Today's monster comes from a variety of sources. First, there is Iggwilv-Louhi connection that I talked about it in the Finish Mythos. Louhi, despite being an old witch is said to have lovely maiden daughters that the heroes often seek out. By extension shouldn't Iggwilv have some daughters too?
If we go with "yes" (and I always go with yes) then there are two issues, what are they like and who is the father. Let's go with the father question first. Among the candidates of "people" she has been involved with include the Demon Prince Fraz-Urb'luu, the half-demon Arch-Mage Tsojcanth, the wizard Zagig Yragerne, even Mordenkainen himself is a possibility and of course the Demon Prince Graz'zt.
We know all about Iggwilv's love affair with Graz'zt. We know from other sources, chiefly the Gygax Greyhawk novels, that Iuz is the offspring of Iggwilv and Graz'zt. Or maybe not. In the World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting entry for Iuz it is suggested that he is "some by-blow of Orcus." I personally liked the idea that Orcus had mortal agents in the world. While this idea was later dropped it became an element of the Forgotten Realms, where I think it works out a little better. But it still is a tantalizing idea.
While Louhi might have daughters known as "the Maidens of Pohjola" I am not expecting Iggwilv's daughters to be so innocent. Her only other daughter, Drelnza, was a vampire, described as a "false Disney Princess" (she is not the damsel in distress, she is the monster), and most certainly not the offspring of Graz'zt. Going back to the Louhi/Lovitar connection for a bit, Lovitar is known as the mother of the Nine Diseases. Nine is a good number.
When Iggwilv was defeated by Graz'zt the former master was now the slave. Graz'zt had intended to keep the fallen Witch Queen in the Abyss to have her suffer an eternity of imprisonment as she had kept him. Iggwilv however was more clever than the Demon Prince knew and soon she went from prisoner to consort, to confidant to his main advisor. While she was rising in the ranks of Graz'zt courts she was "traded" to the Demon Prince Orcus over a loss Graz'zt had suffered at the hands of the Demon Prince of undead.
Taken from Azzagrat in chains she arrived in Thanatos at the feet of the Lord of Undead to serve a tredecim (13 years) of service between CY 503 and CY 516.
Enraged, Iggwilv plotted revenge on both Graz'zt and Orcus. Her carefully constructed lies and seductions learned from Fraz-Urb'luu that were so effective on Graz'zt held no sway on Orcus. Save for the occasional bit of violence Orcus showed no interest in the Witch Queen other than to deprive Graz'zt of her. Within that century though Iggwilv gave birth to nine daughters that she was able to keep secret from both Orcus and Graz'zt. These nine daughters were all of the same fierce, dark beauty as their mother, but had the taint of undeath like their father. In secret, Iggwilv taught her daughters the ways of witchcraft and fashioned Abyssal weapons for each of them. Once they were grown their curse of undeath took hold and they became something akin to vampires. Iggwilv sent them into the world to cause as much havoc and chaos as they could and, most importantly act against the designs and will of both Graz'zt and Orcus.
Medium Undead (Demonic)
Frequency: Unique (only 9 are known to exist)
Number Appearing: 1 (1)
Alignment: Chaotic [Chaotic Evil]
Movement: 240' (80') [24"]
Fly: 180' (60') [18"]
Armor Class: -4 [20]
Hit Dice: 14d8+42**** (105 hp)
Attacks: by special weapon, claw/claw, or by magic or special
Damage: 1d10+6, 1d4+4 x2, special
Special: Magic required to hit (+2 or better), Vampire abilities, Witch spells, Undead
Size: Medium
Save: Monster 14
Morale: 12
Treasure Hoard Class: Special, see below
XP: 5,150
The Noidan Tytär, or Daughters of the Witch, are a unique group of undead demonically spawned creatures. These creatures, as beautiful as they are powerful, evil and deadly, are thankfully very, very rare. In fact, only nine are known to exist. Thankfully they also never work together by order of their mother the Witch Queen.
Each of the Noidan Tytär is a skilled fighter and possesses both superior arms and armor. Typically magical plate mail of etherealness +2, and a bastard vorpal sword +2 that they wield with one hand due to their preternatural strength.
In addition to their fighting ability, the Noidan Tytär are also undead akin to vampires. Magic is required to hit them and they are immune to charm, hold and sleep magic as well as any mind-affecting magics. Unlike vampires, they do not require blood to survive but drain the life energy (Constitution points) at the rate of 2 points per touch. They can go long periods without feeding but it will cause them to go into a deep stupor until a victim can be found. They can not enter a personal dwelling or holy/blessed land like a vampire and holy items can keep them at bay and cause damage. They are however immune to the effects of garlic. A stake through the heart will destroy them, but if the stake is removed they will reform in one round. They can become gaseous, but cannot assume the shapes of animals. They can fly as per the spell.
They can be Turned as Special (14 HD) by a cleric of high enough level. Any result of a D only discorporates them until the next new moon. The only way to truly destroy them is stake them, remove their head, and burn both the body and head in separate pyres. An exorcism or cleanse spell must then be used to force their spirits back to the Abyss.
Additionally, each Noidan Tytär can cast spells as a 7th level witch of the Mara Tradition.
The Noidan Tytär are often used as mercenaries for powerful chaotic rulers, demon lords, and evil cults. Secretly they work to undo the efforts of Graz'zt and Orcus.
If the Purify type spells aren't used, do they unlive-on as spectres or something akin?
ReplyDeleteI should clarify that I guess.
ReplyDeleteThey come back as they were, as vampires, on the next new moon.
Yeah, that wasn't clear; it seemed like a third option.
ReplyDelete