Baba Yaga · 5:57pm Apr 15th, 2017
The characterization of Baba Yaga is where much of the uncertainty surrounding her comes from. She varies between acting as a benefactor and a villain, either helping the hero of the Slavic myth or hindering him or her. Though it appears she never goes after anyone unprovoked—that is to say, without the person at least coming to the door of her hut—she appears to follow little or few morals. Nevertheless, whatever promise she makes to the hero after his completion of her tasks, she keeps.
I think it's time to open the Box, if just a little. I wanted to find a fun and engaging theme for this story. Of course, my first thoughts went to magic. This story is going by the seat of my pants, but I want to get a direction in which to point it. Far reaching planning had never been a strength for me, but for this story, I think I have found a focus.
I want this story to be about bringing to life the myths and legends of our world, from all regions this story goes through. I've been told Baba Yaga is more or less the Boogieman of Russian and Eastern European myths and legends, depending on where you look. Kudzuhaiku suggested it to me and everything sort of clicked into place. As much as I want this story to have humor, I also want to put more things to entice interest from my readers.
Maybe delving into the characters of the Brothers Grimm in the near future?
For now, Baba Yaga, the Old Crone. Perhaps the origin of witches, some might say. Fear and superstition still plays a strong part in a lot of human culture to this day. Some would even say Baba Yaga was the Devil. Not bad for a lady living in a hut built on chicken legs.
Tell me what you all think! I'd love to know!
Have you seen Spirited Away? Baba Yaga from that was a really good antagonist. :)
4497370 Click on the link. Yes, she can be a helpful character in some stories, but the Baba Yaga in Spirited Away is not a true interpretation of the character. Usually, if she does help the protagonist, it is at a great cost. Usually someone dies, like, for example, evil stepmothers and their evil daughters.
(I do like the Spirited Away adaptation, btw)
I dont know what do you want to do with Baba Yaga`s character. I would be not against to see how you will use it. It would be great if you have studied the subject, before her inclusion in the story in way that should be pleasant to audience. Including Russian audience.
As Russian i know about her from fairy tails, related soviet movies and awesome cartoons. Here is her image allforchildren.ru/why/illustr/where18-2.jpg
Her common image is various. In one fairy tails and folklore she is evil crone, that eats children, uses minions and heroes to take down foes (hello Kashei) and sends curses, in other she is literal goddess related to nature, part of local pantheon.
P.S. I know you want it to be humorous, but can you stop this stereotypical shit about Syberia and Russia in general? Its not funny. Its annoying. Especially this american GULAG fetish. Every NA dweller i know always shits about it using cheap propaganda. For what? Most of you are citizens of country that murderfucks other countrys when dollar starts having hiccups. You have no moral rights to shit about things like these.
It's no different from the camps Americans used to intern the Japanese during the second world war. Human history is pretty much the same: the United States utterly destroyed Native American culture in its expansion west and Joseph Stalin had a lot of people imprisoned and killed. Not all of our history is pleasant and I certainly do not mean to disrespect foreign cultures.
I find myself falling into the same trap when I read a story to a certain point: I forget the story is not finished and jump to conclusions. Russia has a proud and violent history. If the United States lasts as long as the Russian Empire did, I would imagine both histories would have interesting parallels.
I did do some research. The prison in the story, as we will find out, was used to house German soldiers captured during the Second World War. A lot of those guys never went home when the fighting was done.
If you want to provide facts and articles in regards to Russian prisons from the Second World War on up to the end of the Cold War (1990ish), I would welcome it and incorporate it into the story. Just send me a PM! I look forward to correcting mistakes I might make in the future.
Baba Yaga was in Spirited Away? Huh, my life lesson for the day.
MY only experience with Baba Yaga was in Sarah Zettel's Firebird(Or was it called the Isavalta?) trilogy. Something about Iron Teeth.
Loved her version of kitsune. Damn, maybe I should read them again and do a crossover!
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It all depends actually. Some consider the Baba Yaga as a crone who's unatural intellect about what's going on in the heroes tale is disturbingly accuarate.
Others might consider the Baba Yaga as an old and deformed witch of the dark arts, who's insight and knowledge, thanks to both the dead and the damned, are rarely wrong about what she is saying.
Others still believe that the Baba Yaga used to be a beautiful witch who fell in love, but after the death of her loved one their joy and hope turned into despair and hate.
However, most folklore agree on some things.
Their knowledge about past, present and sometimes future events are (almost) always accuarate. They live deep within the heart of a forest. Their home is suspended on top of three huge chicken like legs, but the home itself can only be found if it's inhabitant wills it. But, just like the Tlahuelpuchi from Mexico, their hunger for the flesh of humans is always present.
When dealing (with words, not swords) heed the warning of the monkeys paw and be very careful of what type of help you need and how you state the help you require from them.
For sometimes the price might seem to be nothing, at that moment, but in reality, it could be something you won't be able to give in the very end.
If you really want to use Baba Yaga and it apprently german soldiers are involved... make her say kurwa all the time. At least the russians won't bitch around abaut how they're misrepresented...