Spites

Spites are traits present on different Wood Elves Lords and Heroes when recruited in campaign. They were introduced alongside the Wood Elves rework in The Twisted and the Twilight They can also be imbued by technologies or events such as the Gathering of the Ancients.

Description
A Spite's natural form is a glowing light, but they are capable of shapeshifting into other forms. There are as many different kinds of Spite as there are trees in the wood, each kind having different abilities and favoured shapes. Some appear as tiny Elves riding beetles or miniature, skeletal horses, others as beautiful winged humanoids or woodland animals with slightly unnatural features.

If treated well, Spites can be friendly, if mischievous. However, they are just as likely to be murderous and, well, spiteful, if the mood takes them. They are the essence of capriciousness. Only Elves and Wizards have any real hope of dealing with them, and even then the history of the Wood Elves is filled with instances in which Spites have turned on them or abandoned them in times of need.

Shortly after death, Spites dissolve. This has made it difficult for Old World scholars to study them, and they are considered a myth by most. They prefer to appear as winged figures or wooden people covered in thorns. Sometimes they appear to be riding animals or constructs, but these are just part of the Spites' shapeshifting ability.

Known as a Murder when in a group, Spites are vicious manifestations that take countless forms. Some have barbed, thorn-like limbs and razor sharp talons, others take the form of diminutive winged figures armed with tiny weapons. Some seem to be all teeth and talons, while others may hide their viciousness behind a facade of innocence and beauty. They hide within the cloaks of their hosts, or within the cracks and hollows of ancient Treemen, peeping out maliciously and ready to attack any who draw near.

Units

 * Branchwraith
 * Ancient Treeman
 * Malevolent Branchwraith
 * Malevolent Ancient Treeman

Luminescents

 * Resplendence of Luminescents
 * Type: Augment (area)
 * Duration: Constant
 * Target: Self, affects allies in range
 * Effect Range: 40m
 * +10% Base weapon damage
 * +5 Melee attack
 * +10% Armour-piercing damage

Netlings
Scurrying over their host with feverish abandon, Netlings snag the weapons of enemies that come too close with webs of magical filaments


 * Annoyance of Netlings
 * Block Army action: Enemy movement range is modified by an additional -15%
 * Type: Hex
 * duration: Constant
 * Target: Around self, affects enemies in range
 * Effect Range: 40m
 * -10% Base weapon damage
 * -5 Melee attack
 * -10% Armour-piercing damage

Radiants
Radiants are sponges of magical energy, manifesting as little more than blurred shapes of pure light that beckon the Winds to their host


 * Cluster of Radiants
 * Winds of Magic cost: +2 for all enemy spells
 * Type: Augment of the Winds
 * Duration: Constant
 * Target: Self
 * Great increase to power reserves
 * Improved power recharge rate

Murder
Hiding out in their host's hollows are fiendish forms, ready to strike out at any who draw near.


 * Murder of Spites
 * Type: Direct Damage
 * Duration: Constant
 * Target: Around self, affects enemies in range
 * Active if: In melee
 * Effect Range: 40m
 * Causes damage to combatants

Mischiefs

 * Befuddlement of Mischiefs
 * Type: Hex
 * Duration: 11 Seconds
 * Target: Ground, enemy, 100m
 * Cannot move
 * Uses: 3 Per battle
 * Cooldown: 90 Seconds

Shrikes
Shrikes take on various frightening forms, moving like quicksilver to target the eyes, and even move foe's bodies to attack their very minds.


 * Armour-piercing damage +50
 * Pageant of Shrikes
 * Type: Hex
 * Duration: 20 Seconds
 * Target: Enemy, 75m
 * Greatly depletes ammunition
 * -20 reload skill
 * -20% Range
 * Cooldown: 90 Seconds
 * Uses: 3 Per battle

Malevolents
Unleashed upon a foe, these aggressive manifestations of the forest are utilized for their needle-like arrows that inflict painful wounds from afar.


 * Wound action: Additional 15% chance of wounding target
 * Muster of Malevolents


 * Duration: 15 Seconds
 * Target: Enemy, 75m
 * Causes damage to combatants
 * Strong vs. a single combatant
 * Chance opponents will resist damage
 * Weak vs. multiple combatants
 * -100% Vigour
 * Cooldown: 90 Seconds
 * Uses: 3 Per battle

Terrors
Mirthfully looming out from their host, Terrors take on their most fearsome aspect to dampen the spirits of their horrified prey.


 * Enemy leadership -5 (local enemy armies)
 * Blight of Terrors
 * Type: Hes (area)
 * Duration: 20 Seconds
 * Target: Around self, affects enemies in range
 * Effect Range: 40m
 * -16 Leadership
 * Uses: 3 Per battle
 * Cooldown: 90 Seconds

Despairs
The Despairs are among the most feared spites within Athel Loren, their arrival always foretelling imminent death


 * Ward save +10%
 * Lamentation of Despairs