Brine Wraith

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type:

Undead; aquatic spirit

habitat:

Slickstone Arches; surge caves off Vesper Quay

threat_level:

high

size:

2.0–3.5 m shroud span

behavior:

Lurking, territorial around drowned sites; drawn to breath and warm light

resistances:

Cold, fear, nonmagical slashes; ignores mundane ropes and nets

weaknesses:

Salt-etched iron; steady bell tones; bright continuous lantern arrays; mineral smoke eddies outline form

drops:

Drowned Lumen; Salt-Slick Kelp frond; Foam-Pitted Coin

Description

• Appearance: Tall, ragged veil of brine vapor threaded with pale motes; eye-hollows glow like drowned embers.
• Movement: Slides cross-current; eddies fold inward rather than trail; leaves skin-prickle cold.
• Sound: Low, tidal inhalations; faint clink of submerged chains during surges.
• Scent: Salt-metal tang with kelp rot undertone, strongest near old moorings.
• Signs: Lantern flame gutters blue; breath fogs hard; mineral smoke outlines limb-like folds.

Habitat / Biome / Scene(s)

• Surge caves and cut channels of the Slickstone Arches.
• Foam pools beneath collapsed spans and rope-bolt ledges.
• Wreck pockets pushed in from Breaker’s Shelf.
• Occasional drift toward lantern docks of Vesper Quay during cold squalls.

Abilities / Attacks / Behaviors

• Drowned Clutch: Chilling grapple that numbs limbs and drags targets toward deeper surge.
• Breath Leech: Saps stamina when a target exhales; heavy panting accelerates loss.
• Lantern Warp: Distorts and dims open flames; causes backlit silhouettes to mislead.
• Undertow Step: Short lunge against the flow during wave drawdown; ignores footing.
• Wreckbind: Animates loose lines and weed to foul ankles after a hit.
• Lure Habit: Fixates on isolated light sources and steady breathing; ignores silent, still forms.
• Panic Aura: Untrained mobs make fear checks near surf edges.

Drops / Loot

• Drowned Lumen — faintly glowing brine pearl; holds chill light.
• Salt-Slick Kelp — frost-brittled strand from its wake; reagent grade.
• Foam-Pitted Coin — corroded token from prior drownings; minor charm fodder.

Stats

• Type: Undead aquatic spirit
• Level: 6–9 (storms push variants to 10)
• Health: Low body, high damage mitigation vs mundane
• Armor: Intangible; reduced by salt-etched iron and consecrated light
• Speed: Slow drift; fast surge during Undertow Step
• Senses: Keen to breath, heat, and open flame
• Resistances: Cold, necrotic, nonmagical slashing/piercing; restrained by none
• Weaknesses: Salted iron weapons; bell tones held steady; continuous bright lantern arrays; mineral smoke outline

Tactics / Strategy

• Keep groups tight and movement deliberate along the Slickstone Arches. Avoid heavy panting; stagger rests under windbreaks.
• Post two bright lanterns on opposite sides of the approach to reduce Lantern Warp false silhouettes.
• Use a Smoke Ampoule to trace its body, then strike with salt-etched iron or force it back with steady bell tones.
• Cut fouled lines fast with a Glasswire Dagger if Wreckbind triggers; step perpendicular to surge, not back toward the pool.
• Hall Guard escorts favor holding actions while clerks withdraw; do not chase into surge tunnels.

Lore

• Origin Rumors: Said to form where claim disputes turned fatal and breath rose through cold foam.
• Truce Folklore: Dockside crews claim ledger-stamped bells carried from the Counting House calm its approach if rung evenly.
• Salvage Superstition: A wraith circled by three fixed lanterns is “counted” and will not cross until one goes out.
• Noted Encounter: Operatives linked to Sable Thurne reported a wraith displaced by continuous light arrays during a pre-dawn tow.

Image Gallery

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A wraith rising from the Foam Court under the mid-arches

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Ledger escorts holding a lantern cordon while a spirit presses the line

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Mineral smoke outlining the spirit before a retreat

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A lone skiff fleeing the arches as the apparition coils in the surf