In How to Write a Unique Spooky Story, I wrote about how to write a unique spooky story by either creating your own monster, creature, or horror yourself or by finding a monster that is not well known. I advised finding a monster by researching myths and legends in other cultures to find something that has a rich history surrounding it, but that is not considered modern. One of the countries that have some unique and old monsters is Iceland.

Lagarfljotsormur

Lagarfljotsormur loosely translates to 'worm monster' and the Lagarfljotsormur is the Icelandic version of the Loch Ness Monster. Lagarfljotsormur is believed to live in the Lagarfljot Lake, which is located near Egilsstadir in East Iceland. Lagarfljotsormur is believed to have been born when a young girl placed a gold ring under a heath-dragon (also known as a lungworm) in her dresser. A few days later the lungworm had grown so big, it broke the girl’s dresser. In fear, the girl tossed the lungworm and the ring into Lagarfljot Lake. Once in the lake, the growth of the lungworm accelerated until it became so big that it was able to terrorize people and animals that came too close to the lake.

Trolls

Trolls have a mostly humanoid form with a stooped back and a general level of ugliness that marks them as trolls and not humans. The trolls of Iceland are generally known for their fierce temperament that can cause them to act rashly, yet they have also been known to be fair deal makers. The trolls are believed to live in small communities hidden in the mountains that keep them safe from the rays of the sun, which would turn them into stone, and humans who would hunt them for their ability to create all sorts of things from stone. Trolls can be bargained with and favors can be exchanged, yet they can also become enraged at slights and their revenge is always crueler than the slight.

Skugga-Baldurs and Skoffíns

Both Skugga-Baldurs and Skoffíns are creatures that are born from the mating of a cat and a fox, though their appearances differ greatly. Skoffíns are generally the size of a small house cat and often look like underfed runts; these creatures are known for using their intellect to try to outwit humans. The Skugga-Baldurs is a giant cat the size of a mountain lion with fox-like features. These large creatures will often hunt humans that enter their territory, as well as those that try to capture their smaller cousins, the Skoffíns. Both Skugga-Baldurs and Skoffíns can kill or paralyze humans with one glance and the only known defense is to turn their own gaze against them using a reflective surface.   

Marbendill

Marbendill are male mermaids that live in Iceland. These creatures often have more fish traits than human traits, which make them well suited for colder weather, but less suited for pleasant human interaction. Marbendill can sense the innermost emotions of humans and animals and this makes them well aware of the intention of the person seeking them out. The Marbendill will often ignore humans who are just curious, but will play cruel tricks on those looking to capture a Marbendill. If the human persists after the Marbendill trick, then that human is pulled into the dark depths of the water that the Marbendill live in and is never seen again.