Gramarye

Develesjans are no strangers to the supernatural. On this page, you may find information regarding the more... esoteric encounters your Handler might happen upon.

What is out there...

Develesja is home to more than just humans and Lokaji - many powerful beings make these old forests their home, and the Develesjans have come to accept them as part of nature. They have long learned to live alongside their unusual neighbours, revering some while fearing others.

Develesjans may make offerings in makeshift shrines to appease malevolent beings, or avoid certain areas to stay away from something dangerous. Iron trinkets, such as broken blades or keys, are often worn to ward off evil.

Below, you will find a directory of beings you may encounter across Develesja.

Filter by Nature

FickleHelpful when appeasedIll-intentioned

Baba Yaga

A vile witch who resides deep in the forests and devours any children unfortunate enough to get lost nearby. She may, however, occasionally be willing to offer you her assistance or wisdom... for a price.

Fickle

Divník

While human-like in their appearance, wild people's mannerisms are closer to those of animals, and many of them are hostile to humans on sight. Various local rumours circulate around them, sometimes encouraging individuals to steal items from them to keep as a lucky charm.

Fickle

Kikimora

A mischievous spirit said to haunt certain homes. Kikimoras are said to take on a Domovík or Lešij as partners and will then live in their respective territories. In a home, a kikimora will leave wet footprints with her birdlike feet, scare children, or lurk in the cellar.

Fickle

Licho

A one-eyed woman, personified misfortune and an embodiment of ill fate and death. The only hope of those who encounter it is to outwit the being - however, as the creature often preys on the foolish and greedy, chances of escape are slim at best.

Ill-intentioned

Polednice

At noon, when the sun burns high in the sky and casts its searing gaze upon the fields, one may see the Polednice. To some, she may appear as a young maiden, to others, as an old woman. Those who do not escape in time are oft found missing their head.

Ill-intentioned

Běs

A creature synonymous with burning, all-consuming rage, said to emerge during disasters, misperformed fortune tellings, and visions. Nobody has seen one and lived.

Ill-intentioned

Domovík

A small house sprite said to reside in every home. They are said to live under porches, doorsteps, or stoves, and are beneficial and protective of their home when offered sufficient gifts (food, trinkets).

Helpful when appeased

Lešij

A tall, hulking figure blending seamlessly with the trees of his domain. A Lešij is a rarely seen being of near-godlike status occupying and protecting dense forests and their inhabitants. Anyone foolish enough to draw their sword against a Lešij usually meets a swift, gruesome end.

Helpful when appeased

Nočnica

It is said that some folk's souls wander at night, attacking other sleepers and taking on a variety of forms, living and unliving. It can be chased away through generosity, typically through offerings made to guests and neighbours. Some believe a Nočnica can manifest in one's soul through overwhelming guilt.

Ill-intentioned

Psohlavec

A one-eyed man with the head of a dog, sometimes seen with backwards-facing feet. They are said to occupy caves containing gemstones, and make humans their primary prey.

Ill-intentioned

The Gods are Fickle

– This is what many Develesjans learn when watching their first divining ceremony, or suffering their life's first tragedy. The gods are all-encompassing, but their moods shift and change, and many a times have there been where your village's žrec had to beg for their approval and mercy to beseech them for at least a few days of rain.

Perun

"The One Who Strikes"

Perun, the demiurge of lightning, the god of the wicked, roiling sky. Perun blesses warriors and hunts his adversaries from atop his home in the sky.

Radegast

Lord of hospitality

God of sunlight, hospitality, abundance, and fire. He is said to bless those who are generous with a bountiful harvest.

Svarog

Heavenly Craftsman

God of fire and 'craftsman of all things', responsible also for maintaining order and consistency.

Mokoš

The Mother-Goddess

Goddess of birth, new life, and also water, worshipped by some as the Earth personified. She is said to protect and bless the home and hearth.

Veles

Ruler of the wild

The god of cattle, living things, magic, arcane knowledge and poetry. It is said Veles is the patron of priests.

Morana

"Of Death"

Goddess of vegetation, but likewise a deity of death and encroaching winter. Symbolically carried out of settlements at the beginning of spring.

