Elementals/WillowMaiden

Willow Maiden

Predatory wood elementals that prefer to reside in grassy banks at the edge of rivers and streams, much as their namesake trees do, willow maidens can be deadly to the unwary traveller. There have been many lone wanderers who have woken up one morning after a restful night’s sleep only to find that their eyes have been stolen. Their form is that of a lithe young girl, with a massive spray of willow switches for hair, their skin covered with cracked willow bark. The follow the same lifecycle as the willow tree itself, descending into a deep slumber during the winter months, rousing and leafing out during the spring and summer, before losing their leaves and slowly returning back to slumber in the autumn. This cycle also means that during spring and autumn the willow maidens are ravenously hungry, and any traveller going through their wood would do his best to take precautions.

Their favoured hunting technique is to lie in wait in small groups, choosing areas that would be naturally attractive as campsites, clearings close to water, etc… Upon the arrival of a traveller or group of travellers they stand utterly still, appearing as a small stand of willow trees, and wait until nightfall. Then, they will use their Steal Sustenance Charm on one of the sleepers, stealing his eyes from their sockets with a slow kiss, that feels highly pleasurable to the victim, and many of them report pleasant (even erotic) dreams as a result of the feeding. When they wake, however, they are permanently blinded, their eye sockets now gaping fleshy holes. Although many of the larger groups have sorcerers who can create wards that will hedge out any passing spirits or elementals, they provide no such protection against any that are already within. It is this sense of confidence that the willow maidens rely on when preying on groups.

Although they prefer to avoid actual combat, the willow maidens are capable fighters if the need arises, their tough bark-like skin providing adequate protection against attack. With vicious claws and serrated teeth, they are not to be trifled with but, in general, once discovered the willow maidens will abandon their prey for one less knowledgeable.

Attributes

Strength 3, Dexterity 4, Stamina 3, Appearance 4, Charisma 2, Manipulation 1, Intelligence 2, Perception 4, Wits 2

Abilities

Athletics 3, Brawl 3 (Claws +1), Dodge 2, Endurance 3, Performance 3, Presence 2, Resistance 2, Survival 4

Virtues

Compassion 2, Conviction 4, Temperance 2, Valour 3

Charms

Dematerialise, Landscape Travel, Steal Sustenance, Stillness

Elemental Powers

Aegis

Initiative: 6

Dodge Pool: 6

Soak: 4L/6B (3L/3B barklike skin)

Attacks

Claws - Speed 8, Attack 8, Damage 6L, Parry 7

Bite - Speed 4, Attack 6, Damage 8L, Parry 4

Essence: 2

Willpower: 7

Essence Pool: 63

Cost to Dematerialise: 40

Health Levels -0 / -1 / -1 / -1 / -2 / -2 / -2 / -4 / Incapacitated

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An elemental I creeped my group out with early on. They came up with all kinds of wild theories after some of their guards woke up without eyes. Was fun. :)

Also, I know the wiki code behind this sucks at present. Suggestions for improvement would be most appreciated.

-- Mox

Comments

I changed the code I use for Stat Sheets. You should take a look, it's pretty organized. You can get to them through my User Page - Seiraryu