Stregoni benefici
An italian variation on the Istrian (Dalmation) name for the kresnik, the good vampire or mortal
enemy of the evil kudlak. The name means "beneficial vampire" and indicates a belief that there
were certain undead who were on the side of goodness.

Striges
A name for a kind of witch (usually female) who could transform at night into a terrible crow and
drink the blood of humans, especially children. The name, used also for a lamia and for a bird,
came most likely from the Roman strix, a blood-drinking bird of the night. Some rank them with
actual vampires, but such a classification would probably have to be of the living variet (the
so-called live vampire) as they were clearly alive while active.

Strigoii
The most common species of vampire found in Romania, known as a "dead vampire" as compared with
the "living" variety, the moroii. The strigoii (feminine strigocia) will consort with the moroii,
who join the ranks of their undead cousins upon death. The ways of becoming a strigoii are
tradionally numerous: suicide, witchcraft, criminal activities, perjury, death at the hand of a
vampire, being the seventh son, being born with a caul, having a cat jump over one's corpse,
being stared at in the womb by a vampire, or dying unmarried with an unrequited love.
Additionally, the ropes used in burial must be placed near the body and should not fall into the
possession of a practitioner of black magic who might use them to turn a relative into a vampire.
A body that is transforming into a strigoii will have its left eye open and staring. The
recommended preventives against such a change include a sickle stabbed through the heart of the
corpse and the sticking of nine spindles into the ground to pierce the creature as it rises. Win
also figures in creating a powerful shield against attack. The strigoii's distinguishing features
include red hair, blue eyes, and the presence of two hearts.

Strix
A kind of screech owl known to the Romans, who attributed to it the ability to drink the blood of
young children. Over time, the name strix became associated more directly with vampirism,
evolving probably into striges, a kind of witch-vampire that was mentioned in various medieval
laws and edicts. The striges supposedly could transform itself into the night bird.

Succubus
The female demon, the feminine to the male incubus, a night fiend that visits men in their sleep
to torment their dreams and to engage in sexual relations. The succubus, like the incubus, has
definite vampiric characteristics, including its nighttime activities that render a victim
totally exhausted and weakened by the incessant carnal performances. The demon is also quite
similar to such female vampire spirits such as the mara and the Gypsy mullo, the latter said to
carry on romances with young men without their knowledge, the only evidence of their nocturnal
orgies being acute, potentially fatal fatigue.