Known to be the most superstitious people, the Bolsh people have a good mind to be. Cardovia seems to be the area most heavily saturated by the Fey. It is much more common for Fey to be seen and readily deferred too in Cardovia than anywhere else on Serrus. In addition, the Fey of Cardovia seem even more malevolent than elsewhere on Serrus.
Veela
The Veela are nymphs, who have power over storms, which they delight in sending down on lonely travelers. They are known to live in meadows, ponds, oceans, trees, and clouds. They can appear as swans, horses, wolves, or beautiful women. It is tradition among the Bolsh people to leave an offering of a sprig of rosemary out for the Veela before an individual sets out on a long journey to appease the Fey into taking mercy upon their trip. Offerings for Veela also consist of round cakes, ribbons, fresh fruits and vegetables or flowers left at sacred trees and wells and at fairy caves. Some esoteric Bolsh people claim that they the spirits of women who had been frivolous in their lifetimes and now floated between here and the afterlife.
Rusalka
A Rusalka is thought to be a female ghost, or water nymph, that dwells in a lake. She is considered a being of evil force. The ghostly version is supposedly the soul of a young woman who had died in or near a lake (many of these Rusalki had been murdered by lovers) and came to haunt that lake. The Rusalka is not invariably malevolent, and will be allowed to die in peace if her death is avenged. The Rusalka lures men and women alike as an embodiment of a nude woman to the lake with seduction and promises of delight. Captivated, the victim will be enthralled to enter the lake, where the Rusalka will invariably drown their victim in a watery embrace. Bolsh people are keen to avoid bodies of water known to be inhabited by Rusalki.
Vodianoi
The Vodianoi is considered a male counterpart to the Rusalka. He is viewed to be particularly malevolent, existing almost exclusively to drown swimmers who have angered him by their boldness. Reports of his appearance vary; some tales define him as a naked old man, bloated and hairy, covered in slime, covered in scales, or simply as an old peasant with a red shirt and beard. He is also reported to have the ability to transform into a fish.
The Vodianoi lives in deep pools, often by a mill, and is said to be the spirit of unclean dead male( this definition includes those who have committed suicide and those who die without last rites). As previously stated, the Vodianoi would drown those who angered him with boasts or insults. Bolsh people know to instead praise the Fey to avoid its wrath. However, this was no certain protection, as the spirit was particularly capricious. Peasants fear the Vodianoi and will often attempt to get rid of the spirit or, failing that, appease him.
The only people who were generally safe from the Vodianoi's anger were millers and fishermen. Millers in particular are viewed to be so close to the Vodianoi that they often become seen as sorcerous figures by the local populace. This may be influenced by the belief that millers yearly drown a drunken passerby as an offering to a Vodianoi. Fishermen are
somewhat less suspect, offering only the first of their catch with an incantation. If a Vodianoi favors a fisherman he herds fish into the nets.
Domovoi
The Domovoi is a house spirit in Bolsh folklore. Domovyye are masculine, typically small, and sometimes covered in hair all over. According to some traditions, the Domovye take on the appearance of current or former owners of the house and have a grey beard, sometimes with tails or little horns. There are tales of neighbors seeing the master of the house out in the yard while in fact the real master is asleep in bed. It has also been said that Domovye can take on the appearance of cats or dogs, but reports of this are fewer than of that mentioned before.
Traditionally, every house is said to have its Domovoi. It does not do evil unless angered by a family’s poor keep of the household, profane language or neglect. The Domovoi is seen as the home's guardian, and he sometimes helps with household chores and field work. Some even treat them as part of the family, albeit an unseen one, and leave them gifts like milk and biscuits in the kitchen overnight. To attract a Domovoi, go outside of your house wearing your best clothing and say aloud "Dedushka Dobrokhot, please come into my house and tend the flocks." To rid yourself of a rival Domovoy, beat your walls with a broom, shouting "Grandfather Domovoy, help me chase away this intruder." When moving, make an offering to the Domovoy and say "Domovoy! Domovoy! Don't stay here but come with our family!"
