Wendigo ATC (Folklore ATC #10)

Are you a fan of folklore? Would you like to create (and receive) ATCs of creatures from folklore from around the world? Then welcome to the Folklore ATC series! Please scroll to the end for a very important announcement!

ATC #10 features the wendigo (AKA wiindigoo, wīhtikow, etc)! The wendigo is an evil spirit that possesses people and makes them commit murder, and commit other unpleasant acts (such as cannibalism) -- mainly because he is a personification of greed. The wendigo originates from around the Great Lakes region of the US and Canada, with appearances made in the folklore of multiple Great Lakes/Great Plains natives and First Nations tribes, though it is primarily associated with those who speak languages in the Algonquin family. Usually depicted as a giant, later accounts from settlers add antlers, though these are not necessary as they are not present in the original lore (but you may depict with them, up to you).

According to Basil H. Johnson,

The Wendigo was gaunt to the point of emaciation, its desiccated skin pulled tightly over its bones. With its bones pushing out against its skin, its complexion the ash-gray of death, and its eyes pushed back deep into their sockets, the Wendigo looked like a gaunt skeleton recently disinterred from the grave. What lips it had were tattered and bloody ... Unclean and suffering from suppuration of the flesh, the Wendigo gave off a strange and eerie odor of decay and decomposition, of death and corruption.

Source, which is also the Wikipedia article. I highly recommend you read it to learn about Wendigo psychosis!

Legends of America page

Mythus Fandom page

Image from Polish language wiki

Swap rules!

• 1 ATC to one partner

• standard 2.5" x 3.5" size

• ATC can be any medium, please just put in effort. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AN ARTIST. You just have to be willing to make art. The card you receive may reflect this.

• use a sturdy backing

• on the back, write your name, date, and the name of the swap. Make sure you include your username somewhere in the package (on the back of the card is fine).

• send the card in a protective sleeve -- you can buy trading card sleeves for cheap, or make one out of things like sticker cellophane, thin paper, etc

• open to newbies with full profiles, no unexplained 1's or 3's. Message me if you have any concern. I reserve the right to remove anyone for any reason. I will angel, but please give 8 weeks after send date for your ATC to arrive! If the time is coming near and you know you're going to flake for whatever reason, honestly just let me know so I can get it done sooner.

Don't be shy to ask me anything you're unsure about. Also, feel free to leave suggestions for future subjects for the series in the comments.

Past Folklore Swaps

#1 - Baba Yaga

#2 - Yōkai

#3 - Gremlins

#4 - Shadow People

#5 - Banshee

#6 - Dragon

#7 - Anansi

#8 - Medusa

#9 - Monster of Lake Tota

ATC #10 ENDS THE FIRST SERIES OF FOLKLORE SWAPS! That's right, this will be the last one for your collection. Have no fear, though. The series will be back.

Your host will be taking a break from the folklore series for the month of August. If you're in the US, you can get your fix at the Monsters, Myths, & Legends group here on Swap-Bot. If you're international (or not a group kind of person!), round two will begin the first week of September. Round two will be a bit different -- instead of 10 creatures, there will be 10 cultures, with participants picking whichever creature they like from within that mythology. All of these swaps will be posted far in advance, as they will be on the same 2-week schedule and necessarily coincide with winter holidays, busy times for school, etc.

If you are missing any cards from this series, feel free to comment or to message me to find a partner. I also am requesting comments or messages for cultures that you would like to see featured in the next round.

Thanks so much for making this swap series so popular! Can't wait to swap with you again!