Vilay

Vilay are a lesser breed of the shadow fey, their answer to dryads, and some even use that name. A vilay looks like a very pale elf maiden with white hair and bright green eyes, and she can become a nightingale at will.

The spirits of her old lovers usually protect her, so she rarely fights. When she must, she casts charm person three times a day with a -3 penalty to the target's save, and she has the spells of a 5th-level cleric (3/3/1). A kiss during an embrace drains one level; those slain this way do not become spirit lovers unless they want to become vilaykin.

Only spells and +1 or better weapons harm her, never wood even when enchanted, though any bone weapon, magical or not, works (her crystal skulls are not bone). Direct sunlight deals 1 point per round, or 1 per turn when dimmed.

She lives in a large tree circled by crystal skulls; more skulls mean more status among her kind, so theft of one is nearly the worst crime imaginable, rivaled only by losing a lover. Most live alone, some in groves of neighboring trees. They hold festive great days but never seem to know when the next one is. Other shadow fey visit mostly to hear their love stories and admire them.

Like dryads, vilay guard the forest and its creatures.

Vilay rarely leave changelings. They choose lovers of either sex for beauty or romantic skill and love them to death, draining the life-force in a night of passion with no saving throw, since only a fully willing partner can start the rite. The lover's skull becomes crystal as hard as adamantite, and the spirit becomes a beautiful incorporeal undead bound to it. Vilaykin keep free will and mostly stay with their vilay; even those sent abroad to gather gifts and tales must return to their skull at least once a year, unable to resist.