MONSTERS, CRYPTIDS AND SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
HULDRA
Hulder, Huldufólk, Skogsrå, Tallemaja, Ulda
A Huldra or Hulder is a seductive forest creature from Scandinavian folklore. The name Hulder is however, only associate with the female of the species and huldrekall or Huldur is used when referring to the male counterpart, which is much rarer. Whereas the female is described as exquisitley beautiful, the male is said to be hideous, with a grotesquely long nose, being hard to differentiate from a Troll. They are described as protectors of the cattle on the mountain-sides whose beautiful singing, can be heard by travelers passing by. However, not all tales of the Huldra are friendly ones. They are often described as a malicious creature, whos seductive singing and dancing will lure men deep in to the forests to have sex with her, rewarding those who satisfy her and often killing those who don't. In other cases, she will exact a horrible death upon her victim, leave them lost forever in the forest or enslave them, but it happens that she also shows a kinder behavior toward men, as she often appears before herdsmen, talking and dancing with them. Some are even said to be wed. If this is performed in a church, her tail will fall off and she will become human, losing her powers. From this relationship ordinary children are born and the couple can live a long and happy life until the end of their days. However if she is mistreated, the Huldra will revert to her true nature and visit terrible vengeance upon her husband.
Physiology:
Appears as an alluring, beautiful young woman from the front, of fair hair and complexion, often naked and at times dressed like a peasant girl. From behind however, she is shockingly different with her skin now that of rough bark and a hollow, like that of an old tree in the center of her back. She also has the tail of a cow or in some instances, that of a fox or a horse, that is almost impossible to conceal. Folklore says of the Huldra "the small ones underground" could always be easily recognized by the tip of a cow's tail which trailed from beneath their long snow-white robes.
Etylmology:
The name derives from a root meaning "covered" or "secret". Huldra has also other names such as “owner of the forest" or “hill lady”.
History:
The origins of this creature date back hundreds of years before the arrival of Christianity to Scandinavia in the 8th century and there are many places associated with the "hidden folk" that are named after them. Huldremose (Hulder Bog) Denmark and Hulderheim (Home of the Hulder) Norway, are to name but two.
Territory:
Scandinavia
Origination:
The Huldra are strangely similar to the dwarves of Norse mythology, whom were formed from the maggots devouring Ymir's rotting flesh. Could their origins also be of a similar nature? Although we can only speculate on their origination, it is clear that the arrival of Christianity did not destroy their tales, but merely re-shaped them. One such tale, recounts how a woman had washed only half of her children when God came to her cottage. Ashamed of the dirty ones, she hid them. God decreed that those she had hidden from him would be hidden from humanity and henceforth they became the hulders.
Nature:
Neutral, unpredictable. The way a Huldra reacts to you is said to depend on how they are themselves treated. In some legends they are friendly if treated with respect and may reward you or offer advice such as where the best fishing is. However, others describe them as cruel and dangerous, leading young men to horrible deaths or insanity.
Modus Operandi:
Seduces men with her beauty and captivating singing, luring them deep in to the forest, her lithe form darting in and out of the trees. Once they are far from safety, she will reveal her true self. Some tales tell of her leading men to a horrible death, others tell of her keeping them as slaves in a trance-like state with no sense of time, forever captivated by her beauty.
Vulnerability:
Despite their incredible strength and magic, the Huldra are related to trolls and therefore inherit many of their vulnerabilities, such as a weakness to steel. There is a tale of a woman who was almost forcibly married to a huldrekall, but was rescued by her boyfriend whom threw steel pots and pans into the room where she was trapped, the huldre had to crawl out, as its presense made them too weak to even stand. Other methods of repelling a huldra are religeous artifacts and phrases, as the presence of god weakens their magic. Stories tell of men whom manage to marry huldra in a church, and when she enters, her tail falls off and she becomes human. You must always refuse anything they offer you. whether it is a drink, food, gold, or jewelry otherwise they will have power over you and you won't be able to resist their charms.