Dealing with Midjourney Randomness: How to Prompt Urban Legends

We put Midjourney randomness to the test every time we dive into a project that requires the AI to step up and deliver more than a “let’s see what this prompt does” result. Midjourney randomness is a double-edged sword. When users input textual descriptions (prompts), Midjourney uses artificial intelligence and neural networks to interpret the text and generate corresponding visual representations–the images. The level of randomness in the generated images is influenced by several factors, including the complexity of the prompt and the presence of style terms.

And while Midjourney randomness (or chaos parameters) can inject excitement and creativity into the image generation process, it can also make it challenging to achieve specific, high-quality and thematically consistent results. This is a challenge, an exercise in patience, and occasionally insanity-inducing. All part of the fun, of course. Expect the unexpected. Experiment with different prompts and styles. Beware of CHAOS.

Admittedly, we bit off a little more than we could chew for this Spooky Season blog on generating images for well-known urban legends. So much so, that a blog which started out with just one of us working on it became a full team effort.

Especially where the Hook Man is concerned.

Wait for it.

Urban legends, for anyone living under a rock, are those spine-tingling stories whispered in hushed tones around campfires in the dead of night. They have an uncanny way of capturing our imaginations and sticking with us. But what is it about urban legends that make them so enduring? Is it the thrill of the unknown? The suspense that lingers long after the story has been told? Or perhaps the communal experience of sharing chilling tales with friends and family?

All of the above really.

Which is why we’re prompting AI to illustrate some of our favorite scary stories (to tell in the dark). Because this is an AI blog after all.

And that brings us back to Midjourney randomness.

One of the key challenges is the unpredictability of image outputs. For those unfamiliar with prompting, yes, there is a certain magic to writing some text and getting back an image. It’s impressive any way you cut it. But when you’re on a mission for specific kinds of images in specific styles of specific subjects, things get hairy. While the AI can often produce interesting and creative images from even seemingly random or nonsensical prompts, it’s difficult to anticipate exactly what the AI will generate. The results can bee thrilling, horrifying, hysterical, and downright maddening.

Ahem. Hook Man.

The Prompt Police of Pink Horn

That’s why we decided to take a Prompt Police approach and comment on the good, the bad, and the ugly of our Midjourney urban legend descent. So without further adieu, may we present The Prompt Police of Pink Horn:

• Elisa – Pink Horn Creator, and the questionable genius who decided this was a good idea.
• Freddy – Horror film obsessor, and the first to fall in line with this lunacy.
• Ana – Pro Photographer, and the one who tried to lend integrity to this dumb idea, but quickly spiraled into madness.
• Blair – Late to the party, but immediately discovered the joys of the Hook Man prompt.

So strap in and welcome to the realm of urban legends, where Midjourney Randomness meets our deepest fears and the line between expectation and complete chaos blurs into oblivion. This will be entertaining. We promise.

Narrative Urban Legends: The Spooky Stories You Know

Narrative-Based Legends often revolve around a compelling story or narrative featuring human characters and their experiences. They usually involve common situations, such as encounters with strangers, mysterious phone calls, or eerie experiences in everyday settings. The emphasis here is on the storytelling aspect. These legends are often structured like short stories, complete with characters, plot development, and a twist at the end. They tend to explore themes of suspense, surprise, morality, and the unexpected in familiar, relatable settings. Playing on universal fears and anxieties, and making them relatable to a broad audience where they often serve as cautionary tales.

Below is a selection of some of the most prominent urban legends (at least here in America), and the images AI has produced to illustrate them. You’ll see in the case of the prompts themselves just what it did or didn’t take to achieve the desired (or undesired results), and how Midjourney randomness can work both in favor for and against the end result.

The Vanishing Hitchhiker

The Story: On a foggy night, a lone driver named Sarah was navigating a desolate road when she spotted a shivering hitchhiker along the way. The hitchhiker, a young woman in a tattered dress, seemed utterly lost and desperate. Feeling a pang of sympathy, Sarah offered her a ride, and the hitchhiker climbed into the back seat, giving her destination as the nearby cemetery. The drive was eerie, with the misty night amplifying the sense of unease. When they finally arrived at the cemetery, Sarah turned to say goodbye, only to find the back seat empty. There, lying on the seat, was the hitchhiker’s damp dress, dripping with graveyard dew. It was then that Sarah realized she had given a ride to a ghost, for the hitchhiker had died years ago.

