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Description
Felt like posting something for GODSPAWN. I really need to come up with a standard entry thing for GODSPAWN creatures...

If you're wondering why this particular creature...well, you'll just have to wait and see.

Please note this is mainly for my reference and is subject to change.

Aswang
aka the tik-tik, wak-wak, bubuu, or sok-sok (from the sound it makes when on the prowl)
Kin: Astaroth/Empusa
Type: Low-Mid Level Rot Demon
-Subtype: Shapeshifter
Mythology of origin: Filipino

Aswangs are the spawn of Astaroth and Empusa, and are very common on Assiah (especially the younger ones). In fact, most of them begin their life on Assiah, as they are incredibly weak when young and easy prey for more powerful demons. They bide their time, possessing small mammals such as bats, cats, and dogs until they grow strong enough to protect themselves in Gehennah. Generally after spawning the Aswang abandons its children to fend for themselves, as this creature does not appreciate the company of its fellows as an adult (makes it harder to remain unnoticed).

After spending some time in Gehennah and growing in power (if they make it that far) they return often to Assiah, staying for many years at a time to hunt. Their preferred vessels are young women, as attractive as possible. They typically acquire vessels with offers of power in exchange for the use of the body when the person dies, which usually happens rather quickly, as allowing an aswang to possess you causes an illness that weakens and eventually kills you (though the time this takes can vary). Once they have successfully taken over a vessel, it will remain human in appearance during the day but at night the skin takes on a putrescent hue, and their feet turn backwards (a tactic that leaves confusing tracks for anyone that wants to follow them). As time passes, the vessel rots from within, until the aswang either abandons it to return home or finds another.

Their preferred meal is a fresh corpse, whether they killed it or not. If they do kill, they prefer to make it look like an accident so as not to cause concern. Some even go so far as to wait until the corpse is buried if they can't have a moment alone with it. If they are able to get some privacy, they eat the corpse and replace it with a wooden carving (usually made from the trunk of a banana tree) that most humans will perceive as the corpse. A prized delicacy to the aswang is the heart or liver of a baby or young child; such an item would go a long way to win one's allegiance, were someone so inclined. They can also subsist off of blood, if it is too dangerous to get corpses.

Surprisingly, living next to an aswang is perfectly safe. They do not attack their neighbors, or harm them in any way. Many in fact will befriend their neighbors in a kind of mutual protective arrangement (but will not reveal their true nature). In many cases, even if riled, they can be reasoned with, especially if they are allowed to leave. They tend to have introverted personalities, and are surprisingly empathic for such murderous creatures. Aswangs often intermarry with humans to maintain their cover, but are not usually capable of interbreeding. Marrying an aswang carries the possibility of becoming an aswang yourself (the only way a male aswang can come about), but this is a conscious choice on the part of the aswang and requires a ritual that generally occurs during the couple's wedding night. Even if an aswang has converted her mate, they will rarely be encountered together when hunting. When pursued or trying to confuse prey, they make a noise (tik-tik, wak-wak, bubuu, or sok-sok) that gets louder the farther away they are from their victim/pursuers.

All aswangs are capable of shapeshifting into some kind of small animal, such as a snake, cat, bat, or dog (dogs and bats are the most common); they also can assume a large, monstrous form when threatened that resembles a winged, bipedal canine. They have vampiric fangs and long, very sharp claws; their tails are short and hairless and their horns are small and goatlike. Aswangs are swift, silent, and incredibly strong, and have a variety of illusory abilities (such as making stumps of wood look and act like people).

Aswangs are susceptible to most exorcism techniques, but there are a few things that are particularly effective (and specific to the aswang): salt burns their flesh more effectively than holy water and the sound of a whip frightens them into compliance (especially one made with a stingray's tail). The most effective weapons against them are blades with a mirror finish. Amusingly, they are also afraid of old people, especially grandmothers. ^_^

They are hard to detect during the day but are especially vulnerable, as they lack their demonic strength and speed (but not their illusory abilities). A perceptive mortal might notice their mildly bloodshot eyes and the smell of rotting meat on their breath. Folk tradition says that if you look at them upside down and between your legs their nature will be apparent.

A variant of the Aswang is the Manananggal, an especially gruesome demon that splits its body in half and flies around (with its rotting organs dangling out), devouring the unborn from inside their mothers as they sleep.

AO NO EXORCIST (c) 2009 by Kazue Kato (All rights reserved)

Blue Exorcist (c) Kazue Kato/SHUEISHA, Blue Exorcist Committee, MBS (All rights reserved)

All GODSPAWN characters, creature creations, and lore/literature are my original or inspired ideas and property unless otherwise specified. Please do not copy, borrow, or use without my written permission. For entries that specify usage terms; attribution, notification, and link to the original entry are required. Thanks for viewing!

UPDATE: Added sketches of alternate forms.

