Naiad This lovely woman’s skin appears to be made of water. She has a fluid grace and wears clothing of woven reeds and leaves.
NAIAD CR 1/2 XP 200 Naiad bard 1 NG Medium fey (water) Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +4 DEFENSE AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10 (+3 Dex) hp 9 (1d8+1) Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +2 Defensive Abilities water bond OFFENSE Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft. Melee dagger –2 (1d4–2/19–20) Ranged dagger +3 (1d4–2/19–20) Special Attacks bardic performance 7 rounds/day (countersong, distraction, fascinate [DC 13], inspire courage +1) Bard Spells Known (CL 1st; concentration +4) 1st (2/day)—charm person (DC 14), cure light wounds 0 (at will)—detect magic, light, message, prestidigitation (DC 13) STATISTICS Str 6, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 17 Base Atk +0; CMB –2; CMD 11 Feats Combat Casting Skills Diplomacy +7, Handle Animal +6, Knowledge (nature) +8, Perception +4, Perform (wind instruments) +9, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +7, Swim +7; Racial Modifiers +2 Handle Animal, +2 Knowledge (nature) Languages Aquan, Common, Sylvan SQ inspiration, bardic knowledge +1 ECOLOGY Environment any freshwater Organization solitary, pair, or current (3–10) Treasure standard (dagger, mwk flute, other treasure) SPECIAL ABILITIES Inspiration (Su) A naiad can choose another intelligent creature to inspire by giving that creature a token (typically a lock of her hair). As long as the creature carries the naiad’s token and retains her favor, that creature gains a +1 insight bonus on
Will saving throws and Craft and Perform checks. The naiad retains a link to her token and its carrier as if she had cast a status spell on the carrier. The naiad can end this effect at any time as a free action. A single naiad can only inspire one other creature at a time in this manner. Water Bond (Su) A naiad gains strength from a pond, lake, river, or other body of fresh water by bonding with it. While within 300 yards of her bonded body of water, she gains a +1 insight bonus to Armor Class and a +1 racial bonus on saving throws (these bonuses are not included in the stats above). Once per day as a full-round action that provokes attacks of opportunity, a naiad can forge a bond with a body of fresh water.
Naiads are protectors of freshwater areas such as lakes, ponds, and particularly rivers. While many naiads are reclusive, some choose to regularly visit settlements built near their bodies of water as long as those settlements are respectful to nature and the fey. Others explore the vast world, bonding to bodies of water as they travel. These naiads are the most likely to come in contact with other societies or visit other nations, but regardless, these fey enjoy inspiring others to artistic greatness. Some take this as proof that naiads originated long ago from the intermingling of nymph and mortal bloodlines.
NAIAD CHARACTERS Naiads are defined by class levels—they don’t have racial Hit Dice. Naiads have the following racial traits. +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Strength: Naiads have elegant fey grace and beauty but have delicate builds. Medium: Naiads are Medium creatures. Speed: Naiads have a base speed of 30 feet and a swim speed of 30 feet. Low-Light Vision: All Naiads can see twice as far as humans can in dim light. Fey Nature: Naiads have a +2 racial bonus on Handle Animal and Knowledge (nature) checks. Inspiration, Water Bond: See above. Languages: Naiads begin play speaking Common and Sylvan. Naiads that have high Intelligence scores are able to choose from any of the following bonus languages: Aklo, Aquan, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling, Sylvan, and any regional human tongue.