What are Lochkray?
Lochkray - Low'k-kray
The Lochkray are a nocturnal population of beings that feed
on humans.
Every culture throughout history speaks of them, though
different titles become associated to them. The titles change,
the details alter, the techniques differ, but always at the heart
of the mythology is the seed of truth.
The record of differences in titles and mythologies that
surround the Lochkray is one of the clearest illustrations of how
effectively these people of the night have managed to evade
systematic scrutiny.
It is important to learn what Lochkray are and how to
recognize them.
Awareness is our only protection.
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Night
Lochkray are nocturnal. They come out only after the sun
has gone down, and will make all efforts to retreat before
sunrise. Despite what is believed in modern vampire
myth, sunlight does not kill Lochkray. They simply prefer
to be active at night.
It is known that the Lochkray's eyes are better adapted for
night vision, and it has been speculated that the bright
light of the sun is unpleasant to them.
The Lochkray's ability to confuse their human prey before
setting in on them, could very well take advantage of the
diminished sense of sight inherent to night time for
humans.
The nightmare
by Henry Fuseli
1781
Although largely unkonwn of
and ignored, it is the Lochkray
that are the origins of
mankind's subconscious
fixation with personified
threats in the night.
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Feeding
The consistent thread of "night people" feeding on humans
is traceable through all of the altered Lochkray mythologies
(for illustration of altered mythologies, see map). It is the
perception that they "drain the soul" of people that can be
traced back to many of the world-wide stories that the night
people are undead. In fact, Lochkray are mortal - though it
is believed that their life-cycle far exceeds that of humans.
While the vast majority of the stories, including those of the
modern western vampire, center in on the night people's
need to drink blood or feed on children, the Lochkray do no
such thing. What they feed on is not exactly clear.
The understanding is that all those things which
differentiates humans from animal is lacking in Lochkray.
Identified as a "soul" in many cultures, it is what the Lochkray
are said to not have in their make up. They have learned to
artificially supplement their own higher principle by draining it
off their prey.
A trend has been noted in the records of Lochkray victims.
Although the Lochkray will hunt and kill any type of person,
there seems to be an inclination of preferred feeding. Post
pubescent young adults, usually females, are most regularly
targeted by the Lochkray. Between the ages of eighteen to
twenty-five is the most common. Some mythologies indicate
that they also prefer to target virgins, but there are no actual
specifics in evidence to support this.
From what is understood, it appears that the Lochkray are
capable of drawing out the essence of the victim. The
victims are coerced into expulsing their life orally, which the
Lochkray then collects in its own mouth and consumes.
In modern times, the deaths are almost always attributed to
an unidentified cardiac illness or failure in the victim.
Tucked away in the left corner
of an unfinished DaVinci
painting from 1481, an odd,
dark character draws the
fearful attention of onlookers -
a form that is very familiar to
those who know how
Lochkray appear.
In fact, personal diaries of the
artist clearly indicate that he
knew of the Lochkray myths.
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The Vampire
Edvard Munch
1895
It is this late 19th century
version of the night hunters
that is most popular.
However, bastardized
mythologies surrounding the
Lochkray have been around
for centuries. The title
"Vampire" is simply modern
society's.
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Appearance
The Lochkray appear human. In their natural form, they
are slightly larger in stature and build than most people.
Neither males nor females have any hair on their bodies.
Their eyes are exclusively blue. In almost all recorded
accounts of contact with Lochkray (as well as most of the
mythological adaptations) they are said to wear all black.
Certainly this makes sense as the Lochkray prefer to avoid
notice, and being inclined to nocturnal activities, darker
clothing would make for better camouflage.
To the astute, Lochkray can be identified. They are often
found within crowded areas, making efforts to locate
suitable prey. They will always be alone, and will avoid
attention, generally keeping away from artificial lights and
staying close to the more secluded and/or darkest corners
of where they are. They will be wearing loose fitting black
clothing. They will almost never directly address a human
unless that person has been targeted.
Despite these generalities, it is very difficult to accurately
identify a Lochkray. They are capable of deceiving an
unaware person into viewing them in different forms. This
appears to be some kind of higher level hypnotism, used to
lure potential victims (See Lochkray Knowledge). A person
must be diligent in their watching for Lochkray, or else,
potentially, become one of their prey.
From the promotional poster
for the 1922 movie Nosfuratu.
Coincidentally, the
appearance of this
fictionalized monster bears
some of the closest
resemblances to the beings
that inspired the vampire
stories.
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Images like this 1592 DeBry
piece, perpetuate the myth
that Lochkray are interested
in feeding on human flesh,
when what they actually feed
on is much more mysterious.
Notice the disturbed figure at
the top of the painting,
clearly unlike those feeding.
A helpless man amongst the
feeding monsters.
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