Books from Geralt of Rivia

Polish folk tales

Twenty-three traditional folk tales depicting the humor, wit, and cleverness of the Polish people.
Geralt of Rivia
Though the name “striga” has its place in Eastern European mythology, the show’s idea of the monster seems to be an amalgamation of several different types of folklore fiends. The strzyga, the shtriga and the strigoi are different regional variations of a vampiric demon spirit. The strzyga is the most prominent one in Polish folklore. According to the Polish Folk Tale Dictionary, the stzryga “is a phantom, although there are messages confirming that sometimes the wraith and the striga were distinguished as two separate demonic beings.” The show’s depiction of a striga is also close to the Polish myth of a poroneic or a Scandanavian myling. Poroneics and mylings are believed to be what happens when a baby dies before it is baptized in the Christian faith. They become demons and haunt the homes and the lives they were meant to have. A poroneic was also central to a main story quest in The Witcher III: The Wild Hunt, the most recent video game based on Sapkowski’s series.
Books from Geralt of Rivia

A Study of Household Spirits of Eastern Europe

GOLD medal winner!2019 Readers’ Favorite Non-fiction Cultural.Eastern European mythology and folklore contain a rich, colorful blend of Christian and pagan tales, customs, and rituals. Many have lost their original significance, but others are still practiced—especially in remote, rural locations.Household Spirits, the first in a series of books, will take you on a journey to discover nine fascinating house spirits you may never have heard of. Here are a few tidbits about what you can expect to find within the book’s pages:-Unusual noises at night in your attic may be a Talasum or a hungry Stopan.-Sacrificing a black hen and sprinkling its blood in the foundation of a new home keeps the building and occupants safe from evil spirits.-Builders often measure passersby with string or “capture” their shadow in the mortar of a wall to make structures strong.-Forgetting to wash your dishes at night and leaving your house messy anger a Kikimora, and she’ll get her revenge.-Don’t kill a snake because it may be the spirit guardian of your home.-Have you heard of the Bannik? Taking a steam bath will never be the same again after you learn about his habits.That’s not all. You’ll learn historical facts, discover fascinating and horrifying stories, and enjoy beautiful illustrations to gain a complete experience of these elusive house spirits.
Geralt of Rivia
When we first meet Cavill’s Geralt in episode 1, he’s emerging from a blackened swamp, in the middle of a terrifying battle with a multi-limbed kikimora. Kikimoras are a mainstay of Slavic mythology, though the one shown in The Witcher may not exactly line up with the traditional depiction. Throughout Eastern Europe, according to A Study of Household Spirits of Eastern Europe by Ronesa Aveela, kikimoras are believed to be female spirits that haunt houses. They can appear either young or old, but usually as deformed humans, thin and scraggly. Though they can be useful, they are largely troublemakers and occasionally dangerous.