HAG (version one)

By Ron Newlin (newlin@mathcs.rhodes.edu) (29 April 1996)

Description

Cruel, calculating, and manipulative; hags consider these words compliments. They are the advisors, the conselors, and sorceresses of the Unseelie court. They are the subtle hands that pull the strings and are the unknown motivators of every scheme. Hags are not as well known as many of the other kith. That is because that is the way the hags like it. It is through obscurity that many hags maintain their power within the courts.

Hags have existed almost as long as humanity. Their existence harkens back to the tribal culture and to the old wise women present in the tribes. Indeed, it was the fear of these women that first spawned the kith. They have since been known in almost every culture: the Grey Sisters, a well known covey that Perseus visits on his quest against the Medusa, the Black Annis of celtic culture, and Baba Yaga and her magical hut.

Hags are relativly unique in that there have been to date no known Seelies of the kith. This make sense in that they are formed of some of the darkest nightmares and primal fears. However it is rumored that any of the kith who show Seelie tendencies may just be hunted down and killed before anyone can find out about them.

Hags are masters of cantrips and groups of them can combine their skills to produce effects far beyond the abilities of any single member of the group. They prize knowledge very highly and see it as a source of power. Thus, the kith are often some of the most well informed of the fae. However, for all this they are often lonely, and are fond of creating chimerae to keep them company. Chimerae, after all, don't seem to mind the Hag's unsettling habits or apperance.

Appearance

Hags are uniformly tall and thin almost to the point of being skin and bones. However, they are almost always stooped over, giving them a rather aged appearance. Their features are elongated and very sharp. Their warty skin is a mottled grey; their nails and teeth are black, while their eyes are a malignant glowing red. Their clothing is worn and tattered and they tend to favor earth tones.

Seemings

Childling Hags are so rare as to be almost non-existent. The few who have been seen are just as ugly as the older versions. They delight in tormenting anything that comes in reach, but prefer that others do the actual dirty work.

Wilders are even nastier than their younger brethren. Even the redcaps (well any who have a semblance of sanity) are scared of them. At this age Hags begins to form the covies which most will remain in for the rest of their lives.

Grumps are the most dangerous of this kith. If the redcaps are the Unseelie favorites, it is only because the Hags allow them to be so. They are the movers and shakers behind the scenes, with covies often posing as advisors to one of the Unseelie lords. Those who are able to please these Hags are very well served; those who don't often become the main ingredient in next week's stew.

Lifestyles

Hags almost always tend to live in communal groups of three or more, each group being known as a covey (a special form of oath-circle). These bands seem to be at home in any environment so long as there is a steady supply of food, to satisfy their great appetites. As to what they eat: meat, preferably of the sentient variety.

Affinity

Fae

Birthrights

Nails of Steel: The black nails of a Hags are razor sharp and unbelievably strong. In game terms a Hags, given enough time can claw and gouge the way through any material softer than titanium alloy. In addition if the nails are used in combat, the combat is dealt with using the stats for Brawling, however they do damage equivalent to a foil (str. + 3)

Communal Cantrips: For whatever reason, be it ancient passed down lore, some unusual female bond, or just the fact that they are damn good, Hags have the ability to combine their magic. If a covey of more than three Hags are together, they can total their individual ratings in the various arts and realms (except sovereign which they are not allowed to possess at all) to one composit total and cast cantrips from that level of ability instead of the one they have singly. Each may also provides a bunk and all the successes are totalled together. However, after the cantrip is cast, all bunks used in the casting are sacrificed. Due to this requirement all Hags gain double the normal amount of bunks upon joining an oathbound covey, if that covey is ever broken all extra bunks are permanently discarded.

Frailties

A Face That Could Stop A Clock: Hags are ugly, really ugly. The highest starting appearance for a Hag is one dot. Upon gaining grumpdom a dot of appearance is sacrificed (reducing most Hags to 0). They also have a +2 penalty on the difficult of all social roles except manipulation.

The Covey

The covey is a type of oath circle unique to the Hags. When this bond is made all members' lives are irrevocably linked to the other. This means that in game terms if one member of a covey dies the others immediately take three health levels of damage and lose one permanent point of stamina. The other effects of covies are discussed above in the Background section. Covies among the Hags are a very serious matter and the taking of the oaths is not frivolously undertaken.

Quote

"It is possible that we can give you what you seek, but let us have dinner first."

Outlooks

Boggans: Good maids and even better spies.

Eshu: Each one is a plethora or lore. Drink the wellspring of their tales and then eliminate the source, so no one knows what you know. It's even better than stealing from the public library.

Nockers: True, they are masters of their crafts, but worthless crafts make worthless masters...

Pooka: Mmmm. Fresh meat!

Redcaps: Kindred souls, good friends, wonderful lovers. All that and they taste great with barbecue sauce.

Satyr: I just love curried goat.

Sidhe: Lords! Hah! without us they couldn't even rule themselves.

Slaugh: The are dangerous; eliminate them where you find them.

Trolls: leftovers for a week!