The Legend: The vanishing hitchhiker legend is an urban myth where travelers encounter a hitchhiker who mysteriously disappears during their journey. This legend has been reported for centuries worldwide, with its roots traced back to as early as the 1870s. Notably, a 400-year-old manuscript from Sweden contains one of the earliest documented accounts of a vanishing hitchhiker, where a maid predicts future events before vanishing. Paranormal researchers and skeptics have cast doubt on the authenticity of these stories, attributing many instances to folklore, hearsay, hallucinations, or hoaxes. This legend has been a part of American folklore since the early 20th century and has various versions but typically involves a driver picking up a hitchhiker who disappears or reveals herself as a ghost upon arrival at her destination. The story has evolved over time, with different variations featuring elements of compassion, eerie settings, and the revelation of the hitchhiker’s true identity as a spirit.

The Prompt:

cinematic photography of a ghost of a young woman standing on the side of a lonely country ride looking at an approaching car, nighttime, dynamic lighting

cinematic photography of a damp dress on the backseat of a car, nighttime, atmospheric

The Prompt Police:

Elisa – If there’s one thing Midjourney always seems to nail without trouble it’s atmosphere. It might have a habit of generating hands with six fingers, but never say it doesn’t do atmosphere well. And I simply love the image of the veil over the car.

Freddy – Is the car going to prom? 

Blair – No, the car’s getting married.

Freddy – Who’s the girl in the seat then?

Ana – The wife.

Bloody Mary

The Story: A group of daring teenagers gathered in a dimly lit bathroom, huddled around a mirror that bore the scars of countless legends. One by one, they chanted “Bloody Mary” three times, their voices trembling with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Suddenly, an ethereal figure materialized in the mirror’s reflection, her face twisted in rage and her hands dripping with crimson. Panic gripped the teenagers as they scrambled to escape the room, their screams echoing through the house.

The Legend: The legend of Bloody Mary originates from a divination ritual practiced historically by young women. They would walk backward up a darkened staircase holding a candle and a hand mirror to catch a glimpse of their future husband’s face. However, there was a chance they might see a skull or the Grim Reaper, foretelling their early demise. In modern times, the legend involves chanting “Bloody Mary” into a dimly lit mirror to summon an apparition that can be either friendly or malevolent, with various unsettling experiences reported by participants. Over time, this legend has become a popular “ritual” at sleepovers and parties. It taps into the fear of the unknown and the supernatural.

The Prompt:

Hyper realistic. High detail. Cinematic photography. Urban legend Hell Mary. Mirror.

The Prompt Police:

Blair – When the 1990s hair wrap tool takes a turn.

Freddy – Number 3 is me trying to psyche myself up in the morning.

Blair: Give us a snarl.

Elisa: The red silly string really does it for me.

Ana: Lady Gaga got ahold of the can.

The Hook Man

This… is ridiculous.

The Story: It was a moonless night, and two young lovers, Mark and Lisa, sought a secluded spot for a night of passion. They parked their car in a remote area, far from the prying eyes of the world. As they listened to soft music, a radio announcement warned of an escaped mental patient with a hook for a hand. Panic surged through them, and they hastily drove away, eager to escape the danger. But when they finally reached safety, they found something that chilled their blood—a bloody hook hanging from the car door handle, a grim reminder that danger could be closer than they ever imagined.

The Legend: The Hook legend, also known as the Hook Man, is an urban legend that emerged in the 1950s in the United States. It revolves around a killer with a hook for a hand who attacks couples parked in cars at lovers’ lanes. The story has various versions but typically features a faceless, silhouetted old man wearing a raincoat and hat, creating a suspenseful and chilling tale that has become an enduring part of popular culture, with numerous references in literature, film, and television. It gained significant attention when it was reprinted in the advice column Dear Abby in 1960, becoming a well-known morality archetype. This chilling urban legend has also inspired various horror films, stories for children, and television episodes, solidifying its place as a haunting and enduring tale in the realm of popular culture.

The Prompt:

Too many to list.

The Prompt Police:

Elisa: There is something fundamentally wrong here.

Ana: I don’t have words.

Freddy: The Hook Man is just a nice old man who goes up to cars handing out meat.

Blair: I prompted ‘umbrella handle’ thinking it might give me a hook.

Ana: I used /describe with an image of the Hook Man and Midjourney told me to prompt an umbrella.

Elisa: How many generations do you think we actually went through on Hook Man?

