Voleth Meir, also known as the Deathless Mother, delivers on both fronts. Many of Sapkowski’s creatures are inspired by folklore, and Schmidt Hissrich said Voleth Meir is based on the mythical witch Baba Yaga. Stories of Baba Yaga are found throughout Eastern Europe. She appears as an old woman who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs.

Like Darth Vader (Dark Father), the translation of its name tells you what you need to know: Voleth Meir means Deathless Mother. Based on the Slavic myth of Baba Yaga, a supernatural being that resides in a house that rests on chicken legs, this child-eating monster will promise to make your dreams come true but then turn them into nightmares.

In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga, ( Russian: Ба́ба-яга́) also spelled Baba Jaga (from Polish) is a supernatural being (or one of a trio of sisters of the same name) who appears as a deformed and/or ferocious-looking woman.

Specifically, the Deathless Mother is partly inspired by Baba Yaga, a supernatural being from Slavic folklore, who appears as an old woman whose home rests atop two chicken legs.

Baba Yaga is a character in the fifth season of The Magicians series. As of 2020, Baba Yaga is featured as a playable character in the MOBA Smite, created by Hi-Rez Studios. Baba Yaga appears the main antagonist of the Supernatural season 15 episode “Drag Me Away (From You).”

Jędza [ pl], another figure related to Baba Yaga, appears in Polish folklore. Similarities between Baba Yaga and other beings in folklore may be due to either direct relation or cultural contact between the Eastern Slavs and other surrounding peoples.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related