Utopec

Utopec is a ghostly water spirit from Slavic mythology, representing the souls of those who drowned. It appears as a bloated corpse with greenish skin and long, tangled hair covered in algae. Utopci are known to drag swimmers underwater to drown them and claim them as companions.

According to legend, Utopci are cursed souls who cannot find peace. They must drown one person each year to maintain their existence. Some stories say they can be appeased by offerings of bread or salt thrown into the water. In some regions, they were believed to be water spirits that turned evil after being rejected by their communities.

The Utopec legend served as a warning about the dangers of swimming in unknown waters and explained accidental drownings. Similar to other Slavic water spirits, it represents the dual nature of water - both life-giving and dangerous. The concept influenced later Slavic literature and art dealing with themes of death by water.