Homebrew Glaistig Species Details

Hailed as either protectors or plagues, glaistigs are ancient fey, tied to the earth and wielding its powers. Although not evil, glaistigs are unpredictable and hot-tempered—easily stirred to anger and possessing powerful magic to deal great harm to the objects of their scorn. A glaistig most often resembles a comely human woman with greenish skin and the lower legs of a goat or a deer, similar to a faun or satyr. Glaistigs usually cover their bestial lower body in flowing robes or gowns, typically woven from leaves frozen in the colors of summer or autumn and adorn themselves with simple but elegant jewelry. Their haunting eyes show no pupils, and every step they take seems as one move in an endless dance. They can be whimsical, but often move and act with great deliberation, especially when their anger is roused.

Eldest Watchers. Glaistigs are among the oldest and most powerful fey in existence. Legends say that they were once incorporeal spirits of the earth that strove to protect early humans living the simple lives of farmers in harsh worlds, and it was through that protection and proximity that these spirits coalesced into the forms they now hold. Regardless of their origins, many glaistigs still protect swaths of rural countryside, forests, and swamps, as well as the people who live therein. Their protection is often unobtrusive; they prefer to manifest their power and protection from the camouflage of foliage, making it seem like the wilderness itself is acting against interlopers. In times of great need, however, or when they become very angry, glaistigs confront dangers in the open. Inhabitants of places protected by a glaistig often leave food, drink, jewels, and crafts at a designated place of honor, or gather to sing songs or tell tales for the glaistig to hear from the shadows.

Attachment to Innocence. While glaistigs themselves have no compunction about bending the truth or flagrantly dissembling, they take extreme offense when others lie to them, and are quite adept at sniffing out falsehoods. When a glaistig deduces that someone has lied to her, even if the untruths were spoken in an attempt at flattery, her outrage is such that she is unwilling to even speak with that person again.

Among some of the most prevalent cautionary tales involving glaistigs is that they sometimes lure young children deep into their wilderness homes, kidnapping them and even replacing them with some form of fey impostor. In truth, these fey enjoy the innocence, honesty, and playfulness of children, and usually keep them only to chat and dance with for a short while before sending them home unharmed.

Glaistig Traits

shapeshifting ancient fey

Multiattack

They are feisty

Shapeshifter

In deer form:

AC: 13
Hit Points: 1d8 per character level
Speed: 50 ft
Skills: Perceptions +2, Survival +2
Senses: Passive Perception 14
Proficiency bonus +2

Keen senses. The deer has advantage on Wisdom checks that rely on smell or hearing.

Actions

Buck kick. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 10 ft on target. 1d4 bludgeoning damage per character level.

Ram. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 10 ft on target. 1d6 bludgeoning damage per character level.

Earth's Glide

The glaistig can do this at will but submerging and re-emerging costs an action.

Nature's Blast

Whenever the glaistig casts fireball, it can choose to make the explosion out of rocks dealing bludgeoning damage instead of fire damage. Alternatively, it can choose to make the explosion out of leaves dealing slashing damage instead of fire damage. The glaistig must use this ability when casting fireball.

Innate Spellcasting

The glaistig’s spell casting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 25). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

• At will: create or destroy water, freedom of movement, pass without trace, purify food and drink
• 3/day each: fireball, flesh to stone, move earth

Reveler's Rapture

The glaistig can affect all creatures within 30 feet with a supernatural urge to dance. An affected creature must succeed a Wisdom saving throw or be forced to nothing on for 3 (1d4+1) turns but dance in place. The creature can attempt a new saving throw at the end of each round to end this effect.

Natural Way of Life

As old as they are, they have grown resistant to a lot