Skin Walkers

There are many cultures around the world that have a myth about skin walkers. They are also often referred to as shape shifters, although I personally think of them as two separate things. One of the best documented legends revolving around skin walkers is that of the Navajo people. 


According to this legend it is said that, the ability to skin walk is associated with evil. It is rare that this ability is an attribute of a woman, in most cases it is a man who is the skin walker. Skin walking is also connected to witchery. 


In other legends a skin walker has to have the skin of a shape shifter to be able to change form. This is also linked with witchery as an enchantment/spell has to be preformed for this type of skin walking to be possible. 


Skin walking is generally associated with evil in most legends. This is where I've found the difference between shape shifting. Although shape shifters are seen as dangerous, they are not always evil, and in some cases they are seen as protectors. I personally have not been able to find a legend that does not place skin walkers and evil hand in hand. 

Wendigo

There are a couple of legends around this topic. The first which I found says that this monster is one from the coldest places. It's made of mud and ice and feeds off flesh. It will attack just about anything for food, even other Wendigo's. It's also said that he can shape change into anything it wishes at any time it pleases.

Every legend about this monster agrees upon a few things. First, this beast is highly dangerous and should not be underestimated. Second, that it feeds upon flesh, preferably fresh. Lastly, that it learns extremely fast from any situation it's placed in.

The second legend I found says that the Wendigo was originally human. It's said that a wendigo is made from a person who has been forced into cannibalism to survive. Because the person ate human flesh it was the cursed and began to transform into the beast. It was often thought that people who have gone missing in the forests of northern america have fallen victim to the creature.

One last thing that the legends about this creature have in common is that the only way to kill a Wendigo is with fire.

There is a psychological condition that is unique to the Algonquin people labeled 'Wendigo Psychosis'. This is where the victom develops a craving for human flesh.