Yag-Mort
Lore
Yag-Mort is a forest monster—a giant as tall as a pine tree, resembling a wild beast and dressed in bear skins. Above all, he was known for his incredible malice and bloodthirstiness. In ancient tales, one can find the account: "He chooses the darkest night, sets the trees ablaze, and in the chaos of the fire does whatever his bloodthirsty soul desires..."
Yag-Mort, terrifying and dreadful, lived alone in inaccessible places beyond impassable forests and swamps. No one among humans knew where his dwelling was located. He appeared near villages at night with the intent of robbery and murder. Yag-Mort abducted livestock, women, and children. He could brutally kill and tear apart any traveler he met. People were powerless against this monster.
There is an old legend about him. Once, the only daughter of the elder of one of the villages—the beautiful Raida—went missing. A day passed, then another, a week, but Raida did not return home. Her unfortunate mother wept for a long time over the misfortune; her father and fiancé searched all the neighboring villages and surrounding forests but found no trace of Raida. After the search, Raida's family gathered all the villagers and announced that Raida was most likely no longer alive. The people were unanimous: "This is the work of Yag-Mort!" Raida's fiancé, along with his faithful hunter friends, decided to find the dwelling of the evil monster at all costs, capture him, kill him, and burn him.
A group armed with arrows, spears, and axes set out against Yag-Mort. They found the forest giant's lair and lay in wait for him. Seeing Yag-Mort approaching his cave, the hunters showered him with spears, stones, and arrows. The evil monster roared, grabbed a club, and rushed at his attackers. A fierce battle began. Many brave men fell dead from the forest man's club, but he himself began to weaken. Numerous wounds sapped his strength. The hunters cut off his arms, legs, and then his head. In his cave, they found much loot, and there they also discovered Raida's body. They buried Yag-Mort in a deep pit and drove an aspen stake into his grave. The stolen goods found in Yag-Mort's cave were burned, and the cave itself was filled in.
