An ancient fey spirit and the very embodiment of a forest, the leshy possesses old and powerful magic derived straight from the endless life force of the Great Cycle. As the forest’s great protector, the leshy is an unpredictable creature of impulse and chaos, a sentient aspect of nature itself—evershifting and multifaceted. It can take any shape and form, from a tiny critter to the tallest of trees; forest travelers must be mindful of its presence, as the leshy watches each and every footstep.

Mystical Origins. No one can be truly certain of the origins of these creatures, as they are said to be as old as Rodozem itself and one of the first creations of the gods. These ancient spirits were likely appointed guardians of Creation and nature by the Starborn at the very dawn of time. Some legends describe them as angels fallen from the heavens to oversee the mortal realm. The spirits gained their material form by absorbing the organic shapes of Creation when they came to the Material Plane to enact their duties as protectors of balance. Other tales describe them as the avatars of the woods: the collective consciousness of an ancient forest taking material form and manifesting as a leshy, carrying within it all the past and present aspects and shared memories of the woodland realm. Powerful mages who traverse the numerous planes of existence describe the leshy as archfey who migrated eons ago from the Feywild to the lands of Rodozem, establishing their woodland domains around themselves.

Whatever tale you choose to believe, be warned that the leshy isn’t just a creature of legend—it is a very real and powerful being that demands respect when you enter its domain.

Protectors of Nature and Balance. The leshy views its duty as guardian of the forest with utter responsibility, pride and joy. It bears absolute respect toward the universal tenets of natural balance and the harmony of the Great Cycle. These aren’t written rules, like the laws of mortals, but there is quite the overlap between the leshy’s ideals and the teachings of the goddess Devana. This is why followers of the Matron of the Wild see the leshy as her agent and faithful servant. On the other hand, to the most common folk of the countryside the leshy is virtually a deity itself. These folk usually bring offerings when they venture through a leshy’s domain, singing praises and reciting prayers when they harvest the treasures of the forest, aiming to appease the forest spirit, knowing that the leshy always sees and hears them.

One with the Forest. The leshy and its forest might be considered as one and the same entity—a leshy and its forest usually share the same name. It is considerate of each and every life in the woods, from the smallest blade of grass to the largest and oldest trees, from the tiny ants and their underground palaces to the sylvan courts of the fey that reside in the leshy’s domain. Every life is equal in the woodland realms of the forest spirit.

People say that the mental state of a leshy is reflected by the condition of its forest, and this rumor might not actually be far from the truth. The fleeting moods of the leshy are reflected throughout the woods and their inhabitants. If the leshy is enjoying a quiet meditation, the forest remains still and silent, but if the spirit is restless, beasts begin to wander in frustration and anxiety.

Regardless of its chaotic nature, a leshy that is true to the balance of the Great Cycle has a healthy and vibrant realm, filled with all manner of flourishing life—beasts, plants, and even curious forest folk. On the other hand, there are instances where Chernobog’s corruption has reached and poisoned the psyche of these forest spirits. Even such a powerful, wise, and ancient creature as the leshy isn’t immune to the toxic influence of the Whispering Shadow. The woodland realm of a corrupt leshy reflects the twisted mind of its protector and the neglect it has suffered: beasts are rabid and aggressive, plants wither, the thicket lies tainted with festering disease, and instead of mischievous fey creatures, the forest is populated by vile undead and fiends. The woods lie abandoned and forgotten outside of the Great Cycle; their master succumbed to dark whispers of corruption and destruction, a perversion of what was once the wisest of protectors and nurturers of life.

Myriad of Forms. The leshy is an unparalleled shapeshifter. It can take the form of any natural living being, whether beast, plant, or humanoid. However, its humanoid form is easily recognizable, as it typically bears an obvious tell such as a green beard or eyes, a reversed left and right foot, or some other hint of its fey origin. The leshy is not bound by the laws of mortals and their creation; thus, its appearance carries a hint of wildness and strangeness.

For such a creature, the concept of shape is something fluid and ever-shifting, as nature itself constantly changes its thousand faces. It wouldn’t be entirely correct to say that the leshy has one “true form,” but when danger comes and unwanted visitors threaten its domain, it takes its most powerful form. The leshy is made from all of the organic material surrounding it, and it can modify its natural weapons to vanquish any unnatural foe endangering its forest. Few have lived to tell the tale of the raging leshy that protects its woods with the ferocity of a mother bear protecting its cubs and the power of a thousand stampeding elks.

Wild Personality. One would imagine that such a wise and eternal creature would be completely beyond mortal understanding. However, the leshy surprises yet again, this time with its personality. Simple pleasures, something that a humanoid or a beast might enjoy, are not unfamiliar to the leshy. It might be bathing under the warm summer sun, enjoying the light breeze on its fur, having a round of drinks and singing with satyrs, chasing squirrels around ceaselessly, and so forth. Many people tell tales of gambling with peculiar folk in the deep forests and winning strange magical fruit, believing they have just met a leshy. Other tales speak of the leshy joining Baba Yaga for a cup of tea in her chicken-legged house when the mysterious lady passes through its domain. It is also said that the forest spirit is a great enthusiast of pranks and practical jokes.

Absurd as all of this may sound, these beliefs may be grounded in reality, as they befit the sometimes whimsical nature of the leshy. However, despite that, one should always tread lightly when in the presence of a leshy, as it can change its demeanor as swiftly as it changes its shape. The spirit can turn quickly from funny and playful to dangerously serious as suddenly as a gentle breeze may erupt into a raging hurricane.

Sylvan Nature. Although a leshy enjoys the taste of fine drinks or a nice afternoon nap on a grassy meadow, it doesn’t require any food, drink, or sleep as long as it is within its lair.