Iele the Transylvanian nymphs

The nymphs of Greek and Roman mythology, including dryad and, naiads, and many more. are described as supernatural female nature spirits. There can be found similar versions of nymphs in different other parts of Europe, including in the infamous place associated with horror stories, Transylvania. The nymphs of Transylvania (and in Romania as a whole) are called Iele. The Iele are considered very beautiful female nature spirits, who resemble young beautiful women with shimmering hair, who dwell in forests, caves, mountains and up in the sky. 

They bath in fresh water,  springs and lakes, streams, rivers and marshes. Often seen at crossroads, this makes these roads quite interesting. The Iele tend to be nocturnal when they're most active at night, dancing in the moonlight and starlight. They wear anklets with small bells so it makes gentle sounds when they move. They carry illuminated candles and appear to be sparkling. 

Maple and walnut trees are special to the Iele, for they climb them and reach the tops, where they like to dance magically but never fall. They're also described as wearing anything from fine loose dresses to golden chainmail, or dressed scantily clad in only flowers, or wearing nothing at all. They're not malicious by any way, although their presence harms the soil. Whenever they've been seen dancing, the place turns to carbon. and the grass is dead and tainted. The leaves around the trees where they danced is burnt. When the grass later eventually grows back, it's not green anymore but red or black, where mushrooms sprout up although the animals won't touch that grass. 

They often gather in groups and are rarely alone. They can travel at fast speed, and sometimes they use fiery chariots that whirl in the air. Although not evil, they can have bad tempers, and they can cause sensations of delirium, faintness, fatigue and motion sickness. The Iele can be vengeful and they can drive people to insanity. People have worn talismans of protection against the Iele, including mugwort and the dance of the Calusari. Today in Romania it's thought that the Iele are responsible for many experiences with aliens and hauntings.

She Wolf Night