Will O' Wisp

The will o’wisp language is a most unusual one, being purely optical in nature. All communication between will o’wisps is by means of changes in color or brightness, many of which are far too subtle for the average observer to notice. Because this form of exchange is almost impossible to mimic, it is very difficult for travelers to communicate with these creatures. Exceptional examples of this race have mastered a very simple sound-based language. They produce sounds by vibrating very rapidly and thus have a shallow and ghostly-sounding voice when they “speak”.​     ​For the most part, will o’wisps will be found on their own. On rare occasions (10% of the time) groups of up to three may be found near a particularly fertile hunting ground. In the latter case, they will work together to trick victims into the traps which they have arranged.​   ​Although difficult to say with certainty, evidence indicates that the will o’wisp feeds on the fury of electrical activity given off by the brains of panic stricken individuals as they realize that death is inescapable. In order to prolong the suffering of their victims and increase the amount of “food” which they give off, will o’wisps will typically lure their victims into areas like quicksand pits which promise a slow and frightening death. It seems certain that the unusual environment found in bogs and swamps is important to the creature’s existence in some way, but the exact nature of this link is uncertain. It seems probable that the ominous and haunting nature of these places increases the fear and dread which their victims feel, and thus the energy which they give off prior to death.​   ​The will o’wisp is a malevolent entity that makes its home in swamps, bogs, and moors. It subsists by luring unsuspecting creatures to their deaths amid the natural hazards of such places and feeding on the energies which their death struggles release. When encountered in the wild, will o’wisps normally appear as faintly glowing balls of light. They can alter their own color, shape, and size to some extent and can be easily mistaken for lanterns, light spells, and similar sources of artificial illumination. If they do not attack, will o’wisps are able to utterly blank out their glows, rendering them invisible to all those who cannot spot invisible objects, for 2-8 melee rounds.​   ​Will-o'-wisps lurk in marshlands, where mists and swamp lights provide hiding places. They gather near natural dangers, such as quicksand or other monsters. Will-o'-wisps use their lights to draw unwary travelers into peril. A will-o'-wisp can speak in a ghostly voice. As it speaks, the creature brightens and dims. Its actual body is a tiny orb of diaphanous material. ​   ​A will o’wisp’s main weapon in combat is its ability to manifest a powerful electric charge. In melee, it swoops at its foe and attempts to brush against the victim, discharging the stored energy. A successful strike by one of these creatures will cause 2-16 points of damage.​   ​As a rule, will o’wisps seek to avoid physical combat with other creatures, preferring to lead them to their deaths in the swamps around them instead. When pressed, however, they are dangerous adversaries who must be attacked with the greatest care. In combat, they glow blue, violet, or pale green. Will o’wisps are very versatile flyers. They can hover in place without effort, often looking like lanterns or similar beacons to lure others toward them. When they decide to move, they can do so with rapid bursts of speed or slow drifting movements. A will o’wisp which is reduced to 5 or fewer hit points will attempt to escape. If it is unable to flee, the creature will surrender to its attackers and attempt to buy its safety by offering up any treasure which it may have. It is important to note, however, that the chaotic alignment of the will o’wisp can make any agreement with the creature uncertain. Those attacking a will o’wisp with any form of physical weapon are able to inflict damage normally. ​   Glimmer: ​Drain 2d8 PSP/Chi from anyone within 3 squares. The Will O' Wisp is healed the same amount. Targert(s) are weaened. ​   Luring Glow: ​Range 100 ft., target must be able to see, save vs. spell, target is pulled 3 squares and dazed. The effect ends when a successful save is made (round by round).​   Blink Out: ​If the Will O' Wisp is missed, it may teleport up to 5 squares. No attack of oportunity.​   Magic Resist: ​As a rule, the only spells which have any effect on the will o’wisp are protection from evil, magic missile, and maze.​   Fey Light: ​The Will O' Wisp produces as much light as a torch. The Will O' Wisp may darken itself, as well. When darkened it can Hide In Shadows at 80%.​        
Special Advantages
SPECIALADV
 
Special Disadvantages
SPECIALDISADV
Also Known As
AKA
 
Government Type
GOVTYPE
 
Known Strongholds
KNOWNSTRONGHOLDS
 
Known Clans
KNOWNCLANS
 
Homeland
HOMELAND
 
Known Alliances
KNOWNALLIANCES
 
Trade Expertise
TRADEXPERTISE
 
Ability Score Adjustments
ABILITYSCOREADJ
 
Languages Spoken
LANGSPOKEN
 
Racial Enmities
RACIALENM
 
Life Expectancy
LIFEEXPEXT

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