Take the Spooky Challenge ‌👻‌

[Michal_Gebacki]

Welcome back, Dynatrace Community!

We're posting this Community Challenge exactly in the middle of October. It means the well known in many countries Halloween is right around the corner! You do not necessarily have to celebrate it, we're using it just as a pretext for an interesting theme 😎

Share spooky legends or stories from your country or culture! It can be a tale or urban legend, just like a story or film. Only rule - it needs to be spooky! Let's explore what scares people around the globe! 

Benefits of taking Community Challenges!

👉 Every participant receives a unique "Spooky Badge"

👉 You will also get +100 bonus points for extra activity

👉 Engage with others and have fun!

[Mike_L]

This is one I heard a couple of times in Sweden:

My daughter woke me up at ten past twelve last night. My wife and I had picked her up from her little friend Sally's birthday party, gone home and put her to bed. My wife went to bed while I dozed off in front of a football game.

"Daddy," she whispered and tugged on my shirt sleeve. “Guess how old I am.”

“I don't know, honey. How old are you?”, I answered and put on my glasses.

She smiled and held up four fingers.

It is now half past eight in the morning. Me, my wife and our daughter have been awake for almost eight hours. But she still refuses to tell us where she got them from.

[victoria]

I heard a story once... about a production environment... with no observability!!! 😱

[AntonioSousa]

WOW! This is really spooky!

[Malaik]

Nice one

[Malaik]

Hi,

When I was young, in our old building, the elevator was OOS mode, and the legend says that there is someone leaving inside the elevator.

so, It was a challenge everyday to climb the stairs as the elevator and stairs share the same area.

But now, Im a real man and I climb without scaring

[Kenny_Gillette]

Longstreet Theater (University of South Carolina – where I went to college)

Formerly a civil war hospital, this theater is located on the University of South Carolina campus and is known to be a hot spot for paranormal activity.

The ghosts of former patients and staff members are said to wander the theater, believing they are still in the hospital. Cold spots, strange noises and full apparitions are common occurrences at this theater. Visitors often report a feeling of discomfort and unease when in the green room, or what was once the morgue. Others have reported hearing the sounds of doors being slammed shut and the floor creaking at night. The elevator doors are also known to open on their own.

NOTE: I have not seen anything 🙂

[AntonioSousa]

This is one historic tale, from the greatest Portuguese book (poem) ever written, almost 500 years ago: Os Lusíadas. At the time, Portuguese explorers had gone by sea where no one had gone before. But there was one particular spot on the planet that instilled fear in those brave navigators: going around the Cape of Good Hope, in southern Africa.

And thus the spooky figure of Adamastor came to life: adapted from the Greek word for "untameable", living in the deep sea, it was a mythological symbol of the natural challenges that those navigators faced!

Today, we know ahead about hurricanes, just like the one last week. Several centuries ago, these same forces of nature were beyond imagination. And Adamastor would spook those fearless mariners like no other, for at least a couple of centuries:

"O you, the boldest of the nations, fir'd
By daring pride, by lust of fame inspir'd,
Who, scornful of the bow'rs of sweet repose,
Through these my waves advance your fearless prows,
Regardless of the length'ning wat'ry way,
And all the storms that own my sov'reign sway,
Who, mid surrounding rocks and shelves explore
Where never hero brav'd my rage before;
Ye sons of Lusus, who with eyes profane
Have view'd the secrets of my awful reign,
Have pass'd the bounds which jealous Nature drew
To veil her secret shrine from mortal view;
Hear from my lips what direful woes attend,
And, bursting soon, shall o'er your race descend.

"With every bounding keel that dares my rage,
Eternal war my rocks and storms shall wage
The next proud fleet that through my drear domain,
With daring search shall hoist the streaming vane,
That gallant navy, by my whirlwinds toss'd,
And raging seas, shall perish on my coast:
Then he, who first my secret reign descried,
A naked corpse, wide floating o'er the tide,
Shall drive—— Unless my heart's full raptures fail,
O Lusus! oft shalt thou thy children wail;
Each year thy shipwreck'd sons shalt thou deplore,
Each year thy sheeted masts shall strew my shore.

