Vetala

The Vetala arises from the spirit of one who died a violent or premature death, unable to pass into the afterlife. In the Baital Pachisi, the sage Vikramaditya encounters a Vetala hanging from a tree, which tests him with riddles.

Takes possession of a human corpse, animating it. The host body is typically cold and pale, hanging upside down from trees near cremation grounds, hair wild and uncombed.

Omniscient of past and present events. Can enter and leave corpses at will, causing madness or death on contact. Immune to physical harm unless the proper exorcism rites are performed.