Ana: Who can count that high.

Elisa: What’s everyone’s favorite?

Ana: The hanging meat on the door.

Blair: The Gollum car door.

Freddy: Old man with meat.

Elisa: I love the googly-eyed creature with the alligator-like face and the little feet. Where did he even come from?

The Babysitter and the Caller

The Story: Alone in a strange house with the children asleep upstairs, a babysitter named Jenny settled in for a quiet evening. But as the hours passed, eerie phone calls began to disrupt her solitude. A mysterious stranger on the other end described her every move in unsettling detail. Growing increasingly terrified, Jenny calls the police, who trace the call. “Get out,” they tell her. “The call is coming from inside the house.”

The Legend: This legend became prominent in the mid-20th century. The “Babysitter and the Caller” urban legend, also known as “The Babysitter and the Man Upstairs.” While there have been instances of crimes involving phone calls, home invasions, and babysitters, there isn’t a singular well-documented case that serves as the direct inspiration for this legend. Instead, the legend taps into broader societal fears and serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers faced by babysitters and those alone in unfamiliar homes. The legend likely draws on general fears and anxieties related to babysitting and being alone in someone else’s home, especially during a time when telephone communication was becoming more widespread. These fears are universal and have been part of folklore for generations.

The Prompt:

cinematic photography of 80’s babysitter on the phone in the middle of the night, atmospheric, 80’s living room, horror movie vibes

The Prompt Police:

Elisa: The two phones though.

Freddy: How to trace a call in the 80s.

Ana: Oh Midjourney, you were so close.

Freddy: Number 3 of the first batch looks like she’s holding a computer mouse.

Blair: Number 2 is the most accurate cord at least.

The Slender Man:

The Story: A group of friends, drawn by the allure of the unknown, ventured into the dark heart of a forbidding forest. Their curiosity was fueled by the legend of the Slender Man, a faceless entity said to haunt those who dared to seek it. As they explored deeper into the woods, unsettling events began to unfold—a sudden, oppressive darkness that snuffed out their flashlights, ominous drawings etched into the trees, and, most terrifying of all, the gradual disappearance of each friend, leaving only their haunting sketches as evidence of their eerie encounter.

The Legend: The Slender Man legend emerged in the early 21st century on an internet forum for creating paranormal images. Users contributed to the myth, describing a tall, faceless figure that stalked and abducted children. Slender Man quickly gained popularity as a modern urban legend, inspiring various media, including video games, fiction, and a real-life criminal case where two young girls in Waukesha, Wisconsin, lured a classmate into the woods and stabbed her 19 times, believing they had to appease the fictional character Slender Man. The legend taps into contemporary fears of the internet’s power to create and spread folklore as well as its obvious influence on vulnerable individuals.

The Prompt:

Action photography. High detail. Slender man.

The Prompt Police:

Blair: Let me read your fingers. That’s an Elden Ring reference.

Elisa: Slendy is pretty on point, especially in 1.

Blair: I like the tall apartment building in Number 2 though. Someone interrupted his Saturday night vibes.

Freddy: Underneath those clothes he’s probably wearing tighty-whities and really long black socks.

Blair: All the fingers are wooden.

Ana: There’s a joke in there somewhere.

The Killer in the Backseat

The Story: On a dark night, a woman drove alone down a deserted road. A car appeared behind her, flashing its high beams and tailgating aggressively. Terrified, she raced home, where her pursuer finally backed off. But as she exited her car, she realized the other driver wasn’t her enemy. In her backseat lurked a menacing figure, waiting to attack. The persistent driver behind her had used their high beams to thwart his sinister plans. It dawned on her that the stranger was her unexpected savior that night, not her assailant.

The Legend: The urban legend of the killer in the backseat, also known as High Beams, was first documented in the late 1960s and gained wider recognition after appearing in an advice column by Ann Landers in 1982. It involves a woman being pursued by another vehicle that flashes its high beams and tailgates her, only for her to discover later that the driver was trying to warn her of a dangerous person hiding in her back seat. Some speculate that the legend may have been inspired by a real case in 1964 where an escaped murderer hid in the backseat of a car, leading to his demise when the car’s owner, a police detective, shot him. The moral of the story is to not judge people solely by their appearance or stereotypes, as those who seem threatening may actually be trying to help, while danger can come from unexpected sources. HOWEVER, as a collective of women glued to true crime shows 24/7, if your instincts tell you someone is creepy, morals be damned, get out of Dodge.

