Editing Will-o-Wisp

A '''Will-o-Wisp''' (known by many, ''many'' variations of that name, such as Will o' the Wisp) is a strange monster that takes the form of a glowing orb of light that tends to appear in dark forests or near swampy regions. Whilst sometimes portrayed as merely mischievous, more often the will-o-wisp is a malign trickster who uses curiosity (and perhaps a dab of [[Enchanter|mind-control magic]]) to lure victims into following it, invariably delivering them to danger in the form of a natural hazard or a [[monster]].

Depending on the setting, will-o-wisps may be portrayed as a kind of [[ghost]], an [[elemental]], a [[fairy]], or some sort of [[aberration]].

Fun fact: There really is a Real World phenomena that inspired the common folkloric "Will-o-wisp"; known as "ignis fatuus" (translation: "Fool's Fire" and '''not''' in fact a faux-latin insult for an obese pyromanic). The modern scientific explanation is that certain kinds of swamps bubble up various flammable gasses that ignite upon coming into contact with the air.

<gallery>
Willowisp 1e.jpg|1e
Willowisp Monster card.jpg|AD&D Monster Card
Will o wisp MCV1.jpg|2e
Willowisp MM 2e.png
Willowisp 3e.jpg|3e
Willowisp 4e.jpg|4e
Willowisp 5e.jpg|5e
Willowisp PF.png|Pathfinder's Will-o-Wisps have skulls.
Willowisp PF 2e.png|PF 2e
</gallery>

==Boggart==
According to ''Monster Manual 2'' from 1st edition, juvenile will-o-wisps are known as '''boggarts''' and can shapeshift into a humanoid form (a power they lose when they grow up).
<gallery>
boggart MM2 1e.jpg
</gallery>

==Ravenloft Variants==
AD&D 2e's third [[Ravenloft]] Monstrous Compendium introduced 4 different Will-o-Wisp variants: '''Will-o-Dawn''', which helps those who are lost or in pain; '''Will-o-Deep''', which only appears underground and causes people to become lost and in pain; '''Will-o-Mist''', which only appears on the misty borders of the [[Demiplane of Dread]]; and '''Will-o-Sea''', the obligatory aquatic subspecies which is shaped like a ribbon instead of a ball. 

<gallery>
Will o dawn MC Ravenloft3.png|Will-o-Dawn
Will o deep MC Ravenloft3.png|Will-o-Deep
Will o mist MC Ravenloft3.png|Will-o-Mist
Will o sea MC Ravenloft3.png|Will-o-Sea
</gallery>

==Hound of Law==
In ''The Rod of Seven Parts'', the Vaati/Wind Dukes of Aaqa breed a special type of will-o-wisp called a '''Hound of Law'''. These can polymorph into several different animals, but their preferred form is that of a dog.
<gallery>
hound of law tRoSP.png
hound of law 2 tRoSP.png
hound of law MCAV4.jpg
</gallery>

==Ghostlight==
''Monstrous Compendium: Planescape Appendix 2'' introduced the '''Ghostlight''', a more powerful relative of the Will-o-wisp. They have ''hypnotic pattern'', ''dominate'', and a melee attack that drains levels.

[[Category: Monsters]]
[[Category: Undead]]