Publisher and developer Warcave today revealed new details about the enemies that players will encounter while pushing through the city of Grant in Black Legend. The Cult of Mephisto might already have something to say against your presence there, but you’ll also go against, monsters, humans, and carriages inspired by stories from Belgian and Dutch folklore.
The five enemies revealed today might have different shapes, but their penchant for murder and abducting others brings them together. It’s probably a good thing that we’ll kill a whole lot of them, then.
“These stories have survived for centuries because they speak to something within us and resonate with human experience, and we’re excited to put a spotlight on Belgian and Dutch folk stories in Black Legend,” said Creative Director Menno van der Heijden.
Some of the monsters, like the Nekker, might sound familiar if you’ve played a certain popular fantasy RPG, but others could lead to discovering legends you weren’t quite aware of. Here’s how the developer describes five of the enemies we’ll face:
Old Red Eyes
- Traditionally, this cannibalistic shapeshifter appears as both a large 7 foot / 2.1-meter tall man and as a large black dog with fiery red eyes. This beast is best known for stealing children from their beds and then eating them. During the 20th century, a new monster grew from the legend of Old Red Eyes. Stories of the Nekker, discussed further below, are believed to have roots in the legend of Old Red Eyes.
Nekker:
- The Nekker has many names, including Nyx, Williger, Icker and more, and is most commonly described as a large, shape-shifting water demon. This beast preys on children who get too close to water, or on adults who are lured to water by the demon disguised as a drowning child in need of help. Once captured, the Nekker sucks its victim’s blood using a hook and then captures the soul in an upside-down urn.
Witte Wieven:
- These White Women or Wise Women appear in stories from various parts of western Europe, dating back to at least the 7th century, pre-Christian era. Appearing in white garments, often in groups of three, who could help or hinder people who encounter them. If aggravated, Witte Wieven are known to roast and eat cats, make people disappear by spiriting them away, and are known to steal babies from their cradles, never to be returned.
Lord Halewijn:
- Elements of this ancient, terrifying tale date back to the 7th century AD, and is one of the oldest Dutch folk songs recorded. Several versions of this story exist, but the common theme is Lord Halewijn, an evil being referred to as a demon, faery lord or magician who sings a magical, luring song. Anyone drawn to him by this song is murdered, either by beheading or by being turned to stone.
Blood Carriage:
- Possibly derived from Germanic god Wodan’s army of the dead, the Blood Carriage is a terrifying tale of three masked men who prowl the night looking for children to abduct in their blood-dripping carriage. Any children found outside after dark were abducted and brought to the demons or ‘Toecutters’ who stay hidden in the cart. Depending on the version of the tale, the children were killed and their bodies sent away, or the demon would cut off their toes and feast on their blood.
Black Legend is currently slated for a Q1 2021 release and will launch on PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. You can already try out its demo on Steam.
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