 Name: Bean-Nighe
Small Fey, Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class: 12
Hit Points: 30 (4d8 + 12)
Speed: 20 ft.
STR 10 (+0) DEX 14 (+2) CON 16 (+3)
INT 12 (+1) WIS 16 (+3) CHA 14 (+2)
Damage Immunity: Poison
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
Languages: Sylvan
Challenge: 1 (200 XP)
Innate Spellcasting. The Bean-Nighe's innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: Lullaby, Message
1/day each: Augury, Detect Thoughts
Water Form. The Bean-Nighe can use its action to polymorph into a water-like creature or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed.
Actions
Multiattack. The Bean-Nighe makes two Slam attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Weep (1/day). The Bean-Nighe targets one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. The frightened creature is paralyzed and can't move. The frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
If the frightened creature is more than 60 feet away from the Bean-Nighe, the effect ends.
Description: The Bean-Nighe is a creature from Scottish folklore that is known as the "Washer at the Ford." It is said to be a death omen that appears to those who are about to die.
Origin of the Bean-Nighe
The Bean-Nighe is believed to have originated in the Highlands of Scotland, where it is said to be a supernatural being that washes the clothes of those who are about to die. Some sources suggest that the Bean-Nighe was originally a banshee, a type of spirit that was said to haunt families and foretell the deaths of their members. Over time, the Bean-Nighe became a separate entity and was associated with death and fate in its own right.
Description of the Bean-Nighe
The Bean-Nighe is typically described as a hag-like creature that is wrinkled and old, with a hooked nose and long, pendulous breasts. She is said to have long, tangled hair and webbed feet that allow her to walk through rivers and streams without getting her clothes wet. When the Bean-Nighe appears, she is said to be washing the clothes of the dead, which is why she is often referred to as the "Washer at the Ford."
The Significance of the Bean-Nighe
The Bean-Nighe is considered to be a powerful omen of death and is often seen as a harbinger of bad luck. Some legends suggest that if you see the Bean-Nighe washing clothes, it means that you or someone you know will soon die. Other legends state that if you can sneak up on the Bean-Nighe and pull a single thread from her clothes, she will grant you a wish. However, doing so is considered to be extremely dangerous and could result in death or other consequences.
Encounters with the Bean-Nighe
Despite its ominous reputation, the Bean-Nighe has been encountered by many people over the centuries. Some accounts describe the Bean-Nighe as a terrifying creature, while others describe her as more of a gentle spirit. Some people claim to have seen the Bean-Nighe washing clothes along the banks of rivers and streams, while others have encountered her in their dreams. Regardless of the nature of the encounter, however, the Bean-Nighe is said to have a profound impact on those who experience it.
Interpretation of the Bean-Nighe
The Bean-Nighe has been interpreted in a number of different ways over the centuries. Some see her as a symbol of death and fate, while others view her as a more benign spirit that helps guide the souls of the dead to the afterlife. Some even see her as a symbol of the cycle of life and death, as she washes the clothes of the dead and prepares them for the next stage of their journey. Regardless of the interpretation, however, the Bean-Nighe remains a powerful and fascinating figure in Scottish folklore.
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