Kobold

Kobold (German: [ˈkoːbɔlt]; kobolt, kobolde, cobold) is a generic name for a household spirit (hausgeist) in German folklore. Kobolds are associated with both mischief and the performance of helpful tasks – especially household chores, such as washing dishes. The latter are often performed in exchange for offerings. On the other hand, they may cause damage when mistreated. A hütchen (Low German: hodeken), meaning "little hat", is one subtype of kobold; this and other kobold sprites are known for their pointy red caps. Others, such as the niss (cognate of nisse of Norway) or puk (cognate of puck fairy) which are often said to be seen in Northern Germany, alongside drak, a dragon-type name, the sprite is sometimes said to appear as a shaft of fire with what looks like a head. There is also the combined form Nis Puk. Hinzelmann, a house sprite, is a shapeshifter assuming many forms, such as a feather or animal. The name supposedly refers to it appearing in cat-form, Hinz[e] being an archetypical cat name. The similarly named Heinzelmännchen of Cologne (recorded 1826) is distinguished from Hinzelmann. The Schrat is cross-categorized as a wood sprite and a house sprite, and some regional examples correspond to kobold, e.g., Upper Franconia in northern Bavaria. The kobold is sometimes conflated with the mine demon kobel or Bergmännlein/Bergmännchen, which Paracelsus equated with the earth elemental gnome. It is generally noted that there can be no clear demarcation made between a kobold and nature spirits. The Klabautermann aboard ships are sometimes classed as a kobold.