Domovoi

Barely knee-high, this small creature looks like a hairy old man with more beard than flesh.

ECOLOGY

Environment any land
Organization solitary or gathering (2–6)
Treasure none

These sometimes-helpful fey creatures known as house spirits bind themselves to rural families and live among them. Some bear a resemblance to the family’s ancestors, a similarity that grows more obvious the longer they remain in the family’s service. House spirits use their compression ability and invisibility to stay out of the sight of those among whom they live.

The work never ends for those who live on farms or in small villages, and the wise often seek the aid of the fey folk while pursuing their daily chores. A family might leave a piece of bread under the stove or an old boot in the closet to attract a domovoi to their home. Domovoi help with small tasks like churning butter and mending clothes, but mostly protect the home from intruders and misfortune.

These helpful fey can also tell the fate of the family they protect, but grow annoyed when asked to do so too often.

A domovoi appears as small, old man no more than 2 feet tall, covered in hair and with a long, shaggy beard.