Boli-Head

Lore

Boli-Head A clumsy, large-headed forest spirit inhabiting berry-rich areas.

Boli-Head is a clumsy forest spirit living in berry-rich areas. He can deceive a traveler by leading them into unfamiliar parts of the forest or by jumping onto their shoulders and strangling them.

Boli-Head most often chooses forest glades abundant with cranberries or lingonberries—his favorite berries. He appears as a big-headed creature with rather massive arms, resembling an awkward old man. His clothing is peculiar; more accurately, it's heavily worn and patched up, so this spirit can often be mistaken for a poor man simply wandering through the forest. Notable features include his sharp nose.

Boli-Head usually pretends to be a pitiable old man who approaches travelers, asking for help finding his lost basket of berries. He often tells a sorrowful tale of forgetting where he left his basket and now being unable to find it. One should not give in to his entreaties and requests, no matter how much he begs. If you agree to help him, start thinking about his loss, search for the basket, the traveler may become lost in the forest or, worse, Boli-Head will jump onto their shoulders and ride them through the forest until they drop dead or he strangles them.

To avoid falling for Boli-Head's tricks, don't listen to his complaints. It's best to ignore him silently and continue on your way. Then Boli-Head will go off to find another victim.