Nixie

As it gracefully swims through the water, it becomes clear that this small, green-skinned creature has webbed hands and feet. Its hair is the color of seaweed, and small pearls and shells are wrapped within.

CR: 1 XP: 400


N Small fey (aquatic)


Init: +3 Senses: low-light vision Perception: +6


Defense

AC: 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11, (+3 Dex, +1 size)


hp: 9 (2d6+2)


Fort: +1 Ref: +6 Will: +4


DR: 5/cold iron


SR: 12


Offense

Speed: 20 ft., swim 30 ft.


Melee: short sword +5 (1d4–2/19–20)


Ranged: light crossbow +5 (1d6/19–20)


Spell-Like Abilities: (CL 12th) 3/day—charm person (DC 15) 1/day—water breathing


Statistics

Str: 7 Dex: 16 Con: 13 Int: 12 Wis: 13 Cha: 18


Base Atk: +1 CMB: –2 CMD: 11


Feats: Weapon Finesse


Skills: Bluff +9, Craft (any one) +5, Escape Artist +8, Handle Animal +6, Perception +6, Perform (sing) +8, Sense Motive +5, Stealth +12, Swim +10


SQ: amphibious, wild empathy (+12) Gear light crossbow with 20 bolts, short sword


Languages: Aquan, Sylvan


Ecology

Environment: temperate aquatic


Organization: gang (2–4), band (6–11), tribe (20–80)


Treasure: Value 200 gp (pearls and shells)


Description

Wild Empathy (Ex) This ability functions just like the druid ability of the same name. Nixies receive a +6 racial bonus on wild empathy checks.

Nixies serve as playful guardians of ponds, rivers, lakes, and springs. They prefer dwelling in idyllic places, protecting them from the depredations of predators and careless humanoids. While this often involves confusing enemies and driving them away, nixies are not afraid of spilling blood to protect their homes—though they prefer not to resort to such ends unless completely necessary. Nixies are 4 feet tall and rarely weigh more than 45 pounds.

Nixies avoid combat if possible, using charm person to lead humanoids away from their lairs. In some circumstances, they use this ability to enslave people to act as protectors or help with a task that is simply too big for the nixies to deal with. They even cast water breathing on such creatures to allow them to help with tasks below the surface.

Nixies are reclusive and prefer to keep their presence hidden. They make lairs underwater, even forming small communities if their numbers are great enough. Legends speak of a secret nixie kingdom at the bottom of a great lake, but no one has yet confirmed its location.

Nixies in Mythology The nixie (also known as neck or nix) of English and German mythology is not nearly as benevolent as those presented here. In their traditional folktales they are often depicted as beautiful creatures that lure people into the water to drown. These more malevolent nixies could change shape, becoming any number of aquatic forms. To replicate these stories of more sinister nixies, add the following abilities to the standard nixie. A nixie with these abilities is CR 2.

Lure (Su) This ability functions just like a harpy’s captivating song. A DC 15 Will save negates this effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.

Shapeshift (Su) A nixie can change shape to become any Small or Medium aquatic creature as if using beast shape I. A nixie can maintain this form indefinitely and can return to its normal shape as a free action. Caster level 5th.

Bonus Bestiary

Source: Bonus Bestiary