The Russian Domovoi is a cellar spirit very similar to the brownies of English myth. Along with his wife
Domovikha, he looks after the house and its residents. It is thought
to be a very unfortunate occurance to sight a domovoi, perhaps like
his brownie cousins he will flee the house, or maybe worse. In
addition to the help in cleaning and other work, if one listens
carefully at night for the sound of Domovoi, he will hear soft murmurs
if all is well, but sobs or groans if misfortune is near. A weeping
Domovoi is a sure sign of death in the family. Domovoi are very much
like brownies in appearance, though they tend to be much shaggier, and
may at a distance be mistaken for a cat or dog.
There are also a number of water monsters and spirits in Russia who
attempt to drown and annoy mortal who comes near their shores and
banks. They take many guises and may use brute force to claim the
live of mortals, such as the vodyanoi, or many entice men to join them
in a calm looking pool, such as the attractive rusalki. In either
case, Russian water can be treacherous indeed.
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