Tikbalang

Region: South & Southeastern Asia
Location:Philippines (particularly Luzon highlands, deep forests, and mountain passes)

The Tikbalang is a tall, lanky forest spirit known for having the body of a man but the head and hooves of a horse. In some regions, he is described as extremely thin, with limbs so long he appears more shadow than flesh. His eyes glow red or amber in darkness, and he moves with supernatural speed through thick foliage. The Tikbalang is a trickster at heart — he plays with travelers, confusing trails, rearranging landmarks, and leading people in circles. Many stories say if you wander endlessly without knowing why, it means a Tikbalang is laughing nearby.
  Despite his imposing appearance, the Tikbalang is not purely malicious. His pranks often target boastful or disrespectful travelers, while humble or cautious people pass unharmed. In certain tales, the Tikbalang becomes a guardian of the forest, protecting sacred groves or ancient trees from harm. Older folklore also claims you can tame a Tikbalang by plucking a single golden hair from his mane; once tamed, he becomes a loyal companion or guide. But this is a dangerous endeavor — angering a Tikbalang can send storms of mischief or days-long misdirection upon a traveler.
  Tikbalang lore carries the essence of the Philippine wilderness: unpredictable, vast, and as likely to play with you as to punish. The creature appears where fog hangs low, where forest paths twist unexpectedly, or where the line between human world and spirit realm thins. Through his stories, the landscape becomes alive — watchful, trickster-filled, and spiritually charged.

World
Koina
Owner
kaixabu
Views
5
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The spark is human. The polish is digital.

 

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