Mirthdrinker

These shape-shifting stalkers have appeared throughout time and across the realms, attracted to places where people and especially children congregate and play. They take the form of children and derive great satisfaction from being included in their games and friendships, and will gladly play as long as there are games to enjoy. It's when the time comes for those games to end that the Mirthdrinker reveals its true nature. Unable to give up the joy and companionship of its playmates, it rather chooses to bewitch one into remaining with it, or if that should fail, to take it by force. When the child inevitably tires of the Mirthdrinker's company and wishes to return home, the Mirthdrinker will grow desperate, usually devouring the child when it stops producing joy and laughter altogether.

In addition to powerful shapeshifting abilities, the ghoulish smile of a Mirthdrinker can stop even powerful warriors in their tracks as their minds reel in an attempt to square the creature's innocent expression with the horrific face out from which it radiates. The Mirthdrinker's true form is covered in a leathery carapace that turns away most nonmagical weapons, conferring a great deal of resistance to conventional attacks.

Despite the relatively difficult lives faced by children in Acroshia, Mirthdrinkers seem to have taken a shine to the plane. Some believe that this is because the difficulties of growing up in Shar make the happy moments all the sweeter... and more delicious to the Mirthdrinker.