Vila
The
Vila, or
Willi or
Veela, are the Slavic versions of nymphs, who have power over storms, which they delight in sending down on lonely travelers. They are known to live in meadows, ponds, oceans, trees, and clouds (see Leimoniads,
Limnades,
Oceanids, Dryads and Nephelads). They can appear as swans, horses, wolves, or, of course, beautiful women. Slovak myth tells us that they are the souls of deceased girls who were not baptized during
Vladimir's baptisms, and, in fact, the Slavic word for soul is
vile.
See Slavic creatures of folklore, Wili