[kuncarlos]

Duérmete niño,
duérmete ya,
que viene el coco
y te comerá.  

The iberian story of the "Coco": https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coco_(folclore) 

[PacoPorro]

Snoopy + music + humor.
Spanish song with English subtitles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp-jOIk70aU

[PedroSantos]

Oooh I love this theme, spooky stories are the best! I'll go with a couple:

• Aqueduto das Águas Livres

Originally, it was built in 1713 to bring water into Lisbon. But in the 19th century, this Aqueduct became the hunting grounds of one of Portugal's first serial killers: Diogo Alves. He would hide out in there, rob his victims and throw them off the aqueduct. It is said he killed over 70 people in this manner, and his ghost is rumored to still haunt the aqueduct to this day, with several reports of eerie noises and screams echoing through the structure. The extra fun thing about this one? Diogo Alves' head is preserved to this day. He was caught, sentenced and hanged. But his head was preserved in order to study the origin of his evil. Yes, I'm serious it's really the man's head. And yes, you can google it if you really want to: Diogo Alves' head. Immediate results, ultra extra creepy.

• The Blind Ghost Girl on the cliff by Castelinho de São João do Estoril

"On the cliff overlooking the blinking blue ocean of Portugal, a young blind girl fell to her death while playing by the Castelinho de São João do Estoril. She is now forever haunting the place. 

Locals tell a story about a girl that was dancing at the edge of the cliff and fell to her death in the sea by the Castelinho de São João do Estoril. They say that ever since, you can sometimes spot a dancing girl at the very edge, always dancing.

One of the potential buyers in 1983 was José Castelo Branco, a Portuguese reality star, but when he got to the place, he gave up any plans of buying the place. At arrival he saw a girl playing with other children by the cliff and suddenly felt the urge to throw himself into the sea. Not buying a bad omen, he left without buying.

And although today, the story of the little girl on the cliff is mostly brought up when the house is put up for sale, it still persists to be told, again and again. And reports of a ghost of a little girl with a doll in her hand comes in as she dances on the cliff or goes through the walls of the house."

[RazTN7]

In October 2017, my friend and I embarked on trip to Jaipur, India, with a thrilling mission: exploring the infamous Bhangarh Fort, one of India's most haunted places. Located about 50 miles from Jaipur, this eerie fortress has a chilling legend.

According to local lore, a Hindu priest (Sadu) cursed the entire village, condemning it to destruction. This ominous warning keeps tourists away after 5 pm.

On October 5, 2017, we entered the fort premises, eager to uncover its secrets. As we strolled through the abandoned street market, the pleasant weather belied the foreboding atmosphere. I snapped my first photo, which surprisingly got distorted (see below). Locals claim that a priest once worshiped at the mountain top, marked by a small dome structure (zoom in to spot it).

Photo burst shivers down our spines. I quickly took another photo, which turned out normal. We proceeded with caution, exploring the fort's rooms. However, we sensed very strong odor musty, ammonia-type smell which was massive bat colony – forced us to expedite our exit as it was give us headache.

During our hasty exploration, I lost my friend for 10 minutes. Relieved to find him capturing landscape photos, we swiftly departed, abandoning our plans to explore further.

Our experience left us with an unsettling memory feeling that Bhangarh Fort still guards its dark secrets.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhangarh_Fort

https://www.easemytrip.com/blog/experience-the-presence-of-ghosts-at-these-haunted-places-in-india

Cheers!
RN

[Patrick_H]

Not a spooky story, more some spooky places you can visit in Austria. We have lots of old castles that have a spooky flair and also there are some places like the ones listed below which are at least a bit spooky:

• House of Bones with colored skulls in Hallstatt
• Museum of Crime in Scharnstein - where you can see ancient instruments of torture and exhibits from real crimes
• Mummy of St. Thomas

[rgarzon1]

I remember the story my grandmother used to tell us almost every time we lost power due to some issue in the grid or because an electricity tower had been destroyed.

