7. Loosely inspired by Germanic folklore, alps are a race of vampiric monsters whom, according to real-world mythology, attack sleeping females and partake in devilish pranks around a farm
A race of vampiric monsters, the alps of The Witcher bear only partial resemblance to their real-world counterparts. Enjoying drinking the blood of men and young children, these female monsters otherwise behave more in a manner similar to common vampires than in their eponymous legends. Portrayed conversely in The Witcher as purely female, whilst in traditional mythology alps were entirely male and the female version of the creature is instead known as a “mara”, according to Germanic folklore the creature attacks female victims whilst they sleep. Inducing horrific nightmares and controlling their dreams, the alp is another creature apparently originating from the inexplicable condition of sleep paralysis.
Sitting atop the chest of their victim, an alp becomes increasingly heavy, gradually crushing the sleeper in their bed. Forcing them to awaken from their nightmare or otherwise die, the individual is unable to move or scream until the attack subsides. Not entirely evil, however, the alp was also regarded as a mischievous race fond of trickery. Among the many pranks known to delight, alps are included the placing of infants back into soiled diapers, the replacing of fresh milk with soured milk, and draining a mother of her breast-milk.