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Description
Given their sweet voices, pleasing countenance and inexplicable corporeal nature, it would be tempting to assume, as many a short lived traveller has, that Rusalka are some form of water dwelling cousin to the dryads that inhabit our forests. They are not.

While it's true that at this stage, there is still much we have to learn about dryads, we already know a great many of them can be of great use and benefit to our society or at least friendly and helpful within their own territory. All Rusalka, as far as all science past and present can determine, are predators, pure and simple.

It would appear that within a colony of Rusalka, no two are identical in regards to their pigmentation and pattern. It is unknown whether this is used as a means of identify each other or as yet another means of enticing victims. Given that recent sightings of Rusalka have demonstrated bioluminescence, which they have in turn, used to mesmerising effect in their hypnotic dance routines, the latter seems likely.

Rusalka are intelligent, resourceful creatures that employ a variety of tactics to achieve their unanimous goal (fresh meat). Most commonly, they frolic and sing in the water, playing with each other and beckoning others to join them before pulling the victim under the water to drown them and/or rip them apart, protecting their eyes with a membrane and distending their jaw to allow for easier attack (fig. A) It may seem odd that so many are still susceptible to this, given that tales of the Rusalka and how dangerous they are predates written language. It was at one stage erroneously believed that Rusalka excreted a pheromone that clouded peoples judgement, but in actuality they are just very good at selecting their prey.

Rusalka are also known for using camouflage, pretending to be injured and offering gifts (usually alcohol from a ship they've scuttled) as a means of hunting.

As a form of nymph, Rusalka are capable of mimicking human form at certain times of year (we have yet to determine which) an action which also seems to grant them extended survivability on land, where they would usually die in roughly 2 minutes. This would be more alarming, but so far they only seem capable of assuming the form of a comely but exceedingly vacuous looking woman (fig. 1) with almost no clothes and absolutely no ears. They also lose their ability to talk when assuming this form. It still works more often than it should.

I should also point out that this data is garnered from confirmed sightings, and that other Rusalka may in fact be so good at this disguise that we have yet to catch them.

Staying sober near water and not thinking with your how-do-you-do isn't always sufficient, however. When in large enough numbers, Rusalka will often wantonly assault any seaworthy craft, pummelling and tearing at it's foundations, or clambering aboard to overwhelm the crew. Acclaimed adventurer Grep Uudelali famously wrote of a swarm of Rusalka neatly snapping all the oars on the left side of the galleon she was travelling on, causing it to change course and smash into the rocks, but if you're willing to read my work, then I'm quite sure you've already read hers.

Lechfield Beechum Harmless

******************************************

This was one of Harmless's first scrolls. He's not quite so smooth here. A little unsure of himself. I hope that comes across.

And, because I really don't say this often enough - hey! thanks for looking at my trash!

Description
Given their sweet voices, pleasing countenance and inexplicable corporeal nature, it would be tempting to assume, as many a short lived traveller has, that Rusalka are some form of water dwelling cousin to the dryads that inhabit our forests. They are not.

While it's true that at this stage, there is still much we have to learn about dryads, we already know a great many of them can be of great use and benefit to our society or at least friendly and helpful within their own territory. All Rusalka, as far as all science past and present can determine, are predators, pure and simple.

It would appear that within a colony of Rusalka, no two are identical in regards to their pigmentation and pattern. It is unknown whether this is used as a means of identify each other or as yet another means of enticing victims. Given that recent sightings of Rusalka have demonstrated bioluminescence, which they have in turn, used to mesmerising effect in their hypnotic dance routines, the latter seems likely.

Rusalka are intelligent, resourceful creatures that employ a variety of tactics to achieve their unanimous goal (fresh meat). Most commonly, they frolic and sing in the water, playing with each other and beckoning others to join them before pulling the victim under the water to drown them and/or rip them apart, protecting their eyes with a membrane and distending their jaw to allow for easier attack (fig. A) It may seem odd that so many are still susceptible to this, given that tales of the Rusalka and how dangerous they are predates written language. It was at one stage erroneously believed that Rusalka excreted a pheromone that clouded peoples judgement, but in actuality they are just very good at selecting their prey.

Rusalka are also known for using camouflage, pretending to be injured and offering gifts (usually alcohol from a ship they've scuttled) as a means of hunting.

As a form of nymph, Rusalka are capable of mimicking human form at certain times of year (we have yet to determine which) an action which also seems to grant them extended survivability on land, where they would usually die in roughly 2 minutes. This would be more alarming, but so far they only seem capable of assuming the form of a comely but exceedingly vacuous looking woman (fig. 1) with almost no clothes and absolutely no ears. They also lose their ability to talk when assuming this form. It still works more often than it should.

I should also point out that this data is garnered from confirmed sightings, and that other Rusalka may in fact be so good at this disguise that we have yet to catch them.

Staying sober near water and not thinking with your how-do-you-do isn't always sufficient, however. When in large enough numbers, Rusalka will often wantonly assault any seaworthy craft, pummelling and tearing at it's foundations, or clambering aboard to overwhelm the crew. Acclaimed adventurer Grep Uudelali famously wrote of a swarm of Rusalka neatly snapping all the oars on the left side of the galleon she was travelling on, causing it to change course and smash into the rocks, but if you're willing to read my work, then I'm quite sure you've already read hers.

Lechfield Beechum Harmless

******************************************

This was one of Harmless's first scrolls. He's not quite so smooth here. A little unsure of himself. I hope that comes across.

And, because I really don't say this often enough - hey! thanks for looking at my trash!