Shimmering Wisp
Tiny elemental, unaligned
Physical Description
Shimmering Wisp appears as a small, luminous orb of energy that constantly shifts in color and intensity. Its form is never completely solid, seeming to pulse and flicker like a living flame without heat. Trails of ethereal light follow its movements, creating beautiful patterns in the air.
Floating like a star fallen from the night sky, the wisp dances through the air with an otherworldly grace, its light casting strange shadows that seem to move of their own accord.
Lore
Origin of Wisps Shimmering Wisps are believed to be fragments of elemental energy that have gained a form of sentience. They are most commonly found in areas where the barriers between planes are thin, particularly near fey crossings or ancient magical sites.
Behavior and Purpose Unlike many elementals, Shimmering Wisps rarely show aggression unless threatened. Many scholars believe they serve as messengers or scouts for more powerful elemental entities, collecting information about the Material Plane.
Wisp Sightings
The locals call them 'spirit lights' and say they guide lost travelers home... or lead them astray, depending on the wisp's mood. ā Elminster's Guide to the Planes
Stats
- Armor Class: 14
- Hit Points: 17 (5d4 + 5)
- Speed: 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 (-2) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) |
- Damage Immunities: Poison, Psychic, Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from nonmagical attacks
- Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Petrified, and Poisoned
- Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
- Languages: Understands Primordial but doesn't speak
- Challenge: 2 (450 XP)
Ethereal Movement. The wisp can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Bright Light. The wisp sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet.
Incorporeal Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) force damage.
Tactics
Shimmering Wisp typically avoids direct confrontation, using its flight and ethereal movement to stay out of reach. When forced to fight, it will dart in to make an incorporeal touch attack before retreating to safety. It uses its light to disorient enemies, often moving rapidly to create confusing patterns of illumination.
As quickly as it appeared, the wisp fades into nothingness, leaving only the memory of its strange, beautiful light lingering in the darkness.