River Hag
River Hags are a Gremlin subspecies, the corrupted form of Lesser Naiads. River Hags can be found near a body of fresh water such as a stream or river, or perhaps a pond or lake, but they seem to prefer the boggy fens of the world with their dark pools and backwaters.
Like all Hags, River Hags seem to thrive on sowing chaos, discord, and disruption wherever they can. They have little regard for the natural world around them - though they are protective of "their waters" - and will scheme about ways to create torment and dismay among local Fey not corrupted by Corizzea, or among the Folk.
A River Hag with its magic, desire for chaos, and its coerced minions is dangerous enough, but the greatest threat comes from a River Hag joining with its Hag cousins to form a coven. These groups of three or more Hags are capable of manipulating far more powerful magic in their desires to see the world filled with chaos and disruption. These may be other nearby River Hags, but covens can also consist of mixed memberships. Nearby Tree Hags or Green Hags are likely, but circumstances may permit Rock Hags, Frost Hags, or even Cave Hags or Ice Hags to band together with them.
Though River Hags will often be encountered on land, they will always be near a body of water - fresh or fetid, as long as it is not saltwater. They are resistant to any water-based attacks or damage, and have a permanent Water Breathing ability.
The creatures will likely have one or two menial servants about - most likely creatures under the influence of their coercive Charm magics. Where possible, strong creatures such as Ogres are preferred, but Boggards, or even lesser Gremlins will suffice if necessary.
5E-compatible Statblock
PF2E-compatible Statblock
River Hags, like all of their Hag cousins, are easily mistaken at first glance for ancient members of the Folk, most likely of at least partial Elven parentage. The withered, wrinkled skin and stooped stature contributes to their old, frail appearance and belies their remarkable physical strength and constitution, however. Pallid skin tones that are almost, but not quite greyish green in tone add an appearance of poor health. Many an adventurer has been taken in by what they first believed to be an old, decrepit hermit living alone far from civilization. Creased, wrinkled skin also does well to hide the small gill flaps on their necks which allow them to breathe underwater indefinitely.
These creatures build crude huts of wood, stone, and mud in the fens or along stream banks or remote pond shores - always within sight of a body of water. More accurately, these huts are usually constructed by creatures which the River Hag has charmed or otherwise coerced into servitude. Rarely true hermits; they almost always have arrangements with, if not control over, some of the nearby creatures of mischief that inhabit their domains.
Name
River Hag
Type
Fey, Gremlin
Original Nymph
Lesser Naiad
Size
SizeClass, 5.5ft (165cm)
Habitat
Uncommon: in or near rivers, streams, lakes, ponds
Lesser powered gremlins such as Jinkins, Mitflits, and Nuglubs are common targets of subjugation anywhere a River Hag may choose to lair. In the fens, they will often have agreements of convenience with local bands of Boggards if any are present. These creatures build crude huts of wood, stone, and mud in the fens or along stream banks or remote pond shores - always within sight of a body of water. More accurately, these huts are usually constructed by creatures which the River Hag has charmed or otherwise coerced into servitude. Rarely true hermits; they almost always have arrangements with, if not control over, some of the nearby creatures of mischief that inhabit their domains.
Like all Hags, River Hags seem to thrive on sowing chaos, discord, and disruption wherever they can. They have little regard for the natural world around them - though they are protective of "their waters" - and will scheme about ways to create torment and dismay among local Fey not corrupted by Corizzea, or among the Folk.
A River Hag with its magic, desire for chaos, and its coerced minions is dangerous enough, but the greatest threat comes from a River Hag joining with its Hag cousins to form a coven. These groups of three or more Hags are capable of manipulating far more powerful magic in their desires to see the world filled with chaos and disruption. These may be other nearby River Hags, but covens can also consist of mixed memberships. Nearby Tree Hags or Green Hags are likely, but circumstances may permit Rock Hags, Frost Hags, or even Cave Hags or Ice Hags to band together with them.
Gamemaster Notes
Though River Hags will often be encountered on land, they will always be near a body of water - fresh or fetid, as long as it is not saltwater. They are resistant to any water-based attacks or damage, and have a permanent Water Breathing ability.
The creatures will likely have one or two menial servants about - most likely creatures under the influence of their coercive Charm magics. Where possible, strong creatures such as Ogres are preferred, but Boggards, or even lesser Gremlins will suffice if necessary.
5E-compatible Statblock
StatblockID
PF2E-compatible Statblock
StatblockID
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