Fen Wraith
Creatures of mist and lightning, believed to be the spirits of the drowned. They emerge after the Everstorm, drifting aimlessly or attacking the living in fits of rage.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Size: Humanoid in shape, but varies in height from 4 to 7 feet depending on age and power
Appearance: Pale, mist-like forms, crackling with faint arcs of lightning, with hollow, glowing eyes
Biological Traits
Moderate to High Threat
- A solitary Fen Wraith is a dangerous nuisance, capable of sapping warmth and energy from its victims.
- In groups, they can surround prey, leading them deeper into the marsh where the ground gives way beneath their feet.
- Some wraiths are territorial, particularly near places where the Everstorm has recently passed, attacking anything that strays too close.
- Common Signs of a Fen Wraith Nearby:
- A sudden drop in temperature
- Faint whispers carried by the mist
- The smell of ozone and damp earth
- Static discharge crackling over water
Behaviour
- Ethereal Form:
- Fen Wraiths are semi-corporeal, shifting between solid mist and tangible flesh depending on their emotional state.
- They drift through the air, often hovering above the marshy waters, their presence marked by a faint chill and the scent of rain.
- Lightning Affinity:
- Each wraith carries within it a fragment of the Everstorm’s energy, and small arcs of electricity flicker along their limbs.
- When enraged, they can release bursts of static energy, stunning or electrocuting those who come too close.
- Unpredictable Nature:
- Some Fen Wraiths are mindless wanderers, drifting without purpose, only reacting when disturbed.
- Others retain fragments of their past lives, seeking vengeance against the living, luring travelers into the marsh’s depths.
- Weakness to Sunlight & Fire:
- The wraiths shrink from bright light, dispersing under the midday sun.
- Fire, particularly enchanted flames, can disrupt their form permanently.
Civilization and Culture
History
Fen Wraiths are believed to be the spirits of those who drowned in the marsh, either claimed by its shifting waters or lost in the ever-present fog. The Everstorm, a powerful and unpredictable force, stirs them from their rest, pulling their anguish and lingering resentment into the waking world. Some claim they are not ghosts in the traditional sense but manifestations of the storm itself, echoes of lives lost to the relentless marsh.
Local folklore speaks of travelers hearing whispers in the mist, only to find themselves face to face with a drifting, featureless wraith. Those who die at a Fen Wraith’s touch are said to join their ranks, their spirits unraveling into the mist until they, too, become lost.
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