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(Belated) Inktober 29 - Rusalka. — Description

“𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘. 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑡! 𝐿𝑂𝑂𝐾 𝐴𝑇 𝑀𝐸 𝑆𝐸𝑅𝐺𝐸𝐴𝑁𝑇! 𝑆ℎ𝑒’𝑠 𝐷𝐸𝐴𝐷. 𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙! 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑇𝐻𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒!”
Ragged Captain.
Name: Rusalka
Type: Undead
Class: Corporeal
Sapience: Medium
Description: A spectral product of young maidens dying along lakes or rivers, Rusalka are insidious bewitching spirits. In their natural state, their skin is pallid and corpse-like, caked in mud and blood, with empty eye sockets and long damp stringy hair like seaweed. Their body terminates in an aquatic fish tail akin to a mermaid. But unlike their natural brethren, Rusalka are malicious tricksters and hunters. They are capable of weaving natural Glamours, hiding their undead state behind a more comely form.. Survivors report descriptions resembling their best friends, a lover, a neighbor, even a relative in its face. In this state, Rusalki will project innocence and harmlessness, beckoning travelers forward to join them. They will tempt them closer to the water, even leading them by the hand and speaking to them, though observers report they don’t speak any known tongue. Once in the water, its true nature becomes apparent, as the bewitched target will find themselves captured by the Rusalka’s long weed-like hair, akin to a tentacle or rope that will ensnare their prey and drown them. No matter how they thrash and fight back, their hands will not find purchase on the Rusalka’s skin, slimy like that of an eel. Upon death, the creature's true mimic nature will become apparent, its human half splitting part from shoulder to groin in a fanged maw that will feast on its bloated meal. Their undead nature requires holy artifacts to turn away, as well as a strong willpower to see through its glamour. Once its mental manipulations are broken, it can be put down with traditional steel and powder.