Will-o-Wisps

Sentient Fey Lights

A dark corridor of intertwining branches closes in as the light slowly drifts behind the horizon. As dusk falls, the world around becomes less safe, things that were hidden by the light come out and blanket the world in their darkness, causing chaos for those that still choose to be out. Sometimes these creatures that lurk are benevolent, taking pity and assisting those that have lost their way, but others still are out for blood, waiting to harm the first that walks by.
Will-o-Wisps are one such creature that lurk and wait, finding those that are lost and preying on their need. Some of these creatures wish to assist, creating paths and directing lost travelers on their way, while others embrace the chaos that fey bring, luring the unsuspecting to their death, especially when a light in the darkness seems so much like hope. Travelers are warned of these creatures, but even the most experienced traveler can lose their way in the darkness, especially in places where the walls and trees close tight around you.
Those who cross paths with Will-o-Wisps know that all there is left to do is pray and hope that the shining light ahead is one of the few benevolent fey that one can find among these creatures. Only then may they have a chance of finding a way out of whatever place they are lost in. If they have stumbled upon one of the more nefarious and chaotic of the creatures, it almost surely spells the end or at least some measure of harm to come in the future.

Basic Information

Wisp Swarm

Wisp Swarm by Image via Midjourney, created by Riverfang

In some instances, Will-o-Wisps will swarm, causing a dark area to shine with something close to daylight. It is believed that most swarms were due to nefarious purposes, but others have noted instances of benevolence among large swarms.

Anatomy

Will-o-Wisps vary greatly in size and form depending on the whims of the creature at the current time. Most often, these creatures manifest as colored balls of light that blink in and out of existence on the mortal plane. In some instances, it has been seen that Will-o-Wisps will take the form of a person or animal, but these forms often have something about them that is unsettling and marks them as what they are.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These creatures are known for their innate magic that allows them to shapeshift and perform magical transformations to objects around them. Dipping into the magical flow of the Wandering Forest, Will-o-Wisps rarely, if ever, run out of magic and once encountered, often do not leave until their goal, either good or bad, has been fulfilled. Without specific items or magic, it is difficult to drive these creatures away due to their power.
Will-o-Wisps tend to only appear when travelers lost in their domain are in need of some form of assistance. They are drawn to the listlessness and the sense of fear these people feel, manifesting the Will-o-Wisps in the mortal plane. Depending on where someone becomes lost, these creatures may be benevolent and do whatever is necessary to lead travelers back on their paths, but others will choose to use their abilities to cause harm and difficulty.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Will-o-Wisps can be found nearly everywhere in the world but they do not truly exist as beings on the mortal plane. As fey creatures, Will-o-Wisps prefer to inhabit the Wandering Forest where the magic of the world is strong and constantly flowing. This allows them to move freely between planes and play tricks on unsuspecting people. Because of their status as fey, they can move freely between the planes, including into the Lost Paths if they so choose.
The planes of the gods and any place where heavy wards have been put in place to ward off fey are considered off-limits to Will-o-Wisps. There are very few places in the mortal plane that have these wards as they are difficult to put in place and maintain. It is believed that one of the few places that has these wards are the inner courts of the Fairy Kingdom as it is thought that Festival Snix would rather not have such creatures in his court.

Will-o-Wisp

Will-o-Wisp by Image via Midjourney, created by Riverfang

Being of fey descent, Will-o-Wisps are known to be of either a benevolent or nefarious nature depending on the area in which you encounter them. Those traveling alone and find themselves in need of assistance should beware.

Origin/Ancestry

Fey

Lifespan

Immortal

Average Height

Varies

Average Weight

Weightless

Geographic Distribution

• Nótios
• Vóreios

Misconceptions

Many often confuse Will-o-Wisps for Undead as there are other creatures that act and manifest in a similar manner, but this is not true. Will-o-Wisps are little more than sentient fey lights that are brought into being through the influx of magic that flows through the world and often is strongest in places like the Wandering Forest.
Unlike Undead, Will-o-Wisps can be considered good and helpful, but this is very dependent on the creature and the location where one first encountered a Will-o-Wisp. It would be wrong to assume that all of these creatures are benevolent, but meeting one does not mean a sure death or injury.