It was a story from when she was a little girl, about how, among the coffee plantations, there was always a boy with a big hat who would throw small stones at you to get your attention. And if you paid attention and fell into his game, he could take you away forever

Location: Colombia / Valle del cauca
something related: Qué son los Duendes | Explicación + Historias

this are not related to legend of Story but they are spooky:

I also remember how, on several nights at midnight, we would hear the sound of horses right in front of my house, which was on a mountain with a single rural path. As a child, seeing them was my favorite thing. The first time we heard it for around 00:00, we got excited because you don’t usually see horses at that hour. We rushed to the window, but there was nothing there, even though we could clearly hear them as if they were right in front of us. We were just 10 meters away from the road, and we could hear the horses in front of us, not only as they passed by but also as the sound of their hooves faded into the distance. From that moment on, we never went back to the window, even though we would hear the horses again.

i think i have many of this stories but many of them related to my grandmother, 

While it's true that I've never been a fan of the supernatural, there are things that can't be explained with logic. When it comes to ghosts, I'm not exactly a skeptic, mainly because I've seen how they’ve messed with my uncle. He always shows us how, when he worked in the CCTV area of a hospital, near the morgue, the cameras would show strange things. Every time he arrived, you could see on the footage how, while he was working at his computer and checking the CCTV, something would throw his bag. It would open by itself, and things inside would start coming out, one by one, neatly organized, while he was standing 4 or 5 meters away from the bag. Whatever it was, it would open the bag and take things out in order. It was terrifying to watch on video.

[Mohamed_Hamdy]

As I’m from Egypt, I’d like to share some thoughts on the Curse of the Pharaohs. This legend is one of the most famous in Egyptian folklore and is believed to strike down anyone who disturbs the tombs of ancient kings. The myth gained significant attention after the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, as several individuals associated with the excavation faced mysterious deaths and unfortunate events.

In addition, Egyptian folklore is rich with stories of jinn (genies), supernatural beings that can be either benevolent or malevolent. These entities are thought to have the power to influence human lives, sometimes causing mischief or bestowing great fortunes. Many tales describe encounters with jinn, often serving as warnings about the consequences of summoning them.

Speaking of personal encounters, I have some intriguing stories, but one stands out. One night, I dreamed of a big white cat with striking red eyes that seemed intent on attacking me. I fought back, and the cat retreated. A few days later, I spotted a real white cat with red eyes on the street; it was the same one from my dream. Unlike typical cats, which usually flee from humans, this one made aggressive sounds as if ready to attack, but it suddenly darted away. What do you think? Could this have been a jinn 😃

[DanielS]

Last year, Netflix took one of these stories from my country Argentina, the “embichado” and make it a film (When evil lurks). In the popular culture of some rural areas of Argentina, an embichado is a person believed to be possessed by the devil or an evil spirit. This belief is often associated with legends and superstitions, and is often used to explain misfortunes or bad luck that affect a community.

Also there are 7 rules to deal with embichados:

1- Do not use electric light. The shadows that it projects can attract the 'embichados'.

2- Stay away from animals. These can become really violent when they come into contact with evil, being the cause of some of the most brutal scenes in the film.

3- Do not use firearms. You never know how they can end up turning against you, since the 'embichados' will make you use them against yourself.

4- Do not hurt the creatures. It is useless to do this, since evil can never die.

5- Avoid bringing objects close to them to which they adhere. Once in contact with these demonic entities you must get rid of them, it does not matter if it is the clothes you wear, the car or the keys to your house.

6- Do not mention the devil, this will end up attracting them. As creatures of the night and evil, as the brothers' mother reveals in When Evil Lurks, these creatures love to be summoned.

7- Don't fear death. The 'embichados' are always one step ahead and will get into your head so that you panic and end up doing exactly the opposite of what you expected. The fear of disappearing from the face of the Earth will be the end for many.

[Shirai]

In Japan, there are numbers that are considered unlucky.
The number 4 is pronounced "Shi" in Japanese, which is reminiscent of the same pronunciation of "death," so it is not considered a good number. The number 9 is also pronounced "Ku" in Japanese, which is reminiscent of "suffering," so it is disliked. Even today, there is a tendency to avoid the numbers 4 and 9 in hotel and hospital room numbers.

