The Kinderräuber

"Just a fairy tale? Fairy tales don't break down the door then eat little Taber," - Ferren, Brambleton Sender

Summary

The Kinderräuber is a tale told to the naughty, misbehaving children of the towns in and around the Digter Bogs. Parents often tell a mischievous child that "the Kinderräuber's probably gonna get you," for any number of wrong doings. It isn't uncommon for parents to invoke the Kinderräuber even in the most mundane of offences.
The description of the Kinderräuber varies throughout the swamps. Some stories tell of a lanky, humanoid male wearing a crochet sweater and a burlap sack. Others describe a spider-like being that creeps into homes through chimneys and eats the naughty children in their beds. Still, some say it is a massive, crocodile creature that skulks through the mud, swallowing youngins whole.

Historical Basis

Regardless of the stories, one thing is for certain: the Kinderräuber is not a simple fairy tale, but a malevolent being that stalks the night. The Kinderräuber is a large, amphibious, ogre-like creature. A pair of bulbous, square eyes flank a massive maw of many rowed, razor sharp teeth; a long, slimy tongue lolls out of its mouth. Its spindly limbs belie its immense strength which it uses to stuff children down its maw. Despite its size, the Kinderräuber moves quietly; its victims often realizing too late what has snuck up on them.

Spread

The first mention of the Kinderräuber is unknown, but the story has been around for at least thirty years. After the first few children went missing in the swamps, the story quickly spread. Even in areas far from the bogs, to hear parents warning their children about the Kinderräuber isn't unheard of.