Will-o-Wisp: Difference between revisions
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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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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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. | 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> | <gallery> | ||
Willowisp 1e.jpg|1e | Willowisp 1e.jpg|1e | ||
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</gallery> | </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> | <gallery> | ||
Will o dawn MC Ravenloft3.png|Will-o-Dawn | Will o dawn MC Ravenloft3.png|Will-o-Dawn | ||
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Will o sea MC Ravenloft3.png|Will-o-Sea | Will o sea MC Ravenloft3.png|Will-o-Sea | ||
</gallery> | </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: Monsters]] | ||
[[Category: Undead]] | [[Category: Undead]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:04, 23 June 2023
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 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.
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1e -
AD&D Monster Card -
2e -
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3e -
4e -
5e -
Pathfinder's Will-o-Wisps have skulls. -
PF 2e
Boggart[edit | edit source]
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).
Ravenloft Variants[edit | edit source]
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.
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Will-o-Dawn -
Will-o-Deep -
Will-o-Mist -
Will-o-Sea
Hound of Law[edit | edit source]
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.
Ghostlight[edit | edit source]
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.