8 Southern Folklore Monsters You'll Encounter in South of Midnight

South of Midnight originates from the folklore, Creole culture, and superstitions of the deep South, as well as the tales and mythologies of the Southern swamps. From Bottle Trees to the heart-wrenching story of Benjy, each corner of the game is filled with allusions to traditional Southern legends and myths, and this is particularly noticeable in the game’s diverse creatures and bosses.

Right from the start when you grasp Weaver hooks, all the way until the final scenes unfold, South of Midnight weaves tales drawn from actual folklore creatures to breathe life into these enigmatic beings, cryptids, and spiritual figures. Some elements from South of Midnight have gained recognition beyond the deep South, such as the tale of a Devil at the Crossroads striking a bargain. However, numerous creatures originate from lesser-known cryptids and animals unique to the Southern region, like the Honey Island Swamp Monster or the Altamaha-ha, which resembles the Loch Ness Monster.

1. Haints

Malevolent Spirits Of The South

Haints can be encountered throughout the game in almost every combat arena

Among the mythical beings players will initially meet in “South of Midnight” are entities known as Haints. In the game, these Haints manifest as formidable adversaries composed of Stigma. In traditional Southern folklore, a Haint refers to an unrested spirit that hasn’t moved on from this world, often depicted as ghostly blue in appearance.

The word Haint is a Gullah dialectical variation of the word Haunt.

In “South of Midnight,” Haints typically don’t appear as blue (except when Crouton has command over one), but they are described using similar terms. Stigma, a form of spiritual decay, affects those who struggle to move on from their past or are tormented by it, materializing as various types of Haints in “South of Midnight.” As you complete each combat arena, Hazel can untangle the web of Stigma, and frequently, this process sheds light on the story behind why Stigma and Haints emerged in this specific location.

2. Two-Toed Tom

A Gargantuan, Gluttonous ‘Gator

Two-Toed Tom can be encountered in chapters 4 and 5

In the game “South of Midnight“, the first significant adversary you encounter is known as Two-Toed Tom, a colossal alligator that gobbles up everything in its path. As you delve into the pig farm and swamp regions during chapters 4 and 5, you’ll gradually piece together the tale of how Two-Toed Tom grew to such monstrous proportions. It’s revealed that he once belonged to a cruel owner who only fed him when the owner rang a bell.

It is worth mentioning that Jolene’s previous owner mistreated her when she was young, similar to the character from Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” song, with her distinctive auburn hair and emerald green eyes. Eventually, weary of the abuse, Jolene employed a strategy using a bell to prompt Two-Toed Tom to take action against her owner. Once he did so, Two-Toed Tom escaped and sought refuge in a pig farm, where he feasted on an abundance of food after years of starvation. As time passed, his hunger intensified beyond satiation, leading to his incredible size and earning him legendary status.

In the gaming world I inhabit, Two-Toed Tom is a legendary cryptid from Southern folklore. Known for his massive size and ravenous appetite for chaos, he’s often portrayed as downright evil, not your average alligator. The game, South of Midnight, doesn’t delve into the origin of his name, but it’s generally believed to be due to a steel trap or past attempts to eliminate him. Regardless, the first boss encounter in the game is an impressive rendition of one of the most storied mythical creatures from the South.

3. The Rougarou

Like a Werewolf, Now With More Feathers

The Rougarou can be encountered in chapters 6 and 7

The Rougarou is a legendary creature from Cajun folklore, resembling a werewolf. Typically, it’s depicted as being part-beast and part-human, capable of transforming between these two forms. In the game “South of Midnight“, you will come across the Rougarou in the sixth and seventh chapters; however, the interpretation of this shape-shifting mythical creature in the game differs significantly from most other portrayals of the Rougarou.

As you progress through chapters 6 and 7, you will encounter a character harboring a hidden truth: they embody a Rougarou, yet grapple with the wild nature within. In due course, this individual metamorphoses into an enormous, vividly colored owl-like creature – an unexpected twist from the usual wolf-like depiction of the Rougarou in folklore. Despite this departure, it’s a captivating reinvention of the Rougarou, and the melodies that resonate throughout the areas tied to the Rougarou are some of the finest tunes found within South of Midnight.

4. Huggin’ Molly

The Boogeyman of Alabama Folklore

Huggin’ Molly can be encountered in chapter 1, and chapters 8 and 9

In simpler terms, Huggin’ Molly is similar to the bogeyman in popular lore, a figure used by adults in Alabama to scare children into staying indoors during the night. The legend says that Huggin’ Molly is a ghostly woman who roams the streets after dark, dressed in a black gown and broad-brimmed hat. If she spots a child outside at night, she will seize them and shout, intending to frighten them back indoors.

In some interpretations, Huggin’ Molly might be likened to a Haint – a spectral figure of a mother who cannot find peace after her death and remains bound to the world of the living. On the other hand, some believe she was a schoolteacher in her previous life. Regardless of her past, Huggin’ Molly is often linked with protecting children, and her image can be both comforting and unsettling.

In the story titled “South of Midnight“, you’ll come across Huggin’ Molly in quick successions: firstly, she makes a brief appearance in chapter 1, then reappears in chapters 8 and 9. As the narrative unfolds and you venture deeper into her lair to locate Hazel’s mother, you will encounter Huggin’ Molly. In the game, this character is portrayed as an immense and frightening hybrid of a spider and a woman, with traces of blood where she treads, offering a striking and creative interpretation of the classic ‘woman-in-black’ depiction of this mythical creature. However, Huggin’ Molly isn’t purely malevolent, as Hazel learns in chapter 9.

