The Banshee - Folklore & Fantasy
Evil elf ghost or fey harbinger of death?
Claim your free D&D 5e monster—the Bean Sidhe—below!
As we celebrate St. Patrick's Day with green beer, corned beef, or maybe even a movie marathon, let's also dive into the rich world of Irish folklore and tabletop gaming. Today, we're delving into the mysterious and haunting tale of the Bean Sidhe, better known as the Banshee. Known for their chilling wails and eerie presence, these otherworldly beings herald the impending death of certain Irish families. Join us on a journey through the mists of legend, a whimsical Disney film, and the realms of Dungeons & Dragons—as we unravel the myth of the wailing woman called the banshee and discover how she continues to inspire haunting tales of adventure.
Similar to my adaptation of the Coblynau from Welsh folklore, I've crafted the bean sidhe (pronounced the same as banshee) to more closely resemble its original folklore counterpart, rather than the "evil elf ghost" version that has persisted in D&D throughout the years. In my home campaign, I plan to swap out one for the other, which is why I attempted to create a monster with the same Challenge Rating (with ideas to possibly create alternate, more powerful versions later on).
The following material has not been playtested and should be considered a draft version. Part of me is unsatisfied with the omission of the incredible physical strength often attributed to the bean sidhe in legend, but for the sake of game balance, I'm leaving it alone for now.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this variant banshee in the comments, and whether you'd like me to continue the Folklore & Fantasy series. Are there any other legendary creatures you'd like to see examined and re-imagined?
Until next time, my friends. May the road rise up to meet you.
