· MYTHIC UKRAINE ·
PIDMINOK
In the village of Yablunivka, I met an older woman who was cradling a small child all day long. At first, I didn’t pay attention to
her because she was just a granny. However, the villagers told me she had sold her soul to evil spirits to have a child. As always, such
deals have pitfalls, so the child is still a newborn even though twenty years have passed. Interested, I tried to find out more from this
mysterious woman, but as I tried to ask about the child, she began crying and repenting. Perhaps, if I stayed longer, I could learn more.
– unknown scholar, from the Society’s library, December 20th, 1705
Pidminok (ukr. підміна [pidmina] - change) is a child
of evil or forest spirits that is put in the cradle instead of an
unbaptised human baby.
Pidminoks are skinny and very ugly. The head is enormous MAGICAL POWERS
and hangs on the side, the belly looks bloated, and the bony ♦ Enchant
limbs hang on the sides of the body. Some Pidminoks may • Animals are born with defects
have claws, horns or be hairy. They do not eat at all, or it is • Animals bolt
impossible to calm their hunger. • Disturbance
Kidnapped children, who were replaced by Pidminoks, are • Enthrall
raised by evil spirits and serve them. Sometimes these children • Food or beverage is transformed or rots
become Rusalkas and Lisovyks, and if they are returned home, • Nightmares
they do not speak for a long time and then begin to show magical • Plant invasion
abilities. Growing up, Pidminoks may become Perelesnyks, • Plants die
Mavkas, or other evil spirits. And if people take good care of • Terrible signs
them, they can use their magic to bring people prosperity. ♦ Curse
• Fear
• Lame
• Night terror
CHARACTERISTICS • Twist vision
MIGHT 5 BODY CONTROL 8 MAGIC 7 • Wound
♦ Does not need air, food, drink or sleep
MANIPULATION 6 Fear 1
♦ Moves very quickly, including on walls and ceilings
CONDITIONS
☐ Calm (pretends to be a human child)
☐ Awakened -1 (asks for protection from the COMBAT
people he lives with) ATTACK DAMAGE RANGE
☐ Aggressive +1 (starts to climb and fight back quickly) Claws 1 0
☐ Angry +2
☐ Scared -2 (offers services and starts bargaining)
☐ Wounded -2
☐ Broken - calls for his birth parents and dies
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