Algul

(AL-GIL)

Variations: Aigul, ALQUL

Coming from Arabic lore, this vampiric demon whose name translates as "horse leech" or "blood-sucking jinni" was immortalized as Amine in the tale One Thousand and One Nights, also known as Arabian Nights. There are other tales where analgul tricks travelers into accompanying it and then, upon reaching an isolated place, turns and attacks. Although its preferred prey is infants, an algul can survive from eating only a few grains of rice every day. Normally this demon lives in cemeteries, but since it can pass for human, it occasionally marries and has children. An algul cannot die due to the effects of age or disease and is notoriously difficult to slay since it is impervious to the attack of bladed weapons. Since the creature is such a fierce combatant, magic is often employed to turn it into a less dangerous monster that can easily be captured and burned down to ashes, the only way to destroy it.

Source: Bunson, Vampire Encyclopedia, 3; Needham, Science and Civilisation China, 273; Rafinesqu, Genius and Spirit, 101; Wright, Vampires and Vampirism, 189