[MaximilianoML]

The legend of the Chupa Cabra is a dark tale that haunted Brazil in the 1990s, especially in rural areas. It all began with sinister reports from small communities, where farmers and locals would wake up to find their livestock dead, drained of blood, and left with strange wounds on their bodies. The scene seemed like something out of a nightmare: sheep, goats, chickens, and even dogs were found scattered across fields, completely bloodless, their eyes staring into the void.

Rumors about the mysterious creature quickly spread. Witnesses described a terrifying being with bright, piercing eyes that cut through the night like knives, sharp claws, and scaly skin that seemed to reflect the moonlight. Some said it was the size of a large dog; others claimed they had seen it standing like a man. The sound it made was a high-pitched, unsettling hiss that echoed in the darkness, like a distant scream of pain.

People began to fear the creature and avoided going out at night, but the reports kept coming. Armed farmers and hunters tried to capture it, but it was as if the Chupa Cabra knew it was being hunted and vanished into the dense brush, leaving behind only terror and the dry bodies of animals.

Over the years, sightings dwindled, and many believe it still roams in remote areas, a nocturnal predator that feeds on the blood of unsuspecting animals.

 

[dannemca]

Came here to this one! I was a child during the "chupa cabra" fever in Brasil, it scared the sh!t out of me, specially because I lived in a small city, surrounded by rural areas. Every sunday, watching "Gugu" and seeing different stories of ChupaCabra apparitions.

[MaximilianoML]

Hell yeah! As a typical Brazilian I also watched a lot of Gugu and being from Rio Grande do Sul, you can imagine how hard the ChupaCabra fever hit us... when kid, I remember that once I asked a Brigadiano (Typical Police man in RS) if they'll protect my blood from this creature. 🤣

[Mizső]

I have a nice movie memory from my young ages. It is not so scary...

There is a scene in the Roman Holiday which is my favourite one:

Based on the story Joe (Gergory Peck) takes Ann (Audry Hepburn) to the Mouth of Truth and tells her the legend attached to it: if a liar puts their hand in the mouth, it will be bitten off. After Ann tries it, when it is Joe's turn, he startles her by pretending that his hand was cut off. I have also tired it, but I still have two hands... 😉

If you visit Rome check the Mouth of Truth, it is quite close to the Colosseum.  

[marina_pollehn]

Not really a horror story, but a little spooky legend or who knows, maybe real story from my home town Hamburg in North Germany.

There was a pirate called Klaus Stoertebecker. He was born in 1360 and robbed many North German merchants (part of the Hanseatic League) of their wares. There are many stories of how he escaped many times but in 1401 he and his 73 man crew were captured. 
The Senate of Hamburg sentenced them all to death - and Stoertebecker was supposed to be executed as the first one. Because of his good negotiation skills, he managed to make a deal with the the mayor. He bargained that the mayor would spare all men, who he would still manage to walk by after he was beheaded (yea just the body had to pass them, not the head).
He managed to walk past 11 of his crew members, before the executioner had enough and tripped him over. Well this act was all for nothing. The mayor broke his promise and the entire crew was beheaded and their heads put on spikes.

THE END 😄 

[dannemca]

In Brazil we have a rich folklore, and the most iconic one is the Saci (which we celebrate in Oct 31).

"He is a one-legged black man, who smokes a pipe and wears a magical red cap that enables him to disappear and reappear wherever he wishes (usually in the middle of a dirt devil). Considered an annoying prankster in most parts of Brazil, and a potentially dangerous and malicious creature in others, he nevertheless grants wishes to anyone who manages to trap him or steal his magic cap. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saci_(Brazilian_folklore)

[Peter_Youssef]

Cool @dannemca 😊

[JSRedondo]

The story of The Witches of Zugarramurdi is one of Spain's most famous witchcraft tales, originating in the small Basque village of Zugarramurdi in the early 17th century. The legend tells of a group of villagers accused of practicing witchcraft, performing rituals, and holding gatherings or akelarres (Sabbaths) in nearby caves. These gatherings were said to include chanting, dancing, and invoking the devil, sparking fear among the local population and eventually catching the attention of the Spanish Inquisition.

