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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jamesmanhattan" data-source="post: 6284883" data-attributes="member: 75838">I'm pretty darn sure the Hag in D&D comes directly from Chaucer. "The Wyf of Bath". and also the Witches from Macbeth.from wikipedia Wyf of Bath:...Knight is looking for the one true answer to "what women desire most" ....Outside a castle in the woods, he sees twenty four maidens dancing and singing, but when he approaches they disappear as if by magic, and all that is left is an old hag. The Knight explains the problem to the hag, who is wise and may know the answer, and she forces him to promise to grant any favour she might ask of him in return. With no other options left, the Knight agrees. Arriving at the court, he gives the answer that women most desire sovereignty over their husbands, which is unanimously agreed to be true by the women of the court, who accordingly free the Knight.The old hag then explains to the court the deal she has struck with the Knight, and publicly requests his hand in marriage. Although aghast, he realises he has no other choice and eventually agrees. On their wedding night the hag is upset that he is repulsed by her in bed. She reminds him that her looks can be an asset – she will be a virtuous wife to him because no other men would desire her. She asks him what he would prefer – an old ugly hag who is loyal, true and humble or a beautiful woman about whom he would always have doubts concerning her faithfulness. The Knight responds by saying that the choice is hers, an answer which pleases her greatly. Now that she has won power over him, she asks him to kiss her, promising both beauty and fidelity. The Knight turns to look at the hag again, but now finds a young and lovely woman. They live happily into old age together.I don't think there is a male counterpart to that. In the most generic of ways you could simply use a "Warlock" and give him his shapeshifting, and all the other powers hags have, through some fey or infernal pact. Also check out an adventure in Dungeon Magazine#59 called "The Mother's Curse" which is one of the best adventures featuring a Hag.</blockquote>

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