ADZE

Lore

Among the Ewe people of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, the Adze is feared as a spiritual entity that can assume physical form to invade the human body. The word "adze" in the Ewe language translates to "pickaxe," a grim reference to the way the creature is believed to gouge out the life-essence of its victims, breaking the spiritual and physical integrity of those it targets.

Legend describes three distinct shapes the Adze can assume. Most often, it appears as a large firefly or glowing beetle emitting a cold, steady bluish light known as a "corpse candle." In this tiny form, the spirit can slip into huts through keyholes or cracks to drink blood unnoticed. However, if captured, it instantly transforms into its true physical guise-a humanoid figure that can be fought and killed like any ordinary human using common tools or weapons.

The spirit's third state involves possession. After entering a human host, the Adze does not kill them but transforms them into an abosom-a supernatural servant. While the victim's personality remains, their negative traits like envy and malice are magnified to the point of obsession. Folk healers look for physical signs of this possession, such as unexplained swellings or blood spots, though the primary indicator is a sudden shift toward treachery and madness.

The Adze favors swampy lowlands and the hollows of ancient trees situated between the jungle and human settlements. It does not require constant invisibility because its insectoid form provides perfect camouflage for travel. Because it can slip through the smallest gaps in walls or doors, closed entrances offer no protection against its hunger, forcing villagers to rely on spiritual charms and iron to ward off the glowing predator.