Kallikantzaros
Give a little, Take a little
The kallikantzaros is what some might call a children's tale. But the truth is, these creatures really do exist. Now, part of their legend might not be real--we'll probably never know the whole story--but we do know that they visit many homes between the setting of the sun on Founders' Day, and the dawn of Midwinter. "Kallikantzaros" is the singular, and "kallikantzaroi" the plural, names for these creatures.
There are two distinct types of kallikantzaroi. One is more frightening than the other, and can be considerably more aggressive. While they both appear at or in our homes, supposedly with the intent of repairing our broken things in return for the sapa and salt we leave out for them, the second type comes seemingly prepared, with tools, while the first does not. The first comes seemingly ready for a fight.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Both types 1 and 2 of the kallikantzaroi are anthropomorphic, and have at least a greenish hue or tone to their skin, and are equipped with horns and hooves.
by JC with Hero Forge
by JC with Hero Forge
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
Legend has it that the kallikantzaroi live underground, and spend most of the year trying to saw through the tree that holds up the world. They aren't able to appear in the human realm. That is, until the sun sets on Founders' Day (Day 17 of the Lion Wintermoon). Each night from then until sunrise on Midwinter's Day (Day 1 of the Derkesthai Moon), the Kallikantzaroi are able to come to the surface, and they so desire to make mischief for humans, that they put down their saws and cross over.
While they are here, if a human leaves a bowl of sapa and a dish of salt next to something that needs repaired, a kallikantzaros will be drawn to it and cannot help themselves but to fix what's broken or damaged, so thay can consume the sapa and salt--this part at least, is true for both types.
On Midwinter's Day, when the kallikantzaroi return to finish sawing the trunk of the world tree, they find that it has repaired itself, and they must start over again, just like the previous year.
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