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[366 Days of Monsters] Day 214/366 - Rusalka

Added 2020-12-09 16:00:03 +0000 UTC

Sometimes referred to as "lake harpies", rusalkas are deadly fey creatures whose intoxicating voices are known to lure sailors and fishermen to their watery doom. Despite their proclivity for drowning humanoids, rusalkas are not outwardly malicious. They are driven by their own passion which drives them mad. Thus, they see their drownings as acts of love rather than murder. A rusalka appears as a lithe elf with pale to light blue skin and blonde or green hair. Their eyes look like pools of clear water. Most rusalkas take on a female humanoid appearance, although, there have been a few male rusalkas spotted, especially in areas where females dominate.

Creatures who drown in the presence of a rusalka sometimes return as zombies cursed to live at the bottom of the pond or lake in which they drowned. Elder rusalkas are known to have entire legions of undead at their command.

Adventurers sometimes parley with rusalkas in order to learn the secrets of their body of water. Rusalkas have led many heroes to the lairs of aboleths, krakens, and other dangerous aquatic creatures, as well as sunken pirate ships and lost ruins. Of course, heroes who seek such information must first avoid the rusalka's advances lest they join her