Kharakternik

thumb|right|250px|Painting of a Cossack Bandurist (Cossack Mamay) by an unknown author (19th century). [[National Art Museum of Ukraine]]

A Kharakternyk (or Kharakternik; Ukrainian: характерник) was a Zaporozhian Cossack that was credited with possessing magical powers. The image of the Kharakternyk cossack began to form during the times of the Zaporozhian Sich, when magical abilities were attributed to Cossack leaders by their subordinates. Later, Kharakternyks were reflected in Ukrainian folklore and folk beliefs as invulnerable warriors capable of shapeshifting into animals, enchanting weapons, and more.