u/Infested_spread_666

They are called Ilwedritsch, Elwedritsch, Elbedritsch, Elwetrittche and more, and they are known from Southwest Germany to Eastern Europe and North America (Pennsylvania) and even South America (Brazil).

But the following focuses specifically on the Ilwedritsch, the version of this mythical creature—or demon—found in Germany's Main-Tauber district, especially in the areas where the Dauwägrindisch dialect is spoken.

According to local folklore, the Ilwedritsch is a strange creature composed of several animals: it has the body and feathers of a woodland bird, the beak of a raven, the claws of a rooster, scales of a fish and the eyes of a nocturnal predator.

Some old tales even claim that older specimens grow small antlers like those of a roe deer.

The creature is said to spend its days hidden deep within the dark forests surrounding the villages or sleeping high in the crowns of willow trees along the Tauber River. It is rarely seen in daylight.

At night it is believed to roam silently through the woods, luring careless wanderers away from the paths with strange calls.

Although seldom described as openly violent, an encounter with an Ilwedritsch was thought to bring misfortune, confusion, or several nights of disturbing dreams.

The origin of the legend may reach back to ancient European beliefs in protective and harmful spirits. Like many mythical beings of rural folklore, the Ilwedritsch may preserve echoes of much older traditions in which unseen creatures inhabited forests, rivers, and the darkness beyond the village.

The traditional way to hunt an Ilwedritsch is, of course, known only to experienced hunters—or so they claim. The hunter enters the forest after sunset carrying a sack while companions wait nearby. The creature is lured by producing a long, high-pitched call from the throat:

"Miiimimimiiiii... Miiiiiiimiii... Mimimimiiiii..."

Legend says that the Ilwedritsch, curious by nature, approaches the sound and can then be caught in the waiting sack.

In reality, however, this "hunt" has long been a harmless local joke. In the Main-Tauber region, people sometimes send particularly "special-smart" visitors or newcomers into the forest to search for an Ilwedritsch, solemnly instructing them to make the peculiar "Miiimimimiiiii..." calls until the creature appears.

More often than not, the only things the would-be hunter catches are a cold and the laughter of those who sent him into the forest.

12" Gatefold LP - Christhunt Productions - 2001

Lmtd 400

Northern Heritage - 2006

2006 - Christhunt Productions

Lmtd 50

12" LP - self released - 2004

Lmtd 525

Part I

12" LP - Eternity Records - 2003

Lmtd 200 - came with Anti-Taake Insert

Part II

12" LP - Eternity Records - 2006

Lmtd 300

12" Gatefold LP - Christhunt Productions - 2003

Lmtd 500

An absolute classic and one of my favorite releases from the German underground black metal scene.

Came as Bundle,

Red TS and Jewelcase CD lmtd 50

Eisenwald records

12" LP - Agonia Records - 2013

10" MLP - Niedersachsenklan - 2002

Ltmd 540