Pooka

Origin & Overview

The Pooka (or Púca) is one of the most mysterious and feared fairies in Celtic and Irish folklore. Unlike the merry little fae, the Pooka is a taciturn shapeshifter, a spirit of shadow that blurs the lines between man and beast. They can be bearers of luck, but more often reveal an unpredictable temperament, delighting in sowing confusion or nighttime terror.

Hybrid Appearance

In their humanoid form, Pookas are small, wiry, and angular, with skin that is inky black or ash gray. Their eyes are large, glowing orbs (yellow, orange, or red) that pierce the darkness. They can never fully conceal their animalistic traits: even in bipedal form, a Pooka will possess large dark hare-like ears, goat horns, or a bushy tail reminiscent of a large canine.

Pooka Names

Pookas do not use mortal names. They adopt titles that describe their nocturnal activities or the fear they inspire.

Names: Mist-Hunter, Ember-Eye, Black-Hoof, Moon-Biter, Shadow-Cloak, Whispers, Path-Trumpet, Rough-Fur.

One tale recounts how one of them was adopted and named Timmy.

Racial Traits

You have the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma increases by 2 and your Dexterity by 1.

Age. Like most fairies, Pookas mature very quickly and live for several centuries without aging.

Size & Weight. You stand between 0.9 and 1.2 meters tall and weigh around thirty kilograms. Your size is Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 9 meters.

Creature Type. Your creature type is Fairy.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Sylvan.

Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 18 meters as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. Colors are perceived in shades of gray.

Fey Nature. You have proficiency in the Deception skill.

Animal Transformation. As a shapeshifting spirit, you can use your action to physically transform into a beast. Choose an animal with a Challenge Rating (CR) of 0, lacking a flying or swimming speed. Its fur must be jet black or dark, and its eyes will glow the same color as yours.

The rules for this transformation follow those of the Druid's Wild Shape ability, with the following exceptions:

• The transformation lasts for a number of hours equal to your proficiency bonus.

• You cannot cast spells in this form, but you retain the ability to speak and be understood.

• You retain your mental statistics (Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma).

Once you use this trait, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest.