Painajainen are faeries that manifest in the shape of small white horses. They come from the Alps and have the unpleasant job of carrying nightmares. They enjoy tormenting children with bad dreams and entering their minds during sleep to bring recurring nightmares that scar children for life. They are said to live for around 3,000 years, and therefore are able to continue to afflict whole families for generations with the same cursed dreams.