Description
Felt like posting something for GODSPAWN. I really need to come up with a standard entry thing for GODSPAWN creatures...

If you're wondering why this particular creature...well, you'll just have to wait and see.

Please note this is mainly for my reference and is subject to change.

Aswang
aka the tik-tik, wak-wak, bubuu, or sok-sok (from the sound it makes when on the prowl)
Kin: Astaroth/Empusa
Type: Low-Mid Level Rot Demon
-Subtype: Shapeshifter
Mythology of origin: Filipino

Aswangs are the spawn of Astaroth and Empusa, and are very common on Assiah (especially the younger ones). In fact, most of them begin their life on Assiah, as they are incredibly weak when young and easy prey for more powerful demons. They bide their time, possessing small mammals such as bats, cats, and dogs until they grow strong enough to protect themselves in Gehennah. Generally after spawning the Aswang abandons its children to fend for themselves, as this creature does not appreciate the company of its fellows as an adult (makes it harder to remain unnoticed).

After spending some time in Gehennah and growing in power (if they make it that far) they return often to Assiah, staying for many years at a time to hunt. Their preferred vessels are young women, as attractive as possible. They typically acquire vessels with offers of power in exchange for the use of the body when the person dies, which usually happens rather quickly, as allowing an aswang to possess you causes an illness that weakens and eventually kills you (though the time this takes can vary). Once they have successfully taken over a vessel, it will remain human in appearance during the day but at night the skin takes on a putrescent hue, and their feet turn backwards (a tactic that leaves confusing tracks for anyone that wants to follow them). As time passes, the vessel rots from within, until the aswang either abandons it to return home or finds another.

Their preferred meal is a fresh corpse, whether they killed it or not. If they do kill, they prefer to make it look like an accident so as not to cause concern. Some even go so far as to wait until the corpse is buried if they can't have a moment alone with it. If they are able to get some privacy, they eat the corpse and replace it with a wooden carving (usually made from the trunk of a banana tree) that most humans will perceive as the corpse. A prized delicacy to the aswang is the heart or liver of a baby or young child; such an item would go a long way to win one's allegiance, were someone so inclined. They can also subsist off of blood, if it is too dangerous to get corpses.

Surprisingly, living next to an aswang is perfectly safe. They do not attack their neighbors, or harm them in any way. Many in fact will befriend their neighbors in a kind of mutual protective arrangement (but will not reveal their true nature). In many cases, even if riled, they can be reasoned with, especially if they are allowed to leave. They tend to have introverted personalities, and are surprisingly empathic for such murderous creatures. Aswangs often intermarry with humans to maintain their cover, but are not usually capable of interbreeding. Marrying an aswang carries the possibility of becoming an aswang yourself (the only way a male aswang can come about), but this is a conscious choice on the part of the aswang and requires a ritual that generally occurs during the couple's wedding night. Even if an aswang has converted her mate, they will rarely be encountered together when hunting. When pursued or trying to confuse prey, they make a noise (tik-tik, wak-wak, bubuu, or sok-sok) that gets louder the farther away they are from their victim/pursuers.

All aswangs are capable of shapeshifting into some kind of small animal, such as a snake, cat, bat, or dog (dogs and bats are the most common); they also can assume a large, monstrous form when threatened that resembles a winged, bipedal canine. They have vampiric fangs and long, very sharp claws; their tails are short and hairless and their horns are small and goatlike. Aswangs are swift, silent, and incredibly strong, and have a variety of illusory abilities (such as making stumps of wood look and act like people).

Aswangs are susceptible to most exorcism techniques, but there are a few things that are particularly effective (and specific to the aswang): salt burns their flesh more effectively than holy water and the sound of a whip frightens them into compliance (especially one made with a stingray's tail). The most effective weapons against them are blades with a mirror finish. Amusingly, they are also afraid of old people, especially grandmothers. ^_^

They are hard to detect during the day but are especially vulnerable, as they lack their demonic strength and speed (but not their illusory abilities). A perceptive mortal might notice their mildly bloodshot eyes and the smell of rotting meat on their breath. Folk tradition says that if you look at them upside down and between your legs their nature will be apparent.

A variant of the Aswang is the Manananggal, an especially gruesome demon that splits its body in half and flies around (with its rotting organs dangling out), devouring the unborn from inside their mothers as they sleep.

AO NO EXORCIST (c) 2009 by Kazue Kato (All rights reserved)

Blue Exorcist (c) Kazue Kato/SHUEISHA, Blue Exorcist Committee, MBS (All rights reserved)

All GODSPAWN characters, creature creations, and lore/literature are my original or inspired ideas and property unless otherwise specified. Please do not copy, borrow, or use without my written permission. For entries that specify usage terms; attribution, notification, and link to the original entry are required. Thanks for viewing!

UPDATE: Added sketches of alternate forms.