Lore

Trick or Treat 5: Drained

October 31, 2025

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  • The episode "Trick or Treat 5: Drained" explores global vampire folklore that deviates significantly from Western stereotypes, focusing on the Chinese Jiangxi, the Filipino Mananangal, and the Irish Avartok. 
  • The Chinese Jiangxi, or 'hopping vampire,' originally absorbed life force (qi) rather than drinking blood, and their hopping movement stemmed from the practice of corpse herding. 
  • The Filipino Mananangal is a female vampire that separates her torso from her legs to fly while hunting, often targeting pregnant women, and the 1992 Manila scare involved an accused woman being exonerated by touching a dried stingray tail. 
  • The Irish legend of Avartok, a magically powerful but cruel king, shares parallels with Bram Stoker's Dracula, particularly concerning his repeated reanimation after death and specific methods required to keep him permanently buried. 

Segments

Introduction to Global Vampires
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(00:00:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The final ‘Trick or Treat’ episode explores lesser-known, terrifying global vampire folklore.
  • Summary: The episode concludes the Halloween bonus series by focusing on vampires outside the typical Western stereotype. These alternative myths are presented as equally, if not more, terrifying. The introduction sets the stage for tales that defy cinematic expectations.
Chinese Jiangxi Vampire Lore
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(00:01:09)
  • Key Takeaway: The Jiangxi is a Chinese folkloric monster translating to ‘hard corpse’ that absorbs life force (qi) and hops due to rigor mortis.
  • Summary: Jiangxi films popularized this creature between 1980 and 1990, though the original folklore dates back to the late 18th century. They were initially zombie-like, often depicted with green/purple skin and stiff limbs forcing them to hop. Unlike Western vampires, they drained life energy (qi) rather than drinking blood, and transformation only occurred if the deceased was not buried properly.
Corpse Herding Practice Explained
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(00:05:14)
  • Key Takeaway: The Jiangxi’s hopping legend is rooted in the historical practice of Qing Dynasty corpse herding.
  • Summary: Corpse herding involved transporting executed criminals’ bodies from cities back to their villages for proper burial. Herders used herbs to delay rigor mortis, tied the corpses to poles, and made them appear to walk or hop. Villagers witnessing these nighttime processions of black-clad figures and bouncing bodies believed the corpses were reanimated vampires.
Filipino Mananangal Hunt
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(00:07:36)
  • Key Takeaway: The Mananangal is a female Filipino vampire that splits her body in half to fly, often blamed for miscarriages.
  • Summary: The origins of the Mananangal myth are obscured due to Spanish colonization destroying native documents. This creature preys on pregnant women using a long tongue to suck blood or fetuses, and she hunts at night, vulnerable to garlic and holy water applied to her stationary lower half. In 1992 Manila, an elderly woman accused of being a Mananangal was cleared after touching a stingray tail, a known repellent.
Irish Vampire Avartok Legend
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(00:14:11)
  • Key Takeaway: The cruel Irish King Avartok became an undead blood-drinker whose defeat required specific ritualistic burial methods.
  • Summary: Avartok, a vicious minor king, rose from the grave after being killed and traditionally buried upright, leading to him drinking blood. He was finally stopped after being killed a third time, impaled with a yew sword, buried upside down, and covered with thorns and a stone slab. This legend shows strong parallels to the character of Count Dracula, possibly influencing Bram Stoker.
Isle of Man Suicide Vampire
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(00:19:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Matthew Hassel, a 19th-century Isle of Man suicide, was staked and chained in his grave to prevent his vampiric reanimation.
  • Summary: Suicide victims were historically denied Christian burial, yet Matthew Hassel was interred at Malu Churchyard, leading to his reanimation during his funeral. He sat up and wailed, prompting mourners to stake him through the heart before chaining his grave with iron stakes. When the chains were later ripped out, another stake was driven through his chest to ensure he remained dead.
Episode Credits and Support
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(00:23:45)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode’s bonus content originated as member-only content supporting ad-free listening and merchandise.
  • Summary: The episode’s stories were originally bonus content for paid subscribers who receive ad-free episodes and merchandise discounts. Listeners can support the show via lorepodcast.com/support. The Lore book series and TV adaptation on Amazon Prime are also promoted.