In Slavic mythology, a Vědmák (Russian: Ведьмак; Ukrainian: Відьмак, Vidmak, Polish: Wiedźmak Serbian: Вештац) is a warlock or male witch, the female equivalent (witch) being vedma, but unlike the latter, the vedmak may also possess positive qualities.
For example, they treat people and animals, protect humanity, and force witches to stop doing evil. On the other hand, they are thought to be people connected to the Devil, and are capable of harming other human beings by sending illnesses, killing cattle, spoiling a harvest, etc. The word was also used as an insult. A vedmak can turn into any animal or any object. He is capable of shapeshifting into a horse, a moth, or a wolf. He is also resistant to rusalkas' enchantments.
The term Vedmak comes from Proto-Slavic *vědět ("to know") and Old Russian вѣдь ("knowledge; witchcraft", compare the use of the term "cunning" in English folklore).
Under the influence of The Witcher fantasy saga by Andrzej Sapkowski, the term vedmak can be translated as "witcher" in English.
"Ms. Murphy is such a pain, man."
"We just had a test a week ago.
Now we gotta take another one tommorrow. This sucks!"
"And it counts for 80 percent of our grade."
"Well we better study our butts off."
"Well we came to the right place, the ever so quiet library."
"Ok, enough talking, let's study!"
"All right."
"Uh oh"
"Oh no! Fatty McGee is coming.
We'll never get any studying done with him in the library."
"Oh god, he's taking the stairs!
That means he's going to be way out of breath!"
"Oh no, he's going to sit with us."
"Hey fellas, studying for the big test?"
"Uh, yes Fatty, we were."
"Great! I'll join ya."
"Hey Fatty, why don't you go to the bathroom 'till you catch your breath?"
"No, no, I'm catching it!"
"Ok, ok Fatty, but try to keep the wheezing level down, we're trying to concentrate."
"Sure, no problem."
"Oh man."
"This test counts for eighty percent of our grade, you know."
"Yes Fatty, we know, we just said that."
"Fatty! Please keep it down!"
"Is he sleeping!?"
"No, it's his deviated sceptum.
Seriously Fatty, keep the breathing down."
"Ahh geez Fatty, what's wrong with you!?"
"I'm trying."
"Fatty, you know what's going to happen!
Stop breathing so heavy! Please we gotta study!"
"Oh no, that one's going to do it!"
"Fatty, the fire department thinks the fire alarm went off again!"
"I'm sorry!"
"Fire! Man the building!"
"Sorry Fireman Ray, it's not the fire alarm."
"Fatty McGee, is that you again!?"
"Yes." [Snort] "Sorry." [Snort]
"Didn't we tell you not to take the stairs anymore!?"
"But I like the stairs!"
"Why!?"
"They're fun!"