Dusting the dirt and maggots from its skin, the corpse rises from the grave longing for the sweet kiss of a soulmate.

[previously]

__

An old gypsy remedy for killing strigoi:

1. Dig out hearts; cut in two.
2. Drive a nail into the forehead.
3. Place clove of garlic on the tongue.
4. Smear body with fat from a pig killed on a holy day.

Old superstitions concerning strigoi:

• A black cat walking over an interred corpse puts the dead at risk of rising as strigoi…
• To prevent one from rising as a strigoi, families often bury the dead with a bottle of wine. After 6 weeks, the family digs up the wine and shares the drink. Those that partake are protected as a protection from evil spell.
• Burying the body face down with a sickle around its neck prevents it from rising.
• Some believe that if you bury the dead with good whiskey, it will be satiated and not return.
• Piercing the body with a needle will prevent the body from rising. It is also common to place a candle, coin, or towel in the hand of the dead to accomplish the same.
• Many believe that walking around the grave while burning hemp makes the strigoi powerless
• Decorating the gravesite with cloves of garlic prevents the dead from rising.
• Although strigoi are not affected by sunlight, they abhor natural fire. Using fire to attack a strigoi bypasses its DR. Many villagers hover close to bonfires thinking it will deter even the most daring strigoi.
• It is often rumored that if a strigoi can go unnoticed for 7 years, it becomes human once again. Upon becoming human, the strigoi can reproduce. Any children, though, become strigoi at their death.
• When building a new house, hang a puppet in the bedroom. This catches any evil that decides to make a visit.
• A silver coin wrapped in a blood-soaked cloth serves as an amulet of protection against strigoi.
• Some believe strigoi possess two souls: one human the other undead. This would explain the existence of two hearts (only one working) and the ability to become human after 7 years.
• Keeping hands closed or clasped prevents the person’s psychic strength from departing during a strigoi’s kiss.
• Scattering the grave dirt of a strigoi keeps it preoccupied, for it is forced to pick up every granule.
• When first burying the corpse, villagers often take an obscure route to the corpse’s final resting place. This is done, so the strigoi will have a difficult time finding its way home.
• Likewise, those who accompanied the corpse to the gravesite cover their tracks home to prevent being followed.
• On the way home, mourners will meet with an elderly woman who is handing out hot coals. The mourners toss the coal over their shoulder as a means to ward off the strigoi.
• The shovel that dug the grave and the cart that carried the coffin are not brought back to town. Even the horses are turned loose.
• The body is not carried head first to prevent the corpse from knowing the way.

(This post is Product Identity.)