Hag

The Hag species follows the lore of the Forgotten Realms setting.

View species lore on Forgotten Realms fandom

Basic Information

Anatomy

Hags are humanoid creatures with distinctive anatomical and morphological features. While there are different types of Hags, such as Sea Hags, Annis Hags, Green Hags, and Night Hags, and others, they generally share some common characteristics.

Body Shape:

Hags have humanoid bodies with hunched postures and twisted, gnarled frames. They often have long limbs, bony fingers with sharp claws, and their overall appearance is typically repulsive.

Skin:

The skin of Hags varies depending on the type. For example, Green Hags have sickly green skin, while Night Hags have ashen gray skin. Regardless of the type, their skin is often warty, mottled, and rough to the touch.

Facial Features:

Hags have exaggerated and grotesque facial features. They may have large, bulbous noses, yellowed and crooked teeth, and sunken, malevolent eyes. Their hair is usually unkempt and matted, and it may be a variety of colors ranging from white to black.

Horns and Warts:

Some Hags, such as Annis Hags, may have prominent horns protruding from their heads. Additionally, Hags are known to have numerous warts, growths, or boils on their bodies, adding to their hideous appearance.

Shapeshifting Abilities:

Hags possess the magical ability to shapeshift, allowing them to alter their appearance at will. They can assume various forms, including those of attractive humanoids, in order to deceive and manipulate their prey.

Size:

Hags typically stand between 5 and 7 feet tall, but their actual height may vary depending on the specific type of Hag. They tend to have lanky and wiry builds, which contributes to their eerie presence.

Voice:

Hags have unsettling and discordant voices that can range from raspy whispers to high-pitched cackling. Their voices can be used to intimidate, frighten, or lure their victims.

Clothing and Accessories:

Hags often wear tattered and dirty clothing, typically consisting of robes, cloaks, or rags. They may accessorize themselves with bones, feathers, or other macabre trinkets, reflecting their sinister nature.

Genetics and Reproduction

The lore and details surrounding the genetics and reproduction of Hags are not explicitly understood. However, here are some general aspects that are commonly associated with Hags.

Hag Origins:

Hags are typically portrayed as supernatural beings rather than creatures with conventional biological origins. They are often considered to be ancient and malevolent entities that have existed for centuries, with their origins rooted in folklore and mythology.

Transformation:

Hags may not reproduce in the traditional sense like other creatures. Instead, they often transform or corrupt existing beings to create more of their kind. This transformation could occur through various means, such as curses, dark rituals, or magical tampering.

Covens:

Hags are known to form covens, groups of three Hags that work together, often consisting of a powerful mother Hag and her two daughters. It is believed that these covens are formed through the corruption or transformation of mortal women into Hags. The specifics of how this transformation occurs can vary in different campaign settings.

Stealing Children:

The most common lore, some Hags are associated with the abduction and replacement of human or humanoid children. They may replace them with Changelings, which are creatures disguised as the stolen children. The abducted children may be raised by the Hags to become Hags themselves or used in their dark rituals.
It's worth noting that the specifics of Hag genetics and reproduction are not well understood. As a result, the details of how Hags reproduce and pass on their lineage can vary based on the individual, type, culture, or heritage of the Hag.

Growth Rate & Stages

The growth rate and specific growth stages of Hags are not well documented. Hags are typically depicted as ancient and long-lived creatures, often existing for centuries or even millennia.

Age and Power:

Hags grow in power and abilities as they age. As they progress in age, they become more formidable and gain access to greater magical capabilities. This progression is known as the "Hag's Curse," which allows them to extend their lifespan.

Hag Transformation:

It is believed that some Hags are created through the transformation or corruption of mortals, usually women. The process of transformation into a Hag can occur through curses, dark rituals, or magical corruption. The specifics of how this transformation occurs can vary.

Covens:

Hags often form covens, which consist of three Hags working together. These covens typically include a mother Hag and her two daughters. The exact process of a Hag's growth within a coven is not explicitly detailed, but it is commonly assumed that the mother Hag is the most powerful and experienced, while the daughters may be in different stages of their growth and development.

Power and Experience:

Hags gain power and experience over time through their interactions, magical practices, and the acquisition of dark knowledge. As they age, they become more adept at manipulating and corrupting others, and their magical abilities become more potent.
It's important to note that the specific growth stages of Hags can vary and is not a well studied subject.

Ecology and Habitats

The ecology and habitat of Hags can vary depending on the specific type of Hag and the environment. However, there are some common elements associated with their ecology and preferred habitats:

Isolation and Seclusion:

Hags tend to prefer secluded and isolated locations for their lairs. These can include deep forests, swamps, desolate moors, or other remote and inhospitable environments. They often choose areas far from civilization where they can operate undisturbed and carry out their nefarious activities.

Connection to Nature:

Many Hags have a deep affinity for nature and are often associated with specific types of environments. For example, Green Hags are typically found in forests, while Sea Hags may dwell near coasts or bodies of water. This connection to their chosen habitat can grant them advantages and abilities related to their surroundings.

Lairs and Traps:

Hags create lairs within their chosen habitats, typically within hidden or hard-to-reach locations. These lairs are often fortified with traps, illusions, and magical wards to protect against intruders. They may also have minions or enchanted guardians to serve as additional defenses.

Corrupted Environments:

Hags' presence often leads to the corruption and decay of their surrounding ecosystems. Their dark magic and malevolent influence can cause blights, poisonous flora, and diseased wildlife to thrive in the vicinity of their lairs. The environment may exhibit signs of decay, twisted vegetation, and foul odors.

Connection to Feywild or Shadowfell:

Some Hags have ties to other planes of existence, such as the Feywild or the Shadowfell. They may have the ability to travel between these planes or draw power from them. Their habitats may have portals or areas where the boundaries between the planes are thin.

