Chernabog

The Chernabog is a character on ABC's Once Upon a Time. It débuts, with its only appearance, in the twelfth episode of the fourth season.

The Chernabog is based on the character of the same name from the Disney film Fantasia, and the deity Chernobog from Slavic mythology.

Biology

It is unknown whether the Chernabog is part of a larger group of creatures or it is a unique creature. It is a powerful demon with many physical similarities to a human. Its body is covered in dark scales that greatly vary in size. In addition to big glowing orange eyes, it has a pair of black bison-like horns.

As it is a magical creature, it is vital for the Chernabog to be in a magical environment, and it will vanish into thin air if it is deprived from magic.^[1] It feeds on evil, seeking out the heart with the greatest potential for darkness and devouring it.

The Chernabog's legs and forearms are covered in thick dark fur, whereas its head is completely bald and it has no eyebrows or facial hair. It has a set of bat-like wings in its back which allow it to fly, with the major difference being that each wing has two extra fingers and an extra articulation.^[2] It also has a long tail with a pointy end, and has only four toes per foot. Its teeth are all virtually identical, fang-shaped, and are remarkably small and spaced. They are attached to black gum, and are around fourteen upper teeth plus an unknown number of lower teeth.^[3]

History

Deep within Bald Mountain, the Chernabog stands guard over a curse within a crystal ball. Three great obstacles block those who attempt to venture in, however, whoever manages to bypass them and steal the curse incurs the wrath of the Chernabog. Through Rumplestiltskin's false promises to provide them with happy endings, Cruella De Vil, Maleficent and Ursula help him nab the curse, but this awakens an angry Chernabog. Before making his own hasty exit, Rumplestiltskin advises the trio about the beast's ability to detect whoever has the heart with the greatest potential for evil and devour it. Left to the creature's mercy, the women hide behind rock pillars as they brainstorm a plan to let the Chernabog choose who it wants to kill first while the other two climb up a crack in the ceiling and then rescue the remaining person. Soon, the women step out into view, allowing the Chernabog a good look at each one of them, to which the beast settles for Maleficent, who combats with magic blasts. Once Cruella and Ursula reach safety, Maleficent reminds them of the plan, but when they do not save her, she grudgingly accepts her fate. As the Chernabog lunges at her, she is suddenly grabbed by Ursula's tentacles and lifted to safety. Unable to reach the intruders, the Chernabog glares up at them with its red glowing eyes and roars in anger. ("Darkness on the Edge of Town")

At some point, the Chernabog ends up trapped in the Sorcerer's hat. After the nuns are absorbed in as well, Belle and Hook research for a spell to free them. Belle consults a "professor from Oxford" to translate the spell, but little does she know, the man who helps her via email is none other than the banished Mr. Gold. Regina succeeds in releasing the nuns, but the Chernabog is also freed and flies off without anyone's notice. Later, the winged beast perches atop the clock tower and lets out a vicious growl, which attracts much fear and shock from the townspeople. Working together, Emma and Regina combine their magic to physically stun it temporarily. While the Chernabog is still on the loose, the pair gain knowledge from Cruella De Vil and Ursula about the creature's knack for finding and consuming the heart of a person with the greatest potential for evil. Since the Chernabog is magical, the beast must go across the town line as there is no magic outside of Storybrooke, which will cause it to cease to exist. Regina, believing the demon wants her, joins Emma in her car as they lure it out of Storybrooke. Instead, the Chernabog is actually stalking Emma, and after it causes damage to the car windshield, Regina teleports to the town line and offers herself as bait. While the gargoyle is on the car roof, Emma rapidly accelerates the vehicle speed, and then halts the car abruptly, which throws the Chernabog across the town barrier and out of existence. ("Darkness on the Edge of Town")

Appearances

Note: "Archive" denotes archive footage.

References