Will-o'-wisp (/wɪl-əʊ-wɪsp)
The Mischievous Sprite
A hazy ball of yellow light [other colors: white, blue, violet, green, yellow], glowing as brightly as a flaming torch.
Will-o'-wisps were malicious creatures that appeared as torches or lanterns seen floating through swamps. Will-o'-wisps are malevolent, wispy balls of light that haunt lonely places and battlefields, bound by dark fate or dark magic to feed on fear and despair.
Hope and Doom. Will-o'-wisps look like bobbing lantern lights in the distance, although they can choose to alter their colors, or wink out completely. When they activate their lights, will-o'-wisps offer hope, hinting of safety to creatures that follow them.
Will-o'-wisps lure unwary creatures into quicksand pits, monster lairs, and other dangerous places so that they can feed on the suffering of their prey and revel in their death screams. An evil being that falls prey to a will-o'-wisp might become a wisp itself, its woeful spirit coalescing above its lifeless corpse like a flickering flame.
Consumed by Despair. Will-o'-wisps are the souls of evil beings that perished in anguish or misery as they wandered forsaken lands permeated with powerful magic. They thrive in swampy bogs and bone-strewn battlefields where the oppressive weight of sorrow stoops even heavier than the low-hanging mist and fog. Trapped in these desolate places of lost hope and memory, will-o'-wisps lure other creatures toward dismal fates and feed on their misery.
Agents of Evil. Will-o'-wisps rarely speak, but when they do, their voices sound like faint or distant whispers. In the miserable domains they haunt, will-o'-wisps sometimes form symbiotic relationships with their wicked neighbors. Hags, oni, black dragons, and evil cultists work with will-o'-wisps to draw creatures into ambush. As their evil allies surround and slaughter creatures, the wisps hover above them, drinking the agony of a last breath and savoring the sensation as the light of life goes out in a creature's eyes.
Undead Nature. A will-o'-wisp doesn't require air, drink, or sleep.
“Flicking orbs of ghostly light - they exist solely to lure travelers to their doom. They feed upon the fear and agony of the dying, and can be found deep within these woods...”
The Menagerie fought one in the Ruins under the Outding Refuge Church. Ran away from another, but then returend and fought it.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Description
The will-o'-wisp appeared to be nothing more than a hazy ball of light, colored white, blue, violet, green, or yellow, glowing as brightly as a flaming torch. As such, it was easy to mistake one for a lantern, torch, or dancing lights. Especially within the foggy marshes they tended to inhabit. They tended to take on a blue, violet, or pale green hue whenever they were engaged in combat. In fact, their faintly glowing bodies were just transparent balls of spongy matter, measuring 1 foot (30 centimeters) wide and weighing around 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms). Although they had no vocal organs, will-o'-wisps could vibrate to emit a ghostly sound, with which they could speak. There existed two stronger varieties of will-o'-wisps: witch lights and death's candle. These creatures could trap should of the creatures they killed and reanimate their bodies as restless dead. Witch lights and death's candle were known to inhabit the Fell Wood in the Spine of the World. Boggarts were believed to be immature forms of will-o'-wisps. Unlike their mature counterparts, boggarts could take on a shape of small humanoids and lure their prey and a shape of a smaller but brighter wisp. Another major thing that differentiated will-o'-wisps and boggarts was that the immature forms needed to devour flesh and the life force of their prey.Genetics and Reproduction
Will-o'-wisps are not able to reproduce in the traditional sense. However, they can create new will-o'-wisps by draining the life energy of other creatures. When a will-o'-wisp drains the life energy of a creature, it creates a small, glowing orb of light. This orb is then able to grow into a new will-o'-wisp.
The process of creating new will-o'-wisps is very slow, and it can take many years for a new will-o'-wisp to fully form. However, once a new will-o'-wisp is formed, it is fully independent and able to fend for itself.
Will-o'-wisps are not a common creature, but they are a powerful and dangerous one. They are often seen as a sign of death or misfortune, and they should be avoided at all costs.
Ecology and Habitats
Favored climate: Temperate Climate
Favored terrain: Marshes
Homelands
Will-o'-wisps were typically found in deserted, dangerous places where ones movement could get inhibited. Such as bogs, fens, swamps, as well as swampy dungeons and dungeons full of quicksand or pit-traps. On Toril they were known to be inhabit the Vast Swamp, where they were often sighted from the Way of the Manticore. As well as its counterpart in the Plane of Shadow, the Shadow Swamp. They also harassed travelers in the Glaun Bog of Tasseldale.Dietary Needs and Habits
Diet
These creatures subsisted upon the powerful emotions that are associated with fear, panic, and death. They would often seek to lure creatures away from safe paths, into perilous situations so they could feast upon their desperate emotions.Behaviour
Personality
These creatures displayed exceptional levels of intelligence. They reveled in luring travelers away from safe paths, bewildering them.Combat
A will-o'-wisp would avoid combat if at all possible, but would attack with electric shocks if pressed.Additional Information
Social Structure
Society
Will-o'-wisps were typically found singly, in pairs, or in "strings" of three or four orbs.Uses, Products & Exploitation
Harvesting
Instructions
Instructions: Because this creature is an Undead, the player should roll a Arcana Check using the DCs in the table below. On a success, the player is able to harvest the item. On a failure, the item cannot be harvested (either because the character is not skilled enough, or because the item is ruined). The DM should note that many of the items have an expiration, and can not be sold or used after the expiration has passed.
