ECOLOGY

Environment any aquatic
Organization solitary
Treasure incidental

Drowned maidens are piteous but terrifying undead created when a woman meets her end in water due to a doomed romance, whether from a quiet suicide over unrequited love or the violent hands of a philandering partner. Either way, the drowned maiden awakens from death enraged and desiring vengeance on all those who might have the life that she remembers; only to anguish over her doomed existence while eradicating another soul. The maiden lurks in the silent depths where she died—usually long-deserted docks, bridges, or coastal cliffs. She is forever waiting to pull the living to the same watery grave in which she is now condemned.

A drowned maiden uses her disguise self to appear as in life. Surrounding herself in silence, she beckons victims from afar as if in distress or in danger of drowning. When within range, the maiden uses her hair to pull her victim close enough to kiss it. Victims suffering the drain of their strength must continue to succeed on Swim checks or sink below the water's surface and begin drowning. The victim's final vision is the drowned maiden's tearful lament over the loss of life. If forced to defend herself, the maiden physically attacks, but she is loath to otherwise engage in combat. Desperate individuals are said to be able to bargain with drowned maidens, and it is rumored they will agree to release pleading victims who promise to return to their lair with the person who caused the maiden's passing. Doing so releases the maiden from her curse of undeath although the fate of her beloved is another story.