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#REDIRECT [[Hag (Dungeons & Dragons)]] {{R from merge}}
{{Other uses|Hag (disambiguation)}}
{{refimprove|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox D&D creature
|name=Night Hag
|image=[[Image:D&DNight hag.JPG|200px]]
|alignment= [[Alignment (Dungeons & Dragons)#Neutral Evil|neutral evil]]
|type=[[Outsider (Dungeons & Dragons)|Outsider]]
|subtype=
|source=
|first=
|mythical=
|based=
|wizards_image_URL=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG193.jpg
|OGL_stats_URL=http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/monstersMtoN.html#night-hag
}}
In the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[fantasy]] [[role-playing game]], the '''night hag''' is an [[Outsider (Dungeons & Dragons)|outsider]] that comes from the [[Gray Waste|Gray Waste of Hades]]. The night hag's relationship to other types of [[Hag (Dungeons & Dragons)|hags]] is unclear. Night hags are perhaps best known for being the harvesters of [[Larva (Dungeons & Dragons)|larvae]], or the souls of the dead as they appear in Hades.
==Publication history==
The night hag was introduced to the D&D game in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. It has been described as comparable to the [[Alp (folklore)|Alp]] of [[folklore]], although "considered a more Judeo-Christian demonic influence".<ref>Michael J. Tresca, ''The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing Games'' (2011), p. 33.</ref>
===Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)===
The night hag appears in the first edition ''[[Monster Manual]]'' (1977), where it is described as the ruler of the convoluted planes of [[Gray Waste|Hades]]. The book states that night hags form [[Larva (Dungeons & Dragons)|larvae]] (the most selfishly evil of all souls who sink to lower planes after death) from evil persons they slay, and sell them to [[Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)|demons]] and [[Devil (Dungeons & Dragons)|devils]].<ref>[[Gary Gygax|Gygax, Gary]]. ''[[Monster Manual]]'' ([[TSR, Inc.|TSR]], 1977)</ref> The ''Monster Manual'' was reviewed by [[Don Turnbull (game designer)|Don Turnbull]] in the British magazine ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'' #8 (August/September 1978). As part of his review, Turnbull comments on several new monsters introduced in the book, referring to the night hag as "splendid" and notes that the illustration of the night hag is the best drawing in the book.<ref name="WD8">{{cite journal|title=Open Box|last=Turnbull|first=Don|authorlink=Don Turnbull (game designer)|journal=[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]|issue=8|date=August–September 1978|pages=16–17}}</ref>
===Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)===
The night hag appears first in the ''[[Monstrous Compendium|Monstrous Compendium Outer Planes Appendix]]'' (1991),<ref>[[J. Paul LaFountain|LaFountain, J. Paul]]. ''[[Monstrous Compendium|Monstrous Compendium Outer Planes Appendix]]''. ([[TSR, Inc.|TSR]], 1991)</ref> and is reprinted in the ''[[Monstrous Manual]]'' (1993).<ref>[[Doug Stewart (game designer)|Stewart, Doug]], ed. ''[[Monstrous Manual]]'' (TSR, 1993)</ref>
The unique night hag '''Sytrix''' appears in ''Monstrous Compendium Ravenloft Appendix II'' (1993).
The night hag was further detailed in the first ''Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix'' (1994).<ref>[[Allen Varney|Varney, Allen]], ed. ''Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix'' (TSR, 1994)</ref>
The article "Pox of the Planes" in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] Annual'' #2 (1997) described the night hags as the creators of the [[Yugoloth|altraloths]], powerful unique yugoloths.<ref name="pox">[[Ed Bonny|Bonny, Edward]]. "Pox of the Planes." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] Annual'' #2 (TSR, 1997)</ref>
===Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 edition (2000-2002)===
The night hag appears in the ''[[Monster Manual]]'' for this edition (2000).<ref>[[Monte Cook|Cook, Monte]], [[Jonathan Tweet]], and [[Skip Williams]]. ''[[Monster Manual]]'' ([[Wizards of the Coast]], 2000)</ref>
===Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition (2003-2007)===
The night hag appears in the revised ''[[Monster Manual]]'' for this edition (2003).
The night hag was detailed in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #324 (October 2004), in the "Ecology of the Night Hag".<ref>[[F. Wesley Schneider|Schneider, F Wesley]]. "The Ecology of Night Hags." ''Dragon'' #324 ([[Paizo Publishing]], 2004)</ref>
===Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)===
The night hag appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008), under the ''[[Hag (Dungeons & Dragons)|hag]]'' entry.<ref>[[Mike Mearls|Mearls, Mike]], [[Stephen Schubert]], and [[James Wyatt (game designer)|James Wyatt]]. ''[[Monster Manual]]'' ([[Wizards of the Coast]], 2008)</ref>
==Description==
A night hag is always [[Alignment (Dungeons & Dragons)#Neutral Evil|neutral evil]]. A night hag has an array of magical powers, and can transmit a disease called "demon fever" by biting a victim. Night hags are also able to torment chaotic or evil individuals by invading their dreams using a special item called a "heartstone." This process eventually transforms the victim into a larva unless some force capable of affecting ethereal beings puts a stop to it.
Night hags are believed to have created the [[Yugoloth|altraloths]], powerful unique yugoloths.<ref name="pox"/>
For reasons unknown, some night hags give birth to accursed offspring known as dusk hags. (see [[Eberron]] [[campaign setting]])
[[Cegilune]] is the goddess of the night hags, or possibly just the most powerful one of their kind who has since gained a shred of divinity.
==Other publishers==
{{original research|date=September 2013}} <!--These primary source game sourcebooks make no claims that they are the Dungeons & Dragons "Night Hag", only Wikipedia editors have made that analysis. -->
The night hag appeared in [[Paizo Publishing]]'s book ''Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary'' (2009), on page 215.<ref>[[Jason Bulmahn|Bulmahn, Jason]] (lead designer). ''Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary'' ([[Paizo Publishing]], 2009)</ref>
According to the book ''The Witch, A Sourcebook for Basic Era Games'', a night hag differs from other types of hags as the night hag is only found alone and never forms a covey with other hags; the book adds that there is no relation between night hags and other types at all save for the most common surface similarities and suggests that night hags have more in common with demons.<ref>Brannan, Timothy S. (2012). "The Witch, A Sourcebook for Basic Era Games" Elf Lair Games" http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/107132/The-Witch%3A-A-sourcebook-for-Basic-Edition-fantasy-games?affiliate_id=10748</ref>
==In other media==
===Video games===
A night hag named [[List of characters in Planescape: Torment#Ravel Puzzlewell|Ravel Puzzlewell]] plays a major role in the PC game [[Planescape Torment]] - she is responsible for the immortality of the protagonist: The Nameless One. A large section of the quest involves searching for her, and she is eventually found to be imprisoned by the [[Lady of Pain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.obsidian.net/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=1&showentry=91|title=Un-Ravel-ling Torment.|author=[[Chris Avellone]]|date=2007-11-21|work=Chis Avellone's Blog|publisher=Obsidian Entertainment|accessdate=2009-11-07}}</ref>
==References==
{{More footnotes|date=April 2009}}
{{reflist}}
{{D&D topics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Night Hag (Dungeons and Dragons)}}
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons extraplanar creatures]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons standard creatures]]
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