The Sidhe, painted for this archiveOread
Creature, The Sidhe
Fierce, bold mountain nymphs who hunt by night in secluded valleys and take revenge when offended. At least half of any band met outside their settlements ride rabicans; some scholars link them to the Elves, which the proud oreads deny.
Also called Oriad
From the book
Oreads are the mountain nymphs. They love to hunt by night in remote mountain valleys, and unlike most of their kind they are bold and fierce rather than shy; anyone who offends them can expect revenge. When met away from their woodland settlements, at least half of an oread band will be mounted on rabicans. Some scholars link oreads with the Elves, a kinship the proud oreads reject.
Kullervo the Wanderer met such a band: lightly clad in shimmering tunics that shifted color to match rock or meadow, armed mostly with spears and a few bows, they guided his party through a moonless night before melting away and warning him never to return. Oreads are the only nymphs that normally fight, using weapons, and they track at 95% and cast woodlore spells of up to 5th level, such as Speak with animals, Locate plant or Predict weather.
At a glance
- Habitat
- Mountains; woodland settlements
- Steeds
- At least half ride rabican outside their settlements
- Special (appendix)
- Tracking (95%); fight with weapons; Elemental woodlore spells
Sub-group of Nymphs; appendix spells it Oriads.