Hag

Hags are a species of extremely dangerous predators. All known Hags are contained by Project Vigilance.

Location
A Hag is to be kept in a chamber with extremely bright lights (100,000 lux) to keep it in a state of suspended animation. No other measures are required, but the lights must never be turned off.

Description
Hags appear as vaguely humanoid creatures approximately 1.5 meters tall. Their already small size is further diminished by their stooping posture, cutting at least 30 cm of their height. They are apparently all female, and it is thought that they reproduce parthenogenetically. Hags appear emaciated and weigh less than 25 kilograms. Their skin is jet-black and has the texture of sandpaper. The only hair Hags have is a mane of white quills extending down their backs. These quills are extremely sharp. The aspect of the Hag found most disturbing is its face: its skin is so drawn that the face resembles a skull, with a perpetual rictus grin full of 10-cm long fangs the color of bone. They usually wear cloaks and tunics made of [DATA EXPUNGED].

A Hag's abilities are almost entirely dependent on the surrounding luminosity. During a new moon, a Hag is strong enough to lift and throw a Sherman tank, can withstand tank fire at point-blank range without any sort of physical damage, and can run at 320 km/h for several hours. At 50 lux, they are about as powerful as a human. Their cloaks are as durable as a meter of solid steel, regardless of luminosity, and can wrap around them and form into the shape of an old woman. Skin contact with a Hag induces the REM cycle immediately, but does not render the victim unconscious, effectively causing sleep paralysis that lasts for days. Hags disguised as old women cannot do this as their skin is not exposed. Hags use this ability to catch their food (preferably humans, but other prey has been recorded). The victim is dragged off to the Hag's lair, which is usually an underground area such as a cave or abandoned subway station, and slowly eaten. Hags are usually compelled to do this once every month or so, and move on when people become suspicious. They do not need to feed when in suspended animation.