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Vodyanoi

'Voda' means 'water'. Therefore Vodyanoi was the spirit of all forms of water like lakes, pools, rivers and little streams. He was considered to be very dangerous. He especially enjoyed living near mill wheels.

Some pictured Vodyanoi as having a human face, paws, horns, a tail and glowing eyes of fire. Some gave them the characteristics of a black creature with large red eyes and a huge nose. To some he was an old man with a color changing beard or a large fish-like thing covered in water plants. Sometimes he was even a she, with the aspect of a naked woman.

Although he was mortal his age was said to change with the phases of the moon. The Vodyanoi disliked humans. During the day he would rest in his crystal palace. At night he caught anyone found bathing and enslaved him or her to work in his palace.