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Revision as of 18:38, 14 June 2004 by Maximaximax (talk | contribs) (improved, +ru)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)In Russian mythology, especially in the Caucasus region, Koshchei (Коще́й) is an evil spirit with a terrible appearance, menacing principally young women. Koschei's other name is Koschei-Immortal (Коще́й Бессме́ртный), the reason for which is the fact that his death is saved separately in a needle, that is in an egg, that is in a duck, that is in a hare, that is in a box, that is on the top of an oak, oak is on an island in Ocean. Koschei will die the day the needle is broken.
In Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Koschei is referenced as an evil wizard.
In Robert Heinlein's Job: A Comedy of Justice, Koshchei is the supreme over-deity who presides over Jehovah and Loki. This characterization was probably taken from the works of James Branch Cabell.