Leshii

The Leshii is a guardian species in Russia (less is Russian for forest). They are ancient spirits and a tricky shape shifter. They Leshii have been seen as a tall man covered from head to foot with black hair which was uncombed and wild. He has also been seen with cloven hooves, a tail, and small horns, carrying a whipe, indicating his status as master of the forest and all animals within. He will occasionally take shape of a bear, a bird, or more commonly a wolf, but sometimes a friend or even a mushroom. When the Leshii appears as an ordinary peaseant his shoes will always be worn on the wrong feet, and his eyes glow.

The Leshii is endlessly mischeivous. He removes sign posts and calls out to travlers in famillair voices and lures them unknown parts of the forest untill they are hopelessly lost. He has been known to appear as a creature tiny as a blade of grass, or become a gigantic ancient tree. In the latter case run-in with a Leshii will seem at first like bumping a sturdy hair covered tree root. The spirit is volitile and at that point may decide to help out or tickle his prey to death. He may also be heard weeping when a favorite tree is felled.

Russians who have reported sightings are people who rountinely use the forest for work or passage. Hunters, woodcutters and cowheards often see the Leshii. They all leave him a little something for protection and frequnetly cowherds make pacts with the species so as to avert harm to thier herds.