Dokkaebi

**Dokkaebi** (Korean: 도깨비) are legendary creatures from Korean mythology and folklore. Dokkaebi, also known as Korean goblins, possess extraordinary powers and abilities that are used to interact with humans, at times playing tricks on them and at times helping them.[2]

The earliest known documentation of dokkaebi is in the Silla-era tale of "Lady Dohwa and Bachelor Bihyeong" from the Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms compiled during the Goryeo period. Dokkaebi are featured in many folk tale anthologies compiled during the Joseon period.[3]

## The Myth

Dokkaebi are different from gwisin (Korean: 귀신; ghosts) in that they are not formed by the death of a human being, but rather by the spiritual possession of an inanimate object such as old discarded household tools like brooms, or objects stained with human blood.[2]

The physical appearance of the dokkaebi is presented in many different ways and has varied by different time periods, but they have always been depicted as fearsome and awe-inspiring. The most common depiction of them is based on ancient roof tiles with dokkaebi patterns.[2][4]

Different versions of the dokkaebi mythology assign different attributes to them. In some cases they are considered harmless but nevertheless mischievous, usually playing pranks on people or challenging wayward travelers to a ssireum (Korean wrestling) match for the right to pass. Dokkaebi are extremely skilled at wrestling and cannot be beaten unless their right side is exploited. In other tales, dokkaebi only have one leg, so one should hook their leg and push them to win.

Dokkaebi fire is a glimmering light or tall blue flames that herald the appearance of dokkaebi.[5]

Dokkaebi possess magical items such as the dokkaebi hat called the *dokkaebi gamtu* (도깨비 감투), which grants the wearer the ability of invisibility, and the dokkaebi magic club called the *dokkaebi bangmangi* (도깨비 방망이), which can summon things like a magic wand.

Dokkaebi have immense supernatural powers, can bring good harvests, big catches and great fortunes to humans, and are defenders against evil spirits. Rituals are held to appeal to dokkaebi to bring benefit to humans. Some communities hold rituals to chase away dokkaebi, who are thought to be the causes of fires and contagious diseases.

## The Reality

Dokkaebi are far from harmless, and quite how that word might have become attached to these creatures is beyond me. Nor in fact do they resemble tiles or tools, though their skin does have the appearance of coarse stone, or weathered iron. I am yet to witness either a travelling magical hat, or a magic wand of summoning, but both of these artifacts fall well within the realms of possibility given the power of the artifacts in the possession of the Nekomancers guild.

As with many attributes that humans seem to think spirits have, absolute goodness and absolute evil are some of the most spurious. Dokkaebi are neither beings of great good or evil by nature, and in actual fact the existence of these conflicting accounts can be understood through a simple principle; Not all dokkaebi are the same. I have no doubt that throughout history dokkaebi have been responsible for aiding humans, and bringing great harvests as the mood suited them. I also have no doubt that they regularly get drunk, start fires and wrestle humans to death because they're arseholes.

Dokkaebi have a complex social structure akin to human hunter-gatherer arrangements, combined with a martial heirarchy, or might-makes-right approach to governance.

## Encounters

The Soul Guardians first interaction with Dokkaebi was during Day 3. Immediately following their battle with the Yuki-Onna at the graveyard, the wounded and weakened Soul Guardians engaged with 2 Dokkaebi who were slaughtering Tengu of the Blind Eye. The battle was short and fierce, and the soul Guardians were severely wounded, Rick in particular, but were able to dispatch one of the Dokkaebi in answer. the Dokkaebi in question were subsequently revealed by Mikaribaba to be in the service of Sanshin Ontake.