Death Mist

Description

The Death Mist is an insidious race that feeds off of the mental energy of others. To most races, it really has no form other than the look of morning mist and fog. To feed, it will wind its way through a village or township and find the weakest members. Flowing into their mouths while they sleep, the victim is immediately put in a dream-like state where they feel themselves getting up and going about their day. This is just a dream they are having. In reality, they are in a coma-like state and cannot be awoken.

The Death Mist doesn’t really have any form of a village that we can easily understand. Not needing any material possessions, the community will often be seen in the open fields during the morning hours. In that large grouping, it’s possible to discern multiple bipedal-like shapes of different sizes. Maybe this is a congregation of adults and children. The current theory is that the adult mists feed off of the mental energy of others and then share that energy with their offspring. However, this is conjecture since no one really knows for sure.

Due to their unusual nature, most of the information about them seems to be derived from the ones on the border of the quarantine zone. Various races have mentioned that they could interact with them and they appeared to be semi-transparent humans in robes. Their forms, though, kept shifting as they talked.

Interaction

Outside of the ones in the quarantine zone, they don’t seem to communicate with any other races. It is difficult to determine where their village is and how large. The only indications seem to be a slight rustling noise present in a large field or forest or the presence of a low-lying fog in caverns.

If one can approach an actual Death Mist village, they may see a human-like form appear before them. The only records of this happening is in the villages on the border of the quarantine zone. Those members appear to be stand-offish and to the point. If someone attempts to get through the border, this "sentry", known as a Mauler, will ask for the reason for passing. If the answer is satisfactory, the mists will part and the person may go through. Otherwise, it will disappear into the surrounding mists and the entire mist will surge towards the travelers.

Combat

The Death Mist has no permanent physical form so it is immune to any slashing or bludgeoning weapons. They seem to be affected by a wind or heat and can be easily swept away. However, it’s not sure that this destroys the creatures or just disperses them. Heat and wind have no effect on the Maulers.

During combat situations, the Death Mist will overwhelm the opponent and try to enter the mouth or nose. Once they have a foothold on the opponent, they work their way to the brain and the victim is immediately immobilized. In the opponent's mind, they will see themselves fighting off the mist. However, others will see the opponent as falling and in a catatonic state.

Once the mists have consumed all the energy in their victims, the bodies are carried off to various collection areas. Animals and other scavengers are always present at these areas.