The Prompt:

rear view photography of car in the middle of a lonely country road, lit up by headlights from behind, someone sitting in back seat, cinematic

The Prompt Police:

Elisa: Midjourney is struggling greatly with the killer in the backseat part of the Killer in the Backseat.

Freddy: The killer’s in the back seat so we don’t have to show him.

Blair: Supernatural. That’s all I’m seeing. They’re either in Kansas or Sioux Falls.

Ana: Should have prompted for an Impala.

The Licked Hand

The Story: Alone in her dimly lit bedroom, Lisa heard a strange noise under her bed. She hesitated, then reached down to find her loyal dog, comforting her by licking her hand. Grateful for the reassuring gesture, Lisa soon drifted off to sleep. When she awoke the next morning, she was startled to find her dog’s lifeless body hanging in her shower. A chill ran down her spine as she noticed a message scrawled on the tiles in blood-red letters: “Humans can lick hands too.”

The Legend: “The Licked Hand,” also known as “The Doggy Lick” or “Humans Can Lick Too,” is an urban legend with various versions. It was first found in print as early as February 1982, but its roots can be traced back to earlier stories, such as M. R. James’ 1919 tale, “The Diary of Mr. Poynter.” The legend typically revolves around a young girl or, in some versions, a nearsighted old woman who is home alone with her dog. Hearing about a killer on the loose, she locks herself in, but a dripping sound in the night leads her to reach for comfort from her dog under the bed, only to discover a horrifying message about the presence of a killer.

The Prompt:

cinematic photography of a wet hand hanging over the side of a bed, dynamic lighting, horror movie vibes, atmospheric

top view photography of girl asleep with her hand over the edge of the bed, dynamic lighting, atmospheric, horror movie vibes

The Prompt Police:

Freddy: No.

Blair: This story has always been a big ol’ nope.

Ana: You wouldn’t think it would be so hard to generate a hand on a bed.

Elisa: Careful what you say.

Ana: Nevermind.

The Mexican Pet

The Story #1: (AI told us this version, the images were too good to disregard. Apologies, arachnophobes.) A family returned from a vacation in Mexico, bringing back an exotic pet they believed to be harmless. It was a vibrant and beautiful creature, resembling a delicate spider. However, as days turned into weeks, they began to notice its strange behavior. Panic ensued when they realized they had unwittingly brought home a venomous spider capable of killing them all. Trapped in their own home, they had to find a way to survive the deadly visitor they had invited inside.

The Story #2: (But here’s the actual story. A lesson in trusting AI.)A family visiting Mexico promises their son, Sam, a special gift but finds everything too expensive. While sitting on a park bench, a stray dog approaches them, and they decide to buy it despite the illegality of bringing animals across the border. Excited to show Sam his new pet, he pets the dog, but it suddenly foams at the mouth and bites him. Sam receives rabies shots, and they return to the vet who reveals that the creature was, in fact, an enormous sewer rat with rabies.

The Legend: This legend has various versions and dates back at least a century, with similar tales told in Europe under names like “The Turkish Pet,” often conveying xenophobic themes about the “dangers” of foreign lands.

The Prompt:

cinematic photography of gigantic furry spider towering over a frightened family, atmospheric, horror, dynamic lighting

cinematic photography of gigantic rabid rat dog towering over a frightened family, atmospheric, horror, dynamic lighting

The Prompt Police:

Freddy & Blair: [at the spiders] NO!!

Freddy: This story was one of the main reasons my family said I couldn’t have a pet growing up.

Ana: It’s the spider with mom’s head that does it for me.

Elisa: Same.

The Kidney Heist

The Story: After a night of wild partying, a traveler named Alex woke up in a hotel bathtub filled with ice. Panic gripped Alex as he clutched a note, informing him that one of his kidneys had been stolen. Desperation and fear surged as the phone rang, and a voice on the other end warned him that his life was in grave danger unless he sought medical help immediately. Alex’s night had taken a nightmarish turn, and he knew he was in a race against time to save himself.

The Legend: The kidney-heist legend revolves around an urban myth where unsuspecting individuals are drugged at parties and wake up in bathtubs filled with ice, discovering a note claiming their kidneys have been stolen. This tale gained momentum in the age of organ transplants and donor shortages, often propagated through email and word of mouth. Despite the myth’s persistence, medical organizations like the Delaware Valley Transplant Program have repeatedly debunked it, emphasizing the harm it causes by undermining trust in organ donation.