5. Honey Island Swamp Monster

South of Midnight’s Take on the Cajun Bigfoot

The Honey Island Swamp Monster can be encountered in chapters 10 and 11

Similar to Huggin’ Molly, the Honey Island Swamp Creature is a legendary beast sharing characteristics with famous cryptids, such as Bigfoot in this instance. Known alternatively as the Cajun Sasquatch and steeped in Louisiana folklore, the Honey Island Swamp Creature is depicted as a colossal, hairy entity that appears partially humanoid and partially primate. This creature boasts large feet, an overpowering smell, and glowing red eyes.

First appearing in the mid-1900s, the Cajun Sasquatch, portrayed as Honey in “South of Midnight,” is an unusual Swamp Thing-like creature that players come across in the swamp following chapter 9. In the game, Honey is depicted as a massive, childlike being that Hazel interacts with and attempts to safeguard while making her escape from the swamp.

The Honey Island Swamp Monster isn’t typically portrayed as a child or a transformed child from the swamp in stories. However, in the “South of Midnight” interpretation, this creature is made out to be a charming, lovable, and ultimately sorrowful figure that Hazel decides to aid following Mahalia’s advice. Its bulky physique, oversized feet, and swampy characteristics align quite well with the Honey Island Swamp Monster description, except for its connection to the Altamaha-ha.

6. The Altamaha-ha

The Georgian Mermaid, Now With A Backstory

The Altamah-ha can be encountered in chapters 10 and 11

In chapters 10 and 11, Hazel will gradually discover the backstory of how Honey evolved into its current state. It is revealed that Honey used to be a baby whose mother, Ayotunde, frantically attempted to elude capture by leaping from a pleasure boat. She inadvertently lost her child during the fall, but unbeknownst to her, the swamp rescued the infant. Honey was safe close by, yet Ayotunde remained oblivious.

In a frenzied hunt, she desperately scoured and scoured, driven by despair to emit a piercing scream before transforming into the Altamaha-ha – a mythical creature from Georgia folklore, often depicted as a swamp mermaid or the Southern U.S. counterpart of the Loch Ness monster. In the game, Ayotunde is portrayed undergoing this transformation, seeking vengeance, and then spending the remainder of her days frantically searching every nook and cranny of the swamp for her lost baby.

In my gaming world, I’ve come across legends of a remarkable being known as the Altamaha-ha, half serpent, half fish, hissing and stretching long along the Altamaha river. The game “South of Midnight” paints a different picture, portraying this creature not just as a mythical beast but one born out of intense despair. In Chapter 11, I found myself assisting Ayotunde, the Altamaha-ha, in her quest to reconnect with her lost child, Honey, all without realizing it.

7. The Crossroads & The Devil

The Devil Went Down To The Town In The Tapestry

Can be encountered in Chapter 12

In the game’s narrative, while Roux isn’t based on a specific figure from Southern folklore, his portrayal and function share striking similarities with the timeless story of the Devil at the Crossroads. This tale, deeply rooted in Southern Blues and Hoodoo culture, is often associated with a liminal space, usually situated where paths converge – much like the intersections of destiny – reminiscent of a crossroads.

At the Crossroads, it’s believed that the Devil might be waiting, prepared to strike a bargain, possibly involving your soul in return.

In the game “South of Midnight“, Roux serves as the trusted assistant to Kooshman, the monarch of Nightmares and Dreams, essentially acting as the main antagonist. He resembles a psychopomp, similar to the Ferryman, who transports souls to the Town in the Tapestry so that Kooshma can draw sustenance from the regrets and lingering emotions that its residents are unwilling to relinquish.

Although Roux may carry some unfavorable connotations, he isn’t inherently portrayed as wicked. In fact, the Devil in Cajun folklore is often depicted as a charming, cunning, and intelligent figure, and Roux fits this description perfectly. By the story’s end, we discover that Roux aids Hazel in locating her mother in exchange for her assistance in controlling Kooshma’s hunger – implying that the Town in the Tapestry might not be as dreadful if one refuses to relinquish the hold of past experiences.

8. Kooshma

A Malevolent Spirit That Haunts Your Nightmares

Can be encountered in chapters 12 and 13

Occasionally referred to as ‘Cauchemar’, Kooshma is a puzzling figure in the folklore and mythology of Cajun tradition, displaying multiple interpretations. Generally portrayed as a female specter that haunts your nightmares, immobilizing you during sleep. Many believe this arises from the genuine experience known as sleep paralysis, where individuals afflicted by this condition may feel trapped and powerless within their own bodies, while an evil presence lurks or actively disrupts their slumber. Although rare, it typically occurs upon waking for those experiencing sleep paralysis.

In “South of Midnight,” Kooshma is portrayed as the Reigning Monarch of Nightmares, an ominous figure that craves the unprocessed, twisted feelings of individuals who are stuck in their past. Roux acts as a guide or boatman for souls who endured immense pain in their lifetime, but he becomes aware that Kooshma’s appetite surpasses normal bounds and attempts to control it.

Throughout the game, you’ll meet Kooshma multiple times during the Bottle Tree pursuits. However, in chapter 13, Hazel doesn’t directly encounter the King of Nightmares. The portrayal of Kooshma, a terrifying embodiment of Cajun sleep paralysis demons, is quite chilling. Given his dominion over a realm filled with souls trapped by regret, it fits perfectly with his association with sleep paralysis.

You’ll see Kooshma often in the Bottle Tree scenes, but not in chapter 13. He’s a fearsome representation of Cajun nightmares. Since he controls a world filled with souls stuck by regret, it makes sense why he’s linked to sleep paralysis.

2025-04-08 22:15

8 Southern Folklore Monsters You’ll Encounter in South of Midnight