Vila

Vila
"Hello there, stranger. Want to dance?"
Information
Alternate Names/Spellings
Origins	Slavic Mythology
Alignment
Element	Air/Wind/Sky, Earth, Ice, Life/Death/Blood, Light, Lightning/Thunder/Electricity, Luck/Fate/Fortune, Mind/Spirit/Psychic, Plant, Sound, Water
Species	Undead, Fay, Nymphet
Appearance	(often) Beautiful Slavic maidens...

Also Called

• Juda/Yuda

• Veles

• Vilishkis

• Weela/Veela

• Wila/Wili/Wilia/Wiła/Vile/Vili/Vilia/Vily/Vilya

• Willie

Origins

The Vila is a creature with origins in Slavic mythology, legend and folklore. In particular, they are often regarded as a type of Slavic Fairy or Nymph.

Many believe Vily are the spirits of women and girls who died after having been frivolous or idle (unproductive) in life.

Appearance

Vily are a single-gender race, composed solely of women. These ladies vary in height and weight, as well as hair length and texture, eye color and skin color.

Though, one common feature unites Vily, despite the varying traits of their looks: one will never find a homely, underweight or overweight member among them. And to show off the sylphic or voluptuous figure of their natural form, Vily often appear either in thin, diaphanous gowns, or perhaps entirely naked.

Sisters Andresila and Jerisavlja share a dance...

Aside from this, a number of animal forms are also available to them, by virtue of shapeshifting abilities (as described below).

Behavior

Vily are known to largely be upbeat and energetic, some even being regarded as lighthearted and flirtatious. They delight in singing, dancing, playing and fighting. Often, they make beautiful homes in forests (especially mountain woods), but some Vily have been known to live in the clouds, waters like lakes or the like.

They have a special fondness for animals, as well; if they find them wounded in the woodlands where they reside (especially deer), they will not hesitate to heal them. Vily also commonly make use of their powers to bridle deer (especially seven-year-old harts) with snakes, to ride them as mounts. And if they find wanderers in the wilderness, some Vily may be inclined to warn them of impending natural disasters (ie avalanches), but especially if they have a dog with them (which the Vila would hope to keep safe). Some even believe that dogs are among the Vila's favorite animals. The relationship that Vily have with humans, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated.

Generally, Vily prefer not to involve themselves with human affairs. Yet, children who have been cursed by their parents (even if those parents merely speak off-hand in a moment of anger) have, in some cases, been snatched away from their families into the care of the Vila, who will feed them honey and instruct them in knowledge of nature and the supernatural.

And people have been known to gain favor of a Vila by gifting them with offerings (ie fruits and flowers left in caves, cakes left near wells, ribbons hung on the branches of trees). Those so favored by the Vila are called Vilenik.

However, Vily are also known to react severely to certain offenses. If a man defies them, or unwanted intruders drink from their lake or river, or if their dance around a sacred tree is interrupted (particularly a cherry tree), they have been known to attack with bows and arrows, or in some cases, lure the interloper to dance, to the point of death by exhaustion.

Some Vily have been known to have romantic relationships, or even marry. In these unions, they are happily dutiful wives. However, if the reminders of the wilderness grow too strong, they will depart the relationship forever. And if their union with a man results in a child, Vily have been known to leave them in the care of mortal women (though they will still keep close watch over them).

Common names among Vilas include Andresila, Andjelija, Angelina, Djurdja, Janja, Janjojka, Jelka, Jerina, Jerisavlja, Jovanka, Katarina, Kosa, Mandalina, Nadanojla and Ravijojla. A Vila named Ravijojla is the best known among them, and Jerisavlja is the name of one of their leaders.

Abilities

• Animal Communication- the ability to psychically perceive, communicate with and/or command animals.
• Life-Force Transfer- the ability to psychically relocate life-force between two or more subjects.
  • Healing- the ability to psychically cause the body to recover from injury and/or illness.
  • Life-Force Absorption- the ability to psychically draw life energy into oneself.
  • Plant Growth- the ability to psychically induce, accelerate and/or exaggerate the growth of plants.
• Hypnotic Beauty- the ability to channel hypnotic power through aesthetically appealing features.
• Hypnotic Song- the ability to channel hypnotic power through aesthetically appealing song.
• Precognition- the ability to psychically perceive visions of future events.
• Shapeshifting- the ability to alter physical appearance to assume a new form.
  • Astral Form- the ability to assume the form of a spiritual body.
  • Avian Form- the ability to assume the form of a falcon or a swan.
  • Equine Form- the ability to assume the form of a horse.
  • Lupine Form- the ability to assume the form of a wolf.
  • Natural Wings- the ability to make use of a set of wings.
  • Ophidian Form- the ability to assume the form of a snake.
• Storm Inducing- the ability to cause the formation of a storm system.
• Superhuman Durability- the ability to resist physical injury beyond human norms.
• Superhuman Speed- the ability to move with quickness beyond human norms (about the top speed of a horse).
• Superhuman Strength- the ability to exert physical force beyond human norms.

Weaknesses

• Feather Theft-

• Hair Cutting-

• True Love-