Mythical Creatures [EDITING]

Nix

What Is Nix?

Nix (singular: Neck; feminine: Nixie) are spirits who dwell in quiet rivers and lakes in England, Germany, and Scandinavia. Their love of water is equaled only by their love of music, and their beautiful songs often draw listeners to the banks of their watery homes.

CharacteristicsPhysical Description

Each culture has its own take on the Nix's appearance, and the creatures themselves can't seem to settle on one appearance either. They are avid shapeshifters and may appear as humans, merpeople, snakes, fish, sunken treasures, or horses.

In human form, they usually have an elegant appearance, although their features might hint at their wilder natures. Their ears and eyes are sharper than usual, and their hair and skin might be tinted with green or blue. In more extreme cases, they can have gills, bulbous eyes, and webbed hands and feet. Their garments, though stylish, are chronically wet around the hems.

When they take the form of horses, they are pure white or apple-grey. Though they are far more beautiful than average horses, they still bear telltale signs of their true nature, having manes full of river weeds or constantly dripping water.

Special Abilities

Nix are magical beings; there's no limit to the hijinks they have committed across the many folktales in which they appear. Still, some of their abilities emerge as common themes.

These water spirits are shapeshifters. Seemingly, they can take on any appearance they want.

Their musical talent is beyond comparison. All of them sing sweetly, and some of them couple musical instruments with their already spellbinding voices. Their music is capable of hypnotizing listeners and drawing them into the water. Generally, Nix have more power over women and children, while the feminine Nixie entrance grown men.

When they're in an animal form, Nix replace the charms of their music with dazzling physical beauty. As horses, they can hypnotize onlookers by prancing around, flaunting their manes and tails, as easily as they can when singing in a human form.

Weaknesses

Nix are magical, but they're not invincible. There are several ways you can take on one of these water spirits, if it becomes problematic.

Early legends hold that dropping a piece of silver or iron into a Neck's can silence it while you safely cross the water. Shouting the creature's name, on the other hand, can silence it forever. The Neck will perish at the sound of its own name.

When Nix appear as horses, they're often subjected to tricks by local farmers, who want to harness their magical powers to a plow. A Neck might be lured into the field by a beautiful maiden, then forced into the plow's harness by men with silver or iron.

The creatures can't bear separation from water for a great length of time. If they don't return to water regularly, their spirits and powers will become depressed. Eventually, they might perish from longing for their river or lake.

After Catholicism gripped Western Europe, many of the traditional folktales were adapted to show the power of the church. At this time, it was said that you could ward the creatures off with holy water or by making the sign of the cross.

Personality

In some tales, Nix appear as dangerous villains. In others, they are wise teachers, and in others still, they are romantic figures.

When Nix take a villainous bent, they usually have seductive qualities. With music or beauty, they lure humans closer and closer to the water's edge. At last, they grab their victims and drown them in the water.