Nymph, Sea
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Medium Fey (Aquatic) |
| Hit Dice | 6d6 (21 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 20 ft. (4 squares), swim 40 ft. |
| Armor Class | 16 (+2 Dex, +4 deflection), touch 16, flat-footed 14 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+3 |
| Attack | Dagger +6 melee (1d4/19–20) |
| Full Attack | Dagger +6 melee (1d4/19–20) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Blinding beauty, spells, spell-like abilities, unearthly beauty |
| Special Qualities | Darkvision 60 ft., unearthly grace, water dependent |
| Saves | Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +10 |
| Abilities | Str 10, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 19 |
| Skills | Concentration +6, Craft or Knowledge (any one) +9, Escape Artist +9, Handle Animal +9, Heal +11, Hide +11, Listen +13, Move Silently +11, Sense Motive +9, Swim +17, Spot +13 |
| Feats | Ability Focus (unearthly beauty), Alertness, DodgeB, Iron Will |
| Environment | Temperate aquatic (naiad in fresh water; nereid in salt water) |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating | 7 |
| Treasure | Standard |
| Alignment | Usually chaotic (mostly good, some neutral) |
| Advancement | 7–12 HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment | +7 |
Description
Floating effortlessly in the water is a beautiful female with delicate, elfin features. She has pale, flawless flesh, intoxicating eyes, enticing lips, and long golden hair that streams out gracefully behind her.
Naiads and nereids are fresh and salt water nymphs respectively. Like the nymphs of the forest, these water nymphs are nature's personification of the beauty, grace and mystery of the sea.
These creatures always appear female, but the individuals vary in appearance. Most are described as having pale skin and golden hair, but others are possess skin colors ranging from white, to dark tan, to sea-foam blues and greens. The hair also can range from blonde, to dark brunette, to varying shades of blue, green and coral pink. Also some water nymphs are described as having the legs of a mortal woman or even the fins of a mermaid.
Naiads occupy fresh water bodies, such as streams, rivers, lakes and such. Even a small brook or marsh can contain a naiad.
Historically nereids were believed to be the daughters of Nereus who resides in the Mediterranean Sea and were said to helpful to sailors during storms.
Typically shy and reclusive, these nymphs will approach sailors and water traveling mortals if they feel that they mean them no harm. While they loathe to physically attack they do have a number of supernatural abilities to call on if needed. They are actually fond of mortals, just wary of them. If the mortal meets with their approval they will attempt to seduce him. Unless the potential male can breath underwater, the mating process usually kills the mortal via drowning. It should be noted that this doesn't make the nymph evil, but rather compelled by her own desires for mating. The offspring of a water nymph and a human (or humanoid) is always another water nymph.
Like dryads, naiads and nereids are linked to their body of water. If their stream, lake or sea were to dry up, it would kill the nymphs linked with it.
Water nymphs speak Aquan and Common.
Combat
Naiads and nereids will avoid combat whenever they can, preferring to swim away. They do have some supernatural abilities to aid them when needed. The prepared spells of a sea nymph are native to the underwater environment. Thus they would not employ flame blade, for example.
Blinding Beauty (Su): This ability affects all humanoids within 30 feet of the water nymph. Those who look directly at the nymph must succeed at a DC 17 Fortitude save or be permanently blinded as though by the blindness/deafness spell. The nymph can suppress or resume this ability as a free action. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Unearthly Beauty (Su): Once every 10 minutes as a normal action, a water nymph can activate this ability lasting a full round. Those within 30 feet who look directly at the water nymph must succeed at a DC 19 Will save or die. The save DC is Charisma-based and includes a +2 bonus from the Ability Focus feat.
Unearthly Grace (Su): A nymph adds her Charisma modifier as a bonus on all her saving throws, and as a deflection bonus to her Armor Class. (The statistics block already reflects these bonuses).
Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day―dimension door. Caster level 7th.
Spells: Sea nymphs can cast divine spells as 7th-level druids. The save DC are Wisdom-based.
Typical Druid Spells Prepared (6/5/4/3/1; DC 13 + spell level):
- 0―detect magic, detect poison, flare (2), know direction, resistance;
- 1st―charm animal, cure light wounds (2), longstrider, speak with animals;
- 2nd―barkskin, cat's grace, chill metal, summon nature's ally;
- 3rd―cure moderate wounds, dominate animal, protection from energy;
- 4th―summon nature's ally IV.
Wild Empathy (Ex): This power works like the druid's wild empathy class feature, except that a nymph has a +6 racial bonus on the check.
Water Dependent (Ex): Sea nymphs can survive a short period on land, but never more than a few hours. They can survive out of water for 1 hour per 2 points of Constitution. Each hour thereafter they must make a DC 20 Fortitude save or be dealt 1d6 points of damage. These points can not be healed on land. Any sea nymph reaching zero hit points while away from water is forever dead. Even before her time on land is up a water nymph will be very awkward on land.
Skills: A sea nymph has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some action or avoid a hazard. She can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered.
Advanced Benefits
In addition to the standard changes due to Hit Dice advancement, sea nymph also gain the following special benefits.
- The caster level of the spell-like abilities is equal to 7th or the Hit Dice, whichever is greater.
- The save DC of the blinding beauty attack is equal to 10 + ½ HD + Charisma modifier.
- The save DC of the unearthly beauty attack is equal to 12 + ½ HD + Charisma modifier.
- 8+ HD ― Gain Animal Companion (Su): a sea nymph can gain an aquatic companion. This ability is identical to the druid's animal companion ability, except that the animal must have the aquatic sub-type. This loyal companion is immune to the unearthly beauty ability of the sea nymph for as long as it remains in service.
- 10+ HD ― +2 bonus on Knowledge (nature) and Survival checks.