 Horror/Scary: June 06, 2007 Issue [#1747] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Edited by: zwisis
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“There he is! Get him, you idiots!” a woman’s voice shouted in a tongue Danken could barely decipher. The forest exploded with sudden action. A wiry green, rough-skinned Goblin, not much taller than he with odd grey and brown tufts of hair, a long, pointy nose and a mouth full of sharp, rotting teeth, broke from a bush ahead of him. The creature released a bolt of yellow fire at him from its clawed, crooked fingers that charred a tree nearby. Its evil yellow eyes narrowed in anger as it raised its dirty, jaggedly curved blade...
excerpt from "Orphan Mage" by Erik Jensen
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Goblins have featured in several children’s fairy stories and adult horror fiction, but they are a fairly underused or forgotten being. And I’m not referring to the popular culture character from the Spiderman films in this newsletter – I’m talking about the more traditional mythical character. They appear to be an unknown entity, although the one certainty is their personalities, which range from simply mischievous to downright malicious. I can remember reading about them in various books when I was a child, but I knew nothing of their background or heritage.
Goblins originate from the mythology and folklore of Northern Europe, from a region once considered very wild and magical because of its long nights and short days. Their Scandinavian counterparts are the Nis, and they are the equivalent of Russia’s Domoviks and German Kobald. England also has its own Goblin, called the Boggart. Goblins also feature in the myths and legends of the British Isles – Cornish people believe the goblin of the wind warns of impending shipwrecks. They also tell stories of a Goblin living in the tin mines.
Physically Goblins are small in stature – around 140 centimetres (55 inches) from the heel of their boots to the tips of their long pointy ears. There is hair inside their ears and their skin in green and wrinkled. Some also have hair on their arms, and older clan members may sport a fine, bushy moustache. Described as grotesque humanoid figures their features are elongated and distorted. French folklore claims this is because their noses (like their fingers) grow at an alarming rate, meaning Goblins have to trim these appendages every morning - the same way human men shave their beards. This accounts for the variety of noses sported by the goblin community – some are beaked, others are hooked and a few are rounded. Goblins have strong spindly arms and legs and crooked teeth and are usually male. They also have the ability to weave nightmares and put them into the minds of human beings via the ears. Their bones are made from rock, so they need to include stones in their diet to keep their bones from breaking. When a Goblin dies his body is placed in a sarcophagus decorated with diamonds and other valuable stones, and placed in a Goblin cemetery, which looks like a large picture gallery.
A Goblin is often associated for generations with a specific small area, farm or house. He will make his home in the house, or in the farm buildings or even in an old tree. Goblin are extremely partial to homes with beautiful children and lots of wine, and will do household chores at night. He is able to live with humans, but under certain conditions. The humans may acknowledge his presence and recognize his right to live there, usually by leaving him small offerings. This symbiotic relationship means the goblin will assist the humans around the house, in the garden or on the farm – but he will do this unseen and undisturbed by the humans. They can often become companions to the dead - during Halloween Goblins are apparently easy to find, because on the one night in the year when the worlds of the dead and living are closest they like to roam around and liaise with other supernatural beings.
They also discipline the children, punishing them when they are naughty and giving them gifts when they are good. While the idea of a magical housekeeper may have immense appeal, there is a caution to this benefit. Goblins may be adept at keeping the house free of dust and clutter, but they will also move your furniture around to suit their tastes, slam the doors shut, knock on the walls, bang your pots and pans and rip your bedclothes off your bed. If this all becomes too much for the homeowner there is a way to get rid of this supernatural housekeeper. Sprinkling flaxseed all over the floor of the house will force the obsessive-compulsive goblin to clean it up, and he’ll soon become fed up with cleaning the house and move on.
Known for their perverse sense of humour, Goblins like to play tricks and practical jokes upon the people living at the farm. If the humans annoy or upset the Goblin he will cause bad things to happen; the milk will sour, the hens stop laying eggs, a calf may die and other day-to-day operations will be adversely affected. Households have told tales of a Goblin borrowing the farm horse and riding it all night long, explaining why the horse was so tired in the morning when nobody had left the house! In an extreme situation the Goblin will leave the farm, which will bring bad luck to the entire farm. The Goblin tradition is still evident today - the garden gnome characters displayed in many suburban gardens are supposed to bring good luck to the household.
