The Nightmare (Also known as Mare) is a type of demon, not unlike the Succubus and Incubus, in that they take advantage of a person's weakened state while asleep. However, what sets these creatures apart from the more well known sexual demons is that it is known to be the cause of Sleep Paralysis, Sudden Death in ones sleep, and a variety of other ailments. They are described as old hags or mares that will sit upon and ride the chest of a sleeping person, while trying to suffocate or feed off the victim below in their helpless state. While attempting this deed, people have recounted having particularly terrifying dreams, or waking up with a sudden, and unexplained sense of fear danger, or dread.

The word Nightmare, in this modern age, is used not to describe a Demon, but rather a vivid dream that brings forth a sense of dread or fear, and that can at times, reflect upon the psych of the person. This, however, is still rooted in Folklore-ish tales.

They go by many names throughout the world, most common are: Mara (Scandinavian), Old Hag (British), Phi Am (Thailand), and Ja-thoom (Arabic).

Attributes: Dreams, Haunting, Fear

Type of Creature: Demon, Mare, or possibly Imp.

Behavior: Malevolent, hungry.

Element: Darkness.

Symbols: None.

Appearances in media:

• The above picture is entitled, "The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli, and depicts a woman being terrorized by this very creature.
• Edgar Allen Poe's poem, "The Fall if the House of Usher" seems make reference to this creature: "Irrepressible tremor gradually pervaded my frame; and, at length, there sat upon my heart an incubus of utterly causeless alarm."
• As does Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus": "She was there, lifeless and inanimate, thrown across the bed, her head hanging down, and her pale and distorted features half covered by hair."
• David J. Hufford's "The Terror that Comes in the Night,"(No credible link found) recite methods of keeping the creature at bay.