Kushtaka

Basic Information

Kushaka are creatures found in the myths of the Tlingit and Tsimshian of Southeastern Alaska. They are shape shifters who can switch between human and otter forms. In some stories, they trick people to their deaths, such as by imitating the cries of a baby or the screams of a woman. In others, they save people from freezing, often by distracting them with illusions of friends and families while turning them into Kushtakas as well, thus allowing them to survive.

See Also

• Alaskan Bermuda Triangle - they are blamed for many disappearances in this region
• Native American Mythology
  • Tinglit Mythology
  • Tsimshian Mythology

Sources

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia entry

Game and Story Use

• Possibly they are related to selkies, which also have a human and an aquatic mammal form.
• The "turning others into one of their own" also has some aspects of lycantropy.
  • It should be noted that a creature also home to Alaska, the Adlet, may have connections with werewolves.
• It is possible that HAARP is somehow disturbing their spiritual energies, thus aggravating them and leading to greater numbers of disappearances.
  • Insert your own HAARP Seal pun.