Wraith of the Absent

Characteristics

Combat Behavior

Monster Description

The Wraith of the Absent is a haunting entity that takes on the appearance of lost children. This malevolent spirit lingers in places where children have gone missing, absorbing the sorrow and despair of grieving parents. Its form is often ethereal and shadowy, flickering in and out of visibility. With eyes resembling hollow pits of darkness and a presence that carries an overpowering sense of loss, this wraith embodies the ultimate nightmare of any parent.

Legend has it that the Wraith can fully transform into the shape of any child, using its abilities to sow chaos and further anguish within families. It whispers words of comfort, mimicking a child's voice and creating the illusion that the lost child has returned. This treachery draws parents towards it, leading them astray into dark paths or into harmful encounters. When they realize the deception, it often means confrontation with the grief become deadly. This spirit not only seeks to sustain itself through the anguish but also thrives on the despair that accompanies the loss of children.

Rumors spread through villages of parents noticing their children's toys disturbed at night, only to find vapors of sadness lingering behind them. Those who encounter the Wraith of the Absent often recount feelings of unbearable sadness and longing that settle into their souls, as if their hearts were being drained of joy and hope.

Monster behavior

The Wraith prefers to manipulate and frighten its victims rather than engage in direct combat. It observes from the shadows, using its ability to shape-shift to confuse and terrify. When faced with potential violence, the Wraith will often retreat back into the shadows, reforming in a safer distance to continue its haunting. Its combat behavior is centered around deception; it prefers to use its Mimic Child's Voice to lure parents into traps or frightening encounters with other creatures. When attacking, it targets those littler ones, sucking the life from them to gain strength. If cornered or threatened, the Wraith uses its speed and ability to fly to escape, planning its next move.

Ecology

The Wraith of the Absent serves as a reminder of the sorrow felt in communities affected by the loss of children. It thrives on fear and anguish, consuming the energy of loss to remain sustained. As an undead being, its existence is tied to the emotions of the living. It wanders the same spaces where children were taken, often attempting to fill the void left behind. The Wraith acts as an ominous symbol of lingering pain and unsettling fear, keeping its presence in places where hope has withered, and joy has vanished. These spirits often represent the grief of their own demise, trapped between worlds, forever mourning the innocence they have lost.

History

The origin of the Wraith of the Absent is steeped in folklore. It is believed to be the restless spirit of a child who perished prematurely, birthing a supernatural entity that became a reflection of grief and sorrow in the world. Some tales suggest that it was once a protector of children, but following a calamitous event that saw many children disappear in a horrific manner, its essence became corrupted.

Through countless years, similar instances of inexplicable child abductions seem to enhance its abilities, causing it to grow in strength and presence. It has evolved into a symbol of emotional pain, armed with dark magic to deceive and ensnare those vulnerable to loss. The Wraith now drifts through haunted woods and abandoned homes, forever seeking to entice those via the specter of love and memories lost, becoming ever more tragic yet terrifying as more tales of disappearances accumulate.