There are several stories about Goblins revealing a far more dark side to the traditional mischievous being. Some Goblins may steal or eat human children to punish someone who goes against a promise or refuses to appease them. These Goblin may go so far as to force human women to bear their children, or they may a human child for one of their own – the replacement for the human child is known as a "changeling".
The medieval Christian Church appears to have supported the belief that Goblin exist, including these creatures among the unseen demons inhabiting our world in support of the Devil. Gobelinus was a demon who haunted the French region Evreux during the 12th century. In time some Christian and Pagan ideas and beliefs merged, and many churches claimed they had their own personal unseen Goblin who looked after the church.
Earlier I mentioned the names other cultures use for Goblin. It’s always interesting to look at this creature from another perspective, especially for a writer looking to create a specific character. Below I detail some of the differences between the different Goblin characters.
The Domovik is the Russian version of the goblin, a male ancestral spirit charged with guarding the household, especially against thieves. He lives behind the stove or under the steps, and may take on the form of an animal. At night, while the household sleeps he will help with the chores, as long as he has received a meal that evening. The Domovik is good to those who look after their properties, but cannot abide the lazy and may burn down the house, or at least hurt a member or two of the lazy family. The only time a family member may realise there is a Domovik in the house if when the creature brushes against him/her – if he’s hairy the home will flourish and prosper. If he feels smooth bad luck in on the way. His partner is called Kikimora, and she can be a henpecker…
German Kobolds are supposedly a little more attractive than the traditional goblin, and can live for up to 250 years. They are thin and muscular, with wax coloured skin. Their hair can be black, white or silver, their eyes yellow or red and their teeth and ears are pointed. They consider Goblins stupid and dislike humans intensely, preferring the company of trolls, ogres, giants and other warlike characters. Like the Goblin, the Kobold will undertake domestic duties, but will turn against the household for any perceived wrong. They are excellent blacksmiths and goldsmiths, and they live in the mines and caves they exploit, selling their products which are of great quality. Their caves are networked into underground villages and cities, all connected by tunnels. Malevolent beings will often dwell in these underground settlements with the Kobolds.
England’s Boggart is a mischievous sprite blamed for unexplained supernatural activity – both within the home and in a community. They have the ability to shapeshift, and can take on the form of an animal. Like the Goblin the Boggart can be helpful around the home, as long as he is appreciated. When in this frame of mind he’s called a Brownie. They love eating porridge and dairy products, and would make a nuisance of himself to the milkmaids, who often slipped him helpings of milk and cream to bring themselves good fortune. Many houses would leave an unoccupied seat by the fire for the Brownie’s use. Described as a jolly character wearing a blue hat over his flowing yellow hair and carrying a long walking staff, the Brownie is supposedly the guardian of dragons. I’m sure you’ve realized a neglected or abused Brownie will change into a Boggart.
In conclusion, while the Goblin and his international variants may seem to be a relatively harmless being, he offers the horror writer a wonderful character for children’s fiction. He is also an excellent character for more adult horror, because there is much potential for malicious deeds in his personality. When I was 12 years old I watched a film on television about Goblins living in a house, only accessible to these creatures at night through the cupboard in the bedroom. The owner of the house was aware of their presence, so she would keep the doors closed at night so they couldn’t get into her home. One night she forgot to close the door properly… she ended up living inside the cupboard with the Goblins.
I’ve never forgotten that film. It’s the reason I always close my cupboard doors properly before I go to bed.
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The next issue I shall be editing is due on 25 July, and will focus on torture. If there's any topic in the horror genre you'd like to read about please email me - simply click on the envelope 
zwisis
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schipperke
Excellent newsletter. People always say to me: “You look just like so and so...” and I wonder, is that a compliment?
Tough question, schipperke, because that really depends on the identity of “so and so”! Now perhaps you’d like to tell us - just how many Doppelgängers do you have?