The Prompt:

top view photography of man waking up post operation in a bathtub full of ice, dynamic lighting, dystopian, cyberpunk, cinematic

The Prompt Police:

Freddy: If somebody donates a kidney, they’re seen as a hero. If I donate 5, I got to jail. The system is rigged.

Elisa: Rimshot.

Blair: He’s just chillin.

Freddy: They’re all pretty cool.

Ana: Da dum-dum.

The Roommate’s Corpse

The Story: During a holiday break, two college roommates remained in their deserted dormitory. One decided to attend a fraternity party, while the other went to bed early. In the dead of night, the girl who stayed back awoke to horrifying sounds—a chilling mix of gurgling and scratching outside her door. Terrified, she locked herself in her room until morning. When daylight broke, she ventured into the hallway, only to find her roommate’s lifeless body in a pool of blood. Her throat had been brutally slit, and her desperate clawing at the door told of her final moments.

The Legend: The legend of “The Roommate’s Death” emerged in the early 1960s and is part of a genre of adolescent horror stories. It likely originated from the general mistrust of the security of college dormitories and the setting of many campuses in isolated areas. As colleges began to relax dormitory restrictions and take a less active role in students’ personal lives, the story reflected the notion that campuses were becoming more open but potentially less protected places, susceptible to danger from outsiders.

The Prompt:

cinematic photography of scared girl screaming in dorm room:: dynamic lighting, horror

The Prompt Police:

Freddy: Whenever you prompt doorways into Midjourney it does strange things.

Blair: I’ve never heard this version of the story.

Freddy: I feel like the girl in the second picture had a jerk roommate.

Ana: Number 4 is just mad because her roommate left her out there to die.

Freddy: The first set definitely went a little chaotic, but that’s why I love them.

Blair: Never underestimate a good spite-haunt.

Creature-Based Legends: The Monster Under Your Bed

Creature-based legends typically feature supernatural or monstrous entities as the central focus. These entities may have unique physical characteristics, abilities, or origins that set them apart from ordinary creatures. The emphasis is on the existence, appearance, and behavior of the creature itself makes for an easier prompt… sometimes. Midjourney randomness can strike at anytime in any way, and even when you think things can’t possibly go awry–they do.

On a whole, Midjourney does excel at creature-features, the Jersey Devil, the Mothman and the Mongolian Death Worm all rattled out of Midjourney randomness with their legends in tact. Others, like Baba Yaga’s (no, not John Wick) famous house on chicken feet–weren’t so lucky.

In any event, Creature-based legends tap into the fear of the monstrous and the paranormal. They are often deeply rooted in regional folklore and local histories, making them particularly intriguing to those who live in or visit the areas associated with these creatures, and even more particularly fun to prompt.

Wendigo

The Story: In the unforgiving cold of the northern woods, a group of stranded travelers faced an impossible choice. Isolated and desperate, they resorted to cannibalism to survive the relentless winter. As the firelight flickered one frigid night, a haunting transformation overtook one among them. The Wendigo, with its emaciated frame towering over the group and eyes filled with an insatiable hunger for human flesh, had been born from their darkest desperation. Now, the travelers faced a monstrous embodiment of their own sins, as the Wendigo hungered for more than just their flesh—it sought to devour their very souls.

The Legend: The Wendigo is not an urban legend in the traditional sense but rather a figure from Algonquian and other Indigenous cultures’ folklore. It has existed for centuries in Native American mythology and represents a malevolent, cannibalistic spirit or creature. Wendigo stories have been incorporated into modern urban legends and horror fiction. These stories often focus on individuals transforming into Wendigos due to acts of cannibalism or extreme violence and greed, highlighting themes of supernatural transformation and the consequences of human evil.

The Prompt:

Brutal, horrifying wendigo. hyper realistic. High detail. Blue hour. High contrast. Motion blur. Black eyes. Hollow eyes.

The Prompt Police:

Ana: Number 3’s legs are outstanding.

Freddy: Out of every photo I’ve ever prompted, that one is my all-time favorite.

Blair: I just want to boop him.

Freddy: I feel like that’s Hannibal [Lecter] in full Wendigo form. Only Hannibal could be that badass with those legs.

Elisa: Midjourney really excels at creatures.

Blair: It loves the freaky-deakies.

