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The Kludde (also known as Kleure, Klerre, Kledde, or Waterkledde) is a demonic canine of the water in folklore from the Netherlands and Belgium.[1] Some belief it to be a werewolf, a demon, or even the devil himself.[2] 

Myths & Legends[]

In Brabant - but mostly in parts of Belgium - people feared the nocturnal "Kludde"-shouting monster; hence the name Kludde. People know him as a horrifying Tormentor, and as a demon that lives in the water and pulls children in.

The monster can sometimes be found in the reeds, under bridges, and inside hollow trees.

Some say the demon used to live in Dender, but the civilians of Aalst managed to chase him off to Dendermonde. An unlikely story, especially since Kludde was known in a much wider area.[3]

Abilities[]

The Kludde can move at immeasurable speeds and is said to spawn from the cremated bodies of witches and wizards. Some say if one were to kill the Kludde, 7 more would crawl from its corpse. He likes to play dangerous games such as jumping on unsuspecting passersby and becoming increasingly heavy.

Appearance[]

It is generally described as a big dog that walks on its hind legs with heavy chains (at least one around its ankle), bear claws, a black beak, green glistening scales on the batwings on his back, and crimson-colored bulging eyes.[4]

The Kludde is also capable of shapeshifting into other animals, such as ravens, snakes, cats, frogs, bats, humans, and even trees that grow high above the clouds. It may also shapeshift into a horse, and take someone for a ride before shaking them off in the wilderness. Some people believe Kludde teams up with the Lange Wapper, another tormenting shapeshifter from Flanders.

Countermeasures[]

Should one encounter the beast, there's not really any hope to escape him by running. Throwing a handkerchief could save their life; Just like with the werewolf, this fiend has no other choice but to rip it apart carefully, fiber by fiber.[5]

References[]

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