Monsterpedia

Willowisp (Will o' the Wisp)

Monster Level - I

Soul Type - Composite

Intelligence - Low

Strength - Weak

Magic - Moderate

Rarity - Ubiquitous

Named after the natural phenomenon that they resemble, willowisps are actually emaciated humanoid creatures that can summon twinkling flames to their hands. However the monsters are naturally invisible. The only reason we know what they look like at all is they can be covered with flour or paint, showing off their actual features. Ironically this makes the monsters weaker in swamps and watery areas as it's really easy to see where they are.

This of course assumes that people are looking. The monsters instinctively know how to wave their light in a way that can cause hypnosis. This effect is considerably stronger than natural hypnosis, but given delvers are not nearly as receptive to being hypnotized it tends to be less effective. Sadly if these creatures spawn outside they can draw in those who aren't expecting mental attacks. Willowisps use this hypnosis to draw humans into attacks from other monsters or dangerous terrain. They are quite willing to make traps themselves if the area doesn't provide good killing grounds

Willowisps aren't completely helpless, but they're still pretty weak. They lure people to traps in order to kill them, because if their ambush fails it's far too easy for an adult human to turn the tables and kill the monster. Their brittle bodies easily break when struck, and they can't get too far from their flames, so even a farmer swinging a broom around can be quite lethal to the annoying creatures.

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Willowisps have many of the characteristics of Fey, in that they don't immediately rush humans to kill them. But also seem to act like normal monsters, in that they refuse to communicate and are always hostile. Some people have claimed they might be lesser demons, but we can safely refute that based on their immunity to demon wards and summons.

Merge

Common Name : Lanternmen

Benefits : Light Conjuration

Weaknesses : Constant Glow

While not a popular merge, Lanternmen are passably common due to kids and young adults finding themselves drawn to close to a willowisp and being forced to kill the creature. Lanternmen lose skin and hair pigment, getting the white complexion of albinism. However they have a resistance to UV light, preventing them from suffering the health problems. More obviously their eyes glow constantly from within, the one light they can't turn off.

Lanternmen gain the ability to summon up lights much like willowisps can. While they can't move the light source more than a foot from their body, they can alter the intensity, color, and direction of the lights. This has obvious uses in dark areas, but can also be used for stage performance, busking, or as advertisements. Lanternmen who train their abilities can perform quite impressive lightshows, and if magically inclined can refine their abilities into light spells.

While hardly a powerhouse merge, it has few serious drawbacks. And creative people can turn it to their advantage with a bit of thought.

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Apparently light production is something that has to be trained, like sword arts or brushwork. Right after a merge a Lanternman will just be able to conjure up a simple lightball no better than a handheld lantern. But with daily practice they can work up to juggling rainbows within a couple of years!