Water Hag
Water hags are malevolent fey creatures that dwell in the murky depths of lakes, swamps, and rivers, their lives intrinsically tied to dark waters and the secrets they conceal. These creatures embody the deceptive beauty and lethal danger of their watery homes, luring the unwary into their grasp with a mix of cunning and cruelty. Their presence is often felt long before they are seen, as the air grows heavy with an unsettling stillness, the water's surface rippling without cause, and faint, mournful whispers echo from unseen depths.
In appearance, water hags are as much a part of their environment as the waters they inhabit. Their skin is pale and slick, often tinged with shades of sickly green or bluish-gray, resembling algae-covered stones or drowned flesh. It glistens faintly in the dim light, making them appear ethereal and otherworldly in one moment and grotesque in the next. Their hair flows in long, tangled strands of dark green or black, often streaked with reeds, moss, or other detritus of their watery homes. Their eyes are sharp and predatory, glowing faintly in hues of sickly yellow or cold blue, like distant lanterns in the mist. A jagged smile of razor-sharp teeth completes their unnerving visage, promising malice to those who draw too near.
Water hags are masters of deception, capable of disguising their hideous forms with illusions of ethereal beauty or harmless charm. They use this gift to lure unsuspecting travelers or fishermen into their domain, where they strike with ruthless precision. Their voices can be sweet and melodic, as hypnotic as a lullaby, or as chilling as the howl of a storm. They often weave tales of woe or promises of hidden treasures to draw their victims closer, preying on greed, compassion, or simple curiosity.
The domains of water hags are dark and treacherous places, filled with traps and signs of their sinister influence. Stagnant pools and unnaturally still waters conceal hidden dangers, while faintly glowing orbs of light—often mistaken for will-o’-wisps—lead travelers deeper into their grasp. The remains of their victims, tangled in weeds or submerged just below the surface, serve as grim reminders of their predatory nature. Despite the horrors of their lairs, water hags often keep collections of trinkets and relics, stolen from those they have claimed or scavenged from the drowned.
Water hags are not mindless predators but cunning and manipulative creatures who revel in the suffering of others. They are skilled bargainers, offering aid or information at a terrible price, and their deals often end in tragedy for those foolish enough to trust them. They delight in twisting the hopes and fears of their victims, using their knowledge of dark magic and fey lore to gain the upper hand. While they are solitary by nature, water hags may occasionally ally with other hags or fey, though such partnerships are often fraught with betrayal.
