Baboushka the Hedgewitch was born to her hag mother and left at the bottom of her father's bed, to be raised by the Winter Witches in the Sabrelands.
Koshmar the night hag collects fifteen-year-old Baboushka from the Winter Witches, in order for Baboushka to join her coven.
The Zima Family rides, furious with the encroaching Orthobog religion. They hunt the Spirits of the Old Beliefs, freezing their hearts and making them more agressive towards non-spirit creatures.
The Snow Queen freezes the Woodcutter Vasilly's wife and grandmother, and steals the baby Oleg to consume the essence of back in the Sabrelands. (Fortunately the Snow Maiden took a liking to Oleg before he could be eaten, saving his life.)