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by Micha F. Lindemans

A monstrous animal that guarded Tuonela, the land of the dead. The monster was perceived with ever-open jaws, ready to catch and devour humans with frightening speed. Thus he became the personification of sudden death. Surma was also seen as a guard who prevented the dead from leaving Tuonela, rather than stopping the living from entering.

Surma also guarded the house of Kalma, the goddess of death.