Imp

 

 

ORIGIN

They are found in Germanic folklore.

 

FIRST SIGHTED/RECORDED

There have been tales about them as long as time has been recorded. This could be argued, but as most people believe them to be connected to either gods or demons, then evidence of them is undisputed as that of Gods or Demons would be.

 

APPEARANCE

They are very small and not very attractive. They have a similar appearance to a Goblin, almost scaly skin, with possible scars, a slight hunch back and large eyes, either red or black in colour. The colour of their skin and eyes can vary however. They may also have little horns.

 

GENDER

They are genderless but are usually portrayed as male.

 

ALSO KNOWN AS

N/A

 

REPELLED BY

It is said that, although they are believed to be immortal, they can be damaged or even harmed by certain weapons or enchantments. They can also be kept out of peoples homes by using wards. If they can't be killed then they can be captured as servants. This can be done by containing or binding them to a specific object such as a crystal ball or a sword.

 

MAGICAL POWERS/SKILLS

When you have captured one (or in some tales, come across one), they will grant you a wish. However, if the owner does not sell the bottle before they die then their soul will be sent straight to hell.

 

HISTORY/ABOUT

They are a mythical being that is quite similar to a Fairy or a Demon, a small lesser Demon to be precise. Although they are well known as being a Demon that does not make them necessarily evil. They are in fact, quite mischievous. They can however be quite wild and uncontrollable, with their jokes sometimes getting out of hand or even backfiring. In some extreme cases, they can be upsetting and harmful, such as swapping babies or leading travellers astray. In their defence, they are lonely little creatures who long for human attention. In some regions, they actually believe that they are attendants of the Gods, although, in most cases, they were more than likely familiar spirit servants of Witches and Warlocks. In this role they served as spies or informants.

 

CAN BE FOUND

They can usually be found in homes, in either those of their victims or those of their masters. They can also be found around cross roads or near places of religious origin.

 

TALES

They appear in a tale called "Silvia". This is a tale about a girl who is followed by a black Imp.

 

ANY SIGHTINGS?

If you go online there is always going to be someone who has captured footage of the creature. Some of this evidence goes as far to say that an Imp is currently living with them (with footage to "back" it up). It is also a common occurrence to hear about Imps being seen in religious places, mainly shrines. There is evidence of this online but to be honest, most of it is fake.

 

SIMILAR CREATURES

Goblin, Gremlin, Brownie, Boggart