Aka : Mare, Trud
Nature
Lore
Germany
Description
Alps are shapeshifting, poltergeist-like creatures that cause nightmares and other nighttime phenomena. They can always be recognized by the presence of a hat, known as a Tarnkappe, from which they draw their powers. The origins of alps are widely varied; some may be humans that tranform in the night, similar to werewolves, some may be ghosts, while many are identified as demons.
Element
Air
Friends/Predator/Preys
An Alp may be attached to a witch who sent it to cause mischief. They usually target women.
Behavior
Alps often press upon sleeping people so that they cannot utter a sound. These attacks are called Alpdrücken (nightmares). They also often engage in various poltergeist-like behaviors, such as riding horses so they are exhausted at morning, spoiling milk, etc.
Powers
When an alp is pressing against you, you can put your thumb in your hand, and he will have to retreat. In Zwickau they claim that the alp will go away if one invites him for coffee the following morning. They can also be repelled with horse heads. When a nurse diapers a child, she must make the sign of the cross and open up a corner, otherwise the alp will re-diaper the child. There are some witches who can send an alp to those they hate or are angry with merely their thoughts. He comes out of their eyebrows, looks like a small white butterfly, and sits on the breast of a sleeping person.If you say to an alp that is pressing upon you, "Trud, come tomorrow, and I will lend you something!" then he will immediately retreat and come the next day in the form of a human, in order to borrow something. Or you can call out to him, "Come tomorrow and drink with me," then the person who sent him will have to come.