Interaction with Mortals:

Hags frequently interact with mortals, often in deceptive and manipulative ways. They may disguise themselves as normal beings or use illusions to lure unsuspecting individuals into their clutches. They may seek to corrupt and manipulate mortal communities or strike bargains and pacts with desperate individuals.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The dietary needs and habits of Hags are not well documented. However, their lore and behaviors suggest certain tendencies and preferences.

Cannibalistic Tendencies:

Hags are often depicted as having a taste for flesh, including that of sentient beings. They may engage in cannibalism, consuming the flesh or organs of other creatures, particularly humanoids. This aspect of their nature adds to their sinister and malevolent reputation.

Consumption of Emotions or Souls:

Some Hags are known to feed on emotions or souls. They may derive sustenance or power from negative emotions such as fear, sorrow, or despair. Night Hags, for example, are notorious for collecting and devouring the souls of mortals.

Gathering Rare or Exotic Ingredients:

Hags are often associated with dark magic and alchemy. They may seek out rare or exotic ingredients for their potions, rituals, or spells. These ingredients could include specific herbs, magical artifacts, or even the body parts of specific creatures.

Corrupted Brews and Potions:

Hags are known for brewing potent and often poisonous concoctions. They may create elixirs or potions that have various effects, from enhancing their own abilities to causing harm or afflictions in others. These brews may contain bizarre and repulsive ingredients.

Parasitic Behavior:

Some Hags exhibit parasitic tendencies, attaching themselves to communities or families and draining them of their vitality, luck, or good fortune. They may feed off the misfortune or suffering of others, actively seeking out situations where they can exploit or manipulate those around them.

Behaviour

Hags exhibit distinct behavior and psychological traits that contribute to their menacing and manipulative nature. While individual Hags may vary in personality and temperament, here are some common characteristics:

Manipulative and Deceptive:

Hags are known for their ability to deceive and manipulate others. They excel at using their charms, illusions, and psychic powers to trick and control those around them. They may disguise themselves as attractive individuals or use their shapeshifting abilities to appear harmless or trustworthy.

Cunning and Intelligent:

Hags possess keen intellects and a knack for strategy. They are skilled at devising intricate plans and schemes to further their goals, often several steps ahead of their adversaries. Their cunning nature allows them to exploit the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of others.

Malevolent and Cruel:

Hags are inherently evil creatures, deriving pleasure from causing suffering and misery. They take delight in the pain and despair of their victims, and their actions are often driven by a desire to spread discord and chaos. They may engage in sadistic behaviors and revel in the torment they inflict.

Selfish and Self-Preserving:

Hags prioritize their own interests above all else. They are driven by personal gain, whether it be power, wealth, or the satisfaction of their dark desires. They are willing to sacrifice others, manipulate alliances, or make bargains at the expense of those they interact with.

Solitary or Covens:

Hags can be solitary creatures, preferring to operate alone in their pursuits. However, many Hags form covens, groups of three Hags working together, usually consisting of a mother Hag and her two daughters. These covens provide them with companionship, shared knowledge, and additional strength.

Long-Term Planners:

Hags are patient and skilled long-term planners. They may lay intricate traps, sow discord within communities, or subtly influence events over extended periods. They thrive on orchestrating intricate webs of manipulation and control, often with far-reaching consequences.

Obsession with Power and Control:

Hags crave power and control over others. They enjoy bending others to their will, whether through magic, manipulation, or psychological coercion. They may seek to dominate communities, corrupt leaders, or subjugate individuals to serve their dark purposes.

Hatred for Good and Beauty:

Hags despise goodness, beauty, and harmony. They revel in chaos, ugliness, and despair. They actively work to disrupt and corrupt the positive aspects of the world, seeking to extinguish light and replace it with darkness.
These behavioral and psychological traits shape the actions and motivations of Hags. They are complex and malevolent creatures driven by their own twisted desires, with an uncanny ability to manipulate and corrupt those around them.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Hags possess unique perception, sensory, and extrasensory capabilities that contribute to their cunning and manipulative nature.

Enhanced Senses:

Hags have heightened senses, allowing them to perceive the world around them more acutely than ordinary creatures. Their senses of sight, hearing, and smell are particularly sharp, enabling them to detect hidden or approaching threats.

Darkvision:

Many types of Hags possess the ability to see in complete darkness as if it were dim light. This darkvision allows them to operate effectively in poorly lit environments, giving them an advantage over potential adversaries.

Detect Magic:

Some Hags have the innate ability to sense the presence of magic. They can discern magical auras and identify the nature of magical effects, enabling them to detect hidden enchantments or identify spellcasters.

Hateful Aura:

Hags emit a malevolent aura that can cause fear and unease in those nearby. This aura is a manifestation of their evil nature and serves to intimidate and control others. It can make it more difficult for foes to resist their manipulative tactics.

Divination:

Hags possess an innate talent for divination and future sight. They often utilize divinatory rituals or employ magical objects to glimpse into the future or gain insights into events yet to occur. This ability allows them to plan and scheme with uncanny foresight.

Illusory Magic:

Hags have a knack for illusion magic, allowing them to create deceptive and convincing illusions to confuse, distract, or deceive their adversaries. They can use these illusions to mask their true forms or create illusions that lure victims into their traps.

Mind Manipulation:

Some Hags possess psychic or telepathic abilities that allow them to influence the thoughts and emotions of others. They can implant suggestions, alter memories, or induce fear to further their manipulative goals.
These sensory and extrasensory capabilities make Hags formidable adversaries, as they can gather information, perceive threats, and manipulate their surroundings to their advantage. It's important to note that the specific sensory abilities of Hags may vary depending on the type of Hag.

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Geographic Distribution

• Skor
• The Well of Souls