Starr* Rathburn 
I enjoyed your article on the Doppelgänger--very interesting reading. Thank you, zwisis for adding a link to my "https://1245659" in your newsletter. I appreciate the exposure.
Thank you for the compliment, Starr* Rathburn . I enjoyed completing your survey – the results were certainly interesting!!
werden 
Interesting take on Doppelgängers. I wonder what a tale from the Doppelgänger's perspective would be like?
Now that’s a story I’d really like to read, werden . I think it would very interesting indeed, especially if written so the reader wonders if he/she is actually a Doppelganger…
Abvyette
I was most surprised to find my poem "Doppleganger" featured in this newsletter. Thank you very much, I certainly appreciate the honor. And I really enjoyed the history of the Double goer that was presented here. It was informative, fun and (as it should be) creepy. I hope that it helps the spread the use entertaining and most unsettling character in more works here on WDC. Thanks again.
I never thought I’d see a poem written about such an unusual creature, Abvyette , and you did an excellent job!
nomlet
The Doppelgänger template is ripe with possibility. No adversary is more personal than the "Evil Twin," and its presence focuses a story on the main character in a unique way.
I recently reread Ursala LeGuin's "The Wizard of Earthsea," which features a Doppelgänger of sorts.
I feel there are a lot of different ways the Doppelgänger can be used in fiction, nomlet , because they really are diverse characters… mirror images of ourselves and our worlds. Thank you for the reference to this book.
twyls
Doppelgängers, eh? When I met my current fiancé, I searched his name on Google to learn more about him.  It came up with someone with his name that went to his alma mater. Of course I figured it was him - until I talked to him about it. Turns out he was at a different part of the college, and had never turned in the work that I had found. Someone with his exact name, at his old college... it was creepy.
Imagine what kind of a story you could write about that situation! You are so right, twyls – that is truly creepy, and almost too close for comfort! Which makes me wonder if you ever found a picture of this person…
likenion
Wonderful newsletter! I never knew that so many people have seen Doppelgänger and have died. It is interesting to hear so many theories about these creatures and I know certainly know much more about them.
I hope to read more newsletters dedicated to creatures of the night apart from vampires and werewolves. I think we all know enough about them.
Thank you for the comments, likenion. I’m fascinated by the less well known creatures from the horror genre, and believe they are a wealth of information for writers. Yes, I shall be featuring these creatures in future newsletters.
Fish*sWife - I'm Baaaaack!
George Zebrowski did a story with a twist on the Doppelgänger. It was quite interesting. His double killed him, or was it the other way around?
I haven’t been able to find the title of this book, Fish*sWife - I'm Baaaaack! , but I do remember the story. If I recall the reader is left wondering if the Doppelgänger took his double’s place…
billwilcox
There is an old wives’ tale that says that we all have someone who looks exactly like us somewhere in the world. I wonder if it is really that easy to spot someone that looks just like you. It's probably easier for someone you know to spot your Doppelgänger before you ever could, and then you'd say, "That person doesn't look anything like me!" I think we picture how we look in our minds more than how others actually see us. So the question remains, "Would you notice if someone looks just like you?"
It’s food for thought, billwilcox, because I know I’m often shocked when I see pictures of myself. Even the face looking at me from the mirror looks different to the photographs. I don’t think we would notice, unless someone pointed out the similarity! And even then we’d probably query the comparison.
Starr Phenix 
I enjoyed your article about Doppelgängers very much, particularly the examples you listed of historical figures who saw their 'twin' before tragedies. The article was very inspiring!
I had no idea so many people had had encounters with their Doppelgänger, Starr Phenix , until I wrote this article. It is a little known but fascinating fact, and for writers inspirational and (at the same time) creepy.
SHERRI GIBSON 
Great newsletter. King did a superb job with "The Dark Half". Both the movie and book were great. Two of me?  One's quite enough.
Perhaps King’s book was so terrifying, SHERRI GIBSON because the Doppelgänger belongs to the hero... a writer! We can all relate to that fear! And one is me is more than enough too! 
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