Wendigo Yokai

**Wendigo Yokai** are malevolent beings who are known for hunting and eating humans.

## Physical Appearance

Wendigo Yokai has the appearance of a human. But there are two forms that a Wendigo Yokai can have. Some are anthropomorphic deer with large antlers and sharp teeth as well as being covered in form. Some are human-like with sharp teeth, sharp claws and may have hair on their head. Both are very skinny to the point of their bones being exposed. They also wear little to no clothing as well.

## Description

Wendigo Yokai are one of the most dangerous yokai species in the Hidden World. They're actively hunting and preying on humans. Making them one of the species who are known human hunters. These yokai were originally full human until their animalistic instincts kicked in. After they ate human flesh, they transformed into Wendigo Yokai and aren't able to turn back into their human selves. Now they spend the rest of their lives hunting humans and eating human flesh in order to not let themselves starve to death.

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Wendigo Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Air Walking
* Animal Manipulation
* Cold Immunity
* Enhanced Body
	+ Contaminant Immunity
	+ Enhanced Agility
	+ Enhanced Dexterity
	+ Enhanced Durability/Invulnerability
	+ Enhanced Endurance
	+ Enhanced Leap
	+ Enhanced Lung Capacity
	+ Enhanced Reflexes
	+ Enhanced Senses
	+ Enhanced Speed
	+ Enhanced Strength
* Fang Retraction
	+ Enhanced Bite
* Infinite Digestive System
* Matter Ingestion
* Possessive Transformation
* Predator Instinct
* Regenerative Healing Factor
* Invincibility
* Vocal Replication

### Variations

* Cannibalism Empowerment
* Consumptive Growth
* Fire Generation; may leave flaming footprints as they run through the sky.
* Night Inducement; may be able to summon the midnight darkness before sunset.
* Natural Weaponry
* Spirit Physiology
* Supernatural Body
* May learn Weather Manipulation as they age.

### Associations

* Atshen Physiology; their Inuit cousins.
* Wechuge Physiology; another cousin species.
* Ghoul Physiology
* Famine Embodiment - Wendigos represent hunger and starvation.
* Mythic Physiology
* Native American Deity Physiology
* Space-Time Manipulation - some wendigos are said to be able to bend space and time to get their victims.
* Undead Physiology
* Winter Manipulation
* Anthropophage Physiology - a tribe of a monstrous cannibals from Greek legend.

## Pop Culture

While considered a mythical entity recent research found a phenomena known as the Wendigo Psychosis, which causes individuals to crave human flesh even when other sources of food become available - this combined with long winters and strong cultural taboos on cannibalism likely gave rise to the legends of these mythical creatures. In traditional lore they are often human-like in appearance (akin to a yeti or sasquatch) while modern takes have tended towards giving the Wendigo more noticeable animal traits such as antlers and hooves.

## Variations

### Asthen Yokai

Asthen Yokai are one of the cousin species of the Wendigo Yokai. Hailing from Inuit folklore, they are a cannibalistic species who shares similarities to the wendigo.

### Wechuge Yokai

Wechuge Yokai are one of the cousin species of the Wendigo Yokai. Hailing from North American folklore, they're more powerful than the wendigo and the asthen.

### Ghoul Yokai

Wendigo Yokai are a type of ghoul due to their diet primarily eating only human flesh.

## Life in the Hidden World

Wendigo Yokai are on the list of the most dangerous yokai species in the Hidden World. This list, which was created by the Hidden Council, is used to list Yokai species who are a danger to the humans for many factors. One of the factors is if the Yokai primarily eats human flesh. Wendigo Yokai are on this list because of their diet. They were originally full human until they ate human flesh for many reasons. Because of this, a curse was put onto them which causes them to transform into Wendigo Yokai or their cousin species. These yokai are very fast and very strong. They're capable of causing great harm to the humans during their hunt. They primarily live in deep forests and cold areas of the Hidden World. Wendigo Yokai can be cured from the curse if a yokai possess the ability to remove curses. Thus transforming them back to their human form. But only if they have regretted for everything they have done up to this point.

## Symbolism

Wendigo’s symbolism is simultaneously greediness and community. Because the only way to avoid becoming one is to be generous with the people around you. The Wendigo has also been linked with cannibalism in some stories. In these mythologies when a person engages in cannibalism the Wendigo overtakes them and they develop an insatiable hunger.