Melusine
(Traditional version)
Context
The Faerie Mélusine is an ancient figure of European myth. Tales about her are primarily found in Northern and Eastern France, and in Southern Germany.
But they seem to be evolutions on a character archetype dating back to prehistory – perhaps the fusion of various mythologies and legends into a single figure.
Books about her go back to 1400-ish, and from there has evolved a literary and folk tales fay character. This here is the version of Mélusine as accounted in the classic Baring-Gould compilation of tales.
Background
- Real Name: La Fée Mélusine.
- Marital Status: Divorced.
- Known Relatives: Unnamed ex-husband and descendants.
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base Of Operations: Her extradimensional kingdom.
- Height: 6’6” Weight: 112 lbs.
- Eyes: Green Hair: Green
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Powers and Abilities
Melusine is a Siren, a mermaid-like creature of faerie. She has the innate abilities to:
- Breathe water.
- Remain immortal as long as she is not killed using magic or cold iron.
- Bespell by singing.
Spellweaver
In addition she has also studied magic. She can cast many spells which can:
- Change her form.
- Create magical shields of protection.
- Transport her or others through the dimensions .
- Foresee the future.
- Astrally project.
- Give another superhuman power.
- Communicate with animals.
- Swim through the air as though it was water.
- Create mental links with others.
Apart from her memorised spells, she has many others in her books that she can cast as needed.
History
One of the standard folktale stories, present in dozens of cultures, is that of the supernatural spouse who marries a mortal. There is always a mistake the mortal must not make. Or else their spouse will abruptly depart, the marriage severed, usually leaving any offspring of the marriage behind.
Melusine was one such being. She married a French nobleman in the middle ages, but he inevitably made the mistake. She returned to her mermaid-like form and departed, leaving her human children behind and returning to her extradimensional watery kingdom.
However, from then on when her descendants were in danger, she would sense it. Melusine would spirit travel to warn them of their approaching danger, or merely mourn their passing, banshee-like.
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Description
In her true form she is a beautiful woman whose legs are replaced by a long snakelike tail. This tail becomes broad and flat at the end to help propel her through the water.
Personality
Melusine is naturally vain and self-indulgent. Yet she has a genuine sentiment for her mortal descendants. She watches over them carefully using clairvoyance and foretelling, and will warn them (or occasionally someone else nearby) if they seem to be in serious danger. Her warnings are vague and riddle-like.
She rarely physically leaves her kingdom. She might, however decide to take another vacation one of these days, and go out to find another mortal to marry. If she does, she will exact some kind of promise from him like “Never ask me my age” or “Never tell anyone what I really look like”.
This promise is an escape clause for the mortal. The idea is that if he is tired of their marriage, he can break the promise and with it, end their marriage.
Quotes
“To whom are you speaking in such a tone ?”
“Beware, for your life stands in peril.”
DC Universe History
Married Aquaman and left him fairly quickly. Later asked him to get the JLA to help fight off an invasion of her realm.
Any ideas for her mortal descendants? Whoever they are, they should probably have a French last name.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Melusine
| Dex: 05 | Str: 02 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Noblesse Oblige |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 05 | Min: 08 | Occupation: Feudal Overlord |
| Inf: 10 | Aur: 12 | Spi: 08 | Resources {or Wealth}: 015 |
| Init: 020 | HP: 040 |
Powers:
Awareness: 06, Broadcast Empath: 08, Force Shield: 06, Hypnosis: 09, Dimension Travel: 08, Enchantment: 08, Air Walking: 06, Invulnerability: 08, Magic Blast: 08, Magic Shield: 10, Precognition: 12, Shape Change: 06, Speak with Animals: 10, Spirit Travel: 12, Telepathy: 10, Water Freedom: 03
Bonuses and Limitations:
- All Powers are either Mystic or Mystic-Linked.
- Dimension Travel requires the destruction of a valuable pearl, may only be performed at “weak” places and requires 10 Phases.
- Any use of powers other than Shapechange causes her to return to her true form.
- Shapechange allows humanoid form. Shapechange can assume imaginary animal forms.
- Spirit Travel can move her spirit between dimensions.
- Precognition requires a reflective surface.
- Enchantment requires a purification/temptation ritual which lasts for a day and a night.
- Invulnerability does not apply to injuries from iron weapons.
- Broadcast Empath is area effect, and requires the targets to hear her voice.
- Hypnosis is area effect, and requires the targets to hear her voice.
Skills:
Animal Handling (Animal Training): 10, Artist: 08, Charisma: 10, Medicine (First Aid, Medical Treatment): 05, Occultist: 11
Advantages:
Attractive, Connoiseur, Scholar (Atlantean Magic) Languages (French).
Connections:
Morgan Le Fay (High), Atlantis (High).
Drawbacks:
Distinct Appearance, Dependant (Her mortal descendants), Authority Figure, MPI, Attack Vulnerability (Fire) -2 RV (Rare since she normally lives in water), MIA (Luxuries).
Source of Character: Medieval Folk Tales by Sabine Baring-Gould.
Helper(s): John Colagioia, Sébastien Andrivet.