Jersey Devil

The Story: In the eerie and desolate Pine Barrens of New Jersey, the infamous Jersey Devil made its malevolent presence known with a bone-chilling scream that echoed through the night. Born from dark legend, it was said that this grotesque creature had once been a human child, cursed by its own mother. It now roamed the Pine Barrens with a horse-like head, leathery wings, and a thirst for terror, striking fear into the hearts of those unfortunate enough to cross its path. Witnesses spoke of its nightmarish cries and malevolent laughter, leaving behind tales of dread and despair that endured through the generations.

The Legend: The history of the Jersey Devil legend dates back to the early 18th century when a woman named Mother Leeds, who was rumored to be a witch, gave birth to her 13th child. In a fit of frustration, she supposedly cursed the child, and it transformed into the creature known as the Jersey Devil. The legend grew over time, with various reported sightings and encounters in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey. While some believe it to be a real creature, skeptics attribute the legend to folklore, hoaxes, and mass hysteria. The Jersey Devil has also become a part of popular culture, inspiring stories, films, and even sports team names like the New Jersey Devils.

The Prompt:

Hyper realistic. Cinematic photography. High detail. Jersey Devil. blue hour. Horror

The Prompt Police:

Elisa: I love this Jersey Devil, I think MJ nailed him.

Ana: It really did.

Blair: Not sure it nailed Jersey though.

Ana: It’s South Jersey.

Freddy: I actually inpainted the wings on 2 to be more like the Wolf Among Us video game because I love the way they designed him in that game.

Chupacabra

The Story: In the moonless nights of rural Latin America, terrified farmers awoke to a gruesome sight—their livestock drained of blood, puncture wounds marring their bodies. Blamed for these gruesome attacks was the Chupacabra, a grotesque reptilian creature with piercing red eyes and spiky skin. It stalked the night, fueled by a relentless hunger for blood. As communities lived in fear, the legend of the Chupacabra grew, leaving behind a trail of dread that extended far beyond the moonlit fields.

The Legend: The Chupacabra legend originated in Puerto Rico in the 1990s but quickly spread to other parts of Latin America and the United States with its alleged attacks on livestock, particularly goats. Descriptions of the creature varied, with some likening it to a reptilian alien and others to a hairless, dog-like beast. Despite numerous sightings and reports, the Chupacabra’s existence remains unproven, shrouded in mystery and debate.

The Prompt:

horror photography of Chupacabra chasing after cows on a farm:: nighttime, atmospheric, hassleblad

The Prompt Police:

Freddy: (squeals) I need every single one in the middle set. It’s Inky, Blinky, Stinky, and Rinky-Dinky.

Blair: Number 3 in the first set is doing the sexy walk.

Ana: I got farm atmosphere for days.

Blair: The eyeballs in Number 2 in the third set. 

Freddy: Number 4 has arms like a velociraptor. 

Blair: “The only thing I cannot lift is my ego.”

Mothman

The Story: In the autumn of 1966, the shadowy town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, was gripped by an eerie phenomenon. Two couples reported encountering a towering, red-eyed, seven-foot-tall creature near an abandoned munitions plant. The local newspaper, Point Pleasant Register, ran the headline: “Couples See Man-Sized Bird… Creature… Something,” sparking the legend of the Mothman. And so the Mothman emerged as a harbinger of disaster. Witnesses described its dark, winged figure and glowing red eyes, which foretold calamities that would soon befall the town. Terrified residents reported sightings of the Mothman in the weeks leading up to the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967. To this day, the legend persists, leaving behind stories of eerie encounters and unsettling premonitions.

The Legend: The Mothman is a humanoid creature that gained notoriety in West Virginia folklore from November 1966 to December 1967, with the first newspaper report published on November 16, 1966. Sightings of this creature were initially linked to out-of-migration sandhill cranes or herons. The legend was introduced by Gray Barker in 1970 and later popularized by John Keel in his 1975 book “The Mothman Prophecies,” (check out the movie) which associated the creature with paranormal events and the collapse of the Silver Bridge. The Mothman continues to be a subject of fascination and has its own annual festival in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

The Prompt:

haunting photography of mothman hovering over a bridge:: atmospheric, cinematic, dynamic lighting, scary, hassleblad

The Prompt Police:

Elisa: I really enjoyed these results.

Ana: It nailed Mothman… Except Number 2.

Freddy: There’s no moths.

