UncleChu/Niha

Niha, Water Elemental

Niha are abominable, genderless elementals that form within the wombs of women that work with fish. The pregnancy lasts only a month, and the mother often is unaware she is pregnant until she births a fish. The fish swiftly grows horrifically manlike in a matter of minutes, with large malformed fins that crudely mimic arms and legs, and a hunched back with a long spiny frill.

Mothers do not have the heart to kill the creature, despite its hideous appearance, not that they are generally capable of slaying an elemental. The Niha then seeks out the closest male relation to the mother and emulates him. If the male tutors the Niha in his trade, he will become blessed with incredible fertility and good health. The Niha will work loyally for the 'mentor' until their mortal death, after which the Niha will step up and replace the mentor. If he refuses to train or allow the Niha to work with him, the Niha will slaughter him and the mother, and then suddenly become unable to breathe, flopping about until it dies and dissipates into watery essence.

Niha are startlingly humanlike in character despite their grotesque appearance. Their genderless voices are contemplative and smooth, often waiting a few moments before someone else has finished speaking before speaking themselves, as though they are absorbing everything. Their disfigured limbs move awkwardly, yet are as skilled as human hands in any endeavor.

Stats

Attributes:
Strength 3, Dexterity 3, Stamina 4
Charisma 3, Appearance 3*, Manipulation 1
Perception 2, Intelligence 4, Wits 3
*measures intensity and utility, not beauty

Abilities:
25 dots that mimic the abilities of the 'mentor', and they can be the skills of a tailor, the skills of a king, and anything in between. However, all Niha have at least Athletics 2 for swimming.

Backgrounds:
Again, they can be anything, but only up to 6 background dots, maxing out at 3 for a given background. Young Niha whose families still live tend to have dots in Allies or Contacts.

Virtues:
Compassion 4, Conviction 3, Temperance 1, Valor 2

Willpower: 8
Health: -0,-1,-1,-1,-2,-2,-2,-2,-4, Incap
Essence: 3
Essence pool: 64

Suggested Charms:
Affinity Element Control, Touch of Grace, Dematerialize, Principle of Motion, Tiny Gift, Benefaction, Summon Food
Elemental Powers:
Mobility, Aegis, Coarse Skin

Comments

So does the average peasant know about these or do a lot of male relatives end up dead and the Niha die too? How common are they? Would the average person know someone who gave birth to a Niha, or is it one of those 'once every five generations, someone has their own baby fish-spirit?' things?
-- JohnBiles

I imagine they're just as common as any other elemental formation.... sometimes, randomly, when the essence of an area needs an adjustment, essence collects and forms and elemental to balance the flow. This critter just happens to form within a womb instead of at a dragon line nexus. Prob'ly the average joe has no idea what the hell it is, only the local doctors or occultists, who I imagine would be summoned rather quickly when a tiny fish comes from a place it ain't meant to be and suddenly swells and grows into a monster and goes looking for the hubby. That sort of rings of supernaturality. Sudden fear and panic isn't enough for the Niha to assume it won't be mentored. If there's no occultist around to consult, though, and unless the parents are rather compassionate, there could be trouble.--UncleChu