Classification: Mythical Beasts & Cryptids

Temporal Range: 17th to 19th Century

Geographic Range: Scandinavia

Diet: Goat meat or mutton

Horde: Nordic

While it may not look like it, the Fossegrim is a kind of troll. Living near streams and waterfalls, it is found all over Scandinavia and is a close relative to the nøkken and kvernknurr. He is a beautiful young man who is lithe and striking in appearance and is always found playing the fiddle. Several stories describe him in various states of undress, but we can only assume this is an addition from thirsty fanfiction writers rather than reputable historians.

The Fossegrim is a gifted fiddle player and can be coaxed into teaching humans into playing, but at a cost. You can only meet him on a Thursday and he will only take a goat or mutton that is thrown into a waterfall but you must be facing away from the waterfall when it’s thrown. Even if you pass this test, if the meat is not good enough, you can still fail. However, if you do pass, the Fossegrim will then take your hand, cut each of your fingers on the strings of the fiddle until they bleed and then he will teach you to play.

Yes, your fingers will be raw and bloody and you’ll likely still be incredibly frustrated by the specificity required to even play in the first place, but by the time the Fossegrim is through with you, you’ll sound like the greatest fiddler that ever lived. Now if only there was another great fiddler of folklore you could challenge…