Slavic Mythology part II

ZMEI Nature: Supernatural creature, Primal force Location: East Slavics (Russia and Ukraine), also Poland and Belarus, and Balkans (Bulgaria and Serbia) Role - Functions: Multi headed dragon with magical features like shapeshifting, it can shapeshift to human form, and related to natural phenomena like lightnings and whirlwinds. Its depicted as antagonist and a force of evil on russian folktales, but as a benevolent protector on bulgarian and serbian folk and legends, in this version Zmei battle the wind demons Ala, protecting the villages crops. KIKIMORA Nature: House Spirit, Swamp Spirit Location : All slavic nations, with some variations in Croatia and Poland Role - Functions: Similar to Domovoi, its a female counterpart, also a household spirit, it can help with some domestic chores, but most prominent for the havoc it can cause and produce nightmares and sleep paralysis, to protect from them, it had to place a upside down brown to scare her away. Their swamp version are mostly only dangerous and hideous to humans. ALA Nature: Demon Location: Bulgaria, Serbia and North Macedonia Role - Functions: Female wind demons that causes storms and damages crops, it is believe that also they try to attack the sun and the moon. Mostly a force of evil, they are counter by the Zmei or the Zduhac. In some regions and less cases, they can be benefactors of good crops and weather if they are respected. VILA / SAMODIVA Nature: Spirits, fairy or nymphs Location: East and South Slavic (Vila), Western Slavics (Samodiva) Role - Function: Both versions are beautiful woman of long hair with magical powers, their signature thing is dancing in circles under the stars, spying or trespassing their circles will be punish making people dance to the death, although they can be benevolent and gave gifts the one who treats with respect, usually aiding heroes of epic poems. The Vila version are more close to the greek mythology nymphs, meanwhile the Samodiva share more similarities with western european winged fairies. DREKAVAC Nature: Undead creature, Revenant Location : South Slavic and Balkans, mostly Serbia and Croatia Role - Functions : An undead man who returns from the grave to haunt the living, or unbaptized childs who returned from the grave, their appareances could announce disease or predict the death of who presences it. MORANA / MARZANNA / MARA Nature: Deity Location: All Slavic nations Role - Function : Goddess of winter and death, embodies the cycle of life and death represented on the seasons in wich she represents the cold months. VELES Nature : Deity Location : East, South and West Slavic and some Balkan nations Role - Functions: Complex deity of the underworld, waters, magic and wealth, ruler of the dead and protector of farmer's livestock and cattle. Eternal adversary of the god Perun.