In 1609, the Inquisition launched an investigation that led to widespread interrogations and confessions, often extracted under torture. Ultimately, twelve people were executed in a large auto-da-fé in 1610, marking one of the largest witch trials in Spain.
The witches of Zugarramurdi haunt Basque legend—a chilling tale of persecution, dark rituals, and shadowed forests where ancient magic lingers. This eerie mystique flows through the Baztan Trilogy, where Inspector Amaia Salazar faces a twisted web of events tied to old customs, witchcraft, and a mythic past. Set in the mist-laden valleys of Baztan, both the real and fictional tales blur reality and superstition, immersing us in a world where the land itself seems alive with ancient, unsettling secrets.
https://www.netflix.com/title/80173176

[ChadTurner]

Love this! Loved reading all the stories posted. 

There has always been tales of a haunted mansion about 10 mins from where I grew up. The Majors Inn, located in Gilbertsville NY, always was a popular location and had haunted tales. As a young kid, I brushed them aside after all it really was just a bunch of 'Hocus Pocus' that is until I experienced it. 

A local resident wrote a screen play and I got a role in it. It just so happens, the screen play was to be done at the Majors Inn. As we rehearsed and went into dress rehearsals, one cast member reported missing clothing for his character. 

I just so happens the clothing that was lost, was that of the military style, like Military ridding boots. We looked high and low, no one could find the boots or anything else that vanished.  

A little bit about the building:

Major's Inn and Gilbert Block is a historic inn and tavern and commercial building at Gilbertsville in Otsego County, New York. The Gilbert Block consists of three 2-story attached brick commercial structures varying slightly in height in the Neo-Tudor Style. It was built between 1893 and 1895, and hosts shops and artist's studios. It was designed by Boston architect Henry Forbes Bigelow. Major's Inn was started in 1896 and finished in 1917 on the site of the original 1822 Gilbert homestead which burned in 1895. It is a 3+1⁄2-story structure with a gable roof covered in slate, interrupted by a number of chimneys, dormers, and conical roofs on towers. It has a rambling effect accented by the use of a variety of projecting balconies and bays, towers, and several porches. The medieval English Tudor and Gothic building was commissioned by Major James L. Gilbert using Augustus Nicholas Allen to construct it. Decorative elements on both buildings incorporate the quatrefoil.[2] The Inn went through a series of owners during the 1950s to 1970s and, beginning in 1980, a group founded by Alan Cleinman which became the Major's Inn Foundation, Inc. began to raise funds for the purchase of the property. Today, under the ownership of the Foundation, the Major's Inn has been significantly restored and serves as a cultural center.

Another spooky encounter: 

When me and my bud Tom were 15 we went into the Majors Inn in Gilbertsville, it is a large castle like building in town were war majors would meet and hide during heavy war… has underground rooms and catacombs to hide, trick doors, hidden rooms, cool place, we have always heard it was very very haunted…It was about 9 at night we were exploring around, being kids should have been scared but thought we were tough…We were upstairs like 3rd floor and heard
doors opening and voices….
Never thought of ghost thought we were in huge trouble…we ran in to a room that had another closet size room and we tried
to hide in the small room…Multiple footsteps, lights came on in our mind .. They knew we were there and were searching…….
Voices continued but made no words…it was just sound…Male and female voices saying things that were not words so we stayed in the closet…So after about 2 hours of this my buddy started to panic, I was still not thinking ghost until I heard something I can't explain like a cereal sound all around us, and still the footsteps…So  he kept saying I'm going to run and I said no……Under the door I saw light, I heard footsteps right next to us..

And Tom cranked the door open ready to face the music and run from it…and I swear when he opened that door it was as dark as it was when we came in…there was no one around the place was empty…Not 30 sec before that I saw the light I heard the steps and so did he…We ran outside and the sun was coming up but to this day we both swear we
were not in there more then 3 hours total and we went in at 9.

----

Needless to say, I don't go near that place anymore 🤣