| DC | Item | Description | Value | Weight | Expiration | Crafting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Will-o'-Wisp Essence | When a will-o'-wisp disperses, the ball of light spreads out into a glowing mist that quickly fades. A skilled harvester can perform a simple ritual to attempt to reform the necrotic energy into a small ball of power that can be collected. Requires an Enchanted Vial. | 10 gp | 1 lb. | ∞ | – |
This kind of creature does not normally carry treasure. This kind of creature does not normally have or collect treasure. However, the creature may have a lair full of bodies, or reside somewhere that treasure already exists.
This creature produces no Harvested Meat.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Will-o'-wisps are said to be found in marshes, swamps, and other areas where there is a lot of moisture and organic matter.
Here are some specific locations where will-o'-wisps have been reported:
The Misty Marshes: The Misty Marshes are a dangerous and mysterious region that is located in the Shadowfell. Will-o'-wisps are often seen in the Misty Marshes, and they are said to be a sign of death or misfortune.
The Feywild: The Feywild is a magical realm that is home to a variety of creatures, including will-o'-wisps. Will-o'-wisps are often seen in the Feywild, and they are said to be mischievous creatures that can Lead travelers astray.
The Underdark: The Underdark is a vast subterranean realm that is home to a variety of creatures, including will-o'-wisps. Will-o'-wisps are often seen in the Underdark, and they are said to be a sign of danger or evil.
Average Intelligence
Above average (13). These creatures display exceptional levels of intelligence
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Abilities
These creatures could alter the brightness or dimness of their bodies' glow. This ability was used to confuse their prey. A will-o'-wisp could even extinguish its glow, becoming for all intents and purposes invisible to all except creatures who see invisible objects. They typically did the latter whenever they were surprised or frightened. Will-o'-wisps had total spell resistance, making them immune to most spells, apart from magic missile, maze and protection from evil. A will-o'-wisp could discharge electricity, inflicting small electric shocks on attackers.Civilization and Culture
Relationship Ideals
Relationships
Some will-o'-wisps served the dark Chultan demigod Eshowdow, and their appearance was seen by his followers as a sign of his favor.Sources
Source(s):
- Chet Williamson (July 1998). Murder in Cormyr. (TSR, Inc.), chap. 18, p. 114. ISBN 0-7869-0486-0.
- Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 301. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- Rob Heinsoo, Stephen Schubert (May 19, 2009). Monster Manual 2 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 209. ISBN 0786995101.
- Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet and Monte Cook (October 2000). Monster Manual 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 255–256. ISBN 0-7869-1552-1.
- Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 361. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 101. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- Black Isle Studios (August 2002). Designed by J.E. Sawyer. Icewind Dale II. Interplay.
- Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), pp. 19–20. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 57. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 112. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- Richard Baker, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (March 2007). Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 978-0-7869-4119-3.
- Richard Baker, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (March 2007). Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 978-0-7869-4119-3.
- Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 141. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 81. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- Richard Baker, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan, Matthew Sernett, James Wyatt (March 2007). Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 51, 58–59. ISBN 978-0-7869-4119-3.
- Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 227. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Exnihilia, Inmortui, Exspiravit, Lux
Origin/Ancestry
Undead (Incorporeal Energy| Mindless Will-o'-wisp)
Lifespan
Will-o'-wisps do not have a natural lifespan, as they are not living creatures. However, they can exist for a very long time, as long as they have a source of energy to feed on.
Conservation Status
None. Most civilized nations outlaw such necromancy and request a "kill on sight" to all such undead.
Average Height
1'-2'
Average Weight
incorporeal
Average Length
1'-2'
Geographic Distribution
Related Ethnicities
5E Statistics
Will-o'-wisp
| Size | tiny |
| Type | Undead |
| Alignment | Chaotic Evil |
| Challenge Rating | 2 |
General Information
| Movement | Flying |
| Vision | Darkvision |
| Diet | Emotion |
| Language(s) | Common, Auran |
| Subraces | Witch light, Death's Candle |
| Favored Climate | Temperate |
| Favored Terrain | Marshes |
Appearance
| Average Height | 1' |
| Average Length | 1' |
| Average Weight | 3 lbs. |
| Distinctions | Glowing spherical form |
Session Reports
See Also: Will-o'-wisp on Forgotten Realms Wiki