Baba Yaga

The Story: Deep within the heart of an enchanted forest, the legendary Baba Yaga dwelled within her hut perched on chicken legs. She lured unsuspecting souls into her trap with promises of aid, subjecting them to her twisted tests of wit and courage. Those who failed were devoured, while those who succeeded often found themselves transformed or forever changed. Her tales served as cautionary lessons, reminding those who ventured into the woods to beware the enigmatic and capricious forces that dwelled there.

The Legend: Baba Yaga is a character from Slavic folklore, particularly in Russia and Eastern Europe. She is depicted as a witch-like figure who dwells in a hut on chicken legs and is known for her capricious and often malevolent nature. Baba Yaga has appeared in numerous folktales and literary works, embodying themes of the unpredictable, the magical, and the boundary between the human and supernatural realms.

The Prompt:

cinematic photography of old witch-like woman who lives in a hut the deep woods of eastern europe, in the style of dreamlike fantasy, dark whimsy, spooky lighting, autumn

atmospheric photography of small wooden house on tall chicken legs in the woods in the style of dreamlike fantasy creatures, dark whimsy, eastern european decorative elements, spooky lighting, autumn

The Prompt Police:

Blair: If you needed crones you should have said so.

Elisa: We needed a house with chicken legs and that was the challenge.

Ana: Not even the chicken has two legs.

Blair: Is your crone roasting a marshmallow?

Kuchisake-onna

The Story: On dimly lit streets in Japan, a woman wearing a surgical mask would approach passersby, her question haunting their nightmares: “Am I beautiful?” Those who dared respond found themselves at the mercy of a horrifying revelation—her grotesquely sliced mouth, extending from ear to ear. She would then ask, “Am I beautiful now?” No matter the answer, the outcome was grim, leaving behind tales of terror that echoed through the night.

The Legend: Kuchisake-onna, the “Slit-Mouthed Woman” in Japanese folklore, is believed to have origins rooted in different narratives. She is often depicted as an adulterous wife or mistress of a samurai, whose mouth was slit from ear to ear as punishment for her affairs. Alternatively, she may be seen as a supernatural entity seeking vengeance for her mutilation, with her disfigurement reflecting the consequences of her actions or tragic circumstances.

The Prompt:

up close photography of slit mouthed woman taking off her surgical mask, scary, horror movie vibes, dynamic lighting

The Prompt Police:

Freddy: Why is the second set going to the dentist?

Blair: It’s really hard to get Midjourney to render teeth outside the mouth.

Ana: Appeals* for days.

Blair: (snorts) Freddy, they only just got appeals.

Freddy: I got an appeal the first time I prompted.

Blair: You’re not supposed to be able to prompt gore.

Ana: And yet it will give you gore anyway.

*In Midjourney when a prompt is rejected because it goes against policy (i.e. prompting for gore), you can appeal the decisions. Usually an appeal will be accepted and the promt will run. If it is not accepted, your Midjourney might be timed out for several minutes as a penalty.

La Llorona

The Story: By moonlight, the sorrowful cries of La Llorona pierced the silence near the riverbanks. Her ghostly form wandered, searching endlessly for her drowned children. It was said that those who heard her weeping knew that her presence brought impending doom, as if her despair had seeped into the very fabric of the night.

The Legend: La legend of La Llorona, “The Crying Woman” or “The Wailer,” is believed to have pre-Hispanic origins but is most commonly associated with the colonial era in Mexico. It centers around a woman who, after being abandoned by a wealthy Spaniard, murders her own children in a fit of jealousy and guilt, leading to her becoming a vengeful ghost. Her story is a cautionary tale told to children in Mexico and the Southwestern United States, warning them not to wander near bodies of water alone, and she is associated with themes of infanticide, maternal sorrow, and her nocturnal wailing.

The Prompt:

haunting photograph of ghostly latina woman in ethereal white dress crying by the riverside:: hazy lighting, atmospheric, cinematic, mourning, loss, hassleblad

The Prompt Police:

Freddy: If you don’t want to be a ghost, don’t drown your kids. That’s me perpetrator-blaming.

Blair: It kind of reminds me of the game Martha is Dead.

Elisa: It definitely got the atmosphere.

Mongolian Death Worm

The Story: Amid the barren expanse of the Gobi Desert, a bright red worm-like creature would emerge from the sands. Its touch was deadly, and its venomous breath could strike down any who crossed its path. With its terrifying presence and deadly capabilities, the legend of the Mongolian Death Worm cast a shadow of fear over those who dared to explore the desert’s unforgiving terrain.

