusions. Accompanied by descriptive text. Not to be confused with the Hydra or a hydros. The hydrus are a legendary species of aquatic serpent known to be the enemy of crocodiles. A hydrus may cover itself in a coat of mud, search out a sleeping crocodile and crawl into their open mouth, using the mud cover to easier slip into the stomach. Alternatively, after losing a confrontation with a crocodile, the hydrus may be rolled by its opponent in mud and then consumed. Once inside, the hydrus will bore through the stomach and other organs as it escapes its prey's body, the crocodile dying due to the process of the snake emerging from its torso. In addition to a snake, it has also been thought to be some sort of otter or mongoose. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
October 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Limestone cavern spirits, pale old things with red, luminescent eyes.
[Top Section] Hantu Anak Gua Batu; Region: Parts of Malaysia [Middle Section] A pale white, somewhat round, thing with bright red glowing eyes and sharp, spiky top and bottom edges. Accompanied by descriptive text. Old spirits that dwell within limestone caves. Female shamans in certain regions are said to invoke them. Their bodies are typically described as floating about like small white cotton balls, the edges of their forms contrasting this initially soft description with sharp edges resembling stalagmites and stalactites. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
October 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
A blood-soaked monster, a creature that haunts childhood, Raw Head and Bloody Bones. A classic bogeyman who hunts unruly children, thus promoting good habits and behavior.
[Top Section] Raw Head and Bloody Bones; Alternate Names: Raw Head, Bloody Bones, Tommy Rawhead; Region: Parts of England and the U.S.A. [Middle Section] A blood soaked red humanoid with sunken eyes seated in the corner. Accompanied by descriptive text. A horrid thing. Raw Head and Bloody Bones has taken on various bloody, boney, and skinned-head forms. Frequently he is bloody and there are bones, regardless of if the bones are his. Sometimes the two are described as separate, beings in tandem, the flayed head and the bloody skeleton without one. Originated in Lancashire and Yorkshire, then spread. Sometimes a water bogey dwelling in deep water, sometimes a monster hidden in dark cabinets and/or under the stairs. You can find him squatting over the bloody bones of his victims. A classic bogey whose name puts fear into children, meant to keep them on their best behavior. Ergo, his victims are typically naughty children, especially those who speak curse words and falsehoods. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 7 [1953] (2015); Monster in My Pocket, Series 2, Monster #68 (1992)
October 14, 2025 at 12:45 PM
briefbestiary.bsky.social
Forest vegetation that inflict confusion and wandering on travelers who interact with it.

The otterkraut and atterkreutich varieties in particular seem to have the added effect of attracting adders toward the victim who pocketed some it. They'll be chased by serpents until they dispel the effect.
[Top Section] Irrwurz; Alternate Names: Irrwurzel, Irrkraut, Vexierchrut, Verrigraut, Otterkraut, Atterkreutich; Region: Germany and Switzerland [Middle Section] A green plant with long, alternating leaves. Accompanied by descriptive text. A plant in an archetype of vegetation that cause victims to lose their way. It can be confused for fern, springwort, or even a special variety of tree root. Attributes vary by region. May be triggered by stepping over or on, carrying, consumption, or getting on of its seeds stuck in a shoe. Depending on the variety, a victim may become literally lost, transferred to a slacker's yard or a swamp, or even simply wander around one place meaninglessly. The Irish equivalent is known as the Stray Sod, while the French equivalent is known as Tourmentine or Herbe d'Egarement. The Verrigraut is the variety brought to the Americas by the Pennsylvania Dutch. [Bottom Section] Some depictions in popular culture: N/A
October 14, 2025 at 12:37 PM