Chu-u

Chu-u, also called legless ghosts, were a race of greater spirits native to Kara-Tur.

Description
The upper half of a chu-u appeared as an aged human, either male or female. The bottom half of a chu-u was in a misty cloud of roughly 5 feet (1.5 meters) in width. Its skin was green and wrinkled, and they had narrow eyes. They often appeared wearing clothing, usually red, and with a crown of thorns.

Combat
Upon meeting another humanoid, a chu-u began telling the story of its life. This tale described its former life and how it became a chu-u. They pleaded with the humanoids to accompany them to the River of Three Routes, so they could testify on their behalf to the dreaded King Judge, who sentences and delivers punishment to spirits. Afterwards they are returned to the Material Plane. Since the King Judge will often spend a lengthy time deliberating on the chu-u's fate, often up to 100 years, the traveller rarely, if ever, learned the outcome of their intervention.

If they refused to aid the chu-u, the spirit became enraged and swore vengeance. It then transformed into a mist and was drawn into the ground. The vengeance of a chu-u occurred when the victim least expected it, often several years later. The chu-u transformed its arm into misty tendrils, which could be lengthened an unlimited distance, and chokes their victims. This attack could be repelled by a dispel magic spell. Someone who has been cursed by a chu-u was able to have the curse lifted by visiting a shugenja, who performed a purification ritual.

Abilities
Chu-u used ghost light to lure travellers to them.

Society
Chu-u spent their time stuck along the shores of the River of Three Routes, unable to fully enter the Spirit World. On the Prime Material plane, they remained underground until they encountered a humanoid.

Ecology
The tears of a chu-u were collected and used by wu jen and shugenja as the main component in oil of etherealness.