Player character races: Water Nymph

 

Water Nymph

Faerie type: Water spirit
size: 1 1/2 foot tall

Nymphs are elemental faerie spirits and are known by many other different names such as Sylphs, Wood Maidens and Water Women. Nymphs are some of the most enchanted of all faerie folk and their powers derive from one of the four natural elements: earth, air, fire and water. Most are of a good nature and are protectors of wildlife and sacred plants that thrive in the places where they live. They distrust most humans, especially hunters and fishermen and use their magic to ward them off or destroy their traps and fishing lines or nets. Water Nymphs are great healers and have an affinity will all water dwelling creatures and live in streams, rivers and pools – sometimes in communities known as ‘Sisterhoods’. Nymphs are the natural mates of Fauns (‘Goat People’ or ‘Little Deerfolk’) and Sisterhoods help raise young Faun children together. However, some Nymphs choose to marry human men and if one does so, she must give up her life as a Nymph and live as a human.

Physical description:

 

All Nymphs have an extremely ‘other worldly’ beauty and can charm a human male at will if she chooses to do so. Water Nymphs often have pale blue, silvery or iridescent skin, sometimes with tiny fish scales. Their long flowing hair can resemble waterweeds, grass or other water plants. Their eyes are often coloured blue, green, purple or iridescent. Many also have slightly webbed fingers and toes. Some Water Nymphs can also change in to fish or an amphibious animal and are partly related to Mermaids. However, there is rivalry between them as some Water Nyymps are attracted to Mermen (the mates of Mermaids) and this causes animosity and jealously between them.

Core abilities and skills:

• Magical charm (a Nymph charms a human man or male faerie by transforming into the appearance of the person the man most desires).
• Start the game with two magic spells.
• Speak with animals including fish and amphibious creatures.
• Fast swimming and the ability to breath underwater (fresh water only, not sea water).
• Purify water and neutralize poisons and venom.
• Control a body of water such as a stream (to make it safe to cross, or make it wild and dangerous, or command a body of water to attack an enemy).
• Water divination (speak to or communicate with water) 
• Start the game skilled in one weapon.
 

 

Nymph Dark Elf Counterpart: Hag / Witch 

A Nymph who becomes evil will age rapidly and become an old hag and transform partly into a type of large creature related to her element. For example, a Water Hag will be part fish and part Elf and can transform herself to as large as 6, 7 or 8 feet long with long dagger-like claws and sharp teeth. However, a Hag is able to conceal her true form and may appear as a young Nymph or even as a human female. They delight in causing misery and harm to Faeries and humans alike and some even use their magic to assume the guise of a human female and live within their community as a Dark Witch.

Sometime a Hag uses this ability to trick a human man into becoming her husband so she can have children. After giving birth to her children (that look like small fish) she then devours her husband and returns to her lair (usually a river or underground stream). When the children grow older they become loathsome Dark Elf water spirits. A Hag often has a Faerie Animal or other creature as a companion or familiar such as a Faerie Cat, fox, wolf, crow, serpent or toad.

Some say that hags capture young Nymphs and boil them into a potion that is used to temporarily regain their beauty and youth. Hags use very powerful magic and should be approached with caution – particularly those with an affinity with fire, as they are particularly powerful and cruel.

---------------------------------------------------------------