Salt Wraith

The most common of all wraiths is the ‘salt wraith’, but other than what the name suggests, they aren’t made of salt. Instead, salt wraiths are born from a person lost or murdered at sea. At the moment of their death, the ocean herself reaches out for the victim’s ghost, claiming it as her own. There, the wronged or murdered victim is raised as a corrosive combination of enchanted, brine-filled water and vengeful ghost. One that haunts the waterways, ships and more seeking victims to soothe its rage, unless it can find the person who wronged them in life.

Sea-Born But Unbound

Salt Wraiths are often found near or in salt water, where they draw the most strength. But that doesn’t mean they are helpless on land. When they travel on dry ground, they still have all their nefarious abilities. A salt wraith simply heals more slowly when hurt. If they reach salt water, they regenerate from wounds in seconds.

Like any wraith, they have a physical body, despite part of it being made of brine. In their natural form, they a ghostly, gaunt figure with flowing sea water visible below their blue-white transparent skin. Blue-white fire, like any wraith, burns hot in their eyes. A glow their aura can barely conceal.

A Burning Blade of Brine

This beast’s blade of choice is often a salt-encrusted rapier whose blade glimmers like a ghostly emerald in the twilight. Cursed to the metal core, its razor-sharp with a blue-green flame that runs the length. Where this wraith-bound weapon cuts, its flame flows and burns skin like a hot acid. If recovered, once the wraith is destroyed, the blade can only be destroyed by being thrown into the deep ocean under a full moon. Otherwise, its new owner will be condemned to be swallowed by the ocean as a new salt wraith.

Touch of Sweet Death

Like any of its kin, a salt wraith’s touch is as deadly as their blade. Salt wraiths can, when they choose, produce a sticky acid from their fingers. Thick like honey, and smells just as sweet, this deadly toxin will cling to a victim’s skin. Once there, it tries to burn through the victim’s skin to dissolve them away. It can’t be washed off with mere water, only a mixture of rum, wine, and soap will remove and make the sticky toxin harmless.

Sun Struck

But the beast isn’t without its flaws. If this wraith is caught in sunlight, it melts like soft, rancid butter on a hot day. But sunlight isn’t the only way to bring down this nightmare. Enchanted ice or fire, channeled from the Etherwave Arcana, will freeze or boil the creature in its tracks. Then there is the matter of a potion.

Salt Wraith by CB Ash *

Alternate Names

• wail walker
• grave stalker

Lifespan

Unknown. Considered immortal as they are a corrupt melding of undead and elemental

Average Height

Varies by original victim in life

Average Weight

Varies by original victim in life

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Clean, boiled water mixed with lime is acid to a salt wraith. Each splash that soaks it, melts the creature where it stands. Until, when doused enough, the salt wraith dissolves into a harmless, light green ichor.

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Game Notes

Salt Wraith

Threat: 2
Suggested Complications
Slimy and Not Satisfying. This wraith’s touch is a sticky acid that smells like warm honey. This could burn a victim but it could land on the victim’s weapon or equipment. Gears become clogged, firearms will jam, and hand held weapons are too painful to touch. None of it will be useful until cleaned.
Dash of Salt. In a flash, the salt wraith splashes corrosive spray of brine at a victim, temporarily blinding them, putting them in a desperate position where they can only defend, not attack.
Wraith-Cursed. The simple slice of the salt wraith’s sword cut too deep, releasing a portion of the wraith-curse into the target. If the wraith or weapon isn't destroyed, or the victim cured during downtime, the victim will dissolve on the seventh day, then rise as a salt wraith the following night.