• Sometimes a god, sometimes a wizard, sometimes a dragon
• Invulnerable
• Personifies evil, winter and death
• Also used to represent the evils of capitalizm
• 2 legs and arms
• In Cabell's Jurgen he participated in the youth of the main character.
• Could not be killed because his "life" was well hidden
• May be 2 separate tales combined because most versions have two parts - one where the female is dominant and powerful and the next where she is the victim and helpless.

Kidnapped Marena (a goddess of death) and a princess.

Main Version:
The warlock Kashchei captures the princess and keeps her in his golden castle. While walking with her in the garden one day she begiles him into telling her why he cannot be killed. First, he claims that his life is in a broom, but when she throws it into the fire he does not die. He then tells her that his life is in a worm under the green oaks in a certain field. She tells her lover and he searches for the field, finds the worm, but when he crushes it he does not die. She goes back to the warlock and tells him that she loves him and he opens his heart and tells her that his life is really in an egg in a duck in a hare in a basket in a chest under an oak on a island at sea. Her lover brings the egg back and sure enough, when the lover crushes the egg, Kashchei dies.

• She gilds the broom and shows it to him, but he laughs at her and says that its fastened to the fence. She gilds the whole fence, and only after does he tell her of the egg.
• He is hit on the forehead by the egg.
• Involves a snake and adds a small stone in the yolk of the egg.

Marya Morevna Version:
One day Ivan Tsarevich came across a battlefield and asked an old man who had fought there. The man said that the powerful warrior queen Marya Morevna had been victorious and with that Ivan went in search of the beautiful warrior. He came across her not much later and they fell in love. Before she left for her next war she warned him that he could go anywhere he wished - except the granary. In his boredom he forgets, opens the door, and lets Koshchei the Immortal free from his prison. Koshchei takes Maryna prisoner and it takes Ivan 3 tries to rescue her and kill Koshchei.

• He is imprisoned by 12 chains for 10 years.
• He asked for water and after Ivan gives him 3 buckets he breaks his bonds and flies out the window after Maryna Morevna. Ivan manages to rescue her several times but always Koshchei gets her back using his magic horse given to him by Baba Yaga, a witch living beyond the river of fire. Ivan goes to Baba Yaga and after tending the horses for 3 days she gives him one and with the use of a magic hadkerchief a bridge is built across the river of fire so he can return to the castle, crack Koshchei's skull and save his love.
• Ivan is chopped into pieces, but is magically restored.

Two Sister's Version:
After a scary dream, Marta went to visit her sister Rusa who told her that she was dying because of Koshchei. After Marta left, Rusa groaned so loudly that it awoke Ivan, a hero in another valley. He came to her aid and after passing 3 trials he met Koshchei. Ivan pulled out a protective talisman, defeated Koshchei, and returned Rusa's land and wealth to her and her people.

In the Two Sisters version penned by Kovalev, Ivan saves Rusa from Koshchei and the 12-headed guardian serpent using 3 magic objects after overcoming 3 trials (1) a priest and merchant with wine, (2) a landowner with tea and (3) a dragon. It is possible the Kovalev equated Rusa with Russia and Marta with Germany in an attempt at allegory.

• Peahens
• Flower Queen's Daughter
• Punchkin in Hindu legends
• Bohemian water demons

• The Red Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang - detailed story
• Kovalev's Two Sisters