NYMPH
Nymphs are another species of “elfin” creature, exclusively female and most commonly associated with the
Dodekatheon. These lesser immortals appear, when they deign to appear at all, as ravishingly beautiful women
who are spiritually associated with some kind of natural ecological phenomena, such as glades, rivers, lakes or even
individual trees. Nymphs are primarily protective fertility deities, and the Greeks subdivide nymphs into a dazzling
array of sub-categories depending on what type of phenomenon the nymph protects. Just a few examples from
classical legends include the napaeae (glen nymphs), the oreads (mountain nymphs), the dryads (nymphs of oak
trees), the nereids (sea nymphs) and the naiads (nymphs found in bodies of fresh water).
While most nymphs are associated with Greek legend, other cultures have similar lesser immortals. Germanic
legend identifies the nixes as beautiful mermaids who protect the rivers (and, in the case of the “Rhine maidens”
made famous by Wagner, the priceless magical Rheingold that is hidden within the Rhine River). In Japan,
Shintoism recognizes a similar type of guardian spirit known as an ujigami, while the Aztecs called such nature
guardians the chaneques.
Any mortal who encounters a nymph sees her as a woman of hypnotic beauty and irresistible sex appeal. Few
mortals can resist the beauty of a nymph, whatever her cultural background. Beings with a Legend rating can see
the hints of a nymph’s true nature in the details. A dryad might have tiny tree branch sprigs growing from her
hair and a slight greenish cast to her skin, while a nixe could have a bluish tint and perpetually wet hair.
Supernatural Powers: All nymphs have Epic Appearance, and most have Epic Charisma or Manipulation as
well. A nymph might have access to any Purview powers logically associated with her area of influence. A naiad, for
instance, might have Boons of the Water Purview but be able to use them to influence only bodies of fresh water,
while a nereid might be able to affect only salt water. While within her area of influence (underwater, physically
merged with a tree, buried within a sacred grove), a nymph can heal herself or someone else by spending one Legend
per health level to be healed. A nymph can instantly teleport to any place within her domain, although in some
cases, this area might be quite small.
Weaknesses: No nymph can survive being away from her area of influence for more than one day. Also, serious
damage to the area of influence itself (damming a river, starting a forest fire, poisoning a sacred garden) can
directly harm a nymph. Total destruction of that area can kill her outright.
