In the game Until Dawn, Wendigos are the primary antagonists. They are depicted as cannibalistic creatures born from a Native American legend. These beings were once human, but they transformed into monstrous entities after consuming human flesh, driven by a malevolent spirit. In Until Dawn, Wendigos are not just monsters; they are also the manifestation of the consequences of greed, desperation, and the breaking of taboos.
The Wendigos originate from a curse tied to cannibalism, specifically after a group of miners were trapped in a cave-in and resorted to eating each other to survive. The game depicts them as the primary antagonists, driven by insatiable hunger and a desire to hunt and kill. At first, they only appear as a secret threat to some of the protagonists, but as the game progresses, the Wendigos become active after the Psycho’s identity is revealed. This article will further discuss Wendigo in Until Dawn and everything you need to know. So, keep reading to learn more.
What is the Wendigo in Until Dawn? Complete Lore and Myth Explained
In Until Dawn, Wendigos are depicted as tall, gaunt, and skeletal figures with sharp claws, teeth, and an emaciated appearance. The game draws heavily from the Wendigo folklore, where cannibalism leads to possession and physical transformation into terrifying creatures. The Wendigo myth originates from First Nations tribes, particularly the Cree, who believe that consuming human flesh leads to possession by the Wendigo spirit.
As for its origin, this legend is said to have been brought to life as a curse plaguing Blackwood Mountain, also known as Mount Madahi. The game explores the story of a group of miners who engage in the act of cannibalism after being trapped in a cave-in, bringing the Wendigo curse upon themselves. The transformation of human beings into Wendigo creatures involves physical changes, such as a skeletal appearance, elongated limbs, and the loss of hair and gender characteristics.
As for the abilities of Wendigo, they possess incredible strength, speed, and agility. This allows them to hunt and overpower their prey. They can easily track and stalk victims effectively because their senses of sight, hearing, and smell are heightened. Also, they can mimic human voices to lure victims. Their weaknesses include fire, as it can burn through their protective skin. Their heightened senses are also their weakness, as they struggle to detect stationary targets.
Note that Wendigos are driven by an insatiable hunger and a sadistic desire to inflict pain upon their victims. They often favor brutal methods of killing, such as tearing apart their prey, impaling, and gouging. They hunt by sound and are relentless in their pursuit, often tracking their prey for hours. Even though Wendigo is known for its cannibalistic nature, it can also hunt other animals. Keep in mind that killing a Wendigo releases its spirit, which can then possess another human, thus perpetuating the cycle.
More Details Regarding the Characteristics of Wendigo
In the game, Wendigo are shown to be extremely deadly creatures, and their physical appearance allows them to move on four legs. This enables them to climb walls, crawl on any surface, or leap to different spots within seconds. Since the skin of Wendigo is tough, it allows them to feel no pain even after being attacked or injured by sharp weapons. However, heavy firearms like hunting rifles and shotguns can slow them down for a while. Fire is the only thing that can cause them serious harm. Fire can burn away their thick skin, which results in severe pain.
As for their characteristics and behavior, they are said to have a pattern. Wendigo only hunt at night, and they can track their prey for hours because of their great predatory skills. Even if they become deadly creatures, they still do not seem to lose their humanity completely, as they possess small intelligence, making them use human-like tricks to trap the prey. Note that Wendigo is sensitive to movement, and it fails to track those who remain still. But they use high-pitched screams to scare prey into moving and hunt them down.
When a human transforms into a Wendigo, they gradually become inhumane, lose their minds, and become more aggressive. However, they still seem to retain fragments of humanity and memories from their past lives. Understand that rather than being just physical beings, Wendigos are spirits with a fusion of cold and hunger. Also, cannibalism is the only way to transform into a Wendigo, and they are attracted to those who commit cannibalism and end up possessing them. Thus, one does not become a Wendigo through bites or scratches.
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Conclusion
In Until Dawn, Wendigos are terrifying, cannibalistic creatures that haunt the mountains. They were once human but turned into monsters as a result of a curse that transforms humans who resort to cannibalism. The game is heavily based on Native American folklore, where these creatures are described as spirits that possess individuals who engage in cannibalism. As for their appearance and abilities, they are tall, gaunt, and skeletal figures with sharp claws and teeth. They possess incredible speed, strength, and agility, which allows them to hunt their prey down easily.
The only way to eliminate a Wendigo would be by using fire, as it is their weakness. Indeed, fire can kill them, but that should be used as a last shot because Wendigos are immortal, and after death, their spirit will break free and end up possessing another victim. Other things to keep in mind are that they can mimic human voices and set traps to lure the prey. Apart from being titled as monsters, they also signify the consequences of desperation, greed, and the breaking of taboos.