The Legend: The Mongolian death worm, known as “olgoi-khorkhoi,” is a legendary creature said to inhabit the Gobi Desert, although no concrete evidence supports its existence. Western awareness of this creature began with Roy Chapman Andrews’ 1926 book, which relayed second-hand accounts from Mongolian officials who believed in its existence. Despite various investigations and expeditions, no conclusive evidence of the creature has been found, and it remains a cryptid of folklore and legend.

The Prompt:

cinematic photography of Mongolian Death Worm roaming the desert:: bright sunlight, intense heat, hassleblad

The Prompt Police:

Freddy: (horrified noises.)

Blair: Aww, little desert shrimpies.

Elisa: I love 2.

Ana: They’re fantastic.

Changelings

The Story: In ancient Europe, changelings were creatures born of fairy mischief, often left in place of human infants they had stolen. Initially indistinguishable from human babies, they soon displayed odd traits—thin frames, wise eyes beyond their years, and a disposition that brought misfortune upon their families. Desperate to recover their stolen children, people resorted to various methods, like placing changelings in fireplaces, causing them to leap up chimneys to return the true human child. In some accounts, invoking blessings or tricking the fairies was the key to regaining their children. Tragically, some tales took darker turns, portraying changelings as old fairies condemned to die in the human world, often subjected to abuse or even death by fearful humans.

The Legend: Changelings, rooted in European folklore, are creatures believed to be left by fairies in place of human infants they’ve abducted. These legends depict changelings as initially resembling human babies but soon revealing peculiar traits and behaviors. Desperate attempts were made to recover the stolen children, often involving methods like placing changelings in fires, invoking blessings, or tricking the fairies into releasing the human child.

The Prompt:

Underwater. hyper realistic. High detail. Cinematic photography. Disgusting fairy creatures crawl out of a swap. Midnight. Moon illumination. Screaming creatures. Creatures covered in mud and oil. Dark swap. Wide angle.

The Prompt Police:

Freddy: “We’ve been trying to reach you about your extended warranty.”

Blair: The first one is my favorite.

Freddy: “Thank you for calling the abyss, your scream is very important to us.”

Elisa: This is the last one. Does anyone have any closing remarks?

Freddy: I never want to prompt the Hook Man again in my life.

A Different Perspective: the CHAOS Parameter

Midjourney’s randomness can be somewhat controlled through the “–chaos” parameter or the short version “–c.” This is a fascinating feature that allows you to actually introduce a level of unpredictability and diversity into the generation of images. (Freddy LOVES this feature.) In other words, if you’ve decided that MORE Midjourney randomness is where it’s at, the chaos parameter is your man. Or woman. I don’t know why we’re gendering a parameter, just go with it.

Midjourney offers a spectrum of chaos levels, ranging from 0 to 100. A chaos value of 0 implies minimal randomness, while a value of 100 signifies maximum chaos. Users can fine-tune this parameter to control the degree of variation they want in their generated images.

The “–chaos” parameter influences various aspects of the generated images, including composition, medium, perspective, colors, and characters. As you increase the chaos value, you’ll notice more significant deviations in these elements, resulting in images that are more unconventional and unexpected. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for it.

Closing Thoughts

So, where have we landed? Urban legends, with their diverse stories and origins, continue to capture the imagination and curiosity of people around the world. They serve as windows into different cultures and the fears and mysteries that have shaped storytelling traditions through generations. They endure in their suspense, terror, and the uncanny, reminding us of the dark and enigmatic corners of folklore and urban myth. And putting them into images expands the excitement of experiencing them.

However, just as with any creative process, not all generated images will meet your expectations. Midjourney randomness can sometimes result in outputs that lack details, coherence, or aesthetic appeal. Or hooks. Definitely hooks. Just forget the hooks entirely. If you have a specific theme or concept like urban legends, high chaos values can make it difficult to stay on point. Or perhaps in some cases the chaos level can really bring out some wild results. Still, you often stand the chance of Midjourney randomness introducing elements that are contradictory or unrelated, requiring extra effort to curate the generated content.

You don’t say.

(That’s where we can pause and recommend learning to use a seed for more consistent results.)

Finding the right balance between creativity and predictability can be challenging, but if this article proves nothing else, it’s all part of the fun.