Real life note: The above-listed information is highly debatable!
Due to the fervent efforts made to suppress Slavic religion, few clear records of Slavic deities remain and historians frequently disagree and dispute each other's claims regarding the pantheon. However, for the sake of clarity, one interpretation must have been chosen for Fogbound Fables, and it is one primarily sourced from Aleksander Gieysztor. Radegast is used instead of Svarozhitz as he was worshipped in the region where I come from instead of the more commonly used variant.

Speaking

to a

God

While anyone may try to appease the gods on their own, these tasks are often better performed by a žrec - a local priest, forming a significant pillar of every community. These spiritual leaders may often find themselves leading their settlements as a whole, as their words are greatly valued.

Žreci perform sacrifices, divinations, and convey the people's offerings to their deities.

The gods are worshipped in a variety of ways in Develesja. Most visible are the great gatherings in sacred places – old groves, clearings with large oak trees, springs, and other natural shrines. Worshippers of Perun often gather under old oaks, surrounding the area with fences or trenches to mark their sacred ground.

Offerings are brought to the gods regularly to thank them, plead with them for aid, or honour them. These may take various forms, but should be impactful to the individuals bringing them - an item of little significance to you will scarcely interest the gods.

Offerings of blood are also made; in these instances, the altar is covered in the animal's blood before the community sits together to feast on the offered animal.

In times of war, prisoners and enemy agents may be offered to the gods as well.

Mundane Meets Strange

Develesja is home to many a peculiar being, but this does not mean the two worlds - the Known and the Wild - remain strictly separated. At times, you may come across things which you do not quite understand, arcane influences beyond your comprehension. And sometimes, you may walk away forever changed, for better or for worse.

Lokaj Arcana

Browse Steelchant Artifacts

Lokaji are, by their nature, divine beings. However, it is possible to guide a Lokaj to be more in tune with the powers present in Develesja when specific items are used during Steelchant. These Lokaji may then possess unusual abilities which they can extend to their Handler when in weapon form.

Fiery Scorn

Those unfortunate enough to have encountered a Zmej will swiftly recognise this Lokaj's influence. Lokaji with these powers grow spikes along their body and possess the ability to breathe fire or poisonous smoke, which results in a permanent glow being emitted from their beak.

These Lokaji are closely in tune with the Běs. Their front halves grow long, sharp feathers, and their eyes lose their pupils. These Lokaji are capable of affecting others' minds, clouding them with such fury that even sworn brothers will not hesitate to attack one another.

Vile Fury

Boreal Talons

Lokaji in tune with the Lešij, the guardians of the forests, gain patches of flower petals where their feathers would otherwise grow. Their bond with nature is harmonious and flawless - branches lean out of their way when they walk, animals come to their aid, and groves close around those that would do them harm.

Soul Adrift

In large bodies of water, one may encounter a Vodník - a water-dwelling creature with a penchant for drowning careless humans and trapping their souls in decorative cups. Lokaji in tune with these creatures display patches of white, porcelain-like colouration on parts of their body, decorated with floral motifs or gold, similarly to the rims of vintage crockery. These Lokaji gain extensive control over water.

Curses of Transformation

While Lokaji take on the wild's influence with grace and endurance befitting their divine nature, human mortals are not so fortunate. Very rarely, your Handler might find themselves face-to-face with something incomprehensible, and the experience will leave them forever altered.

Curses of Transformation are rare, irreversible effects that your Handler can obtain as a result of specific interactions in the game. You will always be warned and be given a choice prior to risking a Curse.

One Handler can only have one Curse.
The Curse your Handler suffers will not extend to their Lokaji.
The Curse does not transform you fully into the creature it originates from - you only gain some of its aspects.

He saw himself—drew back perturbed
By fears he ne'er had known before ;
For, lo, the waters were disturbed,
Then suddenly grew calm once more ;
"While fitful as a twilight shade,
Than virgin snow more purely white,
From out the pool appeared a maid
Approaching in the silver light.

- The Roussalka, A. S. Pushkin

Browse Transformations